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

According to the manual, when should you use the right lane on a multi-lane Texas highway?

  1. A.
    Whenever you plan to remain on the highway for more than one exit
  2. B.
    When passing slower vehicles
  3. C.
    When driving at minimum speed or below traffic flow Correct
  4. D.
    When traveling faster than surrounding traffic
The Why

The answer is "When driving at minimum speed or below traffic flow"

Use the right lane when you are at the minimum posted speed limit or below the normal flow of traffic. Faster traffic and passing belong in the middle or left lane. Choice B carries over the "keep right except to pass" rule of thumb without the second half: the passing itself happens from the middle or left lane, not the right.

Why the others miss

The traps in the wrong answers

A. Whenever you plan to remain on the highway for more than one exit

Exit distance does not decide which lane you belong in during normal cruising. This answer stretches the leaving-the-highway rule to cover the whole trip; the exit lane is meant for when the exit is coming up soon, not the entire time you plan to stay on the road.

B. When passing slower vehicles

Passing happens from the middle or left lane, not the right. This answer applies the 'keep right except to pass' rule of thumb without the second half about where the passing itself happens.

D. When traveling faster than surrounding traffic

Faster-than-flow traffic belongs in the middle or left lane. This answer carries over the rural two-lane habit where any lane feels open at highway speed, missing that Texas assigns speeds to specific lanes on multi-lane roads.

The Rule

This question tests your knowledge of Lane Changes & Merging in Texas. Source: Texas Driver Manual, "Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations (Choose the Proper Lane)," p.47..

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