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DMV Permit · Lane Use

A driver is on a highway on-ramp preparing to merge. What is the proper merging technique?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Signal early; match the speed of highway traffic while still on the on-ramp; find a gap in traffic; merge smoothly at highway speed — do not stop on the on-ramp unless absolutely necessary; yield to highway traffic

  1. A Merge as slowly as possible to force cars to make room
  2. B Turn on hazard lights and merge regardless
  3. C Signal early; match the speed of highway traffic while still on the on-ramp; find a gap in traffic; merge smoothly at highway speed — do not stop on the on-ramp unless absolutely necessary; yield to highway traffic
  4. D Stop at the end of the on-ramp and wait for a gap

Why this is the answer

Highway merging technique: The on-ramp is an ACCELERATION LANE — use its full length to match highway speed.

Steps: Signal your intent to merge early; accelerate to match highway traffic speed; look for a gap (check mirrors, blind spot); merge smoothly into the gap; cancel signal; do not stop at the end of the on-ramp — a stopped vehicle attempting to merge onto 65 mph traffic is extremely dangerous.

Do not: Force other vehicles to brake; merge too slowly (causing speed differential); merge too fast; HIGHWAY DRIVERS'.

Responsibility: When approaching a merging vehicle, adjust speed to facilitate the merge if safely possible — move to another lane (Move Over law applies to emergency vehicles; courtesy applies to merging vehicles); Do not speed up to prevent merging.

Common error: Stopping at the bottom of the ramp waiting for a gap — creates a dangerous low-speed/stopped vehicle on a high-speed approach.

Source: DMV Rules of the Road — Highway Merging Technique

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About this topic: Lane Use

Lane use questions cover choosing the correct lane, lane markings (solid versus broken lines), HOV lanes, centre turn lanes, passing on the right and keeping right except to pass. This is one of 8 Rules of the Road questions on lane use, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our DMV Permit exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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