How long before changing lanes on a freeway must you signal?
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A.
Five seconds Correct
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B.
Two seconds
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C.
Ten seconds
The answer is "Five seconds"
California requires you to signal at least five seconds before changing lanes on a freeway, longer than the general lane-change rule for surface streets. Drivers who carry a quick two-second flash from city driving over to the freeway are the ones who miss this stricter timing.
The traps in the wrong answers
B. Two seconds
The manual sets the freeway lane change signal at five seconds, not two. This answer carries a quick city-street signal flash over to the stricter freeway rule.
C. Ten seconds
Ten seconds is longer than the manual requires; the freeway rule is five seconds. This answer rounds up out of caution rather than trusting the printed figure.
This question tests your knowledge of Lane Changes & Merging in California. Source: California Driver Manual, "Signals," p.11..
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