Topic 3 · Rules of the Road: Traffic Laws in California
When is it legal to drive in a center left-turn lane?
- At any time for any reason
- When making a left turn or permitted U-turn within 200 feet — correct answer
- To pass slower traffic
Why
The center lane is for left turns and permitted U-turns only, and you may travel in it no more than 200 feet before turning. It is not a passing or merging lane.
Practise this in the real format
Reading one answer is not the same as sitting the test. The simulator runs the first-time adult form: 36 questions, 6 mistakes allowed, 83% to pass.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, rev. 6/2025), the document the DMV writes the real test from. Edited by Fernando Aguilera. Aprobify is not affiliated with the California DMV.
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