Freeway Driving

When your teen is ready for freeway driving, try to choose long on-ramps and off-ramps to practice entering and exiting the freeway. The following are freeway driving directions to give to your teen:

Entering the Freeway

1. Be in the proper lane for the on-ramp.
2. While still on the ramp, check Watch traffic in the lane they will be entering. Also, watch for vehicles to the rear and sides if there is more than one lane merging. Remember—you do not have the right of way.
3. Turn on the signal.
4. Look for a space in the Adjust the speed to match that of vehicles on the freeway.
5. Do not slow or stop unless necessary.
6. When reaching the freeway, look over shoulder before moving into a space in the first lane.
7. Do not cross over any solid lines while merging.

On the Freeway

1. Keep up with traffic as much as possible without exceeding the speed Yield to faster traffic. Stay to the right, as much as possible.
2. Leave plenty of room around the Use the three-second rule described in the “Keeping a Safe Space Around the Vehicle” section for following distance, and adjust the lane position as needed for traffic conditions.
3. Watch for merging traffic at on-ramps.
4. Signal and look over the shoulder before changing lanes.

Leaving the Freeway

1. When planning to exit a freeway, well before the exit, scan for signs indicating which lane to use.
2. Move into the proper exit lane at least one-half mile before the Do not wait until the last minute. You may cause a collision if you change lanes in a hurry.
3. Signal 4 or 5 seconds before the off-ramp.
4. After entering the off- ramp, slow to the posted speed limit.
5. Do not cross over any solid lines when exiting.