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Horizontal Road Markings

Horizontal road markings (HRM) are marked directly on the road surface. They supplement and specify vertical signs and traffic light signals.

Basic groups of HRM:

• Longitudinal lines (V1–V4) – separate lanes and opposing traffic
• Transverse lines (V5–V8) – mark intersection edge, crossings and level crossings
• Arrows and symbols (V9–V12) – permitted directions, no stopping/parking, parking spaces

Key rule: White HRM = permanent. Yellow HRM = temporary and takes precedence over white.

Explanation

Longitudinal lines (V1–V2)

Separate traffic lanes or opposing traffic. Key question: may I cross?

V1–V2 Solid and dashed lines

• V1a – Solid longitudinal line: crossing prohibited. Exceptions: avoiding obstacle, passing cyclist or horse, turning off road.
• V1b – Double solid line: crossing prohibited from both sides; exception only for obstacle avoidance.
• V2a – Dashed (gap 2× dash length): you may cross.
• V2b – Dashed (gap = dash length): you may cross, but solid line approaching – warning!
• V2c – Double dashed: lane alternately for both directions (controlled by traffic lights or signs).

Summary: Solid = don't cross. Dashed V2a = free to cross. V2b warns solid line is coming.

Transverse lines – priority and crossings (V6–V8)

V6 Intersection boundary

• V6a – Give way line with triangular symbols: marks the intersection boundary on the minor road. Stop before it and give way.
• V6b – STOP line: always stop unconditionally, even if no one is coming.

V7–V8 Crossings

• V7b – Pedestrian crossing place: pedestrians do not have priority (less frequented roads).
• V8b – Cycle crossing: driver must not endanger or inconvenience cyclists.
• V8c – Combined pedestrian and cycle crossing.

Note: On a classic zebra (V7a) pedestrians always have priority – the driver MUST NOT endanger or inconvenience them.

Arrows (V9), parking markings (V10) and yellow prohibitions (V12)

V9 Arrows

• V9a – Directional arrow: marks the permitted direction in that lane. You must drive in the arrow direction.
• V9b – Advance arrow: warning that the lane diverges or ends (left or right).
• V9c – Advance arrow right.

V10 Parking types

• V10a – Parallel parking (along the kerb)
• V10b – Perpendicular parking (90° to kerb)
• V10c – Angled parking (45° to kerb)

V12 Yellow – prohibitions

• V12c – Yellow solid line at kerb: no stopping (even brief)
• V12d – Yellow dashed line at kerb: no parking (stopping allowed, parking not)

Yellow lines take precedence over white markings and apply continuously.

Summary

Key points to remember:

• V1a solid = don't cross (exceptions: obstacle, cyclist, turning off road)
• V2a dashed = may cross (with rules); V2b warns solid V1a is coming
• V6b STOP line = always stop unconditionally
• Zebra (V7a) = pedestrians always have priority; V7b = they do not
• V9a arrow = drive only in the arrow direction
• Yellow HRM (V12c/d) takes precedence over white; applies continuously

What the law says

Verbatim text of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic, as in force on 1 January 2026. Quoted in Czech — the Czech wording is the binding one.

Check what you remember

Five questions from the official bank. The answer appears only after you choose — try to recall it first, that is what makes learning stick.

1. Question 1 of 5

   A "pedestrian crossing":

   Is a place on the carriageway designated for pedestrians to cross, which may be marked with a traffic sign.Is a place on a road designated for pedestrians to cross, marked with the appropriate traffic sign.Is a place marked with road studs, which may be supplemented with a symbol of a walking pedestrian.

2. Question 2 of 5

   The traffic situation shown warns the driver of:

   
   The possibility of pedestrians only crossing.The possibility of pedestrians crossing and cyclists riding across.The possibility of cyclists only riding across.

3. Question 3 of 5

   Which of these traffic signs prohibits stopping?

   
   abc

4. Question 4 of 5

   This traffic sign prohibits entry of:

   
   Cars and motorcycles.All motor vehicles.All motor and non-motor vehicles.

5. Question 5 of 5

   Entry to the section of road marked with this traffic sign is permitted:

   
   Only for non-motor vehicles and motorcycles without a sidecar.Only for vehicles intended for the transport of persons whose maximum mass does not exceed 3,500 kg.Only for non-motor vehicles.