Key points
On two lane roads you may pass on the left if you can finish safely without exceeding the speed limit.
Source: Handbook p. 64
“you may pass traffic on the left if the pass can be completed safely without exceeding the speed limit.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64Do not return to the right lane until you can see the entire front of the passed vehicle in your mirror.
Source: Handbook p. 64
“not until you can see the entire front of the vehicle you have just passed in your interior rear view mirror.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64When someone is passing you, stay in your lane and do not speed up.
Source: Handbook p. 64
“When another car is trying to pass you, stay in your own lane and don't increase speed.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64Do not cross the center line to pass on a curve or hill without at least 500 feet of clear passing distance.
Source: Handbook p. 65
“On a curve or hill where you cannot see a clear passing distance of at least 500 feet.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 65Driving on the shoulder to pass is unlawful except in an emergency or when directed.
Source: Handbook p. 65
“It is unlawful to drive on the shoulder to pass except during an emergency or when so directed by traffic authorities.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 65Backing is prohibited on controlled access highways, except for emergency vehicles on duty.
Source: Handbook p. 66
“Backing is prohibited on controlled access highways (freeways and expressways) except for emergency vehicles in performance of their duties.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 66Before changing lanes, glance over your shoulder to check the blind spot your mirror misses.
Source: Handbook p. 66
“Glance over your shoulder to check the "blind spot" your mirror does not cover.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 66A load may not extend more than 5 feet beyond the front or rear. At 4 feet or more behind, attach a red flag.
Source: Handbook p. 67
“A load must not extend more than 5 feet beyond both the front and rear, inclusive, of the vehicle. If a load projects 4 feet or more from the rear of a vehicle, a red flag”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 67
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 500 feet | clear passing distance needed on a curve or hill | Handbook p. 65 |
| 5 feet; 4 feet | maximum load overhang; overhang that needs a red flag | Handbook p. 67 |
3 questions from the Alabama practice test
1. When may you cross the centerline to pass on an Alabama curve or hill?
- Whenever you sound the horn before moving left
- Whenever the vehicle ahead is below the speed limit
- When the road has a broken line somewhere behind you
- Only when a clear passing distance of at least 500 feet is visible
Show answer
Only when a clear passing distance of at least 500 feet is visible. Alabama prohibits crossing the centerline to pass on a curve or hill when the driver cannot see a clear passing distance of at least 500 feet. A slow vehicle ahead does not remove the visibility requirement, and a broken line behind the vehicle says nothing about the road ahead. Sounding the horn can warn another driver but cannot legalize a blind maneuver. Before passing, look far enough ahead to confirm the required view, check behind for another passer, signal, and complete the movement without exceeding the speed limit.
2. After passing another vehicle on a two-lane road, when should you return to the right lane?
- As soon as your front bumper clears the other vehicle
- Immediately after the passing vehicle sounds its horn
- After you can see the entire front of the passed vehicle in your interior mirror
- Only at the next intersection
Show answer
After you can see the entire front of the passed vehicle in your interior mirror. The manual says not to return to the right lane too soon. The driver should wait until the entire front of the vehicle just passed is visible in the interior rear view mirror. That visual check confirms a useful following gap rather than merely showing that the front bumper has moved ahead. The horn does not establish clearance, and an intersection is not the required landmark. Use the mirror image as the cue: if the whole front is not visible, remain in the passing lane only while the maneuver is still safe and legal.
3. What should an Alabama driver do when changing lanes?
- Rely only on the inside mirror
- Check clearance and the blind spot before moving
- Signal after entering the new lane
- Move first if the other lane looks faster
Show answer
Check clearance and the blind spot before moving. Before changing lanes, check safe clearance beside, ahead, and behind the vehicle, then glance over the shoulder to inspect the blind spot. Mirrors do not cover every area, so relying only on one is incomplete. A signal announces intent but does not grant permission to move, which makes signaling after entry especially unsafe. Wait for a real gap, keep the signal active through the maneuver, and move smoothly without forcing another road user to brake.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with safe driving questions from the free Alabama practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Alabama Driver Manual, Chapter 6: Traffic Laws. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.