A 3-minute lesson from the Vermont 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, so do it only when you can see enough clear road to finish safely. The rules cover how to pass, how much room to leave, when you may pass on the right, and where passing is never allowed.
To pass:
Make sure you have enough distance to pass safely
Signal left
Check behind you: rearview mirrors, and over your left shoulder for the blind spot
Before returning, go far enough to see the entire front of the vehicle, or the bicyclist, in your inside rearview mirror. Then signal right, check your right blind spot and return to the right.
On a two-lane road, the car ahead stops with its left signal on. There's a paved lane of room on its right, so you may pass on the right. You may not use the gravel shoulder, since passing off the pavement is never allowed.
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.
When passing, how far beyond the vehicle or bicyclist should you go before returning to the right side of the road?
Until your rear bumper just clears its front bumper
At least one car length past it
Until you can see its entire front in your inside rearview mirror
Until you can see it in your right side mirror
Answer: Until you can see its entire front in your inside rearview mirror
Go far enough beyond the vehicle or bicyclist that you can see its entire front in your inside rearview mirror, then signal right and return.
