Continuous centre lines
You can cross a single continuous centre line to enter or leave a road, including entering or leaving a property.
However, you can’t cross a single continuous centre line to:
Where there is a single continuous dividing line to the left of a broken line you can enter or leave a property or road. You cannot overtake from the same side of the road as the continuous line, or do a U-turn.
Where there is a double continuous centre line, you are not permitted to cross it at all. Section 132 and 134 of the Queensland Road Rules apply.
Broken centre lines
You are allowed to overtake across a broken centre line or broken centre line to the left of a continuous centre line. You can also turn and U-turn across this type of line.
Continuous lane lines
A driver must not cross a continuous line separating two lanes unless the lane is a special purpose lane, such as a transit lane, and the driver is allowed to use the special purpose lane.
Continuous edge lines
Edge lines are used to mark the edge of the road. The area to the left of the edge line is called the shoulder of the road. This space is not an extra lane for vehicles to travel in. However, cyclists may travel on the road shoulder.
Motor vehicle drivers must ensure they do not cross the continuous white line at the edge of the road unless they are:
- entering or leaving the road
- turning at an intersection
- overtaking to the left of a vehicle that is turning right or making a U-turn
- driving a slow-moving vehicle
- stopping at the side of a road (unless signs or markings say not to).
Drivers can cross the continuous white edge line for up to 100 metres when:
- entering or leaving the road
- turning at an intersection
- stopping at the side of a road (unless signs or markings say not to).
If the road is multi-laned, then the driver should not cross any edge line prior to turning at an intersection.
Sections 27, 28 and 150 of the Queensland Road Rules apply.
Video of continuous centre lines
Video transcript
A lot of people believe you must never cross a continuous centre line.
But that's not the rule.
You certainly can't overtake when there's a continuous centre line and you can't do a U-turn across one.
But you are allowed to cross a continuous centre line if you are entering a road or leaving a road.
Even if there's a broken line on the other side, you're still permitted to cross the continuous centre line if you are entering or leaving a road.
But remember, if there's a double continuous centre line, you're not permitted to cross it at all.
Similar rules apply to painted traffic islands. If the island's surrounded by one continuous line, you can drive on or over it for up to 50 metres in order to enter or leave the road, or to enter a turning lane that begins immediately after the island.
But if the island's surrounded by double continuous lines, or if it separates traffic flowing in the same direction, like where an onramp merges on to a motorway, you must stay off it, unless you need to avoid an obstruction.
Doing it the right way is easy when you know how.
Painted traffic islands
If the island is surrounded by a single continuous line, you can drive on or over it for up to 50 metres in order to:
- enter or leave the road
- enter a turning lane that begins immediately after the island.
However if the island is surrounded by double continuous lines, or if it separates traffic flowing in the same direction — like where an onramp merges onto a motorway — you must stay off it.
Section 138 of the Queensland Road Rules applies.
STOP and GIVE WAY lines
STOP and GIVE WAY lines have the same meaning and authority as STOP and GIVE WAY signs.
A driver approaching a STOP line or GIVE WAY line, where there is no corresponding sign installed, must obey the road markings as if there was a sign in place.
Sections 67–69 of the Queensland Road Rules apply.
