California DMV Permit Test (Class C)Rules of the Road and Right-of-WayHard
You are driving on a highway with multiple lanes in your direction. You notice a slower vehicle ahead in your lane. When is it permissible to pass this vehicle on the right?
- ANever, passing on the right is always illegal in California.
- BOnly if you can do so by driving off the paved portion of the roadway.
- CWhen there are two or more lanes in your direction of travel, and it is safe to do so.
- DOnly if the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. When there are two or more lanes in your direction of travel, and it is safe to do so.
In California, passing on the right is permitted under specific conditions, primarily when there are at least two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, and it can be done safely. It is not always illegal, nor does it require the vehicle ahead to be turning left.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is incorrect; passing on the right is permissible under certain conditions in California.
- B. Driving off the paved roadway to pass is illegal and unsafe.
- D. While permitted if the vehicle is turning left and there's enough room, it's not the only condition.
Passing on the Right (California)
In California, passing on the right is allowed when there are two or more lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, or when the driver ahead is making a left turn and there is sufficient space.
- Multiple lanes in same direction
- Safety is paramount
- Not permitted off paved road
Memory trick: Right pass? Multi-lane flash!