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Iowa driving lesson · Turning, Lane Changes & Passing

Changing lanes

A 2-minute lesson from the Iowa 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
2 minutes
Course unit
Turning, Lane Changes & Passing
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
44

Lane changes include moving from one lane to another, merging onto a road from an entrance ramp, and entering the road from the curb or shoulder. Each uses the same routine: signal, look, and make sure you have the space.

Lane changes include:

  • Changing from one lane to another
  • Merging onto a roadway from an entrance ramp
  • Entering the roadway from the curb or shoulder
Handbook p. 44 ↗

Know the rule

Change only one lane at a time. Check traffic, confirm there's space, and yield to any vehicles already in the lane.

Handbook p. 44 ↗

Steps (Figure 4.4):

  • Signal: tell other drivers your plans
  • Check mirrors: no vehicles in the lane you want, and nobody about to pass you
  • Check blind spots: look over your shoulder toward your move; no one near your rear corners
  • Check the far lane: someone there may plan to move into the same lane
  • Change carefully without slowing (unless entering a slower lane); keep checking traffic
Handbook p. 44 ↗

Know the rule

When you turn your head to check a blind spot, keep the steering wheel straight—people tend to turn their arms the same way as their head.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
Changing lanes procedure
Changing lanes: check gap, signal, check blind spot, move gradually, cancel signal

Put it into practice

On a three-lane interstate you want the middle lane. A car in the far-left lane is signaling right, too. Hold your lane and let it settle before you move.

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 does the manual say about your speed while you make a lane change?
  1. Slow down before every lane change
  2. Keep your speed unless moving to a slower lane
  3. Speed up by about 10 mph first
  4. Brake lightly as you move over

Answer: Keep your speed unless moving to a slower lane

Make the lane change carefully but without slowing down, unless you are moving into a slower lane of traffic.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
When you check your blind spot before a lane change, where should you look?
  1. Into the inside rearview mirror
  2. Over your shoulder toward the new lane
  3. Over the shoulder away from the new lane
  4. Into the side mirror on that side

Answer: Over your shoulder toward the new lane

Look over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move and be sure no one is near the rear corners of your vehicle.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
What should you avoid doing while your head is turned to check a blind spot?
  1. Keeping both hands on the wheel
  2. Steering with your arms
  3. Checking your mirrors first
  4. Signaling before the check

Answer: Steering with your arms

Keep the wheel straight during a blind-spot check; people tend to turn their arms with their head.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
How many lanes should you cross during a single lane-change maneuver?
  1. Two
  2. Three
  3. One
  4. As many as needed at once

Answer: One

Change only one lane at a time.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
You should only change one lane at a time, rather than crossing two lanes in a single maneuver.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

The manual specifies changing only one lane at a time.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
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