Turns, Lanes & Passing — California DMV Practice Questions

46 questions in this content area. 6 are published in full below with worked explanations.

1. A center left turn lane may be used to:

APass slow traffic.
BWait for traffic to clear before merging right.
Make a left turn or a U-turn.

Why C is correct

Use the center left turn lane to prepare for and make a left turn or U-turn. It is not a regular traffic lane or a passing lane.

2. After merging, you need to cross several lanes. How should you do it?

AAll at once, while the lanes are clear.
BOnly after slowing well below traffic speed.
One lane at a time, signaling and checking each time.

Why C is correct

Signal and cross lanes one at a time, checking your blind spots each time.

3. On a two-lane road where passing is unsafe, you must use a turnout to let vehicles pass when you are driving slowly and how many vehicles are behind you?

Five or more.
BTwo or more.
CTen or more.

Why A is correct

You must use a turnout when driving slowly on a two-lane road where passing is unsafe and five or more vehicles are following you.

4. When may you pass another vehicle on the right?

When it is turning left and you can pass safely.
BWhen it is slowing down for any reason.
COn any two-lane road with a wide shoulder.

Why A is correct

You may pass on the right on an open highway with two or more lanes your way, when the driver ahead is turning left, or on a one-way street. Never drive off the pavement to pass.

5. While waiting to turn left, why should you keep your wheels pointed straight ahead?

So a crash from behind will not push you into oncoming traffic.
BSo you can turn faster when the light changes.
CSo the driver behind can see your signal.

Why A is correct

Keep your wheels straight until it is safe to turn. If they point left and you are hit from behind, you could be pushed into oncoming traffic.

6. You realize too late that you are about to miss your turn. What should you do?

AStop in the lane and back up to the turn.
Keep driving until you can safely and legally turn around.
CCut across the lanes quickly to make it.

Why B is correct

Last-minute changes increase the risk of collisions. If you miss a turn, keep driving until you can safely and legally turn around.

Watch the lesson

6:06California Turns, Lanes & Passing: five situations explainedFive real situations acted out, answered and explained from the California Driver's Handbook.Free account to watch

40 more Turns & lanes questions

Answers and explanations for these are in the study app.

A bicyclist is waiting in the left turn lane ahead of you. Is that legal?
A bike lane separated from traffic by flexible posts or a curb is called:
A curb lane is marked for buses only. Which is allowed?
Another vehicle is passing you. What should you do?
At a T intersection from a one-way street onto a two-way street, from which lane may you turn either right or left?
Before changing lanes, after signaling and checking your mirrors, you should also:
Before entering a center left turn lane, what should you watch for?
How far may you drive in a center left turn lane?
How should you enter or leave an HOV lane that is separated by double solid lines?
In a residential district, you may make a U-turn when no vehicles are approaching within:
Is it necessary to slow down before changing lanes?
On a multilane road, which lane is the Number 1 Lane?
On a road with three lanes in your direction, which lane is for passing and turning left?
Shared roadway bicycle markings painted in a traffic lane tell drivers that:
To enter traffic on a city street, about how large a gap do you need?
To merge into highway traffic, about how large a gap do you need?
To pass safely on a two-lane road, a hill or curve ahead should be at least:
To prepare for a right turn, where should you drive?
Traffic is slow and the center left turn lane is empty. May you use it to pass?
When entering a highway from an on-ramp, you should be:
When may you drive in a bicycle lane?
When may you turn left against a red light?
When should you signal before a freeway exit?
When you stop behind another vehicle, how much space should you leave?
Where is a U-turn never allowed?
Where should you finish a right turn onto a street with two lanes in your direction?
Which habit increases the risk of a collision on a busy freeway?
Which lane should you use when you enter the road from the curb?
Which vehicle may use an HOV lane with only the driver inside, unless signs say otherwise?
While merging onto the freeway, when should you stop at the end of the ramp?
You are about to miss a freeway exit and would have to cross a solid white line to reach it. What should you do?
You are in a dedicated right turn lane that does not merge into another lane. The light for straight-through traffic is red. May you turn?
You are on a downtown street lined with offices and shops, between intersections. May you make a U-turn there?
You are stopped at a red right-turn arrow. When may you turn right?
You are waiting to turn left. An oncoming car has its right turn signal on. What should you do?
You have started a turn and realize it is the wrong street. What should you do?
You must not pass within how many feet of an intersection, bridge, tunnel or railroad crossing?
You turn left from a two-way street onto a one-way street with three lanes going your way. In which lane may you end the turn?
You turn left from a two-way street onto another two-way street. Which lane should you end in?
You turn right from a one-way street onto another one-way street. Where may you end the turn?

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