Expressway Driving

Key points

1. Entering an expressway, yield to vehicles already on it and use the acceleration lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “You must yield to vehicles already on the expressway. Enter in the acceleration lane and stay to the right.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

2. Stay 3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead, and 4 seconds in bad weather.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Stay 3 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. Allow 4 seconds in bad weather.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

3. Watch 15 to 20 seconds ahead for cars braking, entering and exiting.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Watch 15-20 seconds ahead for cars braking, entering and exiting.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

4. Use the right lane when driving slower than other traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “Use the right-hand lane when you’re driving slower than the other traffic.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 33

5. Never turn around on the expressway or cross the median to turn around.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Never turn around on the expressway. Do not, under any conditions, cross the median or divider to turn your car around on a controlled-access highway.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

6. Signal right at least 100 feet before your exit.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Signal right at least 100 feet before the exit.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

7. If you break down, signal, pull to the extreme right shoulder and turn on your flashers.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “signal, then pull off to the extreme right shoulder away from moving traffic where it’s safe. Turn on your emergency flashers.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

8. You may pass on the right where the road has 2 or more lanes each way with no parked cars or obstructions.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “The road is wide enough for two or more lanes in each direction and there are no parked cars or other obstructions on the roadway.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 35

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Oklahoma practice test

1. 1. What following gap is suggested for an expressway in bad weather?

   1. At least four seconds behind the vehicle ahead
   2. One second, because expressways have wide lanes
   3. Two car lengths regardless of speed or weather
   4. No gap if the driver is traveling below the maximum limit
   Show answer

   At least four seconds behind the vehicle ahead. Expressway guidance calls for three seconds behind the vehicle ahead in ordinary conditions and four seconds in bad weather. The extra second accounts for reduced traction, spray, and longer braking distance. Wide lanes do not make a one-second gap safe, and a fixed two-car-length measure changes with speed and can be far too short. Staying below the maximum limit does not remove the need for space. Use a visible roadside object to time the gap, then lengthen it whenever rain, snow, or other conditions reduce control.

2. 2. Which roadway condition permits passing another vehicle on the right?

   1. Only when the vehicle ahead is stopped at a red light
   2. By driving onto the shoulder whenever the vehicle ahead is slow
   3. On any two lane road if the driver sounds the horn
   4. On a one way road, or where two or more lanes move each way without obstruction
   Show answer

   On a one way road, or where two or more lanes move each way without obstruction. Passing on the right is allowed when the road has at least two lanes moving in each direction and no parked cars or other obstructions block the roadway. It is also allowed on a one way road, or when the vehicle ahead is turning or about to turn left. Driving off the pavement or main portion of the highway is never a lawful shortcut for this maneuver. The cue is adequate paved space and an unobstructed path, followed by a complete safety check before moving right.

3. 3. Which observation can give you earlier warning that traffic several cars ahead is slowing?

   1. The number of passengers in the car behind you
   2. The color of the nearest vehicle's license plate
   3. Brake lights on vehicles four or five cars down the line
   4. A vehicle's fuel gauge reading
   Show answer

   Brake lights on vehicles four or five cars down the line. Looking beyond the nearest vehicle helps reveal a developing slowdown before it reaches your lane position. Brake lights several cars ahead can prompt you to move your foot toward the brake and create more response time. The other observations do not predict a traffic queue. Keep scanning the line ahead, compare moving vehicles with fixed objects, and preserve a space cushion so early information can become controlled action.

Source: the Oklahoma Driver Manual, Chapter 6: Lane Usage and Maneuvers. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.