Lanes, merging and changing lanes

By the end of this topic you can

• You can choose the correct lane early for where you are going.
• You can change lanes using mirrors, signal, head check and a smooth move.
• You can tell a zip merge from a lane that simply ends with marked lines.
• You can keep left on multi-lane roads unless you are overtaking or turning right.
• You can follow lane arrows and turn-only lanes without last-second swerves.

What you need to know and understand

• When you change lanes you must give way to any vehicle already in the lane you are moving into.
• You must signal for long enough to warn other road users before changing lanes.
• In a zip merge, where two lines of traffic become one and no lane lines are marked, you give way to a vehicle that is ahead of you.
• If you cross marked lane lines to merge, the normal lane-change give way rule applies, so the driver whose lane is ending gives way.
• Arrows painted in a lane tell you which way you must go from that lane.
• On a multi-lane road with a speed limit over 80 km/h, or where a keep left unless overtaking sign applies, you must keep out of the right lane unless you are overtaking, turning right, making a U-turn or avoiding an obstruction.

The safe lane change, step by step

Treat every lane change as a small manoeuvre, not a drift. Rushing is how cars end up side-swiped in a blind spot.

1. Check your inside mirror and the side mirror on the side you are moving to.
2. Switch on your indicator early enough that drivers behind can react.
3. Do a quick head check over your shoulder to clear the blind spot.
4. If the gap is safe, move across gradually without slowing down.
5. Cancel the indicator and settle into the centre of the new lane.

Zip merge or lane ending: who goes first?

A zip merge happens where two lines of traffic squeeze into one and there are no lane lines marked across the join. Here the vehicle that is ahead goes first, a bit like the teeth of a zip. It does not matter whether that vehicle is on your left or right.

If the merge has broken lane lines that you cross, it is treated as a lane change. The driver whose lane is ending must give way to traffic in the lane they are joining.

Lane discipline on busy roads

• Get into the correct turning lane well before the intersection.
• Stay inside your lane markings around bends and through intersections.
• Do not weave between lanes to gain a car length or two.
• Watch for bus lanes, transit (T2 or T3) lanes and bicycle lanes and only use them when signs allow.

Common mistakes

• Skipping the head check: mirrors do not show everything, so always look over your shoulder before moving across.
• Signalling and moving at the same time: give other drivers time to see the indicator first.
• Braking during a lane change: keep your speed steady so the driver behind is not caught out.
• Forcing in at a merge: if your lane is ending across marked lines, it is your job to find a gap.

Test yourself: Lanes, merging and changing lanes

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Overtaking Rules in Australia