Driver’s license knowledge test (Class C) · California DMV
Merging and passing
Questions and answers
-
You are merging onto a highway. Who has the right-of-way?
Traffic already on the highway
Highway traffic has the right-of-way. Merge into a gap large enough for your vehicle.
Section 6 · Merging ↗ -
At what speed should you enter a highway?
At or near the speed of traffic
Match the speed of traffic so you can merge smoothly.
Section 6 · Merging ↗ -
Should you stop on the on-ramp before merging onto a highway?
No, unless absolutely necessary
Merge when it is safe without stopping, unless there is no other choice.
Section 6 · Merging ↗ -
When should you signal before leaving a highway?
Five seconds before the exit, about 400 feet
Signal about five seconds, roughly 400 feet, before you exit.
Section 6 · Exiting ↗ -
How much space do you need to enter or cross traffic on a city street?
Half a block, about 150 feet
On city streets you need about half a block, around 150 feet.
Section 6 · Crossing or Entering Traffic ↗ -
How much space do you need to enter or cross traffic on a highway?
A full block, about 300 feet
Highway speeds are higher, so you need a full block, around 300 feet.
Section 6 · Crossing or Entering Traffic ↗ -
You need to move across several freeway lanes. How should you do it?
One lane at a time, signaling and checking blind spots each time
Cross lanes one at a time and check your blind spots before each move.
Section 6 · Merging ↗ -
You are waiting to turn left. An oncoming vehicle has its right turn signal on. What should you do?
Wait until the vehicle actually starts its turn
The signal may be on by mistake, or the driver may plan to turn beyond you. Wait for the turn to begin.
Section 6 · Crossing or Entering Traffic ↗ -
You must not pass within 100 feet of which places?
An intersection, bridge, tunnel, or railroad crossing
Passing is not allowed within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, tunnel, railroad crossing, or other hazardous area.
Section 6 · Passing ↗ -
To pass safely, a hill or curve should be at least how far ahead?
One-third of a mile
You need a clear view. The hill or curve should be at least one-third of a mile ahead.
Section 6 · Passing ↗ -
When may you pass on the right?
When the driver ahead is turning left and you can pass safely
Passing on the right is allowed on an open highway with two or more lanes in your direction, on a one-way street, or when the driver ahead is turning left.
Section 6 · How to Pass ↗ -
May you drive off the paved part of the road to pass?
No, never
Never leave the paved or main-traveled part of the road to pass.
Section 6 · How to Pass ↗ -
Another vehicle is passing you. What should you do?
Keep your lane position and your speed
Let the vehicle pass. Hold your lane and speed.
Section 6 · Being Passed ↗ -
How long before changing lanes on a freeway should you signal?
At least five seconds
On a freeway, signal at least five seconds before changing lanes.
Section 5 · Signaling ↗ -
The driver ahead is signaling a left turn. May you pass on the left?
No, never pass on the left when the driver is signaling a left turn
A driver signaling left may turn into your path. Pass on the right only if it is safe.
Section 6 · How to Pass ↗ -
How much space should you keep behind the vehicle in front when merging onto a highway?
Three seconds
Leave three seconds of space so you can stop safely.
Section 6 · Merging ↗ -
You are on the on-ramp and a highway driver does not move over for you. Who must adjust?
You, because highway traffic has the right-of-way
The merging driver finds a space large enough and joins the highway when it is safe.
Section 6 · Merging ↗ -
Which of these is NOT part of merging onto a highway correctly?
Stopping at the end of the ramp when it is not necessary
Reach the speed of traffic, use mirrors and signals, and do not stop unless it is absolutely necessary.
Section 6 · Merging ↗ -
You are merging and a solid line still separates your lane from the highway. A gap opens beside you. What do you do?
Wait until you are past the solid line before moving over
Never cross a solid line when merging.
Section 6 · Merging ↗ -
You should signal for a highway exit about five seconds ahead. Roughly what distance is that?
About 400 feet
Five seconds of signaling before a highway exit is approximately 400 feet.
Section 6 · Exiting ↗ -
Which of these should you NOT do when leaving a highway?
Cross a solid line to reach the exit
Know your exit in advance, move over one lane at a time, and never cross a solid line to get off.
Section 6 · Exiting ↗ -
You are entering traffic from a full stop. Why do you need a large gap?
To have room to get up to the speed of traffic
From a full stop, signal and leave a space large enough to reach the speed of traffic.
Section 6 · Crossing or Entering Traffic ↗ -
A gap of about 150 feet, half a block, is enough for entering traffic on which kind of road?
A city street
Half a block, about 150 feet, is the space needed on city streets. A highway needs a full block.
Section 6 · Crossing or Entering Traffic ↗ -
You want to enter a highway from a full stop and the gap in traffic is about 150 feet. Is that enough?
No, on a highway you need a full block, about 300 feet
On the highway you need a full block, which is about 300 feet.
Section 6 · Crossing or Entering Traffic ↗ -
When you judge whether to pass, the one-third of a mile figure refers to what?
How far ahead a hill or curve should be
To pass safely, a hill or curve should be at least one-third of a mile ahead.
Section 6 · Passing ↗ -
Before you pass, what should you look ahead for?
Road conditions that could make other vehicles move into your lane
Check ahead for anything that may cause other vehicles to move into your lane while you pass.
Section 6 · Passing ↗ -
You are nearing the top of a hill on a two-lane road and cannot see whether traffic is coming. May you pass?
No, do not pass here
Do not pass when a hill or curve hides approaching traffic. This is very dangerous on one and two lane roads.
Section 6 · Passing ↗ -
Besides hills and curves, where should you not pass?
At crossroads and driveways
Crossroads and driveways are on the list of places where you must not pass.
Section 6 · Passing ↗ -
What must you be sure of before you pull out to pass?
That you have enough space to return to your lane
Do not pass unless there is enough space to get back into your lane.
Section 6 · Passing ↗ -
A bridge is less than 100 feet ahead and the vehicle in front of you is slow. May you pass it now?
No, not within 100 feet of a bridge
Passing is not allowed within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, tunnel, railroad crossing, or other hazardous area.
Section 6 · Passing ↗ -
What is the first step when you pass on an open highway?
Signal that you plan to pass
Signal first, then check your blind spots over your shoulder, and only then move into the passing lane.
Section 6 · How to Pass ↗ -
You have passed a vehicle on an open highway. How do you finish the pass?
Signal and return to your original lane
After speeding up to pass the vehicle, signal and move back into your original lane.
Section 6 · How to Pass ↗ -
Which of these is NOT a situation where passing on the right is allowed?
The driver ahead is slow on a road with one lane in your direction
Passing on the right is allowed only on an open highway with two or more lanes your way, on a one-way street, or when the driver ahead is turning left.
Section 6 · How to Pass ↗ -
For which lane changes should you signal?
Every lane change
Signal before every lane change, even when you do not see other vehicles around you.
Section 5 · Signaling ↗