In Oregon, under which condition may you legally pass another vehicle on the RIGHT?
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A.
When the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. Correct
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B.
When oncoming traffic prevents you from passing the vehicle on the left.
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C.
On any two-lane road if traffic ahead is slow.
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D.
When you can use the shoulder.
The answer is "When the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn."
You may pass on the right only when the vehicle ahead is making or signaling a left turn (with enough paved room to pass without using a bike lane or shoulder, and a clear road ahead), or when you are on a road with two or more lanes traveling the same direction and the vehicle is in the left lane. Outside those two conditions, passing on the right is not permitted, and you may not leave the paved portion or use the shoulder to do it.
The traps in the wrong answers
B. When oncoming traffic prevents you from passing the vehicle on the left.
A blocked left side does not authorize passing on the right; the manual lists only two specific conditions, and neither references oncoming traffic. Misreading: Treats blocked left-side passing as permission to pass on the right; the manual permits right-side passing only when the vehicle ahead signals a left turn or when traveling on a road with two or more lanes in the same direction.
C. On any two-lane road if traffic ahead is slow.
On a two-lane road you pass on the left; right-side passes apply on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. Misreading: Confuses normal left-side passing with the right-side rule, which requires either a left-turn signal or two or more lanes in the same direction.
D. When you can use the shoulder.
You must not leave the paved portion or use the shoulder or bike lane to pass on the right. Misreading: Ignores the explicit requirement that the pass occur without leaving the paved portion of the road or driving in a bike lane.
This question tests your knowledge of Passing in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Passing on the Right," p.33..
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