The lines painted along the edge of the road are a simple language once you know it, and they save you from tickets and worse. They all answer one question: can you stop here, and if so, when?
Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time — never park there. A single yellow line means there are restrictions, but only at certain times, shown on a nearby sign. So double yellow is a flat "no"; single yellow is a "check the sign".
Red lines — single or double — are "red routes", mostly in cities, and they're stricter than yellows: red usually means no stopping at all, not even to drop someone off. The rule of thumb: the bolder and redder the line, the stricter the rule.
The bits that matter
- Double yellow = no waiting at any time. Single yellow = restricted, check the nearby sign.
- Red lines (red routes) are stricter — usually no stopping at all.
- Marks on the kerb itself show loading restrictions.
Memory anchor
Double yellow, never; single yellow, check the sign
Two lines, two rules: double yellow means never wait there; single yellow means it depends — look for the sign that says when. And anything red is stricter still. Double never, single check, red strictest.
Out on the road
Nipping in for a delivery
You stop on a single yellow to grab something from a shop. A glance at the small sign on the post says the restriction only applies 8am–6pm — and it's evening, so you're fine. The driver beside you on a double yellow has no such luck: double yellow never has a time when waiting is allowed.
The mistake everyone makes
Assuming yellow means you can stop briefly
People treat yellow lines as "okay for a minute". Double yellows never are — no waiting means no waiting, even with hazards on. And on a red route, even pausing to drop a passenger can mean a fine. Read the line and the sign before you stop, not after the ticket.