Driver's License Test Prep
California Practice Passing

Where does the California manual forbid passing?

  1. A.
    Within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, or railroad crossing Correct
  2. B.
    On any two-lane road with a broken yellow center line
  3. C.
    On a multilane road when the passing lane is open
The Why

The answer is "Within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, or railroad crossing"

The manual bars passing within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, tunnel, railroad crossing, or other hazardous area. Drivers who confuse a broken yellow center line with a solid double yellow reach for B as if California banned passing across any yellow paint.

Why the others miss

The traps in the wrong answers

B. On any two-lane road with a broken yellow center line

A broken yellow center line means passing is permitted when it can be done safely, so it is not a location the manual lists as forbidden. This answer carries over a habit of treating any yellow paint as a no-pass warning, forgetting that broken yellow permits passing when the way is clear.

C. On a multilane road when the passing lane is open

An open passing lane on a multilane road is not on the manual's list of prohibited passing locations; safety, signs, and markings still govern the choice. This answer reads the general caution that passing is risky as a location ban and mistakes a lane-use guideline for the specific list on page 24.

The Rule

This question tests your knowledge of Passing in California. Source: California Driver Manual, "Passing," p.24..

More from this topic

Related California questions

More than a book

You just took one California question apart. The book does it for the whole test.

The California book unlocks a free companion: an adaptive study plan, progress synced across your devices, a denser laminate cheat sheet, and a test-day walkthrough. Verify your copy once, usually in seconds; there's nothing extra to buy.

Get the book on Amazon

$18.99 paperback, free companion included.

Free study plan

Your free California study plan

A short run of study emails for the California DMV test: what to drill, the rules people trip on, and a final pre-test checklist. The printable cheat sheet is free to grab either way.

One email a few times a month. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Privacy.