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District of Columbia driving lesson · Driving Rules: Turns, Passing & Lights

How to pass safely

A 3-minute lesson from the District of Columbia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Driving Rules: Turns, Passing & Lights
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
41

Passing means spending time in someone else's path. Know where DC allows passing on the right, how to finish a pass, and what to do when you're the one being passed.

Know the rule

Passing on the left is preferable. In DC it is legal to pass on either side on one-way roads with room for more than one line of traffic, and on highways with four or more lanes.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Know the rule

On a two-lane highway, pass on the left. Before crossing the center line, be certain you have time to pass and return before meeting oncoming traffic and before a no-passing zone begins.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Know the rule

If it looks like you can't complete the pass before meeting oncoming traffic, slow down and return to the lane behind the vehicle you were passing.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Know the rule

Turn on your left or right signal, depending on which lane you're entering, to inform the drivers behind and ahead.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Know the rule

Return to the right lane when you see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rear-view mirror.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Know the rule

If you are being overtaken, give way to the right and do not increase your speed until the pass is completed.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Know the rule

You may pass on the right only when the vehicle being overtaken is making or about to make a left turn. Stay on the traveled portion of the road; you may never drive on the shoulder to pass.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Know the rule

When passing a cyclist, allow a minimum of three feet clearance, and do not use your horn.

Handbook p. 41 ↗

Put it into practice

On a two-lane road, you pull out to pass a slow truck and see an oncoming car closer than you thought. Abort: slow down and tuck back into your lane behind the truck.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

Is it legal to pass on either the left or right on a DC one-way road?
  1. No, passing on the right is always illegal
  2. Only during off-peak traffic hours
  3. Yes, with room for more than one lane
  4. Only when traffic ahead is stopped

Answer: Yes, with room for more than one lane

On one-way roads with room for multiple lines of traffic, passing on either side is legal in DC.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
On a two-lane highway, when may you pass another vehicle on the right?
  1. Whenever traffic is moving slowly
  2. Any time there is a paved shoulder
  3. Only if the lead vehicle is turning left
  4. Whenever the vehicle ahead has its hazards on

Answer: Only if the lead vehicle is turning left

You may pass on the right only when the vehicle ahead is making or about to make a left turn, staying on the roadway itself.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
On a two-lane highway, what should you do when another vehicle is overtaking you?
  1. Speed up to keep a safe gap
  2. Move left to discourage the pass
  3. Give way to the right; don't speed up
  4. Brake hard so they can get by

Answer: Give way to the right; don't speed up

If you are being overtaken, give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle and do not increase your speed until the pass is completed.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
If it appears you won't have time to complete a pass before meeting oncoming traffic, what should you do?
  1. Slow down and drop back in behind them
  2. Speed up to finish the pass quickly
  3. Swerve onto the shoulder to finish passing
  4. Continue at the same speed and hope for a gap

Answer: Slow down and drop back in behind them

If a pass can't be completed safely, slow down and return behind the vehicle you were trying to pass.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
When passing on the right of a vehicle that is turning left, where must you stay?
  1. On the paved shoulder
  2. On the traveled portion of the road
  3. In the bike lane if it is empty
  4. In the parking lane

Answer: On the traveled portion of the road

You may pass on the right when the vehicle ahead is turning left, but you must stay on the traveled portion of the road, not the shoulder.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
It is legal to increase your speed when another vehicle is in the process of passing you.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Do not speed up when being passed by another vehicle.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
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