Montana permit test: lanes, passing & merging
Lane choice, changing lanes, blind spots, passing rules and merging. 5 questions.
On a Montana two-lane road, what does the manual say about speed while passing?
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Sample lanes, passing & merging questions
On a Montana two-lane road, what does the manual say about speed while passing?
- A There is no speed limit while you are in the other lane
- B You may exceed the limit by 10 mph to pass and safely return
- C You must never exceed the posted limit, even to pass
- D You may exceed the limit by 20 mph to finish quickly
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B. You may exceed the limit by 10 mph to pass and safely return
Montana lets drivers on a two-lane road exceed the speed limit by 10 mph to overtake, pass and return safely to the right lane. Even so, pass only when you can do it safely.
The car ahead of you is turning left, and the right shoulder is wide and paved. May you use the shoulder to pass on the right?
- A No, passing on the shoulder is never allowed
- B Yes, if you signal first
- C Yes, if the shoulder is paved and clear
- D Yes, but only below 25 mph
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A. No, passing on the shoulder is never allowed
Passing on the right is legal only when the vehicle ahead is turning left or there is room for two or more lanes going your way, and only on the pavement. You may never pass on the shoulder, paved or not, because other drivers do not expect you there.
To pass safely at 55 mph on a two-lane road, about how much clear distance do you need, counting the oncoming car?
- A About 3200 feet, two-thirds of a mile
- B Over 1600 feet, about one-third of a mile
- C About 400 feet, one city block
- D About 800 feet, one-sixth of a mile
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B. Over 1600 feet, about one-third of a mile
Passing at 55 mph takes about 10 seconds, in which you travel over 800 feet and an oncoming vehicle does too. That is why you need over 1600 feet, about one-third of a mile, of clear road.
After passing a vehicle, how can you tell you have enough room to return to your lane?
- A After counting one second past the other car
- B When you see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror
- C As soon as your rear bumper has cleared the other vehicle's front bumper
- D When the other driver flashes headlights at you
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B. When you see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror
Before returning to the driving lane, leave enough room in front of the vehicle you passed. When both of its headlights appear in your rearview mirror, it is safe to move back.