8.3 Passing & Being Passed

The law requires you to drive on the right side of the road. When passing is allowed, you normally pass on the left. Pass a pedestrian, bicyclist or motor vehicle only when it is necessary and safe. If you have any doubt, do not pass.

Universal Passing Rules

• You may not exceed the speed limit while passing.
• Never use a breakdown lane, shoulder or sidewalk to pass.
• Do not follow trucks or buses closely. Large vehicles have blind spots on the right, left, front and back, and a car or motorcycle can disappear in them.
• Do not pass vehicles that are stopped or turning, whether at an intersection or not. They may be stopped for a person, animal or vehicle you cannot see.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped or slowing for a pedestrian at a crosswalk. Massachusetts law makes this a violation with a fine of up to $200 (Section 10.1).
• Motorcycles may pass only in single file.

Passing on the Left

On multi-lane roads, use the middle and left lanes for passing. On a two-way road, a broken yellow line lets you cross temporarily into the oncoming lane when it is safe.

The Five Steps

1. Keep a safe distance behind the vehicle you want to pass. Check that the passing lane is clear. If you are crossing a broken yellow line, you must be able to see clearly at least 400 feet ahead. Check your mirror and blind spot.
2. Signal left and move gradually into the passing lane.
3. Hold your speed until you are safely past, then signal right.
4. Leave enough room before moving back: wait at least until you can see the passed vehicle's headlights in your rearview mirror.
5. Return to the right lane before any oncoming vehicle comes within 200 feet of you. Turn off your signal.

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Passing Large Vehicles

It takes longer to pass a tractor-trailer or bus than a car, so make sure you have the room. Large vehicles slow down on hills and speed up going downhill. After passing, do not cut in and slow down, because a truck may need twice your stopping distance.

Passing on the Right

Passing on the right is allowed only when the road is clear and wide enough for two or more lines of vehicles, and only in these cases:

Even then, never leave the pavement or use a shoulder or breakdown lane to get around someone. Avoid passing trucks and buses on the right: they make wide right turns and may swing left first.

Being Passed

If another vehicle is passing you:

• Slow down and stay to the right.
• Let the driver pass safely.
• Do not speed up.

On highways, if a truck or bus wants to pass while you are in the second lane, move over when safe and let it go by.

Special Passing Situations

Scenarios

1. Broken yellow line, but a hill crest is 300 feet ahead: you cannot see the 400 feet required, so do not pass.
2. Mid-pass, an oncoming car appears: you must be back in your lane before it comes within 200 feet. If you cannot make it, slow down and drop back.
3. A car waits to turn left and the shoulder is wide: passing on the right is allowed only on the paved roadway when it is wide enough, never on the shoulder.