Roadwise States Maryland Driving lessons Passing rules Maryland driving lesson · Basic Driving Rules
Passing rules A 3-minute lesson from the Maryland course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Basic Driving Rules
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 16 Passing puts you in the path of other traffic, so Maryland lists exactly how to pass, when passing on the right is okay, and where you may never pass.
When passing is allowed, you must: Estimate the time and space needed, and be sure you won't get in anyone's way Use your turn signal before passing Leave plenty of space and go around at a safe distance See both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rear-view mirror before returning Handbook p. 16 ↗ You may pass on the right only if it is safe, you stay on the road, and: The other vehicle is about to turn left You're on an unobstructed road with two or more lanes going your direction You're on an unobstructed one-way road with two or more lanes Handbook p. 16 ↗ Unobstructed No median strips, signs, or other things in the way.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ Know the rule
When another vehicle is passing you, yield to it and do not increase your speed.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ You may not pass: In a no-passing zone Where the solid yellow center line is on your side Where there are double solid yellow lines When it would interfere with the safe operation of other vehicles Approaching a hilltop or on a curve where you can't see clearly ahead Within 100 feet of a bridge, elevated road or tunnel when your view is obstructed While crossing or within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad grade crossing On the shoulder, right or left Handbook p. 16 ↗ 100 feet No passing within this distance of an intersection or railroad grade crossing
Handbook p. 16 ↗ No Passing Zone sign (pennant) Put it into practice
A car ahead is waiting to turn left on a two-lane road with a wide paved shoulder. You may go around it on the right only if you stay on the road. Using the shoulder to pass is never allowed.
A useful reminder Passing on the right is the exception: a left-turner ahead, or an unobstructed multi-lane road. The shoulder is never a passing lane.
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.
Generally, on which side should you pass another vehicle? The right side Either side, your choice Only from the shoulder The left side Answer: The left side
Generally, you should pass other vehicles on the left side.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ When is it legal to pass on the right? When the car ahead is turning left When the car ahead is turning right Whenever there is no oncoming traffic Whenever the vehicle ahead is going too slowly Answer: When the car ahead is turning left
You may pass on the right if it's safe, you stay on the road, and the other vehicle is about to turn left, among other exceptions.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ How close to a bridge, elevated road, or tunnel are you prohibited from passing if your view is obstructed? Within 50 feet Within 500 feet Within 100 feet Within 20 feet Answer: Within 100 feet
You may not pass when your view is obstructed as you come within 100 feet of a bridge, elevated road, or tunnel.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ How close to an intersection or railroad grade crossing are you prohibited from passing? Within 50 feet Within 300 feet Within 20 feet Within 100 feet, or while crossing it Answer: Within 100 feet, or while crossing it
You may not pass while crossing, or within 100 feet of, an intersection or railroad grade crossing.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ What should you do if another vehicle is passing you? Yield to it and do not increase your speed Speed up to get ahead first Move fully onto the shoulder Flash your high beams Answer: Yield to it and do not increase your speed
When being passed, you must yield to the other vehicle and not increase your speed.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ You may pass another vehicle on the shoulder of the road. True False Answer: False
Passing on the shoulder, whether to the right or left, is not allowed.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ Previous lesson Lane driving, turning & U-turns Next lesson General parking rules More in Basic Driving Rules About the source Roadwise’s Maryland course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 16. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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