Tennessee driving lesson · Turning, Passing & Lane Use
Passing safely
A 3-minute lesson from the Tennessee course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Passing crashes are often fatal because the impact is head-on or at high speed. Cut back too soon and you sideswipe the car you passed; too late and you meet oncoming traffic. Knowing when NOT to pass is just as important — be patient.
Know the rule
If you see any sign of an oncoming vehicle, it's too close to pass. When in doubt, stay in your lane.
Passing more than one vehicle at once isn't illegal in Tennessee, but it isn't safe. Consider it only on a straight, level road with excellent visibility where you can be back in the right lane before coming within 100 feet of no-passing markings or oncoming traffic.
Never pass on the right by driving off the pavement, in a bike or parking lane, or in the emergency lane within sight of a traffic light or stop sign. If a car ahead turns right into you, you're at fault.
Solid yellow line in the oncoming lane: you may pass if clear
Put it into practice
A car ahead on a four-lane street stops with its left signal on. You may pass on the right in the open lane — staying on the pavement. You may not squeeze by on the shoulder or through a bike 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.
Passing on the right is legally permitted when:
The vehicle ahead has signaled a left turn
The vehicle ahead is signaling a right turn
You are on a single-lane road
Never, passing on the right is always illegal
Answer: The vehicle ahead has signaled a left turn
You may pass on the right when the vehicle ahead has signaled or is about to make a left turn.
As a general rule, it is recommended that you avoid passing more than one vehicle at a time unless:
Traffic is heavy and slow
You are driving at night with high beams
You have excellent visibility on a straight, level road
You are behind slow farm equipment
Answer: You have excellent visibility on a straight, level road
While not always illegal, passing multiple vehicles is recommended only with excellent visibility and enough clearance before any hazard or oncoming vehicle.
