Passing — Kentucky Permit Test

In general a Kentucky driver passes on the left, and on multi-lane roads the left-most lane is intended for passing slower vehicles.

Other drivers watch the left for someone coming past. They do not watch the right.

In general, you should pass on the left.

Passing on the right in Kentucky can be dangerous because other drivers do not expect it, and vehicles on the right side are more difficult to see.

A driver checking for a gap looks left. The car coming up on the right is the one they never saw.

Passing on the right can be dangerous since other drivers do not expect it.

A Kentucky driver may overtake and pass on the right only when it is safe to do so, and not by driving off the roadway unless the vehicle being passed has come to a complete stop.

Using the shoulder to get past is the version of this that ends in a ditch.

Such movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway unless the vehicle being passed comes to a complete stop and such movement may be made safely.

A Kentucky driver may not pass when there is a solid line on their side of the broken line, and may pass if there is a solid yellow line on the left side of the broken yellow line.

The line nearest the driver is the one that speaks to them.

You may pass if there is a solid yellow line on the left side of the broken yellow line.

Kentucky law requires that a pass be completed before reaching the beginning of a no passing zone.

Still being alongside when the zone starts is a violation whatever the road looks like.

Kentucky law requires that a pass be completed before reaching the beginning of a “no passing zone”

A Kentucky pass must be completed before coming within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

Two hundred feet closes in under two seconds when both cars are moving.

Kentucky law requires that a pass be completed before reaching the beginning of a “no passing zone”, and that a pass be completed before coming within two hundred (200) feet of an oncoming vehicle.

A Kentucky driver continues to pass until the complete front of the passed vehicle is visible in their rearview mirror.

Cutting back too early is what puts the passed car into the rear quarter of the passing one.

Continue to pass until the complete front of the passed vehicle is visible in your rearview mirror.

A Kentucky driver should treat a curve or a hill as an oncoming vehicle and should not start to pass when approaching one.

Whatever is on the far side arrives at the closing speed of both cars.

Any time your view is blocked by a curve or a hill, you should assume there is an oncoming vehicle just out of sight.

Kentucky names crossroads, congested areas, business and shopping areas, school zones, parks, playgrounds and pedestrian crossings as dangerous places to pass.

These are the places where something can pull out or step out into the lane being used to pass.

Such places include crossroads and congested areas, business and shopping areas, school zones, parks, playgrounds, and pedestrian crossings.

A Kentucky driver should never pull out to pass unless they know they have enough space to return to their lane.

The decision is made before pulling out, because once alongside there is no way back except forward.

Never pull out to pass unless you know you have enough space to return to your lane.

A Kentucky driver should not depend on having enough time to pass several vehicles at once, or rely on other drivers to make room.

Passing two cars takes twice the road and twice the luck.

Do not depend on having enough time to pass several vehicles at once or rely on other drivers to make room for you.

While a Kentucky driver is passing, their view of people and traffic may be blocked by the vehicle being passed.

The car being passed hides whatever is beside it, including someone stepping off a curb.

While you are passing, your view of people and traffic may be blocked by the vehicle you are passing.

On which side does Kentucky say a driver should generally pass?

On the left. Other drivers watch the left for someone coming past. They do not watch the right. Kentucky Driver Manual, p.47: “In general, you should pass on the left.”