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Florida driving lesson · Highways, Parking, and Turning

Traffic lanes, HOV lanes and red reflectors

A 3-minute lesson from the Florida course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Highways, Parking, and Turning
Checkpoint questions
3
Source pages
56, 73, 76, 77

Which lane you use depends on how many lanes the road has and whether you're passing. Some lanes are reserved, and red reflectors warn you that you're going the wrong way.

Know the rule

On a two-lane highway, always drive in the right lane unless you're overtaking and passing where allowed.

Handbook p. 76 ↗

Know the rule

On a road with four or more lanes and two-way traffic, drive in the right lanes except when overtaking and passing.

Handbook p. 77 ↗

Know the rule

The center lane of a three-lane or five-lane highway is only for turning left.

Handbook p. 77 ↗

HOV lane

A High Occupancy Vehicle lane, usually the left lane, reserved for vehicles with two or more occupants or for hybrid/low emission vehicles (LEVs).

Handbook p. 77 ↗

HOV lane rules:

  • Marked by signs and diamond pavement symbols, separated by a striped buffer zone
  • Enter and exit only at designated points
  • LEVs need a decal and FLHSMV Form 83027
Handbook p. 77 ↗

Know the rule

Red reflectors on lane lines always mean you're facing traffic the wrong way and could have a head-on collision.

Handbook p. 77 ↗

Red reflectors

Red reflectors
Where you see themWhat it means / do
On the lane lines, facing youWrong side of the road; turn around or change lanes now
On the edge lines of the roadWrong way on a ramp; pull over, turn around when safe
Handbook p. 77 ↗

Know the rule

Seeing red reflectors on the lane lines is also the exception that lets you back up or turn around on a highway ramp.

Handbook p. 73 ↗

Know the rule

The Slower Traffic Keep Right sign means slower traffic must stay right unless passing.

Handbook p. 56 ↗

Put it into practice

At night you enter what you think is an on-ramp and see red reflectors glowing on the edge lines ahead. You're going the wrong way on a ramp. Pull over immediately and turn around when it's safe.

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.

On a two-lane highway, which lane must you drive in unless overtaking and passing?
  1. The center lane
  2. Either lane freely
  3. The right lane
  4. The left lane

Answer: The right lane

On a two-lane highway you must always drive in the right lane unless you are overtaking and passing.

Handbook p. 76 ↗
If you see red reflectors facing you on the lane lines of the road, what does this mean?
  1. A toll booth is approaching
  2. The lane is closed ahead
  3. A railroad crossing is ahead
  4. You are on the wrong side of the road

Answer: You are on the wrong side of the road

Red reflectors facing you on lane lines always mean you are facing traffic the wrong way and could have a head-on collision.

Handbook p. 77 ↗
HOV lane vehicles may enter and exit the lane at any point along the highway.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Vehicles may enter and exit the HOV lane only at designated points.

Handbook p. 77 ↗
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