Entering, exiting and driving on interstates

Key points

1. Slower traffic should drive in the right hand lane except when passing.

   Source: PDF page 67

   “Slower traffic should drive in the right-hand lane, except when passing.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 67

2. Give trucks and buses entering the interstate extra time and space.

   Source: PDF page 67

   “Be cooperative and give them extra time and space to adjust to the traffic flow.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 67

3. Signal and move into the exit lane well before you have to exit.

   Source: PDF page 69

   “Signal and move into the lane well before you have to exit. Changing lanes at the last moment risks missing your exit or causing a crash.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 69

4. Never slow down on the interstate; wait for the deceleration lane, then brake gently to the ramp speed.

   Source: PDF page 69

   “Never slow down on the interstate. Wait until you are in the deceleration lane, then brake gently until your speed matches the posted exit ramp limit.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 69

5. Do not stop in an exit gore, the triangle between the through lane and the exit ramp.

   Source: PDF page 69

   “Do not stop in an exit gore (the triangular area between the through lane and the exit ramp).”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 69

6. Do not drive slower than 55 mph on an interstate unless weather or road conditions are bad or a lower speed is posted.

   Source: PDF page 69

   “Do not drive slower than 55 mph on an interstate unless the weather or road conditions are bad or a lower speed has been posted.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 69

7. Never make a U turn on an interstate; go to the next exit to turn around.

   Source: PDF page 70

   “You should never make a U-turn on an interstate. Go to the next exit to turn around before re-entering the interstate.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 70

Numbers to know

3 questions from the West Virginia practice test

1. 1. On an interstate, which lane should slower traffic normally use?

   1. The right-hand lane
   2. The left-hand lane
   3. The shoulder whenever traffic is heavy
   4. Any lane selected without signaling
   Show answer

   The right-hand lane. The handbook directs slower interstate traffic to the right-hand lane, except when a driver is passing another vehicle. Staying right gives faster traffic a predictable passing path and reduces abrupt lane changes. The left lane is not the normal place for slower traffic, and the shoulder is reserved for disabled vehicles rather than routine travel. Choosing any lane without signaling ignores the need to communicate and check surrounding traffic. Watch the signs, maintain a steady legal speed, and move left only for a lawful pass.

2. 2. What should a driver do when entering an interstate exit lane?

   1. Keep interstate speed through the entire exit ramp
   2. Brake sharply in the through lane before reaching the exit
   3. Stop on the interstate shoulder and then turn onto the ramp
   4. Wait until the deceleration lane, then brake gently to the ramp speed
   Show answer

   Wait until the deceleration lane, then brake gently to the ramp speed. Interstate exits usually provide a deceleration lane for slowing before the ramp. The handbook says not to slow down on the interstate; wait until entering that lane, then brake gently until the vehicle matches the posted exit-ramp limit. Braking sharply in the through lane can surprise following traffic, and the shoulder is intended for disabled vehicles rather than planned exits. Keeping full interstate speed onto a curved ramp ignores the advisory or posted ramp speed. Signal early, move over in time, and reduce speed smoothly.

3. 3. Unless conditions are bad or a lower limit is posted, how slowly may a driver travel on an interstate?

   1. The driver must stay below 45 mph
   2. The driver should not drive slower than 55 mph
   3. The driver may choose any speed without regard to traffic
   4. The driver must always travel exactly 70 mph
   Show answer

   The driver should not drive slower than 55 mph. The handbook says an interstate driver should not travel below 55 mph unless weather or road conditions are bad or a lower speed is posted. That is a minimum-speed guidance rule under the stated conditions, not a command to drive exactly 70 mph. The 45 mph choice changes the figure, and the unrestricted choice ignores the hazard created by being much slower than surrounding traffic. Adjust for conditions, remain legal, and use the right-hand lane unless passing.

Source: the West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Chapter VII: Driving On Interstates. 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.