Driver's License Test Prep
California Practice Lane Changes & Merging

You need to move across three lanes to reach your exit. What does the manual tell you to do?

  1. A.
    Cross all three lanes together in one smooth motion
  2. B.
    Slow down until traffic clears in all three lanes
  3. C.
    Signal and cross them one lane at a time Correct
The Why

The answer is "Signal and cross them one lane at a time"

When you have to cross several lanes, signal and cross them one lane at a time. Waiting for all three lanes to clear at once, as B does, stretches a defensive pause into a rule the manual never sets, skipping the sequenced crossing the printed steps lay out.

Why the others miss

The traps in the wrong answers

A. Cross all three lanes together in one smooth motion

Sweeping across multiple lanes in one motion skips the between-lane checks the manual requires. This answer rushes the crossing when the exit ramp is closer than planned.

B. Slow down until traffic clears in all three lanes

The manual sets a sequenced lane-by-lane approach, not a wait-for-clear-traffic condition. This answer waits for a rare condition rather than working through the crossing in sequence.

The Rule

This question tests your knowledge of Lane Changes & Merging in California. Source: California Driver Manual, "Merging," p.23..

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