On a two-way road wide enough for normal traffic, no passing maneuver, obstruction or special lane rule applies. Which half should you use?
Correct answer: The right half of the roadway.
The normal rule is to drive on the right half. The statute lists specific exceptions; an empty road alone is not one of them.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-301(a); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
An obstruction requires you to cross the center of the road. An oncoming vehicle is close and is using its unobstructed side. What must you do?
Correct answer: Yield to the oncoming vehicle before moving around the obstruction.
When an obstruction makes a move left of center necessary, you must yield to traffic properly using the unobstructed side when it is close enough to be an immediate danger.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-301(a)(2); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You are driving 15 mph below the posted maximum on a multilane road, without passing or preparing for a left turn. Which lane does the applicable rule direct you to use?
Correct answer: The available right-hand lane.
The statute directs a vehicle going at least 10 mph below the applicable maximum to the available right-hand lane or as close as practicable to the right edge, with stated exceptions such as passing and preparing for a lawful left turn.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-301(b)(1); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A slower driver must prepare for a lawful left turn. Does the keep-right requirement forbid using the proper lane for that turn?
Correct answer: No; preparing for a lawful left turn is a stated exception.
The keep-right provision preserves the ability to prepare for a lawful left turn. The driver must still change lanes safely and obey turn-lane controls.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-301(b)(1); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
No exception allowing a pass on the right applies. How should you overtake a vehicle moving in your direction?
Correct answer: Pass to its left with a safe separation.
The normal overtaking rule calls for passing on the left at a safe distance. Separate provisions define when passing on the right is permitted.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-303(b); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You have drawn slightly ahead of the vehicle you are passing. When may you move directly in front of it?
Correct answer: Only after you are safely clear of the vehicle.
Do not move any part of your vehicle directly in front of the overtaken vehicle until safely clear. Being slightly ahead does not necessarily provide safe clearance.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-303(c); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Another driver is legally passing you on the left. May you speed up before that vehicle has completely passed?
Correct answer: No; do not increase speed until it has completely passed.
The driver being passed may not increase speed until the overtaking vehicle has completely passed. A speed limit is not permission to frustrate the maneuver.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-303(e); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
The vehicle ahead is preparing to turn left. Is that fact alone enough to make passing it on the right lawful?
Correct answer: No; the pass must also be safe and meet the roadway requirements.
A vehicle making or preparing a left turn is one situation in which a right-side pass may be allowed, but safety and the restrictions on where you drive still apply.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-304(a)(1) and (b); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
To pass a left-turning car on the right, your car would have to leave the paved surface onto dirt. Does the paved-shoulder exception allow that?
Correct answer: No; that exception does not allow leaving the paved surface.
Maryland’s specific shoulder exception for passing a left-turning vehicle requires staying on the paved surface. It is not permission to drive onto dirt or grass to get around traffic.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-304(b)–(c); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A car ahead is about to turn left. You can pass safely on its right using a paved shoulder without leaving the paved surface. What does Maryland’s specific rule allow?
Correct answer: It permits that shoulder maneuver when all of those conditions are met.
The statute includes this narrow paved-shoulder exception for a vehicle making or about to make a left turn. It does not authorize routine shoulder passing or an unsafe maneuver.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-304(a)(1), (b) and (c)(2); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
While passing in a lane used by opposing traffic, by what point must you be back in an authorized lane?
Correct answer: Before coming within 200 feet of an approaching vehicle.
Return as soon as practicable and, when the pass uses an opposing-traffic lane, before the approaching vehicle is within 200 feet. You also need adequate visibility and clearance before starting.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-305(a)(2); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
On a two-way road, a hillcrest blocks your view far enough to make opposing traffic a danger. May you use the left side to pass?
Correct answer: No; do not pass left of center with that dangerous view obstruction.
Left-side driving is prohibited at a crest or curve where the view is too restricted to be safe if a vehicle approaches from the other direction.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-305(b)(2)(i); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You are on a two-way roadway, 60 feet before an intersection. May you move onto the left side of the roadway to pass?
Correct answer: No; the rule prohibits that movement within 100 feet of the intersection.
Except on a one-way roadway, this provision prohibits driving on the left side while crossing or approaching within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad grade crossing.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-305(b)(1)–(2)(ii); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A bridge is 80 feet ahead and your view of opposing traffic is obstructed. On this two-way road, may you use the left side to pass?
Correct answer: No; the obstructed-view restriction applies within 100 feet of the bridge.
Where the view is obstructed, the rule bars left-side driving within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel. A signal cannot compensate for unavailable sight distance.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-305(b)(2)(iii); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Your mirror shows a gap in the next lane. What must be established before moving out of your lane?
Correct answer: That the complete lane change can be made safely.
A vehicle should stay within a single lane as nearly as practicable and must not leave it until the driver has determined that the move is safe. One observation alone may not reveal every conflict.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-309(b); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A traffic control device prohibits changing lanes along the stretch you are using. May you change lanes just to save time?
Correct answer: No; obey the lane-change prohibition.
Maryland requires obedience to traffic control devices that prohibit lane changes. Convenience is not an exception.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-309(e); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Traffic is slow. May you travel along a two-way left-turn lane to pass the queue and continue straight?
Correct answer: No; it is a turning lane, not a passing lane.
A shared two-way left-turn lane may be entered for the listed turn movements when clear of opposing movement. It is not an extra through lane.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-309(g); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You enter a two-way left-turn lane for a permitted turn. How far should you drive in it?
Correct answer: Only the shortest practicable distance needed for the turn.
Maryland limits travel in this lane to the shortest practicable distance before the left turn or U-turn, or after a left turn. Entering it is not permission to cruise along it.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-309(h); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
No lane-control device directs a different path. How should you approach and make a right turn?
Correct answer: As close as practicable to the right curb or road edge.
The normal right-turn rule uses the right-hand curb or edge as the approach and turning position, as close as practicable. Applicable lane controls can direct a different path.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-601(a); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
No special traffic control device changes the normal turning path. From which lane should you approach a left turn?
Correct answer: The extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic in your direction.
The normal left-turn approach is from the leftmost lane lawfully available to your direction of travel. Signaling does not authorize an incorrect approach lane.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-601(b); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
After entering the intersection for a left turn, what kind of receiving lane must you use?
Correct answer: A lane lawfully available to traffic moving in your new direction.
The turn must end in a lawful lane for the direction you are entering. The turning movement does not allow you to leave the intersection facing against traffic.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-601(c); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
An official traffic control device directs a turning path different from the normal turn-position rule. Which should you follow?
Correct answer: The path directed by the traffic control device.
The statute allows authorized traffic controls to direct a different course and requires drivers to follow that course at the intersection.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-601(d); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
On a curve or near a hillcrest, approaching drivers within 500 feet could not see your vehicle. May you make a U-turn there?
Correct answer: No; the required visibility is not available.
Maryland prohibits this reversal on a curve or at a crest when an approaching driver within 500 feet from either direction cannot see your vehicle.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-602(a)–(b); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
The posted speed limit is higher than a safe speed for the heavy rain and pedestrian activity ahead. What should guide your speed?
Correct answer: A reasonable, prudent speed for the actual hazards, below the limit when necessary.
Maryland’s basic speed rule requires a reasonable and prudent speed for actual and potential dangers, with appropriate reductions for weather, pedestrians and other hazards. The posted maximum is not always a safe target.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-801(a) and (h); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Which factors must you consider when choosing how closely to follow another vehicle?
Correct answer: Traffic speed, traffic conditions and the condition of the highway.
The law prohibits following more closely than is reasonable and prudent, taking account of speed, traffic and roadway conditions. It does not establish a single gap that is safe in every situation.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-310(a); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
