Roadwise States Oregon Driving lessons Passing and No-Passing Zones Oregon driving lesson · Space Cushion & Passing
Passing and No-Passing Zones A 4-minute lesson from the Oregon course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 4 minutes
Course unit Space Cushion & Passing
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 39, 40, 41 Passing is normal but dangerous. Cut back in too soon and you may sideswipe the car you're passing; wait too long and you risk a head-on crash. Know your car's acceleration, make sure you have room, and when in doubt, stay in your lane.
Know the rule
On a two-lane road, pass only to the left. Don't begin before the start of a passing zone, and finish before you enter a no-passing zone.
Handbook p. 39 ↗ Know the rule
Don't exceed the speed limit when passing — it's against the law to exceed speed limits at any time.
Handbook p. 39 ↗ How to pass Don't follow too closely, especially behind large trucks and trailers, so you can see ahead Check for a clear path ahead Check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder toward the lane you're moving into Turn on your signal, speed up and complete the pass as soon as possible When you see the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror, signal and return to your lane Handbook p. 39 ↗ Know the rule
Do not pass anywhere your view of oncoming traffic is limited.
Handbook p. 40 ↗ Do not cross the center line to pass when: You're in a no-passing zone (solid yellow line), or can't return before one begins A hill or curve blocks your view of oncoming traffic You're approaching, at or in an intersection or railroad crossing The vehicle ahead is stopped at a crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross Handbook p. 40 ↗ No passing: hill blocks your view Know the rule
You may cross the center line in a no-passing zone only if the right side of the road is blocked or you are turning left.
Handbook p. 40 ↗ You may pass on the right only when: The vehicle you're passing is making or has signaled for a left turn On a road with two or more lanes in your direction, the vehicle you pass is in the left lane Handbook p. 41 ↗ Know the rule
Passing a left-turner on the right needs enough room to pass without leaving the pavement or driving in a bike lane, and a clear road ahead of it. Use extra care — drivers don't expect it — and don't speed to pass.
Handbook p. 41 ↗ Know the rule
When being passed, stay to the right and adjust your speed so the passer can get back in lane. It's illegal to flash any of your signals, or wave, to tell a driver when to pass.
Handbook p. 41 ↗ Put it into practice
A car ahead is stopped in your lane at a crosswalk on a two-lane road. Even with a broken center line and no oncoming traffic, you may not go around it — a pedestrian may be crossing in front of it. Stop and wait.
A useful reminder No-passing zone exceptions are just two: the right side is blocked, or you're turning left.
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, you should pass another vehicle: To the left or right, whichever is safer Only to the right On either side if the shoulder is wide Only to the left Answer: Only to the left
On a two-lane road, pass only to the left.
Handbook p. 39 ↗ Your pass must be completed: Before you enter a no-passing zone Within 10 seconds of starting Before you reach a stop sign only Within 100 feet after passing the other vehicle Answer: Before you enter a no-passing zone
Complete your pass before entering a no-passing zone.
Handbook p. 39 ↗ You must not cross the center line to pass when: The road is completely straight There is no other traffic at all Near a hill or curve that blocks your view The broken yellow line is on your side Answer: Near a hill or curve that blocks your view
Blocked views on hills or curves make passing unsafe.
Handbook p. 40 ↗ You may cross the center line within a marked no-passing zone only if: The right side is blocked or you are turning left A farm vehicle is ahead of you No oncoming traffic is visible for a mile You are passing a slow vehicle Answer: The right side is blocked or you are turning left
Only a blocked right side or a left turn justify crossing there.
Handbook p. 40 ↗ You may legally pass on the right when: The vehicle ahead is slowing to turn right into a driveway The vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room The vehicle ahead is going the speed limit It is a two-lane road with a double yellow line Answer: The vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room
A left-turning vehicle ahead with room is a legal pass-on-right case.
Handbook p. 41 ↗ When another driver is passing you, it is illegal to: Stay in your lane at a steady speed Check your mirrors for oncoming traffic Slow down slightly to let them complete the pass Signal them that it's safe to pass Answer: Signal them that it's safe to pass
Signaling other drivers when to pass is against the law.
Handbook p. 41 ↗ Previous lesson Looking Ahead, Curves and Changing Lanes Next lesson Freeway Driving More in Space Cushion & Passing About the source Roadwise’s Oregon course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 39, 40, 41. 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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