A 3-minute lesson from the South Dakota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Passing puts you beside another vehicle, and on a two-lane road into the path of oncoming traffic. Do it quickly, only where legal and safe, and give bicyclists the space the law requires.
Know the rule
On multi-lane roads the left-most lane is meant for passing slower vehicles. Never pass on the shoulder, paved or not.
Measure from your vehicle's right side, including mirrors, to the bicycle's left side, and keep that space until you're safely past. You may partly cross the centerline or lane line to pass if it's safe.
Violating the bicycle passing law is a Class 2 misdemeanor. When passing a bicyclist, slow down, allow as much space as possible, and consider the rider's speed.
On a 45 mph county road you come up behind a cyclist. Slow down, wait until it's safe, and pass with at least 6 feet of space, partly crossing the centerline if the way is clear. On a 30 mph street the minimum would be 3 feet.
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 multi-lane roads, which lane is intended for passing slower vehicles?
The left-most lane
The right-most lane
Any lane may be used equally
The center lane only
Answer: The left-most lane
On multi-lane roads, the left-most lane is intended to be used for passing slower vehicles.