Challenge
Many learners see the solid line on the far side and immediately think 'forbidden'. The CBR exam designer flips the board exactly this way: it is not about which line you see, it is about the line on YOUR side. And that rule has two further exceptions of its own on top.
Read this section on its own page: Challenge: Solid line: main rule, two exceptions, and the gore area
The model
A solid line may not be crossed — except when your own side is broken, or when you use it to reach or leave a breakdown bay, hard shoulder or peak-hour lane. A gore area or nose marking may never be used at all, not even as a lane.
Read this section on its own page: The model: Solid line: main rule, two exceptions, and the gore area
Core
A solid line not running along the road edge may not be crossed, and with two-way traffic you may not even be positioned to the left of that line. At a double line (one solid, one broken side by side) only the line on YOUR side decides — not the line on the far side, however close it looks. The second exception lets you cross the line specifically to reach or leave a breakdown bay, hard shoulder or peak-hour lane — not a general licence, only that one manoeuvre. A gore area or nose marking is never a lane: driving or stopping on it is forbidden, even in a jam. Only someone following a peak-hour lane, or lawfully a bus lane passing a split or merge, may briefly cross it. And all these markings are themselves binding traffic signs — a line with no sign next to it is just as mandatory as a line with one.
Read this section on its own page: Core: Solid line: main rule, two exceptions, and the gore area
Why it matters
Misjudging this rule is dangerous in both directions: overtaking too early across a solid line at a blind bend on the N-road near Venlo ends in a head-on collision; staying overly cautious while your own side is already broken wastes time unnecessarily and can surprise following traffic. The gore area is avoided for the same reason: driving onto it puts you in a zone other drivers specifically do not expect.
Read this section on its own page: Why it matters: Solid line: main rule, two exceptions, and the gore area
Source: RVV 1990 art. 62 · RVV 1990 art. 76 · RVV 1990 art. 77 · checked 2026-10-22
Frequently asked questions
‘A solid line may never be crossed under any circumstances’ – is that true?
No. The ban has two exceptions: if the line on your own side is broken, or if you use it to reach or leave a hard shoulder, breakdown bay or peak-hour lane. 'Never' is not always true
‘At a double line (one solid, one broken side by side) the line on the far side counts, not the one on your own side’ – is that true?
No. The crossing ban does not apply if the side from which you cross (so YOUR OWN side) has a broken line. It is exactly your own side that decides
‘A hatched marking or gore area may be used as an extra lane when it is busy’ – is that true?
No. A hatched marking or gore area may not be used, full stop — it is not a lane, not even when busy. Only someone following a peak-hour lane or lawfully a bus lane passing a split/merge may briefly cross it
‘A road marking (such as a line) is advisory; as long as there is no sign next to it, you are not required to follow it’ – is that true?
No. Road markings are themselves traffic signs and outrank traffic rules; they are exactly as binding as a sign, even with no sign next to them at all
‘A solid line next to a peak-hour lane may never be crossed, not even to enter or exit that lane’ – is that true?
No. The ban also does not apply when the line is crossed to reach or leave a hard shoulder, breakdown bay or peak-hour lane next to the followed lane. That specific crossing is in fact allowed