California video lessons · Lesson 3 of 10
California Turns, Lanes and Passing: five situations explained
All five situations and their answers are below. To watch the lesson, create a free account.
In this video
- 0:00Intro
- 0:16You realize too late that you are about to miss your turn. What should you do?
- 1:20How should you enter or leave an HOV lane that is separated by double solid lines?
- 2:23While merging onto the freeway, when should you stop at the end of the ramp?
- 3:18You are on a downtown street lined with offices and shops, between intersections. May you make a U-turn there?
- 4:19How far may you drive in a center left turn lane?
- 5:18Recap
In short
Last-minute changes increase the risk of collisions. Do not cross double solid lines to enter or exit an HOV lane. Merge at or near the speed of traffic, and do not stop unless absolutely necessary.
The five situations
Pick an answer first, the way the video pauses for you. Each one cites the California Driver's Handbook.
Situation 1
You realize too late that you are about to miss your turn. What should you do?
Answer: B. Keep driving until you can safely and legally turn around. Last-minute changes increase the risk of collisions. If you miss a turn, keep driving until you can safely and legally turn around.
California Driver's Handbook › Section 6 › Traffic Lanes › Changing Lanes
Situation 2
How should you enter or leave an HOV lane that is separated by double solid lines?
Answer: A. Use the designated entrances and exits. Do not cross double solid lines to enter or exit an HOV lane. Use designated entrances and exits.
California Driver's Handbook › Section 6 › Types of Lanes › Carpool/High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes
Situation 3
While merging onto the freeway, when should you stop at the end of the ramp?
Answer: B. Only if absolutely necessary. Merge at or near the speed of traffic, and do not stop unless absolutely necessary.
California Driver's Handbook › Section 6 › Merging And Exiting › Merging
Situation 4
You are on a downtown street lined with offices and shops, between intersections. May you make a U-turn there?
Answer: B. No. U-turns are not allowed in business districts, and are only made at an intersection or a divider opening on a divided highway.
California Driver's Handbook › Section 6 › Turns › U-TURN
Situation 5
How far may you drive in a center left turn lane?
Answer: B. No more than 200 feet. A center left turn lane is only for preparing and making a left turn or U-turn. You may drive in it for no more than 200 feet.
California Driver's Handbook › Section 6 › Types of Lanes › Center Left Turn Lanes
Transcript
0:00Intro
Turning, changing lanes and passing are where small mistakes get expensive. Here are five situations from the California Driver's Handbook. For each one, pick your answer before I reveal it.
0:16Situation 1
You're in the wrong lane, and the street you wanted is coming up fast on your right. You realize too late that you are about to miss your turn. What should you do? The answer is B: Keep driving until you can safely and legally turn around. Last-minute changes increase the risk of collisions. If you miss a turn, keep driving until you can safely and legally turn around. Last-second moves cause crashes. Keep going, then turn around safely and legally.
1:20Situation 2
You're in a carpool and want to get into the HOV lane, but it's separated from you by double solid lines. How should you enter or leave an HOV lane that is separated by double solid lines? The answer is A: Use the designated entrances and exits. Do not cross double solid lines to enter or exit an HOV lane. Use designated entrances and exits. Don't cross double solid lines. Wait for a designated entrance, where the lines open up.
2:23Situation 3
You're on a freeway on-ramp, and traffic is moving steadily in the right lane. While merging onto the freeway, when should you stop at the end of the ramp? The answer is B: Only if absolutely necessary. Merge at or near the speed of traffic, and do not stop unless absolutely necessary. Match the speed of traffic and merge into a gap. Stop at the end of the ramp only if you absolutely must.
3:18Situation 4
You're on a downtown street lined with shops and offices, and you realize you're going the wrong way. You are on a downtown street lined with offices and shops, between intersections. May you make a U-turn there? The answer is B: No. U-turns are not allowed in business districts, and are only made at an intersection or a divider opening on a divided highway. No U-turns in a business district. Use an intersection or a divider opening where it's allowed.
4:19Situation 5
There's a center left turn lane, and the driveway you want is still a little way ahead. How far may you drive in a center left turn lane? The answer is B: No more than 200 feet. A center left turn lane is only for preparing and making a left turn or U-turn. You may drive in it for no more than 200 feet. Use the center lane only to prepare for and make a left turn or U-turn, and drive in it no more than 200 feet.
5:18Recap
Last-minute changes increase the risk of collisions. Do not cross double solid lines to enter or exit an HOV lane. Merge at or near the speed of traffic, and do not stop unless absolutely necessary. U-turns are not allowed in business districts, and are only made at an intersection or a divider opening on a divided highway. A center left turn lane is only for preparing and making a left turn or U-turn. Nice work. Try more turning and passing questions in Practice by Topic, then test yourself with a full mock exam.
The rules in this lesson
- Last-minute changes increase the risk of collisions.
- Do not cross double solid lines to enter or exit an HOV lane.
- Merge at or near the speed of traffic, and do not stop unless absolutely necessary.
- U-turns are not allowed in business districts, and are only made at an intersection or a divider opening on a divided highway.
- A center left turn lane is only for preparing and making a left turn or U-turn.
Original practice lesson written from the California Driver's Handbook. EstatePass is not affiliated with or endorsed by the California DMV; these are not official test questions.