Roadwise States California Driving lessons Choosing & changing lanes California driving lesson · Lane Markings & Lane Types
Choosing & changing lanes A 3-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Lane Markings & Lane Types
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 21 On multilane roads, lanes are numbered from the left. Picking the right lane early and changing lanes carefully prevents many collisions.
Number 1 Lane The left (or fast) lane. The lane to its right is the Number 2 Lane, then the Number 3 Lane, and so on.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Lanes are numbered from the left: the far-left lane is the Number 1 Lane Choosing a lane: Use the left lane to pass or turn left Use the right lane to enter or exit traffic Use the right lane when you enter the road from a curb or shoulder Handbook p. 21 ↗ Before you change lanes: Signal Check your mirrors Check traffic behind and beside you Look over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move Check blind spots for vehicles, motorcyclists, and bicyclists Be sure there is enough space for your vehicle in the next lane Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
It is not necessary to slow down before a lane change.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
Stay in one lane as much as possible. Do not weave in and out of traffic or let your vehicle drift into another lane.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
Once you start moving through an intersection, keep going. If you start to make a turn, follow through.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
If you miss a turn, keep driving until you can safely and legally turn around.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Put it into practice
You realize at the last second that your turn is one street back. Don't brake hard or swerve. Continue to the next place where you can safely and legally turn around, then go back.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What is the leftmost, fastest lane on a multilane road commonly called? The Number 2 Lane The carpool lane The express lane The Number 1 Lane Answer: The Number 1 Lane
The left (or fast) lane is called the Number 1 Lane, with lanes numbered from left to right.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Which lane should you generally use to enter or exit traffic from a curb or shoulder? The right lane The left lane The center turn lane The second lane from the right Answer: The right lane
Use the right lane to enter or exit traffic, such as from a curb or shoulder.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Before changing lanes, besides checking mirrors, what else should you do? Slow down before moving over Look over your shoulder toward the new lane Tap your brakes to warn others Turn on your emergency flashers Answer: Look over your shoulder toward the new lane
Before changing lanes, look over your shoulder toward the direction you plan to move to check the lane is clear.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Is it necessary to slow down before making a lane change? Yes, by 5 to 10 mph Yes, on surface streets No, it is not necessary Yes, when moving to the right Answer: No, it is not necessary
The handbook states it is not necessary to slow down before a lane change.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ If you miss your intended turn, what should you do? Stop immediately in your lane Reverse back to the turn Cross the double yellow line to correct it Go on and turn around legally Answer: Go on and turn around legally
If you miss a turn, keep driving until you can safely and legally turn around rather than making an unsafe maneuver.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ The far left lane on a multilane road is called the Number 2 Lane. True False Answer: False
The far left (fast) lane is called the Number 1 Lane; lanes are numbered from left to right.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Previous lesson White lines, lane-end markings & yield lines Next lesson Passing, HOV, center turn lanes & turnouts More in Lane Markings & Lane Types About the source Roadwise’s California course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 21. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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