AIM ¶ 2-3-5 — Holding Position Markings
AIM 2-3-5 explains runway holding position markings, ILS critical area holds, and taxiway hold lines. Key visuals and ATC phraseology for student pilots.
In Plain English
Holding position markings tell you exactly where to stop on taxiways and runways to avoid conflicts with traffic. Per AIM 2-3-5, the classic runway holding position marking is four yellow lines — two solid, two dashed — extending across the taxiway. The solid lines are on your side when you must hold; the dashed side faces the runway you've just exited.
Key rules to remember:
- At a towered airport, never cross a runway holding position marking without an ATC clearance.
- At a non-towered airport, you must ensure adequate separation from other traffic before crossing.
- When told "hold short of Runway XX," no part of your aircraft may extend beyond the marking.
- You are not clear of the runway after landing until your entire aircraft has crossed the holding position marking.
- ILS critical area holds use two solid lines connected by ladder-like pairs, paired with a red/white sign — stop completely behind it when instructed.
- Taxiway-to-taxiway holds use a single dashed line.
- Surface-painted holding position signs (red with white text) supplement signs where the taxiway is wider than 200 ft.
These markings also define the Runway Safety Area (RSA) boundary — a critical concept for runway incursion avoidance on your checkride.
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 2-3-52-3-5. 2-3-5. Holding Position Markings
Runway Holding Position Markings. For runways, these markings indicate where aircraft MUST STOP when approaching a runway. They consist of four yellow lines, two solid and two dashed, spaced six or twelve inches apart, and extending across the width of the taxiway or runway. The solid lines are always on the side where the aircraft must hold. There are three locations where runway holding position markings are encountered. Runway Holding Position Markings on Taxiways. These markings identify the locations on a taxiway where aircraft MUST STOP when a clearance has not been issued to proceed onto the runway. Generally, runway holding position markings also identify the boundary of the runway safety area (RSA) for aircraft exiting the runway. Runway holding position markings are shown in FIG 2-3-13 and FIG 2-3-16 . When instructed by ATC, “ Hold short of Runway XX ,” the pilot MUST STOP so that no part of the aircraft extends beyond the runway holding position marking. When approaching runways at airports with an operating control tower, pilots must not cross the runway holding position marking without ATC clearance. Pilots approaching runways at airports without an operating control tower must ensure adequate separation from other aircraft, vehicles, and pedestrians prior to crossing the holding position markings. An aircraft exiting a runway is not clear of the runway until all parts of the aircraft have crossed the applicable holding position marking. NOTE- Runway holding position markings identify the beginning of an RSA, and a pilot MUST STOP to get clearance before crossing (at airports with operating control towers). REFERENCE- AIM, Para 4-3-21 , Exiting the Runway After Landing. Runway Holding Position Markings on Runways. These markings identify the locations on runways where aircraft MUST STOP. These markings are located on runways used by ATC for Land And Hold Short Operations (for example, see FIG 4-3-8 ) and Taxiing operations. For taxiing operations, the pilot MUST STOP prior to the holding position markings unless explicitly authorized to cross by ATC. A sign with a white inscription on a red background is located adjacent to these holding position markings. (See FIG 2-3-14 .) The holding position markings are placed on runways prior to the intersection with another runway, or some designated point. Pilots receiving and accepting instructions “ Cleared to land Runway XX, hold short of Runway YY ” from ATC must either exit Runway XX prior to the holding position markings, or stop at the holding position markings prior to Runway YY. Otherwise, pilots are authorized to use the entire landing length of the runway and disregard the holding position markings. Holding Position Markings on Taxiways Located in Runway Approach Areas. These markings are used at some airports where it is necessary to hold an aircraft on a taxiway located in the approach or departure area of a runway so that the aircraft does not interfere with the operations on that runway. This marking is collocated with the runway approach/departure area holding position sign. When specifically instructed by ATC, “ Hold short of Runway XX approach or Runway XX departure area, ” the pilot MUST STOP so that no part of the aircraft extends beyond the holding position marking. (See Subparagraph 2-3-8 b 2 , Runway Approach Area Holding Position Sign, and FIG 2-3-15 .) Holding Position Markings for Instrument Landing System (ILS). Holding position markings for ILS critical areas consist of two yellow solid lines spaced two feet apart connected by pairs of solid lines spaced ten feet apart extending across the width of the taxiway as shown. (See FIG 2-3-16 .) A sign with an inscription in white on a red background is located adjacent to these hold position markings. When instructed by ATC to hold short of the ILS critical area, pilots MUST STOP so that no part of the aircraft extends beyond the holding position marking. When approaching the holding position marking, pilots must not cross the marking without ATC clearance. The ILS critical area is not clear until all parts of the aircraft have crossed the applicable holding position marking. REFERENCE- AIM, Para 1-1-9 , Instrument Landing System (ILS). Holding Position Markings for Intersecting Taxiways Holding position markings for intersecting taxiways consist of a single dashed line extending across the width of the taxiway as shown. (See FIG 2-3-17 .) They are located on taxiways where ATC holds aircraft short of a taxiway intersection. When instructed by ATC, “ Hold short of Taxiway XX, ” the pilot MUST STOP so that no part of the aircraft extends beyond the holding position marking. When the marking is not present, the pilot MUST STOP the aircraft at a point which provides adequate clearance from an aircraft on the intersecting taxiway. Surface Painted Holding Position Signs. Surface painted holding position signs have a red background with a white inscription and supplement the signs located at the holding position. This type of marking is normally used where the width of the holding position on the taxiway is greater than 200 feet (60 m). It is located to the left side of the taxiway centerline on the holding side and prior to the holding position marking. (See FIG 2-3-11 .) FIG 2-3-12 Geographic Position Markings FIG 2-3-13 Runway Holding Position Markings on Taxiway FIG 2-3-14 Runway Holding Position Markings on Runways FIG 2-3-15 Taxiways Located in Runway Approach and Departure Areas NOTE- 1. Refer to Advisory Circular 150/5300-13 for additional information on obstruction surfaces. 2. Because Taxiway C does not enter the departure area of Runway 33, the sign on Taxiway C does not include the “33 DEP” legend. 3. The location of a holding position is relative to the point on the aircraft that infringes the surface; for inclining surfaces such as an approach surface, the location of the holdline position may differ from the location of the infringement point. FIG 2-3-16 Holding Position Markings: ILS Critical Area
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Describe a runway holding position marking on a taxiway. Which side do you hold on?
Per AIM 2-3-5, it consists of four yellow lines — two solid and two dashed — extending across the taxiway. The solid lines are always on the side where the aircraft must hold; the dashed lines face the runway side.
Q2After landing, when is your aircraft considered clear of the runway?
Per AIM 2-3-5, an aircraft exiting a runway is not clear of the runway until all parts of the aircraft have crossed the applicable runway holding position marking.
Q3What does an ILS critical area holding position marking look like, and when must you stop at it?
Per AIM 2-3-5, ILS hold markings are two yellow solid lines spaced two feet apart connected by pairs of solid lines spaced ten feet apart across the taxiway, with an adjacent red sign with white inscription. When ATC instructs you to hold short of the ILS critical area, you must stop so no part of the aircraft extends beyond the marking, and you may not cross without ATC clearance.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 2