No Passing Zone — What It Means and Where It Applies
Passing another vehicle is one of the most dangerous maneuvers in driving — and one of the most regulated. Understanding where and when passing is prohibited is essential for your DMV test and your safety.
Key Facts to Remember
- No Passing Zone sign is a yellow pennant on left side of road
- No passing within 100 feet of intersections, bridges, tunnels
- No passing on hills or curves with less than 500 feet visibility
- Solid yellow line on your side = no passing from your direction
- Double solid yellow = no passing in either direction
- Never pass a stopped school bus with lights flashing
The No Passing Zone Sign
The No Passing Zone sign is a yellow pennant (elongated triangle pointing right) posted on the left side of the road. It marks the beginning of a zone where passing is prohibited. These signs are used on two-lane roads where sight distance or road conditions make passing unsafe. The sign is always yellow and always faces drivers who would be passing.
Where Passing Is Always Prohibited
Even without a No Passing Zone sign, passing is illegal in several situations: when there is a solid yellow line on your side of the center line, within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, railroad crossing, or tunnel, on hills or curves where you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead, when a school bus is stopped with flashing lights and stop arm extended, and at crosswalks where a vehicle has stopped for a pedestrian.
How to Pass Safely and Legally
When passing is permitted, follow these steps: signal your intent to pass, check your mirrors and blind spots, make sure you have enough room, accelerate to pass quickly and decisively, return to your lane only when you can see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your mirror, and cancel your signal after returning to your lane.
Double Yellow Lines
Double solid yellow center lines mean no passing in either direction. A single solid yellow line on your side means no passing from your direction. A broken yellow line on your side means passing is allowed from your direction when safe. Always check the line on your side — not the other side — to determine if you may pass.
Example DMV Test Questions
1. The No Passing Zone sign is shaped like:
- A. A red octagon
- B. A yellow diamond
- C. A yellow pennant (elongated triangle)
- D. A white rectangle
Explanation: The No Passing Zone sign is a distinctive yellow pennant shape — an elongated triangle pointing right — always posted on the left side of the road.
2. You may not pass another vehicle within how many feet of a railroad crossing?
- A. 50 feet
- B. 100 feet
- C. 200 feet
- D. 500 feet
Explanation: Passing is prohibited within 100 feet of a railroad crossing, intersection, bridge, viaduct, or tunnel.
3. There is a solid yellow line on your side of the road and a dashed yellow line on the other side. This means:
- A. Passing is allowed in both directions
- B. Passing is allowed only from the other direction
- C. Passing is not allowed in either direction
- D. Passing is allowed only from your direction
Explanation: Always check the line on your side. A solid line on your side means you may not pass. The dashed line on the other side means the driver coming toward you may pass when safe.
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