Passing safely

Pass only when signs or markings allow it, you have enough room, and passing is actually necessary. Passing puts you in the path of oncoming traffic or beside other vehicles, so it takes planning.

Know the rule

As a rule, pass only one vehicle at a time. Avoid passing where vehicles may enter the road ahead of you, such as intersections and driveways.

Handbook p. 45 ↗

Passing steps:

1. Check the passing lane ahead for plenty of space
2. Check mirrors and blind spots for traffic
3. Signal your intent to pass and accelerate as needed
4. While passing, watch the space ahead and behind, and check the rearview mirror
5. When the passed car's front shows in your mirror, signal, ease back, cancel signal, resume speed

Handbook p. 45 ↗

Passing markings (Figure 4.5)

Passing markings (Figure 4.5)
Marking	Rule
Double solid yellow center line	No passing in either lane
Solid and broken yellow	Don't pass when the solid line is on your side
White lane lines	Pass over broken white; never over center yellow

Handbook p. 45 ↗

Center line pavement markings (double yellow variations) — Pavement markings that show passing rules

Never pass (Figure 4.6):

When approaching the top of a hill
On a curve when your view along the roadway is obstructed
Within 100 feet of a signed narrow bridge, viaduct, or tunnel
Within 100 feet of a railroad crossing
Within 100 feet of an intersection
On the right
When oncoming traffic is so close it would be dangerous

Handbook p. 46 ↗

100 ft

No passing within this distance of an intersection, railroad crossing, or signed narrow bridge, viaduct, or tunnel

Handbook p. 46 ↗

Know the rule

Never pass on the shoulder, paved or not.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

Put it into practice

On a two-lane highway a broken yellow line is on your side and the road ahead looks clear, but a railroad crossing is 80 feet ahead. Wait—passing within 100 feet of a railroad crossing is illegal.

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.

How close to a marked railroad crossing may you begin passing another vehicle?

You may not pass within 100 feet of it
You may not pass within 20 feet of it
You may not pass within 300 feet of it
There is no restriction near railroad crossings

Answer: You may not pass within 100 feet of it

Passing is prohibited within 100 feet of a railroad crossing.

Handbook p. 46 ↗

On a two-way road, the center markings are a broken yellow line on your side and a solid yellow line on the other side. What does this mean?

Neither direction may pass
You may pass when safe; they may not
Only the other direction may pass
Both directions may pass freely

Answer: You may pass when safe; they may not

Passing is not allowed from the side with the solid yellow line; vehicles on the dashed-line side may pass when safe.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Why should you avoid passing near the top of a hill?

Passing lanes end at hilltops
Your car slows going uphill
You can't see oncoming traffic in time
Trucks have the right-of-way on hills

Answer: You can't see oncoming traffic in time

Passing areas depend on how far you can see ahead, and approaching a hilltop you can't see oncoming vehicles in time.

Handbook p. 46 ↗

Which of these is NOT one of the 100-foot no-passing zones listed in the manual?

100 feet from a stop sign
100 feet from a marked narrow bridge
100 feet from an intersection
100 feet from a railroad crossing

Answer: 100 feet from a stop sign

The 100-foot no-passing rule covers railroad crossings, intersections, and marked narrow bridges or tunnels — not stop signs.

Handbook p. 46 ↗

As a rule, you should only pass one vehicle at a time.

True
False

Answer: True

The manual instructs passing only one vehicle at a time as a rule.

Handbook p. 45 ↗

It's acceptable to pass another vehicle on the right if the right lane is open and moving faster.

True
False

Answer: False

The manual lists passing on the right among the situations where passing is not allowed.

Handbook p. 46 ↗

Passing steps:

Passing markings (Figure 4.5)

Never pass (Figure 4.6):

Check your understanding

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