You are passing a bicyclist on the left. From which part of your car must the minimum three-foot clearance be measured?
Correct answer: From the right side, including a mirror that projects outward.
The clearance includes mirrors and other projections, not just the tires or body. Keep at least three feet between that outermost right side and the bicyclist throughout the pass.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-1003 (1)(b); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
An oncoming car leaves too little room to give a bicyclist three feet while also giving opposing traffic its half of the road. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait behind the bicyclist until both clearances can be maintained.
Do not squeeze between them. Passing is prohibited in this situation unless you can simultaneously preserve the bicyclist’s three-foot clearance and the oncoming vehicle’s share of the traveled roadway.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-1002 (1), (2); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
A bicyclist is ahead in your lane beside a solid yellow centerline. Can Colorado’s bicycle-passing exception allow you to cross that line?
Correct answer: Yes, if the entire pass is safe, preserves clearance and does not interfere with other traffic.
The statute provides a specific exception for safely passing a bicyclist traveling in the same direction and lane. It does not excuse unsafe sight distance, interference with lawful traffic or less than three feet of clearance.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-1005 (4)(d); section 42-4-1003 (1)(b); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
On a one-way road with two marked lanes, you safely pass to the right of a cyclist riding along the left edge. What clearance applies?
Correct answer: At least three feet from your left side, including mirrors, to the cyclist.
The same minimum lateral space is required when lawfully passing a left-side bicyclist on the right on this type of one-way roadway. Measure from the car’s left side, including projections.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-1004 (1.5), (2); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
Another car is lawfully overtaking you on the left. What does Colorado prohibit you from doing until it has completely passed?
Correct answer: Increasing your speed.
Do not accelerate while being overtaken. Hold a predictable course and cooperate with a safe pass; speeding up can trap the other driver alongside you.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-1003 (1)(c); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
A car ahead is turning left. Your proposed pass on its right would take you off the paved, main-traveled roadway onto dirt. May you make that pass?
Correct answer: No, a right-side pass must not leave the pavement or main-traveled roadway.
Even where passing on the right is otherwise permitted, it must be safe and cannot be accomplished by leaving the pavement or main-traveled part of the roadway.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-1004 (1)(a), (2); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
A car is preparing to turn left. There is a clear, lawful path on its right within the paved main-traveled roadway, with no pedestrians or other conflicts. May you pass there?
Correct answer: Yes, if you can complete the pass safely without leaving that roadway.
A left-turning vehicle is one situation in which passing on the right may be permitted. The permission still depends on a safe, lawful path and staying on the pavement and main-traveled roadway.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-1004 (1)(a), (2); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
During an otherwise lawful pass of a car using the opposing lane on a two-way road, when must you be back in an authorized lane relative to an approaching vehicle?
Correct answer: Before coming within 200 feet of the approaching vehicle.
Return as soon as practicable and before the distance to an approaching vehicle closes to 200 feet. Begin a pass only when there is enough visible, clear distance to finish without interfering with traffic.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-1005 (1); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
On a normal two-way road, you want to cross the centerline to pass an ordinary moving car 80 feet before a railroad crossing. No obstruction or statutory exception applies. Is this allowed?
Correct answer: No, left-side passing is prohibited within 100 feet of the crossing.
The restriction applies when approaching within 100 feet of or traversing a railroad crossing. It does not depend on whether a train is visible. The scenario excludes the statute’s specific exceptions.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-1005 (2)(b), (4); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
You are 70 feet from a bridge on a two-way road and the view ahead is obstructed. With no statutory exception, may you use the opposing side to pass an ordinary car?
Correct answer: No, the obstructed view makes left-side passing prohibited here.
When the view is obstructed, the law prohibits driving on the left side within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel. A slow vehicle ahead does not remove that restriction.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-1005 (2)(c), (4); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
There is no NO U-TURN sign near a hillcrest, but approaching drivers could not see your turning car soon enough to avoid danger. What should you do?
Correct answer: Find a different location with adequate visibility and a safe gap.
A missing prohibition sign does not make a U-turn safe or lawful. Do not turn around at a curve or hillcrest where inadequate visibility would interfere with or endanger approaching traffic.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-902 (1), (2); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
You are parallel parking beside the right curb on an ordinary two-way road, with no angle-parking exception. How close must your right wheels be to the curb?
Correct answer: Within 12 inches.
The ordinary curb-parking rule requires the right wheels to be parallel to and within 12 inches of the right curb. A separate shoulder rule applies where there is no curb.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-1205 (1), (3); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
Parallel parking is allowed along the left curb of a one-way street, and no local ordinance changes the state rule. How should you position the car?
Correct answer: Face with traffic, with the left wheels within 12 inches of the left curb.
On a one-way roadway, the ordinary rule permits parallel parking at either edge in the authorized direction of travel. Along the left curb, keep the left wheels within 12 inches, subject to local ordinances.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-1205 (2); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
You are leaving an unlocked, conventional key-start car unattended. It has no remote starter or other security measure. Which action complies with the ordinary rule?
Correct answer: Stop the engine, secure the ignition, remove the key and set the parking brake.
For this unsecured vehicle, stop the engine, lock the ignition, remove the key and set the brake. On a grade, also orient the front wheels to prevent rolling into traffic. The statute separately recognizes remote starters and adequate security measures.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-1206 (1), (3), (4); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
A vehicle in the next lane has stopped at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to let a pedestrian cross. You are approaching it from behind. May you overtake it?
Correct answer: No, you must not pass the vehicle stopped for the pedestrian.
The no-passing rule applies both at marked crosswalks and at unmarked crosswalks at intersections. A stopped vehicle may hide someone crossing into your path.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-802 (4); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
At an intersection crosswalk with no traffic signals, a pedestrian is coming from the opposite half of the road and is close enough to be endangered by your car. What is required?
Correct answer: Yield, slowing or stopping as needed before reaching the person’s path.
Yield is required when the pedestrian is on your half or approaching so closely from the other half as to be in danger. Do not use the center of the road as a reason to continue into a conflict.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, section 42-4-802 (1); current on September 13, 2026. ↗
