Lane changes, passing, backing and road conditions

Key points

1. Before changing lanes, check your mirrors and all blind spots with head checks.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “Check the vehicle's mirrors. Check all “blind spots,” or areas around the vehicle that cannot be seen by using head checks.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 16

2. Use the acceleration lane to reach the speed of traffic before merging onto a highway.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “Use the acceleration lane to reach the speed of other vehicles before pulling onto the roadway.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 16

3. Do not pass when an oncoming vehicle is approaching, when a curve or hill blocks your view, at intersections, or before a railroad crossing or bridge.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “Do not attempt to pass when an oncoming vehicle is approaching, when the view is blocked by a curve or a hill, at intersections, or before a highway-railroad crossing or bridge.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 17

4. On multi-lane roads the left-most lane is for passing slower vehicles; never pass on the shoulder, paved or not.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “On multi-lane roads, the left-most lane is intended to be used for passing slower vehicles. Never pass on the shoulder, whether it is paved or not.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 17

5. Keep passing until the whole front of the passed vehicle is visible in your rearview mirror.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “Continue to pass until the complete front of the passed vehicle is visible in the rearview mirror.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 17

6. When someone passes you, never speed up to prevent the pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “Never increase speed to prevent someone from passing.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 17

7. Check behind the vehicle before getting in to back up, because children or small objects cannot be seen from the seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “Check behind the vehicle before getting in. Children or small objects cannot be seen from the driver's seat.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 17

8. The best way to avoid hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or when the road has pooled water.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “The best way to avoid traction loss from hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or when the road is wet with pooled water or water puddles.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 17

3 questions from the New Hampshire practice test

1. 1. Before changing lanes, what does the New Hampshire manual say to check besides the mirrors?

   1. All blind spots, using head checks
   2. Only the speedometer
   3. Only the rearview camera
   4. The lane two lanes over
   Show answer

   All blind spots, using head checks. Before changing lanes a driver should check the vehicle's mirrors, check all blind spots, which are the areas around the vehicle that cannot be seen in the mirrors, by using head checks, then identify a gap in traffic, signal, look again in the direction of the lane change, adjust speed and steer into the lane. Even properly adjusted mirrors do not eliminate blind spots, and a blind spot monitor is a backup, not a substitute for looking over your shoulder.

2. 2. After passing a vehicle in New Hampshire, when is it safe to signal and return to your lane?

   1. As soon as your front bumper is ahead of the other vehicle
   2. When the complete front of the passed vehicle is visible in your rearview mirror
   3. After counting three seconds
   4. When the other driver flashes headlights
   Show answer

   When the complete front of the passed vehicle is visible in your rearview mirror. The manual's passing sequence says to continue to pass until the complete front of the passed vehicle is visible in the rearview mirror, then signal the intention to return and steer smoothly back into the lane. Pulling in as soon as your bumper is ahead cuts the other driver off, and there is no fixed count or flash signal. The manual repeats the same check for large vehicles: look for the whole front of the vehicle in the rearview mirror before pulling in front, because a loaded truck needs a longer stopping distance than a car.

3. 3. What does the New Hampshire manual describe as the best way to avoid traction loss from hydroplaning?

   1. Slow down in the rain or when the road has pooled water
   2. Drive in the tire tracks of the vehicle ahead at full speed
   3. Brake firmly as soon as the road is wet
   4. Use cruise control to hold a steady speed
   Show answer

   Slow down in the rain or when the road has pooled water. Hydroplaning happens when the steering tires start to ride up on pooled water, like water skis. The manual says the best way to avoid traction loss from hydroplaning is to slow down in the rain or when the road is wet with pooled water or puddles. Good tread depth and proper tire pressure also help. Following in tracks at full speed, braking firmly on a wet road, and holding a set speed with cruise control are not the manual's remedy.

Source: the New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Section 5: Basic Driving. 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.