The DMV Drive Test:
Understanding the Driving Performance Evaluation
A service of the California Driver Education Association and Statewide Driving School
Click on the spinning tire, to go to the next page:
Steer back to home
Lane Changes
LANE CHANGES:
*TRAFFIC CHECK: LEFT LANE CHANGE-Driver is observing traffic (vehicle and pedestrian) ahead, to the left, rear, and checks left blind spot; indicated by head and/or eye movement to the left and proper use of mirrors. RIGHT LANE CHANGE- Driver is observing traffic (vehicle and pedestrian) ahead, to the right, rear, and checks left blind spot; indicated by head and/or eye movement to the left and proper use of mirrors.
*SIGNAL: Activates signal prior to lane changes; cancels signal after lane change.
*SPEED: Uses appropriate speed to change lanes without exceeding the posted speed limit; maintains appropriate speed for traffic conditions (basic speed law).
*SPACING: Waits for adequate gap; leaves space cushion to the front and sides; creates space cushion in front of vehicle after lane change.
*STEERING CONTROL: Changes lanes by turning the wheel smoothly; moves to the center of the lane.
*TRAFFIC CHECK: LEFT LANE CHANGE-Driver is observing traffic (vehicle and pedestrian) ahead, to the left, rear, and checks left blind spot; indicated by head and/or eye movement to the left and proper use of mirrors. RIGHT LANE CHANGE- Driver is observing traffic (vehicle and pedestrian) ahead, to the right, rear, and checks left blind spot; indicated by head and/or eye movement to the left and proper use of mirrors.
*SIGNAL: Activates signal prior to lane changes; cancels signal after lane change.
*SPEED: Uses appropriate speed to change lanes without exceeding the posted speed limit; maintains appropriate speed for traffic conditions (basic speed law).
*SPACING: Waits for adequate gap; leaves space cushion to the front and sides; creates space cushion in front of vehicle after lane change.
*STEERING CONTROL: Changes lanes by turning the wheel smoothly; moves to the center of the lane.
Do you remember the "Pythagorean Theorem" from high school Algebra? The theorem applies to a right triangle, and the third (long) side is called the "hypotenuse".
A lane change is also a right triangle, as illustrated by the photo on the right. But we don't DRIVE it like a triangle. We manage a lane change by "driving the hypotenuse".
If you keep a mental image of this, when changing lanes, they will become smoother and easier to control.
A lane change is also a right triangle, as illustrated by the photo on the right. But we don't DRIVE it like a triangle. We manage a lane change by "driving the hypotenuse".
If you keep a mental image of this, when changing lanes, they will become smoother and easier to control.