Passing, lane use and turns

Key points

1. Do not return to the right lane until you can see the entire vehicle you passed in your rearview mirror.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “Once you have started passing a vehicle, do not cut back into the right-hand lane until you can see the entire vehicle you are passing in your rearview mirror.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 32

2. You must return to your lane before you get within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “You must return to your lane before you get within 200 feet of any oncoming vehicles.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 32

3. If you are being passed, do not speed up or race the passing driver.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “If you are being passed by another vehicle, do not increase your speed or race the driver who is passing you.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 32

4. Passing on the right is allowed in certain cases, but never on the shoulder or off the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “Passing a vehicle on the right is allowed but don’t drive on the shoulder or off the road to do so.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 32

5. Do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “You are within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 32

6. Do not pass when your view is blocked within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “Your view is blocked within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 32

7. Do not pass when a vehicle has stopped at a crosswalk or intersection for a pedestrian.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “A vehicle has stopped at a crosswalk or intersection to allow a pedestrian to cross.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 32

8. You must drive in the right hand lane except in listed situations such as passing.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “You must drive in the right-hand lane except when: • Passing a vehicle in front of you.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 33

9. Weaving from lane to lane to speed through traffic is illegal.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “Weaving from lane to lane to speed through traffic is illegal.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 33

10. Keep your front wheels pointed straight ahead until you start a left turn.

    Source: Handbook p. 34

    “Keep your front wheels pointed straight ahead until you start your turn.”
    What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 34

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Michigan practice test

1. 1. Before returning to the right lane after passing, what must a Michigan driver be able to see?

   1. Only the passed vehicle's front bumper in a side mirror
   2. The entire vehicle being passed in the rearview mirror
   3. The next intersection at least 500 feet away
   4. The driver's own rear tire in the passenger mirror
   Show answer

   The entire vehicle being passed in the rearview mirror. Michigan says not to cut back into the right lane until the entire vehicle being passed is visible in the rearview mirror. Seeing only a bumper in a side mirror leaves the pass incomplete and risks crowding the other vehicle. The driver's own tire and a distant intersection are unrelated checks. Wait until the full vehicle appears, then move back with adequate space and a clear path.

2. 2. What is the normal lane position for a Michigan driver on a multi-lane road?

   1. The left-hand lane whenever it has the clearest pavement
   2. Any lane chosen by the driver without regard to traffic direction
   3. The center lane at all times to avoid merging
   4. The right-hand lane, except for listed situations such as passing or obstacles
   Show answer

   The right-hand lane, except for listed situations such as passing or obstacles. Michigan directs drivers to use the right-hand lane except when a listed reason requires another position, such as passing, an obstacle, a divided road with three or more lanes, or an approaching stopped emergency vehicle. The left lane is not a default cruising lane, and the center lane is not universally safe. Choose the exception first, then return right when the reason ends.

3. 3. How close to an oncoming vehicle may a Michigan driver still be completing a pass?

   1. You must return to your lane before getting within 200 feet of any oncoming vehicle
   2. Within 50 feet
   3. Within 500 feet
   4. There is no distance rule
   Show answer

   You must return to your lane before getting within 200 feet of any oncoming vehicle. When passing, do not cut back into the right lane until you can see the entire vehicle you passed in your rearview mirror, and you must return to your lane before you get within 200 feet of any oncoming vehicle. Allow extra room when pulling a trailer, pass only one vehicle at a time, and never pass where a solid yellow line is on your side.

Source: the What Every Driver Must Know, Chapter 4: 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.