Mississippi driving lesson · Interstate, Large Vehicles & Bicycles
Entering & exiting the interstate
A 3-minute lesson from the Mississippi course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Interstate traffic moves fast, so ramps and extra lanes let you speed up or slow down out of its way. Merge at the speed of traffic, get in position for your exit early, and never try to fix a mistake on a ramp.
Know the rule
To enter, drive along the ramp and obey the posted ramp speed. At the end of the ramp, speed up in the acceleration lane until you match interstate traffic. Merging slower or faster than the flow of traffic is dangerous.
To merge, yield to approaching vehicles and never turn suddenly into the main flow. Give the proper signal, merge slowly into traffic, then switch off your signal.
To exit, check for vehicles beside and behind you, signal, and move into the deceleration lane. Don't slow down until you're in it; then reduce speed to the posted limit and turn off your signal.
Exiting: move into the deceleration lane before slowing
Know the rule
If you miss your exit, don't stop and back up; continue to the next exit. If you take the wrong exit, continue off the ramp. Never stop, back up or turn around on an exit ramp.
The four principal interchange types: directional, cloverleaf, diamond and trumpet
Know the rule
Ramps and exits are normally marked clearly. If you're unsure how to enter the interstate, pull off the road and stop to check the correct route; don't proceed until you're sure how to use the ramp.
You're in the left lane when a sign shows your exit 1 mile ahead on the right. Start working right now so you're in the right lane at least a quarter mile before the exit, and slow down only after you're in the deceleration lane.
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.
Before merging onto interstate traffic from the acceleration lane, what should you do with your speed?
Come to a full stop and wait for a gap
Keep it well below the interstate traffic speed
Match the ramp's posted speed only
Increase it to match the speed of interstate traffic
Answer: Increase it to match the speed of interstate traffic
You should increase your speed in the acceleration lane until you match the flow of interstate traffic.
