Passing space — South Dakota Permit Test

As a rule, pass only one vehicle at a time and pass on the left; do not linger in the passing lane.

Trying to pass a line of cars keeps you in the oncoming lane until a car appears ahead.

As a rule, pass only one vehicle at a time and pass on the left side.

At 55 mph you need about 10 seconds to pass, which means a 10-second gap in oncoming traffic.

Starting a pass with too short a gap leaves you face to face with an oncoming car.

At a speed of 55 mph, you need about 10 seconds to pass.

At 55 mph you travel over 800 feet in 10 seconds, and so does an oncoming vehicle, so you need over 1600 feet, about one-third of a mile, to pass safely.

Both cars close the gap at once, so a stretch that looks long enough runs out fast.

That means you need over 1600 feet or about one-third of a mile to pass safely.

A vehicle far away generally appears to be standing still; if you can see it coming closer, it may be too close for you to pass.

Drivers misjudge a distant car as parked, pull out, and meet it at full closing speed.

In fact, if you can see that it is coming closer, it may be too close for you to pass.

As a rule, how many vehicles should you pass at one time?

One vehicle, on the left side. Trying to pass a line of cars keeps you in the oncoming lane until a car appears ahead. South Dakota Driver License Manual, p.53: “As a rule, pass only one vehicle at a time and pass on the left side.”