A 4-minute lesson from the Nevada course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Passing puts you in the path of oncoming traffic or in another driver's blind spot. Pass only where it's legal, only when you can see enough road, and never by speeding or driving on the shoulder.
Know the rule
Never exceed the speed limit to pass, and never use the shoulder of the road to pass.
Signal left 100 feet ahead in business or residential areas, 300 feet ahead elsewhere. Pull back into your lane when you can see the passed vehicle in your rear-view mirror.
On multi-lane roads, pass on the left when no signs or markings forbid it and it's safe — signal, check mirrors and look over your shoulder. Never pass to the left of a driver making or signaling a left turn.
On a highway with two lanes in your direction, it's illegal to drive in the far left lane below the speed limit while a faster vehicle is overtaking you from behind in that lane.
Pass on the right only where the road is clearly marked for two or more lanes going your way and it's safe — never by driving off the paved portion of the highway.
Passing a bicyclist: move into the lane to the left if there's more than one lane your way and it's reasonably safe. Otherwise pass at least 3 feet to the left, and don't move back right until safely clear. Never drive in a marked bike lane.
On a two-lane highway you're behind a slow truck. The center line is broken yellow, but a railroad crossing is 80 feet ahead. Wait — you can't pass at or within 100 feet of a railroad crossing.
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 may you legally pass on the left?
Outside any city, you're below the speed limit in the far left of two same-direction lanes, and a faster car comes up behind you. What must you do?
Stay; you're at a legal speed
Move out of the far left lane
Speed up past the posted limit
Move over only if they flash lights
Answer: Move out of the far left lane
On a highway with two lanes in your direction, it's illegal to drive in the far left lane below the speed limit while a faster vehicle overtakes you from behind, unless an exception applies.
