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Kansas driving lesson · Kansas Rules of the Road: Speed & Basic Laws

Passing rules

A 3-minute lesson from the Kansas 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
Kansas Rules of the Road: Speed & Basic Laws
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
17, 36

On a two-lane road, passing means borrowing the oncoming lane, one of the riskiest moves in driving. Kansas lists exactly where you can't pass and how far from oncoming traffic you must finish.

To pass on a two-lane road:

  • Pass on the left only if it can be done safely without exceeding the speed limit
  • Check the road ahead for enough distance and behind for anyone preparing to pass you
  • Turn on your left signal before passing
  • Use your right signal after passing, before returning to the right lane
  • Return only when you can see the entire front of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror
Handbook p. 17 ↗
200 feet

Be back in your lane before coming within this distance of an oncoming vehicle

Handbook p. 17 ↗

Know the rule

When you are being overtaken, stay in your lane and don't increase your speed.

Handbook p. 17 ↗

Do not pass:

  • Within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel if your view is obstructed
  • Within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad grade crossing
  • On a hill, curve or any other place designated a no-passing zone
  • Any time the left side isn't clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic
  • Where signs prohibit passing
  • Where there's a solid yellow line on your side of the centerline
  • Within 100 feet of a stopped emergency vehicle on the roadside with emergency lights on
Handbook p. 17 ↗

No Passing Zone sign

The only pennant-shaped warning sign. It marks the start of a no-passing zone and is placed on the left side of the road, facing the driver.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
Signal/Yield/Stop ahead and no-passing warning signs composite
Traffic Signal Ahead, Yield Ahead, Stop Ahead, and the pennant-shaped No Passing Zone sign

Know the rule

A double solid yellow line prohibits traffic in both directions from crossing the centerline to pass.

Handbook p. 17 ↗

Know the rule

You may pass on the right on one-way streets and on highways marked for two or more lanes moving in the same direction. Check traffic ahead and behind and signal first.

Handbook p. 17 ↗

Know the rule

Don't drive on the shoulder to pass, except during an emergency or when traffic authorities direct you to.

Handbook p. 17 ↗

Put it into practice

You're behind a slow tractor on a two-lane road, and a railroad crossing is 80 feet ahead. Even with no oncoming traffic, wait: passing within 100 feet of a railroad grade crossing is prohibited.

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.

On a two-lane road, when returning to your lane after passing, how close may you come to an oncoming vehicle before you must be back in your lane?
  1. 100 feet
  2. 300 feet
  3. 200 feet
  4. 50 feet

Answer: 200 feet

You must return to your driving lane before coming within 200 feet of any oncoming vehicle.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
You must not pass within how many feet of a bridge, viaduct, or tunnel if your view is obstructed?
  1. 200 feet
  2. 50 feet
  3. 500 feet
  4. 100 feet

Answer: 100 feet

Passing is prohibited within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct, or tunnel when the view is obstructed.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
You must not pass within how many feet of crossing an intersection or railroad grade crossing?
  1. 100 feet
  2. 500 feet
  3. 25 feet
  4. 50 feet

Answer: 100 feet

Passing is prohibited within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad grade crossing.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
The 'No Passing Zone' sign has a distinctive shape. What is it?
  1. Diamond-shaped
  2. Pennant-shaped
  3. Round
  4. Octagonal

Answer: Pennant-shaped

The No Passing Zone sign is the only pennant-shaped warning sign, placed on the left side facing the driver.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
A double solid yellow centerline means:
  1. Only the side with a dashed line may pass
  2. Passing is allowed with extra caution
  3. Passing is not allowed from either direction
  4. Passing is allowed if traffic is light

Answer: Passing is not allowed from either direction

A double solid yellow line prohibits crossing the centerline from either direction to pass.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
Kansas prohibits passing within how many feet of an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the roadway with its emergency lights on?
  1. 50 feet
  2. 100 feet
  3. 200 feet
  4. 500 feet

Answer: 100 feet

Passing is not allowed within 100 feet of an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the roadway with its emergency lights on.

Handbook p. 17 ↗
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