How to determine the number of lanes on the road: markings, signs and practical tips

• 🛣️ On motorways (sign 5.1) minimum bandwidth - 3.75 m.
• 🏙️ The city has a standard lane - 3–3.5 m.

Example: if you see a double solid 1.3 and to the right of it another solid 1.1, and behind it the curb - in your direction one lane. If between 1.3 and there are intermittent markings on the side of the road 1.5 — there are already two stripes.

I'm looking for signs 5.15.1–5.15.8 above the road

I check the markup type (1.1, 1.3, 1.5)

Estimating the width of the road (visually or using maps)

I take into account the type of road (city/highway)

I check the movements of other cars (but don’t trust them completely) -->

3. Typical driver mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced drivers sometimes make mistakes. Here are the most common misconceptions:

Critical mistake: many drivers think that if there are no markings on the road, then they can drive “at their convenience.” In fact, according to clause 9.1 of the traffic rules, in the absence of markings, the number of lanes is determined by the width, and driving into oncoming traffic is prohibited even on an empty road.

By marking

According to the signs above the road

By the movement of other cars

By eye, according to the width of the road

I'm using the navigator -->

4. Difficult cases: what to do if the markings are erased or contradict the signs

Situations where markings and signs conflict are common. Here's how to proceed:

• 📛 Signs are more important than markings (Clause 1 of Appendix 2 to the Traffic Regulations). If the sign 5.15.1 shows 3 lanes, but the markings are erased or show 2 - follow the sign.
• 🛣️ Markup is more important than “habit”. If you have always driven on this road as a two-lane road, but after repairs there are new markings with three lanes, follow the markings, even if other drivers ignore it.
• 🚧 Temporary signs and markings (yellow) is more important than the permanent ones. For example, if temporary markings were applied to the area being repaired 1.18 (yellow intermittent), it cancels the permanent one.

Case study: on Leningradskoe highway in Moscow, after reconstruction, the width of the road increased, but the markings were not applied immediately. Many drivers continued to drive “by memory”, occupying the middle lane for overtaking, although in fact it became oncoming. The result is several head-on collisions within a week.

⚠️ Attention! If the markings are erased, but its remains are visible (for example, broken lines), the court may find you guilty of an accident, even if you were guided by the signs. Always take pictures of the road conditions with a camera or dash cam!

5. How does the width of the road affect the number of lanes

If there are no markings or signs, the width of the road becomes a key factor. Here's how to evaluate it:

• 📏 Up to 6 meters: one lane in each direction. Overtaking is prohibited.
• 📏 6–9 meters: two lanes (one per direction). Overtaking is allowed if there are no continuous markings.
• 📏 More than 9 meters: three or more stripes. You need to look at the movement of other cars and focus on the “unwritten rules” (for example, on wide avenues, the leftmost lane is often used for overtaking).

Practical advice: if the road seems wide, but there are no markings, move closer to the right and watch oncoming cars drive by. If they keep to the left, without entering “your” territory, most likely there are two lanes. If oncoming cars are driving in the middle, there is only one lane and overtaking is prohibited.

Example: on Novorizhskoe highway near Moscow there is a section ~8 meters wide without markings. Many drivers mistakenly consider it to be three-lane, although according to traffic regulations there are only two lanes (one per direction). Accidents happen there every week.

6. Features of multi-lane roads: what you need to know

On the roads with three or more stripes In one direction additional rules apply:

• 🚗 Far right lane - for slow-moving vehicles and right turns.
• 🏎️ Mid lanes - for the main thread.
• 💨 Leftmost lane — for overtaking (on highways) or left turns (in the city). Driving along it without the purpose of overtaking is subject to a fine of 1 500 ₽ (clause 9.4 of the traffic rules).

Important: on some highways (for example, MKAD) the left lane can be allocated for carpooling (sign 5.14.3) or public transport. You cannot drive there in a regular car - there will be a fine. 3 000 ₽.

One more nuance: on roads with reversible stripes (sign 5.8) the number of stripes varies depending on the time of day. For example, in the morning three lanes can be assigned to one direction, and in the evening to another. Always keep an eye on reversible traffic lights (red cross = no movement).

7. How to avoid getting fined: check before maneuver

Always make sure you have the correct number of lanes before overtaking, changing lanes or turning. Here's what to check:

1. Are there any signs 3.20 ("Overtaking is prohibited") or 3.22 (“Overtaking by freight is prohibited”).
2. Are you crossing the solid line? 1.1 or 1.3 (even if the road seems wide).
3. Aren't you on reverse lane at prohibited times (red cross at traffic lights).
4. Aren't you moving along dedicated band for public transport (marking 1.23.1).

If in doubt - don't take risks. It's better to lose a few minutes than to get a fine or get into an accident. Remember: cameras recording violations (for example, "Strelka" or "Auto Hurricane") recognize entry into the oncoming lane even without markings - along the trajectory of movement.