Can cars only change lanes to the left?
3 Answers
Changing lanes can be done to either the left or the right. Lane changing refers to the driving operation where a vehicle, while in motion, needs to move from one lane to another for purposes such as overtaking, avoiding obstacles, or turning at an intersection. Choosing when to change lanes: Select based on your actual travel direction: When overtaking requires a lane change, you can only move to the left lane to overtake; changing to the rear lane for overtaking is not permitted. Therefore, whether lane changes can be made to the left or right depends on your actual travel needs. Precautions for changing lanes: When a vehicle needs to change lanes, the driver must first observe the traffic conditions behind, to the sides, and in the target lane using the interior and exterior rearview mirrors and windows. Only after confirming there are no vehicles behind, to the sides, or in the target lane should the lane change be initiated. Before changing lanes, the driver must signal the intention to change lanes to alert other vehicles. During the lane change, steering should be quick but not excessive, and the vehicle should merge into the adjacent lane along a smooth, angled arc. Throughout the lane change, the driver must maintain acceleration and continuously monitor the movements of vehicles ahead, behind, to the left, and to the right. Once the vehicle has entered the adjacent lane, the steering wheel should be straightened immediately to ensure the vehicle is centered in the lane and driving straight. After changing lanes, do not decelerate; instead, continue with momentary acceleration while observing the speed and distance of the vehicle ahead. If the vehicle's speed exceeds that of the vehicle ahead, gradually ease off the accelerator until the speeds match, maintaining a safe following distance.
As a veteran driver who frequently takes long trips, I believe changing lanes isn't just about moving left. Traffic regulations clearly state that lane changes can be made to both left and right sides, depending on road conditions and markings. However, in actual driving, many people do prefer changing to the left lane since it's usually the fast lane, making overtaking easier. But when approaching right-turn intersections or avoiding obstacles, changing to the right lane becomes particularly necessary. Just last week on the highway, I encountered construction barriers and immediately signaled right to change lanes. The core principles of safe lane changing are threefold: signal in advance, check mirrors, and confirm blind spots—whether it's left or right doesn't matter.
With ten years of driving experience as a coach, I've noticed that beginners often think they can only change lanes to the left. In fact, the Road Traffic Safety Law imposes no such restriction—lane changes should be made in any direction based on driving needs. Changing left is usually for overtaking or preparing to turn left, while changing right may be to exit the main road or yield to other vehicles. The key is ensuring safety: you must see the entire body of the following car in the rearview mirror to confirm a safe distance, and double that spacing in rainy conditions. Last week, during a training session, I specifically had my student practice consecutive right lane changes to exit a ramp—the honking from behind was the best real-world lesson.
