Driver's License Test Prep
Oregon Practice Passing

In which of these situations is passing on a two-lane Oregon road specifically prohibited by the handbook?

  1. A.
    When a broken yellow line is on your side of the center line.
  2. B.
    When a solid white line is painted on your side of the road.
  3. C.
    On a hill or curve where oncoming traffic is clearly visible.
  4. D.
    Approaching, at, or in an intersection or railroad crossing. Correct
The Why

The answer is "Approaching, at, or in an intersection or railroad crossing."

The handbook lists four specific situations where you must not cross the center line to pass: a no-passing zone (solid yellow on your side), hills or curves where your view of oncoming traffic is blocked, when approaching, at, or in an intersection or railroad crossing, and when the vehicle ahead is stopped at a crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross. The common thread is limited view or interaction with cross traffic or pedestrians. The trap in C is dropping the 'view blocked' qualifier from the hills-and-curves rule, applying the ban to every hill or curve rather than only those with obstructed sight.

Why the others miss

The traps in the wrong answers

A. When a broken yellow line is on your side of the center line.

The handbook says a broken yellow line on your side of the lane indicates you are allowed to pass; this is the opposite of a no-pass condition. This answer reverses the broken-yellow-line rule. The manual states a broken yellow line on your side means passing is permitted, not prohibited.

B. When a solid white line is painted on your side of the road.

White-line markings separate same-direction lanes or mark road edges; the handbook's no-passing rules concern crossing the yellow center line, not white lines. This answer confuses white-line markings with yellow center-line markings. The manual reserves yellow lines for separating opposing traffic and triggering no-passing rules; white lines mark same-direction lanes or road edges and do not govern crossing the center line to pass.

C. On a hill or curve where oncoming traffic is clearly visible.

The handbook prohibits passing on a hill or curve only when your view of oncoming traffic is blocked; clear visibility is not a no-pass condition. This answer drops the 'view blocked' qualifier from the hills-and-curves rule. The manual prohibits passing only when your view of oncoming traffic is blocked because you are on a hill or in a curve, not on every hill or curve.

The Rule

This question tests your knowledge of Passing in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "No Passing," p.32..

More from this topic

Related Oregon questions

More than a book

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

The Oregon 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 Oregon study plan

A short run of study emails for the Oregon 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.