Chapter 7 · Lesson 2 of 38
Changing lanes and passing
5 min read · Safe Vehicle Operation
Explanation
Changing lanes. Change only one lane at a time and signal first. Don’t weave in and out of lanes — it greatly increases your risk of a crash. On the highway, slower vehicles use the right lane; leave the left lane for faster-moving or passing vehicles.
Steps for a lane change:
- Make sure there is no traffic ahead in the lane you want.
- Check your mirrors for vehicles preparing to pass you.
- Briefly turn your head toward the new lane to check your blind spot and make sure there is room.
- Signal.
- Move smoothly into the new lane.
Passing. Make sure the passing lane is clear — you must be back on the right side no less than 100 feet before any oncoming vehicle. Check behind and to your left, signal, move over and accelerate, and keep going until you can see the vehicle you passed in your rearview mirror. Signal before returning to your lane.
Being passed. Let the other vehicle pass safely and don’t speed up.
Example
You’re behind a slow truck on a two-lane road where passing is allowed. An oncoming car is far away. Before pulling out, ask yourself: can I get past the truck, see it in my rearview mirror, and be back in my lane at least 100 feet before that car? If not, wait.
Common mistake
Pulling back in too soon after passing and cutting off the driver you passed. Wait until you can see that vehicle in your rearview mirror.
What the manual says
Change only one lane at a time.
Make sure the passing lane is clear of traffic, as you must return to the right side of the road no less than 100 feet before any oncoming vehicle
Move into the passing lane, accelerate, and continue to move forward until you can see the vehicle you are passing in your rearview mirror
If another vehicle is passing you on the left-hand side of the road, allow the other vehicle to pass safely and do not increase your speed.
Sources
- Manual p. 37
“Change only one lane at a time.”
- Manual p. 37
“Do not weave in and out of lanes, which will greatly increase your risk of an accident.”
- Manual p. 37
“On the highway, slower vehicles should use the right lane. Leave the left-hand lane for faster-moving or passing vehicles.”
- Manual p. 37
“Briefly turn your head toward the lane that you are entering to make sure that there is no vehicle in your blind spot and that there is sufficient room to move into the adjacent lane”
- Manual p. 38
“Make sure the passing lane is clear of traffic, as you must return to the right side of the road no less than 100 feet before any oncoming vehicle”
- Manual p. 38
“Move into the passing lane, accelerate, and continue to move forward until you can see the vehicle you are passing in your rearview mirror”
- Manual p. 38
“If another vehicle is passing you on the left-hand side of the road, allow the other vehicle to pass safely and do not increase your speed.”
Check your understanding
Question 1 of 3