Turns, Lane Changes, U-Turns and Passing

Key points

1. Signal at least 100 feet ahead on city streets, or 300 feet on open highways.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “Signal your turn at least 100 feet ahead (about 10 car lengths) on city streets or 300 feet (30 car lengths) on open highways.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 45

2. Do not change lanes in an intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “Do not change lanes in an intersection”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 46

3. Never make a U-turn where you cannot see clearly 200 feet in each direction.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “Where you cannot see clearly 200 feet in each direction because of a curve, hill, rain, fog, or other reason.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 46

4. Never U-turn near a grade with less than 500 feet of visibility in both directions.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “Near a grade where there is less than 500 feet of visibility in both directions.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 46

5. Never exceed the speed limit to pass, and never use the shoulder.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “you should never exceed the speed limit to pass and you may never use the shoulder of the road to pass.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 47

6. On a two lane road, do not pass within 100 feet of a street or railroad crossing, or on a double solid yellow line.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “At or within 100 feet of a street crossing; At or within 100 feet of a railroad crossing; Where there is a double solid yellow line on the highway”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 47

7. When another vehicle signals to pass, move right in your lane and never speed up.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “When another vehicle comes up behind yours and signals to pass, move to the right in your travel lane and let it pass. Never speed up when another vehicle is passing you.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 47

8. On a highway with 2 lanes your way, driving in the left lane below the limit while being overtaken is illegal.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “While driving on a highway that has two lanes traveling in the same direction, it is illegal to travel in the far left lane at a speed that is less than the posted speed limit and you are being overtaken”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 47

9. Broken or dashed yellow lines mean you may pass when it is safe to do so.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “Broken or dashed yellow lines mean you may pass when it is safe to do so”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 32

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Nevada practice test

1. 1. How early must a Nevada driver signal a turn on an open highway?

   1. At least 100 feet ahead
   2. At least 200 feet ahead
   3. At least 500 feet ahead
   4. At least 300 feet ahead
   Show answer

   At least 300 feet ahead. On an open highway, the turn signal must begin at least 300 feet before the turn. The 100 foot figure belongs to city streets, so applying it on a highway gives following traffic less notice than required. Two hundred feet is also short, and 500 feet is not the handbook's stated threshold. Signal early enough to communicate the planned movement, then watch traffic, pedestrians, signs, and markings while slowing for the turn. The setting is the key cue: identify whether the roadway is an open highway or a city street before choosing the distance.

2. 2. What do solid yellow lines indicate on a Nevada roadway?

   1. The driver is not to cross over or pass
   2. Passing is required before the next intersection
   3. The lane is reserved for vehicles turning right
   4. Traffic in both directions must stop at the line
   Show answer

   The driver is not to cross over or pass. Solid yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions and indicate that a driver is not to cross over or pass. The marking does not command a passing maneuver, designate a right-turn-only lane, or function as a stop line for both directions. A driver should read the line together with nearby signs and the road layout, especially where a divided highway uses a solid yellow line at its left edge. The practical check is whether the center marking is solid: if it is, do not cross it to overtake another vehicle.

3. 3. When yellow center lines are broken, when may you pass?

   1. Only after crossing a solid white line
   2. Only while approaching an intersection
   3. Whenever the vehicle ahead is moving slowly
   4. When it is safe to do so
   Show answer

   When it is safe to do so. A broken yellow center line allows passing only when the maneuver is safe. The broken marking gives permission to consider passing, not a command to pass whenever a vehicle is slow. Approaching an intersection may introduce additional hazards, and a solid white line is unrelated to the opposing-direction center marking. Check sight distance, oncoming traffic, roadway space, and nearby intersections before moving left. If any condition is uncertain, remain behind the vehicle and wait for a better section.

Source: the Nevada Driver's Handbook, Chapter 3: Signaling, Turning, Lane Changes 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.