Continuous, discontinuous and mixed lines

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Continuous, broken or mixed lines: what each marking permits, when crossing is allowed and when it is penalised.

Coverage, Continuous, discontinuous and mixed lines

Lesson objectives

Understand the difference between continuous, discontinuous and mixed lines and their crossing rules Master the prohibitions on overtaking and lane changing according to the type of marking Identify yellow markings and their absolute priority over white markings

The three types of road markings

The road surface is divided into traffic lanes by lines painted on the road. These lines can be continuous , discontinuous or mixed (one continuous and one discontinuous side by side). Each type has a precise meaning that determines whether you can cross the line or not.

Road markings: types and meanings

White continuous line: absolute prohibition

Article 72.2 sets out two rules, not one: « A continuous line means that it is forbidden for any driver to cross it . » « Furthermore, it is forbidden to drive to the left of a continuous line , when it separates the two directions of traffic. » The second is the one that is often forgotten: driving astride or to the left of a central continuous line is a separate offence from crossing it.

Prohibitions with a white continuous line:

overtaking on the left; changing lanes; turning left to enter a property or private access; joining a parking space on the other side; making a U-turn. Two nuances, however. Article 72.4 allows crossing a mixed line again to resume your normal position after a lawful overtake. And article 73.4 provides that temporary orange markings nullify white markings drawn in the same place, a white continuous line neutralised by a construction site marking no longer applies.

The scale « −5 points » that appeared here does not correspond to any text and has been removed. What needs to be remembered is elsewhere: crossing a continuous line to overtake is two offences under article 72.2 if the line separates the two directions, crossing it, then driving to its left.

White discontinuous line: overtaking allowed

Text of article 72.3 : « A discontinuous line means that it is forbidden for any driver to cross it, except to overtake, to turn left, to make a U-turn or to change lanes . » The wording matters: crossing is not free, it is authorised for four reasons . The same article adds a rule that is very often tested: when the dashes are shorter and closer together , they announce the approach of a continuous line . This is therefore not an invitation to hurry up and overtake, but a warning that overtaking is about to end.

Before overtaking on a discontinuous line, always check: ✓ That the line is indeed discontinuous (not continuous) ✓ That you have good visibility ✓ That no sign prohibits overtaking ✓ That you can return to your lane before an oncoming vehicle arrives

Overtaking allowed on discontinuous line

Mixed line: asymmetric rule

Article 72.4 : when a continuous line and a discontinuous line are placed side by side, « the driver must only take into account the line on their side ». And the second paragraph, which is decisive: « Drivers who have crossed these lines to carry out an overtake may nevertheless cross them again to resume their normal position on the road. » The return is therefore lawful even if it is the continuous line that is presented on your side when you move back.

Mixed situation: you can overtake

You are driving in the right lane. To your left, you first see a discontinuous line (on the side of your lane), then a continuous line (on the side of the opposite lane). You can cross the discontinuous line to overtake. Once the overtake is complete, you cross the continuous line to return to your right lane.

Mixed situation: you cannot overtake

You are driving in the right lane. To your left, you first see a continuous line (on the side of your lane), then a discontinuous line (on the side of the opposite lane). You cannot cross the continuous line. Overtaking is prohibited, even if the discontinuous line is visible on the other side.

Mixed line: asymmetry of crossing

Yellow markings: absolute priority

Two colours do not serve the same purpose. Orange , these are the temporary markings of construction sites (art. 73.1). Orange lines or studs, continuous or discontinuous, with exactly the same meaning as their white equivalents. And above all, article 73.4 : « Temporary markings nullify other longitudinal markings of white colour drawn in the same place. » Yellow , the code has only one longitudinal use for it: the discontinuous yellow line drawn on the actual edge of the road surface , which prohibits parking (art. 75.1, 2°). There is no « continuous yellow line in the centre » in the Belgian code.

Rules for yellow markings:

Orange markings (construction site) : same meaning as white ones, and they cancel out the white markings traced in the same place (art. 73.1 and 73.4). Orange studs : close together and regular = continuous line; placed in separate groups = dashed line (art. 73.2 and 73.3). Yellow dashed line at the edge of the roadway : parking prohibited along this line (art. 75.1, 2°). Stopping remains possible. White continuous line at the edge : it only makes the actual edge more apparent (art. 75.1, 1°), it prohibits nothing.

Yellow dashed line at the edge of the roadway

A dashed yellow line traced on the actual edge of the roadway, the edge of a pavement or a protruding shoulder means that parking is prohibited on the roadway along this line (art. 75.1, 2°). It is parking that is targeted, not stopping: immobilizing the vehicle for the time required for the boarding or alighting of persons or things remains possible. Not to be confused with the wide white continuous line of article 75.2 , which marks the fictitious edge of the roadway: the part beyond it is conversely reserved for stopping and parking , except on motorways and roads for motor vehicles.

Stopping vs Parking

Stopping (art. 2.22): vehicle immobilized for the time required for the boarding or alighting of persons or things. Parking (art. 2.23): vehicle immobilized beyond this time, including to refuel or recharge a battery.

Summary: markings and crossing

Marking Meaning Basis Continuous line Prohibition to cross it; and prohibition to drive to its left if it separates the two directions 72.2 Dashed line Crossing prohibited except to overtake, turn left, make a U-turn or change lane 72.3 Short and close dashes Announce the approach of a continuous line 72.3 Continuous + dashed juxtaposed Only the line on your side counts; return permitted after an overtaking 72.4 Orange lines or studs Temporary construction site markings; same meaning as white ones and cancel them 73.1 to 73.4 Two narrow parallel white dashes Bicycle lane 74 White continuous line on the actual edge Makes the edge more apparent, prohibits nothing 75.1, 1° Yellow dashed line on the edge Parking prohibited along the line 75.1, 2° Wide white continuous line (fictitious edge) Beyond it: area reserved for stopping and parking , except motorways and roads for motor vehicles 75.2 Two pairs of short dashes on each side Fictitious edges of a roadway with central lane 75.3 Dashed line with long and close dashes Lane reserved during peak hours 72.7 Wide white dashes or checkerboard + F17 Bus lane , not part of the roadway 72.5 Wide white continuous or checkerboard + F18 Special crossable site , not part of the roadway 72.6

Key points to remember

Continuous : prohibition to cross it, and to drive to its left when it separates the two directions. Dashed : crossing prohibited except to overtake, turn left, make a U-turn or change lane . Shorter and closer dashes : announce a continuous line. Mixed : only the line on your side counts; after a legitimate overtaking, you can cross it again to return to your lane. Orange = construction site: same meaning as white, and cancels the white marking in the same place. Yellow dashed line at the edge = parking prohibited; stopping remains permitted. Wide white continuous line = fictitious edge: beyond it, you can stop and park (except motorways and roads for motor vehicles). The bus lane and the special crossable site are not part of the roadway.

What now?

First take the quiz of this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and the MCQs . Next lesson: Stop, yield, pedestrian crossings and arrows .

BelgianLicenses

Theory without practice is forgotten: continue with the MCQs to durably anchor your learning.