Virginia permit test: lanes, passing & merging
Lane choice, changing lanes, blind spots, passing rules and merging. 6 questions.
After passing a car on a two-lane road, when is it safe to move back into the right lane?
Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.
Sample lanes, passing & merging questions
After passing a car on a two-lane road, when is it safe to move back into the right lane?
- A When you can see its front in your rearview mirror
- B As soon as your rear bumper clears its front bumper
- C When you are one car length ahead of it
- D When the driver flashes the headlights at you
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A. When you can see its front in your rearview mirror
Signal, then return to the right lane once you can see the front of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror. That gap gives the other driver room to slow or stop behind you.
On a two-lane road with one lane in each direction, when may you pass another vehicle on the right?
- A Never, under any circumstances
- B Whenever it is going below the limit
- C Whenever the shoulder is wide enough to drive on
- D When it has signaled and is turning left
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D. When it has signaled and is turning left
You may pass on the right when the vehicle ahead has signaled and is turning left, as long as you stay on the pavement. Be careful, because the turning vehicle may block your view.
You are passing a slow car in a 55 MPH zone. May you briefly go above 55 MPH to finish the pass?
- A Yes, up to 10 MPH over while passing
- B Yes, as long as you return to your own lane quickly
- C No, exceeding the limit while passing is illegal
- D Yes, if the other car speeds up
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C. No, exceeding the limit while passing is illegal
In Virginia it is against the law to exceed the speed limit while passing. If you cannot pass safely at or below the limit, do not pass.
You are approaching a crosswalk and the car in the lane next to you has stopped. What should you do?
- A Honk and pass so the pedestrian knows you are coming
- B Pass carefully, since your lane is open
- C Change into its lane behind it, then pass
- D Do not pass it; be ready to stop for pedestrians
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D. Do not pass it; be ready to stop for pedestrians
Passing is illegal when you approach a crosswalk and the vehicle ahead or in the next lane is stopped. That driver may be stopped for a pedestrian you cannot see.