Driving is an interesting task, but it comes with numerous rules and regulations that you need to follow to ensure your safety and that of other road users. One such rule is merging and changing lanes, which requires a lot of care and attention to avoid accidents.

While you might be confident in your driving skills, following road safety rules in Australia is crucial. If you want to build confidence in your driving, it’s advisable to contact a reputable driving school like LTrent, which is one of the best in NSW. They offer quality driving lessons that produce confident and safe drivers. You can easily find a good driving instructor near you by visiting their website.

Australia has highways that have divided lanes with visible lines, which make it easier for drivers to travel safely and follow the rules. Here are some tips and rules to follow when merging and changing lanes in Australia:

• Signalling: It’s crucial to signal your intention to change lanes as it alerts other drivers of your intention, helping them to adjust their driving accordingly. Remember to switch off the signal once you have changed lanes.
• Check the rear and side mirrors: Before changing lanes, you must check your rear and side mirrors to ensure that the road is clear and safe to make the change. This helps you avoid potential hazards.
• Be aware of the blind spots: Blind spots are areas that are not visible due to obstructions. Failure to recognise blind spots can cause accidents, so it’s essential to be aware of them when changing lanes to ensure safety.
• Cautiously switch lanes: Once you have confirmed the road is clear, you can switch lanes. However, you should do so slowly and cautiously to avoid causing damage to other cars. Changing lanes should be done smoothly and gradually.
• Beware of bus lane changes: It’s always advisable to give way to a bus that has a “give way to bus sign.” This is especially important when you are driving on the left lane or line of traffic and the bus is either moving or stopped on the left-hand side of the road or indicating right or about to move in front of you.
• Merging lanes: When driving on a road with no road markings, and there is less traffic, you need to give way to the vehicle ahead of you. This is called a zipper merge.

Driving is an essential life lesson, and taking quality driving lessons from reputable instructors can help you become a safe and confident driver. Merging and changing lanes on Australian roads may seem daunting, especially for beginners, but following the rules and tips mentioned above will help you stay safe on the roads.