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DMV Permit · Lane Positioning

What should you do before changing lanes on a multilane road?

Correct answer

Check your mirrors, signal, check your blind spot by glancing over your shoulder, and move only when the lane is clear

  1. A Just move over quickly
  2. B Check your mirrors, signal, check your blind spot by glancing over your shoulder, and move only when the lane is clear
  3. C Rely only on your mirrors
  4. D Change lanes without signaling to avoid confusion

Why this is the answer

Before changing lanes you should: check your rear-view and side mirrors, signal your intention, and check your blind spot by glancing over your shoulder in the direction you intend to move, because mirrors do not show everything beside you. Only when the lane is clear and there is a safe gap should you move over smoothly, then cancel your signal. Sudden lane changes without checking blind spots are a frequent cause of side-swipe collisions. The mirror-signal-shoulder-check sequence is a fundamental lane-positioning habit, and being able to describe it is commonly required on the permit test.
Source: Standard driver handbook, Changing Lanes

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