Merging and changing lanes
Always check your mirrors and blind spots when changing or merging lanes. Remember to indicate and look out for motorcycles and bicycles.
Changing lanes
When changing lanes, you must give way to vehicles in the lane you’re moving into.
You must indicate to let others know when you plan to move into another lane. Make sure your indicator is off after you’ve merged or changed lanes.
Changing lanes when a lane ends
When the lane you’re driving in is ending and you need to cross a broken line to move into another lane, you must give way to vehicles already in that lane – for example, when you’re joining a motorway.
Slow down and look for a suitable gap so you can change lanes safely.
If a vehicle is moving into your lane, you should leave a suitable gap.
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When a bus changes lanes
You must give way to a bus displaying a ‘Give way to buses’ sign when you’re driving in the left lane or line of traffic, and the bus:
- has stopped or is moving slowly at the far left side of the road
- is indicating right, and
- is about to move in front of you.
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Merging lanes
When you’re driving on a road and the number of lanes or lines of traffic reduces, and there are no longer any road markings, you must give way to the vehicle that’s ahead of you. This is called a zipper merge.
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Merging and changing lanes rules video
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Road rules: merging
Revise rules on ‘merging’ in this short Transport video animation.