Passing and active scanning

A farm vehicle ahead slows on a narrow rural road. An oncoming car prevents use of the opposing lane, but the gravel shoulder looks clear. What should you do?

• Drive onto the gravel shoulder and pass the farm vehicle.: Incorrect. Here the shoulder is being used to get around the slower farm vehicle, which is an off-road pass.
• Stay behind until a pass can be completed on the roadway. (correct): Correct. Wait until a safe pass can be completed on the paved or main-traveled roadway.
• Enter the opposing lane now and rely on the oncoming driver to brake.: Incorrect. The oncoming vehicle occupies the lane needed for a safe pass. Wait until the opposing lane and the space to return are safe.

Wait for a safe opportunity to pass while remaining on the paved or main-traveled roadway. California DMV guidance says not to leave that roadway to pass.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 6: Navigating the Roads — Section 6, Passing / How to Pass, lines 326–341; off-road passing boundary at lines 341–342. (retrieved 2026-11-02)

You are on a two-lane highway with a slow car ahead. The road is straight and the center marking allows passing, but a bridge begins about 80 feet ahead. What should you do?

• Do not pass now; let the bridge pass, then reassess your distance from it and the available passing space. (correct): Correct. The current position is about 80 feet before the bridge, so the stated restriction applies. Waiting until well clear and then reassessing is a conservative choice; this passage does not set another fixed distance after the bridge.
• Pass now because the road is straight and the center marking permits it.: Incorrect. A clear view and a permissive center marking do not remove the stated bridge restriction.
• Begin the pass before the bridge, then return to your lane on the bridge.: Incorrect. Passing on the bridge would still be within the restricted area.

DMV guidance says not to pass within 100 feet of a bridge. At about 80 feet before it, this driver is within the stated restriction. Waiting until well clear and then reassessing the restriction, visibility, and room to complete the pass is the conservative choice in this scenario. The handbook passage does not specify an additional fixed distance beyond the bridge.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 6: Navigating the Roads — Section 6, Passing, lines 312–325; no passing within 100 feet of a bridge. (retrieved 2026-11-02)

On a divided highway, two paved lanes carry traffic in your direction. A vehicle ahead continues straight, and there is an open lane to its right. Which statement matches the handbook’s guidance?

• Passing on the right can be allowed on an open highway with two or more lanes in your direction, when the maneuver is safe. (correct): Correct. This scenario has multiple lanes in the same direction; a safe right-side pass may be permitted.
• Passing on the right is never allowed, even when the roadway has several lanes in your direction.: Incorrect. The handbook lists conditions where a right-side pass is permitted.
• Use the shoulder for a right-side pass if the regular lane is occupied.: Incorrect. Do not leave the roadway to pass.

The handbook describes a right-side pass as an option on an open highway with at least two lanes in your direction, provided the maneuver is safe. The shoulder is not a passing lane.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 6: Navigating the Roads — Section 6, How to Pass / right-side passing conditions and off-road boundary, lines 326–341. (retrieved 2026-11-02)

You are driving along a clear city street and want more time to notice a developing hazard. Which visual habit best matches California DMV guidance?

• Keep your gaze fixed on the rear of the vehicle ahead and rely on its brake lights.: Incorrect. Staring at one vehicle limits what you notice farther ahead and around you.
• Move your attention around the roadway and scan far enough ahead to notice conditions developing about 10 seconds away. (correct): Correct. Keep scanning the surroundings and include the roadway ahead far enough to detect developing hazards.
• Look only at the far end of the street; do not check nearer traffic or activity at the sides.: Incorrect. Scanning ahead does not replace awareness of nearer traffic and the sides of the vehicle.

DMV guidance encourages drivers to keep their eyes moving and scan at least 10 seconds ahead. Shifting visual attention helps identify developing road conditions with time to respond.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 8: Safe Driving — Section 8, Be Aware of Your Surroundings / Scan Your Surroundings, lines 69–85. (retrieved 2026-11-02)

Your signal is green as you enter an intersection. Vehicles on the cross street have a red signal. What observation should you still make?

• Check both approaches for traffic before continuing through the intersection. (correct): Correct. Scan both approaches and continue only when the path is clear.
• Watch only the vehicle in front because cross traffic has a red signal.: Incorrect. A red signal for cross traffic does not replace checking both directions.
• Stop in the intersection and wait for cross traffic to move away.: Incorrect. Do not stop in the intersection without a reason; scan and proceed when safe.

DMV guidance says to look both ways at intersections even when cross traffic has a stop sign or red signal. A green indication does not remove the need to check that the path is clear before proceeding.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 8: Safe Driving — Section 8, Know What Is At Your Side, lines 91–99; Section 6, Crossing or Entering Traffic, lines 303–311. (retrieved 2026-11-02)

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 6: Navigating the Roads — Section 6, Crossing or Entering Traffic, lines 303–311. (retrieved 2026-11-02)