Rural two-lane roads

By the end of this topic you can

• You can read yellow center lines and know when passing is allowed.
• You can decide whether you have enough clear road to pass and return safely.
• You can deal with slow farm equipment and use turnouts to let others pass.
• You can recover safely if your wheels drop off the pavement.

What you need to know and understand

• A broken yellow line on your side means you may pass when it is safe.
• A solid yellow line on your side means do not pass.
• California's handbook says not to pass within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, tunnel or railroad crossing, and that a hill or curve should be at least one-third of a mile ahead before you start.
• Never leave the paved road to pass another vehicle.
• An orange triangle with a red border marks a slow-moving vehicle, such as farm equipment.
• California requires a slow driver with five or more vehicles behind on a two-lane road to use a turnout to let them pass; other states have similar rules. Check your state manual.
• A center lane with solid outer and broken inner yellow lines is for left turns only, not for passing.

Deciding whether to pass

Passing on a two-lane road is one of the riskiest moves a driver makes, because you are in the lane of oncoming traffic. Ask yourself if the pass is needed at all: a few minutes behind a slower driver is rarely worth the risk.

You need a long, clear view of the road ahead, no hills or curves that could hide traffic, no intersections or driveways where someone could turn out, and enough space to get back into your lane well before any oncoming vehicle.

1. Check that the center line allows passing and the road ahead is clear.
2. Check mirrors and blind spot, and signal left.
3. Move out, accelerate briskly and pass without lingering.
4. Signal right and return when you can see the passed vehicle in your inside mirror.
5. If anything changes, drop back and abandon the pass.

Hazards that are more common in the country

• Sharp curves with advisory speed signs: slow down before the curve, not in it.
• Narrow lanes and soft or gravel shoulders.
• Slow farm equipment and horse-drawn vehicles, especially on blind crests.
• Animals on or near the road, particularly at dawn and dusk.
• Hidden driveways and field entrances, and mud or gravel on the road.
• Long distances to help, so plan fuel and check your car before trips.

If your wheels leave the pavement

If your right wheels drop onto a lower shoulder, do not jerk the wheel. Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas and brake gently. Check your mirrors, then steer smoothly back onto the pavement once your speed is under control. Overcorrecting can send you across into oncoming traffic.

Common mistakes

• Passing near the top of a hill or before a curve: wait until you can see far enough.
• Returning to your lane too early: wait until the passed vehicle shows in your mirror.
• Taking curves too fast: brake before the bend and obey advisory speeds.
• Jerking the wheel when tires drop off the edge: slow down, then steer back smoothly.
• Using the center turn lane to pass: it is for turning only.

Test yourself: Rural two-lane roads

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• How to Pass on a Two-Lane Road
• Center Turn Lane Rules