Texas Drivers Ed Written Practice Test

What should you check before changing lanes on a highway?

1. The brand of cars around you

2. Your speedometer

3. Your rearview mirror and side mirrors

4. Your license plate

The correct answer is: Your rearview mirror and side mirrors

Before changing lanes on a highway, it's essential to check your rearview mirror and side mirrors. This helps ensure that you are aware of any vehicles approaching from behind or in adjacent lanes. By checking these mirrors, you can see blind spots and the position of other drivers, which is crucial for maintaining safety during your lane change. The other options do not provide the necessary information for safely changing lanes. For instance, knowing the brand of cars around you does not contribute to your awareness of traffic dynamics. Keeping an eye on the speedometer is important for driving safely, but it is not specifically relevant to the act of changing lanes. Finally, checking your license plate is unrelated to lane changes and does not inform you about surrounding vehicles. Thus, the most relevant and safety-focused action to take before changing lanes is checking your rearview and side mirrors.