Practice session
Passing, lanes & freeways
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The whole pool, with the answer and the explanation for each one. Practise first, then read through anything you were unsure of.
Show all 17 questions with answers
1 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
In which situation are you allowed to pass another vehicle on the right?
- A.By using the left shoulder of the road
- B.When the vehicle ahead is signalling a left turnAnswer
- C.Whenever the vehicle ahead is slower than the limit
- D.On any two-lane road with a broken centre line
Explanation: Most passing is done on the left. You may pass on the right on multi-lane or one-way roads and when overtaking a streetcar or a left-turning vehicle. You may use the right shoulder only to pass a vehicle turning left and only if it is paved; you may never pass on the left shoulder.
2 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
A solid yellow line runs along your side of the centre line. What does this mean?
- A.You may pass if you can finish within 100 metres
- B.Only large vehicles are forbidden to pass
- C.You may pass only at night when traffic is light
- D.It is unsafe to pass, so you must not cross itAnswer
Explanation: A solid line at the left of your lane means it is unsafe to pass. A broken line at the left of your lane means you may pass if the way is clear.
3 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
How close to a pedestrian crossover may you pass another vehicle?
- A.You must not pass within 30 metres of itAnswer
- B.You must not pass within 10 metres of it
- C.You may pass as long as nobody is crossing
- D.You may pass at any distance if you sound your horn
Explanation: Passing another vehicle within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover is prohibited, because a passing vehicle hides pedestrians from other drivers.
4 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
After passing a vehicle, how do you know it is safe to return to your lane?
- A.When the passed driver flashes their headlights
- B.After counting three seconds from the start of the pass
- C.When you can see the entire front of that vehicle in your rear-view mirrorAnswer
- D.As soon as your rear bumper clears its front bumper
Explanation: Return to your lane only when the entire front of the vehicle you passed is visible in your inside rear-view mirror, then signal and move over smoothly.
5 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
Another driver begins to pass you on a two-lane highway. What should you do?
- A.Speed up so the pass finishes sooner
- B.Move onto the shoulder to let them by
- C.Move left toward the centre line to make room
- D.Move to the right and let the other driver pass in safetyAnswer
Explanation: When faster traffic wants to pass you, move to the right and let it pass in safety. Do not speed up when another driver is trying to pass you — it is unlawful and dangerous.
6 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
What is the acceleration lane on a freeway entrance ramp used for?
- A.Building up to the speed of highway traffic before mergingAnswer
- B.Stopping to wait for a complete break in traffic
- C.Passing slower vehicles already on the freeway
- D.Checking your route map before you merge
Explanation: In the acceleration lane, drivers increase their speed to the speed of traffic on the freeway before they merge with it. Signal and increase your speed to merge smoothly. To leave a freeway, signal and move into the deceleration lane, then reduce your speed gradually.
7 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
Which vehicle may not use an HOV lane on a provincial highway?
- A.A motorcycle
- B.A car carrying one driver onlyAnswer
- C.A licensed taxi
- D.A public transit bus
Explanation: HOV lanes on provincial highways are reserved for vehicles carrying at least two people, buses, licensed taxis, green-plate vehicles, airport limousines, motorcycles, HOT permit holders and emergency vehicles. They are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it is illegal to cross the striped buffer markings beside them.
8 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
What is a two-way left-turn lane — the centre lane on some roads — used for?
- A.Passing slower vehicles in either direction
- B.Left turns by drivers travelling in either directionAnswer
- C.Emergency vehicles and tow trucks only
- D.Short-term parking while you load or unload
Explanation: The centre lane of some roads is used as a two-way left-turn lane. It lets left-turning vehicles from both directions wait for a chance to turn without holding up traffic, and it is not to be used for passing.
9 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
On a multi-lane road, what is the left-hand lane intended for?
- A.Passing and faster-moving trafficAnswer
- B.Vehicles preparing to turn right ahead
- C.Large trucks and buses
- D.Drivers who want to travel below the speed limit
Explanation: Keep to the right on multi-lane roads unless you want to turn left or pass another vehicle — this is especially important if you are driving more slowly than other vehicles. The left lane is there for passing and faster-moving traffic.
10 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
What is the difference between yellow and white pavement lines?
- A.Yellow lines mark bus lanes; white lines mark bike lanes
- B.Yellow lines may never be crossed; white lines always may
- C.Yellow lines separate opposite directions; white lines separate the same directionAnswer
- D.Yellow lines are used only on freeways; white lines only in towns
Explanation: Yellow lines separate traffic travelling in opposite directions, while white lines separate lanes of traffic travelling in the same direction. A broken line may be crossed when it is safe; a solid line may not.
11 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
Your exit is coming up on a freeway. Where do you slow down?
- A.In the driving lane, before you signal
- B.At the end of the exit ramp only
- C.Gradually, starting about a kilometre before the exit
- D.Only once you are in the deceleration laneAnswer
Explanation: A freeway exit has three parts: a deceleration lane, the exit ramp, and an intersection at the end of it. Signal and move into the deceleration lane without slowing down — braking while still in the driving lane is what the traffic behind you does not expect. Once you are in that lane, reduce speed gradually to the posted ramp speed, and be ready to stop at the end of the ramp.
12 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
You have just left a freeway after an hour at highway speed. Why check the speedometer on the ramp?
- A.Because after a long stretch at high speed you no longer judge your own speed accuratelyAnswer
- B.Because ramp speed limits are not legally enforceable
- C.Because the speedometer reads low at freeway speeds
- D.Because the exit ramp limit is always 40 km/h
Explanation: Losing the ability to judge your speed after a long run at freeway speed is called speed adaptation, or velocitization, and it is a particular danger when leaving a freeway: a ramp taken at what feels slow can still be far too fast. The speedometer is the one thing in the car that has not adapted.
13 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
An HOV lane runs beside you, separated from your lane by a striped buffer zone. How do you get into it?
- A.Only in rush hour, when the lane is in operation
- B.Only where the buffer ends — crossing the striped markings is illegalAnswer
- C.Anywhere, as long as you signal first
- D.Anywhere, as long as the lane is clear
Explanation: The striped buffer that separates an HOV lane from the general lanes may not be crossed — it is both illegal and unsafe — so you enter and leave only at the openings provided. HOV lanes on provincial highways are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so there is no off-peak period in which the rules relax.
14 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
You come up behind a snow plow that is working on the road. May you pass it?
- A.Yes, on the right, where the road has already been cleared
- B.Only if it is travelling below 40 km/h
- C.No — never pass a moving snow plow, under any conditionsAnswer
- D.Yes, on the left if the road ahead is clear
Explanation: Do not pass moving snow plows under any conditions. The road beside and ahead of a working plow is the part that has not been cleared, visibility in the blowing snow behind it is poor, and plows often work in echelon with another machine alongside. The rule for passing generally is the same in miniature: if in doubt, do not pass.
15 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
You are passing another vehicle on a dark country road at night. What should you do with your headlights?
- A.Keep your low beams on until you are well past
- B.Flash your high beams repeatedly while alongside
- C.Turn your headlights off briefly so you do not dazzle the other driver
- D.Switch to high beams as you move alongside the vehicle you are passingAnswer
Explanation: Signal, check your mirrors and blind spot, pull out — and as you come alongside, switch on your high beams so you can see more of the road you are about to move into. By then you are past the mirrors you would have dazzled — which is the whole reason the switch waits until you are alongside rather than while you are still behind.
16 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
Never change lanes in traffic without:
- A.Looking in the rear view mirror only.
- B.Giving proper signal and looking to make sure the move can be made safely.Answer
- C.Blowing your horn and looking to the rear.
- D.Decreasing speed and giving correct signal.
Explanation: Signalling on its own is not enough, and neither is a glance in the mirror. Signal, check your mirrors and over your shoulder, and change lanes only once you can see the way is clear.
17 of 17 · Passing, lanes & freeways
When the driver of another vehicle is about to overtake and pass your vehicle, you must:
- A.Speed up so that passing is not necessary.
- B.Move to the left to prevent passing.
- C.Signal to the other driver not to pass.
- D.Move to the right and allow such vehicle to pass.Answer
Explanation: When faster traffic wants to pass, move right and let it by. Speeding up or blocking the pass keeps the other driver alongside you, or in the oncoming lane, for longer — which is exactly what makes passing dangerous.