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

While merging onto a California highway, what does the manual say about solid lines on the pavement?

  1. A.
    Cross them quickly if the on-ramp is running out
  2. B.
    You may cross a single solid line if you signal first
  3. C.
    Do not cross any solid lines when merging Correct
The Why

The answer is "Do not cross any solid lines when merging"

The manual says do not cross any solid lines when merging onto a highway, even when the on-ramp is running short. The temptation behind B is a carryover from the broken-line rule, where a signal permits a lane change; solid lines simply are not crossed, signal or no signal.

Why the others miss

The traps in the wrong answers

A. Cross them quickly if the on-ramp is running out

The manual bars crossing solid lines when merging, whether or not the ramp is short. This answer reads the shrinking ramp as a permission slip the printed rule does not grant.

B. You may cross a single solid line if you signal first

Signaling permits lane changes across broken lines, but solid lines are not crossed at all. This answer confuses the broken-line signaling rule with the solid-line restriction that stands regardless of a signal.

The Rule

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

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