Turns, lanes, passing and parking
You are on the freeway and want to move into the next lane. How far ahead of the move should you signal?
- At least five seconds before you change lanes. Correct answer
- At least 100 feet before you change lanes.
- At least three seconds before you change lanes.
Why
On a freeway the handbook switches from distance to time: signal at least five seconds before you change lanes. Everywhere else the signal rules stay in feet and in events, at least 100 feet before a turn and before every lane change, even when you cannot see anyone around you. Three seconds is a real number, but it is the following distance the handbook wants between you and the vehicle ahead, not a signal. Five seconds comes back on the way out as well: signal five seconds, roughly 400 feet, before you exit a freeway. And the signal is only the first step of the move, which also asks you to check your mirrors, look over your shoulder and check your blind spots before you go.
Where this comes from
California Driver's Handbook, DL 600 ENGLISH (REV. 6/2025). The correct answer is At least five seconds before you change lanes..
- Section 5. An Introduction to Driving › Signals, Horns, And Headlights › Signaling , page 11
- Section 5. An Introduction to Driving › Signals, Horns, And Headlights › Signaling , page 11
- Section 8. Safe Driving › Be Aware of Your Surroundings › Tailgating (Following Too Closely) , page 57
- Section 6. Navigating the Roads › Merging And Exiting › Exiting , page 23
- Section 6. Navigating the Roads › Changing Lanes , page 15