Signals, Lanes and Passing

Key points

1. Arm signals must be given continuously for at least 100 feet before you slow, turn, stop or change lanes.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “be sure to extend your arm fully and signal continuously for at least one hundred (100) feet before you slow down, turn, stop, or change lanes.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 31

2. Do not use your left signal to tell the driver behind you it is safe to pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Do not use your left signal to let a vehicle behind you know it is safe to pass.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 31

3. On a road with more than one lane your way, drive in the far right lane except to pass or turn left.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “drive in the extreme RIGHT lane except to pass or turn left.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

4. Never cross a double yellow line, not even to pass a slow car.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “NEVER CROSS a double yellow line (not even to pass a slow-moving car).”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

5. Never move across the center line of a four lane highway to pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “It is never legal to move across the center line of a four-lane highway to pass another vehicle.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

6. Do not pass on hills, curves, or within 100 feet of bridges, railroad crossings, crosswalks or intersections.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “Do not pass on hills, curves, or within one hundred (100) feet of bridges, viaducts, overpasses, railroad crossings, crosswalks, intersections”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

7. You may never drive off the pavement or on the shoulder to pass on the right.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “Under no circumstances are you allowed to drive off the pavement or on the shoulder to pass.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

8. When being passed, keep to the right and do not speed up until the other car has passed.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “keep to the right and do not increase your speed until the other car has completely passed you.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

9. For a left turn, turn on your left signal and slow down at least 100 feet from the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “STEP 2: At least one hundred (100) feet from the intersection, turn on left signal and slow down.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 40

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Mississippi practice test

1. 1. Within how many feet of a bridge, railroad crossing, or intersection does Mississippi forbid passing?

   1. 50 feet
   2. 100 feet
   3. 500 feet
   4. 1,000 feet
   Show answer

   100 feet. Mississippi says not to pass on hills or curves, or within 100 feet of bridges, viaducts, overpasses, railroad crossings, crosswalks, intersections, or any place where the view is obstructed. Fifty feet is too short, while 500 and 1,000 feet are not the distance in the rule. The manual also says to pass only in good weather, never in rain or sleet, and never by driving on the shoulder.

2. 2. What does a broken yellow line separating opposing traffic permit a driver to do?

   1. Cross whenever the driver wants
   2. Cross only to pass when it is safe
   3. Cross only to park
   4. Never cross under any condition
   Show answer

   Cross only to pass when it is safe. A broken yellow center line separates traffic moving in opposite directions, and crossing into the oncoming lane is permitted only for passing when it is safe. The line is not an unrestricted invitation to cross, so the choice “Cross whenever the driver wants” ignores the safety condition. Parking is not the stated purpose, and the choice “Never cross under any condition” describes a prohibition that applies to a different marking. Check for oncoming traffic, sight distance, and other hazards before entering the opposing lane, then return when the pass is complete.

3. 3. How far in advance should a driver using an arm signal extend it before slowing, turning, stopping, or changing lanes?

   1. At least 10 feet
   2. At least 100 feet
   3. Only after beginning the maneuver
   4. Exactly 500 feet in every situation
   Show answer

   At least 100 feet. When arm signals are used, the manual directs the driver to extend the arm fully and signal continuously for at least 100 feet before slowing, turning, stopping, or changing lanes. Ten feet gives nearby road users almost no warning, and starting after the maneuver is too late. The choice “Exactly 500 feet in every situation” replaces a minimum with an unsupported fixed distance. Signal early enough for others to understand your plan, keep the signal visible, and continue it until the maneuver begins as required by the situation.

Source: the Mississippi Driver's Manual, Rules of the Road: Signals, Lanes and Passing. 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.