Driver's License Test Prep
Pennsylvania Practice Passing

Under which condition does the manual say you may pass another vehicle on the right?

  1. A.
    The vehicle ahead is traveling below the posted speed limit
  2. B.
    You are within 100 feet of an intersection or crossing
  3. C.
    The driver ahead is making or signaling a left turn Correct
  4. D.
    A solid yellow centerline is on your side of the road
The Why

The answer is "The driver ahead is making or signaling a left turn"

Passing on the right is permitted when the driver ahead is making or signaling a left turn, and the passing vehicle must stay on the berm or shoulder while doing so. The pull toward D comes from reasoning that if a solid yellow line closes off the left side, the right must open up as a workaround, when in fact a solid yellow simply forbids passing.

Why the others miss

The traps in the wrong answers

A. The vehicle ahead is traveling below the posted speed limit

Slow traffic ahead is not one of the conditions the manual gives for passing on the right. This answer assumes any slow driver forfeits the lane, a habit built from frustration rather than the rule.

B. You are within 100 feet of an intersection or crossing

Being within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing is generally a no-pass zone unless an official traffic control device says you may; by itself, it is not a condition that allows passing on the right. This answer confuses the 100-foot no-pass zone with the left-turning-vehicle exception that actually opens up passing on the right.

D. A solid yellow centerline is on your side of the road

A solid yellow line on your side forbids passing; it is not a green light to pass on the right. This answer reasons that if a solid yellow closes the left side, the right must open as a workaround.

The Rule

This question tests your knowledge of Passing in Pennsylvania. Source: Pennsylvania Driver Manual, "Passing - Passing on the Right," p.47..

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