Freeway: exiting Signal early, slow down in the exit lane
To leave the freeway: know your exit and get into the proper lane early, one lane at a time. Signal about five seconds (approximately 400 feet) before you exit, do not cross any solid lines, and make sure you are at a safe speed to exit.
CA Driver's Handbook, "Exiting" and "Signaling" · CVC 22107 (signal)How far before a freeway exit should you signal in California?
About five seconds, approximately 400 feet, before you exit, once you are in the proper lane (Handbook, "Exiting").
Why this rule exists
An early signal and an early lane change mean nobody is surprised. A late dive across the lanes or over the solid line is how exit crashes happen.
Step by step on the road
- Know your exit, and read the exit signs early.
- Get into the proper lane well before the exit, one lane at a time. Signal and look over your shoulder for each lane change.
- Once you are in the proper lane, signal about five seconds (approximately 400 feet) before the exit.
- Move onto the exit lane without crossing any solid lines.
- Keep the speed of the traffic until you are in the exit lane. Slow down there, to a safe speed for the ramp.
Common mistakes
- Braking on the freeway lanes before the exit lane begins.
- Crossing two lanes at once, or cutting across a solid line at the last moment.
- Switching the signal on only as you move onto the exit.
On the DMV drive test
Freeway driving is only scored on supplemental drive tests (DL 955). There the examiner wants the turn signal on before you enter the exit lane, the slowing down done in the exit lane and not before it, and your exit made without going over the solid boundary lines.
Based on the DMV’s Driving Test Criteria (DL 955) and its score sheet (DL 32). How the drive test works ›Questions people ask
Is freeway driving on the California DMV drive test?
Not on the regular test. DL 955 says its freeway criteria are only for supplemental drive tests, and the DMV says the test includes freeway driving "if required".
Can you cross a solid line to take a freeway exit?
No. The Handbook says: "Do not cross over any solid lines when exiting."
Where should you slow down to leave a freeway?
In the exit lane, not on the freeway itself. Keep the speed of the traffic until you are on the exit lane, then brake there.
Did you know?
- For each lane change on the way to your exit: signal, and look over your shoulder to check your blind spot.
- Signal at least five seconds before you change lanes on a freeway (Handbook "Signaling").
- The DMV's freeway criteria, used only on supplemental drive tests, say: "You decelerate in the exit lane."
Test yourself
1How long before a freeway exit do you signal?
- About one second
- Only once you are on the exit
- About five seconds, approximately 400 feet
- You do not need to signal
Show the answer
C: About five seconds, approximately 400 feet. Handbook "Exiting": when in the proper lane, signal five seconds (approximately 400 feet) before you exit.
2You need to cross two lanes to reach the lane for your exit. You…
- cross both at once
- change one lane at a time, signaling and looking each time
- brake hard and cut across
- cross without a signal
Show the answer
B: change one lane at a time, signaling and looking each time. Handbook "Exiting": if you plan to change lanes, do so one at a time; signal and look over your shoulder to check your blind spots.
3May you cross a solid line to get onto the exit?
- No
- Yes, with a signal
- Yes, if you drive slowly
- Yes, if it is your exit
Show the answer
A: No. Handbook "Exiting": "Do not cross over any solid lines when exiting."
Kees' tip
Read the exit signs early and be in the right lane well before the exit. Signal, move onto the exit lane without crossing a solid line, and slow down there.