Teorio
Merging
The sign indicates that lanes merge into one with mutual adjustment in accordance with the provisions of trafikkreglene (merging). 530 (Examples) 531.1 (Ex.) 531.2 (Ex.)
When you see the sign
Adjust your speed in good time and cooperate with traffic in the other lane. Before the lanes merge, vehicles from both lanes should be able to continue alternately without unnecessary obstruction or disruption.
Rules
- Drivers in both lanes must adjust their speed to each other before the lanes merge.
- Traffic should normally continue alternately, meaning one vehicle from each lane at a time.
- Neither lane has a general right of way at the merge itself.
- You must use a turn signal if merging involves a clear lateral movement, but signalling does not give you the right of way.
- The merging rule does not apply in the same way when you are driving from an acceleration lane into another lane.
Tips
- Look for a suitable gap early and adjust your speed gradually instead of braking sharply at the narrowing.
- Maintain a steady speed and sufficient distance so that a vehicle from the other lane can merge in.
- In a queue, both lanes should be used until the narrowing, before traffic merges alternately.
- Avoid speeding up to prevent the vehicle that is supposed to merge in front of you from doing so.
Common misconceptions
- Believing that the vehicle in the lane continuing straight ahead always has the right of way.
- Confusing merging with driving from an acceleration lane, where the driver entering the road must yield.
- Believing that you must change lanes very early and leave one lane unused in the queue.
Test yourself
Easy
What does this sign mean?
- ATwo lanes merge into one through mutual adjustment.
- BA separate heavy-traffic lane begins at this point.
- CA motorveg with special traffic rules begins at this point.
- DA separate kollektivfelt begins at this point.
Medium
You are driving in a queue in the left of two ordinary lanes. Just ahead, the lanes merge into one. What do you do?
- AI change lanes immediately, brake hard, and leave the left lane unused.
- BI maintain my speed, go first, and use the direction indicator to demand space.
- CI stop at the narrowing, wait until the road is empty, and then enter.
- DI adjust my speed, merge alternately, and use the direction indicator when making a clear sideways movement.
Hard
This sign indicates merging through mutual adjustment. What applies, however, when you come from an acceleration lane and are entering a through lane?
- AI maintain my speed and expect traffic in the through lane to stop.
- BI expect alternating entry because both lanes have the same priority.
- CI adjust my speed and give way to traffic in the lane I am entering.
- DI enter first because the acceleration lane always has priority.
Theory test tip
Check whether the question shows two ordinary lanes becoming one, or an acceleration lane merging into a road. With two ordinary lanes, mutual adjustment and alternate merging apply, whereas a driver in an acceleration lane must adjust to the traffic in the lane they are entering.
Did you know
The principle of mutual adjustment applies under the traffic regulations when the number of ordinary lanes in the same direction is reduced. The sign makes it particularly clear that traffic should merge alternately at the narrowing.
Frequently asked questions
Does one of the lanes have the right of way?
No. In this type of merge, drivers in both lanes must adjust their speed to each other. Traffic should be able to continue alternately without unnecessary obstruction or disruption.
Should I always let the car beside me merge in?
You should contribute to alternate merging. If the vehicle in front of you has already let a car in from the other lane, it will normally be your turn before the next vehicle from that lane.
Do I have to use my turn signal?
You must use a turn signal when making a clear lateral movement. The signal shows what you intend to do, but it does not give you the right to force your way in.
Does the same rule apply when I am coming from an acceleration lane?
No. When driving from an acceleration lane, you must adjust your speed to the traffic in the lane you are entering and merge without obstructing it.
Practise for the theory test
Teorio has the complete theory syllabus in your own language. Download the app and practise whenever it suits you.
