Lane use, passing and parking

Key points

1. On a road with no center line, give traffic coming the other way at least half the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “When driving on a road without any center line markings, and where vehicles are coming from each direction, drivers must give others going in the opposite direction at least half the road.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 59

2. The center lane of a two way, three lane or five lane highway is only for turning left.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “The center lane of a two-way, three-lane or five-lane highway is used only for turning left.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 59

3. A shared center turn lane can never be used for passing or for travel farther than 300 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 60

   “These lanes cannot be used for passing and cannot be used for travel farther than 300 feet.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 60

4. A red X over a reversible lane means you cannot drive in that lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “A red “X” means you CANNOT drive in the lane below.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 61

5. An HOV 2 sign means at least 2 people must be in the vehicle to use that lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “For example, “HOV 2” means there must be at least two people in the vehicle for you to legally drive in that lane.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 61

6. When passing several vehicles, you must be back in the right lane before coming within 100 feet of a no passing marking or oncoming vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “Can complete the pass of all vehicles and be safely returned to the right lane before coming within 100 feet of the no passing markings (solid yellow line, signs, etc.) and/or any oncoming vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 62

7. Never pass on the right using a bike lane or parking lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “Do NOT pass on the right using a bike lane or parking lane at any location, nor in the emergency lane within sight of a traffic light or stop sign.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 62

8. Do not pass near an intersection, railroad crossing, narrow bridge, viaduct or tunnel.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “Do not pass when approaching any road-way intersection, railroad crossing, narrow bridge, viaduct or tunnel.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 63

9. It is illegal to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 65

10. It is illegal to park within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign or other traffic control device.

    Source: Handbook p. 65

    “Within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign or any other traffic control device”
    Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 65

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Tennessee practice test

1. 1. A two-lane road has a broken yellow line between opposing traffic. When may you cross it to pass?

   1. Whenever the vehicle ahead is traveling below the speed limit
   2. Only after another driver signals permission
   3. When no oncoming traffic is present and the maneuver is safe
   4. Never, because every yellow line prohibits crossing
   Show answer

   When no oncoming traffic is present and the maneuver is safe. A broken yellow center line allows a driver to cross for passing when the opposing lane is clear and the maneuver can be completed safely. A slower vehicle alone does not make passing legal, and another driver cannot grant permission to ignore traffic conditions. A solid yellow marking has different restrictions, so treating every yellow line alike is too broad. Before crossing, check sight distance, oncoming traffic, hills, curves, and intersections. The practical cue is simple: broken yellow may permit a pass, but safety still controls the decision.

2. 2. If the broken yellow line is on your side beside a solid yellow line, you may:

   1. Pass only after crossing the solid line first
   2. Use the opposing lane until reaching the next intersection
   3. Never cross the lines under any circumstance
   4. Pass when it is safe and return before the passing zone ends
   Show answer

   Pass when it is safe and return before the passing zone ends. A broken yellow line on your side identifies the passing zone, but it does not guarantee that a pass is safe. Check sight distance, oncoming traffic, and other hazards before moving left. You must return to your side before the passing zone ends. The solid-line choice reverses the meaning of the marking, while staying in the opposing lane for a long distance creates a head-on risk.

3. 3. What is a two-way center lane marked with yellow lines and left-turn arrows reserved for?

   1. Passing slower traffic in the center of the roadway
   2. Vehicles preparing to make left turns from either direction
   3. Driving straight through until traffic becomes lighter
   4. Parking temporarily between intersections
   Show answer

   Vehicles preparing to make left turns from either direction. A two-way center lane is a shared turning space, not a travel or passing lane. Drivers from either direction may enter it to prepare for a left turn, but using it to continue straight or pass creates a conflict with opposing turning traffic. Parking there also blocks the intended movement. Check the arrows and lane boundaries, signal your turn, and enter only for the short distance needed to make the maneuver.

Source: the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B-4: Rules of the Road. 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.