Passing and Freeway Driving

Key points

1. On a two lane road, pass only on the left, starting after a passing zone begins and finishing before a no passing zone.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Your pass may not begin before the start of a passing zone and must be completed before you enter a no-passing zone.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 31

2. Never exceed the speed limit to pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Do not exceed the speed limit when passing; it is against the law to exceed speed limits at any time.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 31

3. A broken yellow line on your side of a double center line means you may pass; a solid yellow line on your side means you may not.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “A broken yellow line on your side of the lane indicates you are allowed to pass. A solid yellow line on your side of the lane indicates you are not allowed to pass.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 22

4. Never pass a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “Crosswalks: The vehicle ahead is stopped at a crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 32

5. Flashing your signals to tell other drivers when to pass is prohibited.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “The law prohibits flashing any of your signals at drivers to let them know when to pass.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 33

6. When entering a freeway, yield to traffic already on it and check your mirrors and blind spots before merging.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “You must yield to traffic already on the freeway. Use your mirrors and check your blind spots before merging.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

7. At a ramp meter, only one vehicle may go each time the light turns green.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Only one vehicle can proceed each time the green light comes on.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 35

8. If you miss your exit, go to the next one; never stop or back up on a freeway.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “If you miss your exit, go to the next one. Never stop or back up on a freeway.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 35

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Oregon practice test

1. 1. On a two-lane road in Oregon, where may a pass begin?

   1. Anywhere the driver can accelerate
   2. Inside an intersection if traffic is light
   3. Only after the start of a passing zone
   4. Inside a no-passing zone if the vehicle is slow
   Show answer

   Only after the start of a passing zone. On a two-lane road, a pass must begin after the start of a passing zone and finish before entering a no-passing zone. The driver must check the path, mirrors, blind spot, and speed without exceeding the posted limit. Beginning early because the road looks open can leave the vehicle committed when the restriction starts. Find the marked passing zone first, confirm a clear return path, and abandon the maneuver whenever there is doubt.

2. 2. On a double center line, what does a broken yellow line on your side indicate?

   1. You are forbidden to pass in every circumstance
   2. You are allowed to pass when the maneuver is safe and legal
   3. Only oncoming traffic may pass
   4. The lane is reserved for left turns
   Show answer

   You are allowed to pass when the maneuver is safe and legal. With a double center line made of one solid and one broken yellow line, the broken line on your side indicates that passing is allowed. That permission still requires a clear path, a legal passing location, and compliance with the speed limit. The solid-line and left-turn choices confuse the marking with other restrictions. Look ahead for hills, curves, intersections, railroads, and crosswalks where passing is unsafe or prohibited, then return to your lane promptly after passing.

3. 3. What does a solid yellow line on your side of a double center line indicate?

   1. The broken line permits passing in both directions
   2. Passing is allowed only for vehicles behind you
   3. Passing is not allowed on your side
   4. The center line may be crossed whenever the road is dry
   Show answer

   Passing is not allowed on your side. A solid yellow line on your side of a double center line marks a no-passing restriction for your direction. The broken-line rule applies to the side with the broken marking, not automatically to both directions. Dry pavement does not cancel a solid-line restriction, and the line does not grant a special privilege to vehicles behind you. Check the marking nearest your lane before considering an overtake. If it is solid yellow, remain behind the slower vehicle until the center marking changes or another legal passing opportunity appears.

Source: the Oregon Driver Manual, Lane Travel: Passing and Freeway 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.