Kansas driving lesson · Visual Search, Speed & Space Management
Space to merge, cross and pass
A 4-minute lesson from the Kansas course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Merging, crossing and passing all require a big enough gap in time. Learn the gap sizes and how long each move takes, and never count on other drivers to make room for you.
4 to 6 seconds
Gap to choose for merging, changing lanes or entering a roadway
Move into the middle of the gap so both you and the car behind can adjust to a 3-second following interval. Don't take a smaller gap; it can quickly get smaller.
Don't pull out just because an approaching vehicle's turn signal is on. Wait until it actually starts to turn; trucks' and motorcycles' signals may not self-cancel.
Pass only one vehicle at a time; a pass can take 20 to 30 seconds. If you can see an oncoming vehicle, don't try to pass. One more than 25 seconds away seems to be standing still.
On a two-lane highway at 55 mph, you want to pass a truck, but a hill crest is about a quarter mile ahead. That's inside 1/3 of a mile, so treat the hill like an oncoming car and wait.
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 size gap in traffic should you look for when merging or changing lanes?
20 to 30 seconds
1 to 2 seconds
4 to 6 seconds
10 to 15 seconds
Answer: 4 to 6 seconds
The handbook recommends a 4-to-6 second gap for merging, entering a roadway, or changing lanes.
An oncoming vehicle that appears to be more than how many seconds away generally looks like it's standing still?
5 seconds
10 seconds
60 seconds
25 seconds
Answer: 25 seconds
Oncoming vehicles more than 25 seconds away can appear to be standing still, which is why judging their speed is difficult and risky when deciding to pass.
