Merging, exiting and passing

By the ChowChow Labs editorial team · Updated November 13, 2026 · How we check our content

Short answer: Highway driving is about matching speed and planning lane moves early.

Key points

• Use the acceleration lane to match traffic speed and find a gap.
• Ordinary merging is a shared responsibility. A posted yield sign means the entering driver yields.
• Slow down in the exit lane, not in the travel lane.
• Missed your exit? Take the next one; never reverse.
• Pass only with enough clear road to finish, and never above the speed limit.
• Don't speed up while someone is passing you.

Law or advice?

Yield signs, passing rules and speed limits are law. Moving over to help a merging driver is good practice.

Example

A car is merging beside you and the lane to your left is free. You check and move left to make room.

Checked against the Government of Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), used under the Open Government Licence – Alberta. Laws change, so check alberta.ca for the current rules before you rely on a number. Sources: Alberta Driver’s Guide, page 71: Merging; Passing.

Check yourself

Try these 6 questions from our free mock exams, then tap Show answer. For more, take the rules of the road practice test.

1. Question 1 · Highways

   After passing a car, when should you return to your lane?

   1. A. After one second in the passing lane
   2. B. Right after your rear bumper clears its front
   3. C. When you see the passed car in your inside mirror
   4. D. As soon as your car is beside it

   Show answer

   Answer: C. When you see the passed car in your inside mirror

   When you can see the car in your inside mirror, shoulder check right, signal and return.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 71: Return after passing with roomReviewed October 2026Report an error

2. Question 2 · Highways

   Before passing on a two-lane highway, what must you be sure of?

   1. A. No vehicles are behind you at the time
   2. B. There is enough clear road to finish safely
   3. C. You can complete the pass in one second
   4. D. The car ahead is going under the limit

   Show answer

   Answer: B. There is enough clear road to finish safely

   Pass only when no oncoming traffic is close and you can complete the pass.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 71: Passing sight distanceReviewed October 2026Report an error

3. Question 3 · Highways

   Another driver is passing you on a two-lane highway. What should you do?

   1. A. Speed up to stop the pass
   2. B. Move toward the centre line
   3. C. Brake suddenly as they pass
   4. D. Stay in your lane and keep a steady speed or slow slightly

   Show answer

   Answer: D. Stay in your lane and keep a steady speed or slow slightly

   Help the passing driver by not speeding up.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 71: Do not accelerate while being passedReviewed October 2026Report an error

4. Question 4 · Highways

   What is the emergency stopping lane on a highway for?

   1. A. Stopping when there is an urgent situation or a vehicle problem
   2. B. Passing slower traffic on the right
   3. C. Travelling when traffic is heavy in the main lanes
   4. D. Making U-turns

   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stopping when there is an urgent situation or a vehicle problem

   The shoulder is for emergencies and vehicle problems, not travel or passing.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 72: Shoulder is not a passing laneReviewed October 2026Report an error

5. Question 5 · Highways

   Who is responsible for a safe merge in ordinary traffic?

   1. A. Only the driver of the larger vehicle
   2. B. Only the driver who is merging onto the road
   3. C. Both the merging driver and drivers on the main road
   4. D. Only drivers already on the main road

   Show answer

   Answer: C. Both the merging driver and drivers on the main road

   Alberta describes ordinary merging as a shared responsibility.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 73: Cooperative ordinary mergingReviewed October 2026Report an error

6. Question 6 · Highways

   A highway on-ramp has a yield sign. What must you do?

   1. A. Yield to highway traffic, stopping if needed
   2. B. Stop at the sign every time, even if clear
   3. C. Treat it the same as an ordinary merge
   4. D. Merge at your speed; others must make room

   Show answer

   Answer: A. Yield to highway traffic, stopping if needed

   A yield sign means you must give way to traffic it protects.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 59: Signed yield at entryReviewed October 2026Report an error

Next: Lane markings and passing. Lines on the road tell you where passing is allowed.