Sometimes on a road, two lanes will merge into one lane.

The lanes merge where the broken lane lines stop. It’s important to make sure that all vehicles from both lanes have plenty of space to merge safely. The instructions in this section show you how.

Merge like a zip

The best way to merge is like a zip – where a vehicle from the left lane goes and then a vehicle from the right lane goes, and so on.

As you merge, let one vehicle from the other lane go first, and then go.

In a busy traffic road where the two lanes are merging into one lane, a heavy vehicle is about to merge with the rest of the traffic carefully and safely into the wide gap between two cars.

Merging

Leaving a merge lane after turning right at an intersection

Some roads have a merge lane to help vehicles that have turned onto the road join the traffic flow.

If you are in a merge lane at an intersection:

  • show you want to merge by signalling for at least three seconds
  • check your left side using the mirrors
  • move into a safe gap in the traffic
  • adjust your speed and following distance.
A heavy vehicle approaches a merge lane in the middle of the road after safely exiting a marked road. It is signalling its intent to join with the rest of the traffic flow when there is a gap.

Merge lane