Roadwise States California Driving lessons Passing, HOV, center turn lanes & turnouts California driving lesson · Lane Markings & Lane Types
Passing, HOV, center turn lanes & turnouts 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, 22 Some lanes have special jobs: the passing lane, carpool lanes, center left turn lanes and turnouts. Each has rules on who may use it and for how long.
Know the rule
On a multilane road, the passing lane is the far-left lane, closest to the center divider.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ HOV (carpool) lane A lane reserved for carpools, buses, motorcycles, or low-emission vehicles with decals. Marked with a diamond symbol and the words Carpool Lane.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ You may use an HOV lane if: You have the minimum number of people posted on signs (signs also list the hours HOV rules apply) You drive a low or zero emission vehicle displaying a special DMV-issued decal You ride a motorcycle (unless otherwise posted) Handbook p. 22 ↗ HOV sign: 2 or more occupants required Know the rule
Do not cross over double solid lines to enter or exit an HOV lane. Use designated entrances and exits.
Handbook p. 22 ↗ Center left turn lane A lane in the middle of a two-way street, marked on both sides by a broken inner line and a solid outer line, used only to prepare for and make left turns or U-turns.
Handbook p. 22 ↗ Know the rule
A center left turn lane is not a regular traffic lane or a passing lane.
Handbook p. 22 ↗ To turn left from a center left turn lane: Look for vehicles coming toward you in the center left turn lane Signal Look over your shoulder to check your blind spots Merge completely into the lane so you do not block traffic Turn when it is safe Handbook p. 22 ↗ Using a center left turn lane Know the rule
You must use a turnout area or lane to let vehicles pass when driving slowly on a two-lane road where passing is unsafe and five or more vehicles are following you.
Handbook p. 22 ↗ 5 vehicles Use a turnout when this many or more are lined up behind you on a two-lane road
Handbook p. 22 ↗ SLOWER TRAFFIC USE TURNOUTS sign Put it into practice
You're towing a boat slowly up a two-lane mountain road where passing is unsafe, and you count six cars behind you. You must pull into the next turnout to let them pass.
A useful reminder Center turn lane: 200 feet max. It's for turning, never for passing or cruising.
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 symbol is marked on the road surface of an HOV/carpool lane? A bicycle symbol and arrow A diamond and the words Carpool Lane White triangles across the lane Large broken white lines Answer: A diamond and the words Carpool Lane
The road surface in an HOV lane is marked with a diamond symbol and the words Carpool Lane.
Handbook p. 22 ↗ What must a low- or zero-emission vehicle display to use an HOV lane without enough passengers? A commercial license plate A disabled person placard A special DMV-issued decal A FasTrak toll device Answer: A special DMV-issued decal
A low- or zero-emission vehicle must display a special DMV-issued decal to use an HOV lane.
Handbook p. 22 ↗ How should you enter or exit an HOV lane marked by double solid lines? Anywhere after signaling Only during rush hour Only after signaling for 10 seconds Only at designated entrances and exits Answer: Only at designated entrances and exits
You must not cross double solid lines to enter or exit an HOV lane; use designated entrances and exits.
Handbook p. 22 ↗ How is a center left turn lane marked on both sides? A broken inner line and a solid outer line Two solid lines on both sides Two broken lines on both sides A single dashed yellow line Answer: A broken inner line and a solid outer line
A center left turn lane is marked with a broken inner line and a solid outer line on both sides.
Handbook p. 22 ↗ How far may you drive within a center left turn lane before turning? Up to 500 feet Up to 200 feet Up to 50 feet There is no limit Answer: Up to 200 feet
You may only drive for 200 feet in the center left turn lane before completing your turn.
Handbook p. 22 ↗ On a two-lane road where passing is unsafe, when must a slow driver use a turnout to let others pass? When 3 or more vehicles are following When any vehicle is following When 5 or more vehicles are following When 10 or more vehicles are following Answer: When 5 or more vehicles are following
You must use a turnout when driving slowly on a two-lane road where passing is unsafe and 5+ vehicles are following.
Handbook p. 22 ↗ Previous lesson Choosing & changing lanes Next lesson Bicycle lanes & bike markings 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, 22. 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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