Tags show the kind of rule and whether it’s a written-test point or matters on the drive test (our tagging). Each rule links to its official source.
Drive on the right and normally pass on the left. Passing on the right is allowed only in a few cases, and pass or change lanes only when necessary and safe.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing
Never go over the speed limit to pass another vehicle.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing
Pass a motorcycle as you would a car, giving it the full lane; never squeeze into its lane, however wide the lane or far to one side the rider is.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing
Overtake a cyclist on their left, keeping a safe gap until you’re completely past, so the rider has room.
California differs: California sets a 3-foot minimum. New York’s manual gives no number, only a safe distance. California rule
Law Written test · Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1122-A
If a car ahead has stopped at a crosswalk for someone on foot, never go around it.
Law Written test · Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing
No passing on the left where your side has a solid yellow center line, or where you couldn’t finish the pass before that line begins.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing
Pass on the left only if you can get back into the right lane safely before any oncoming car is within 200 feet.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing
On a two-way road, don’t start a pass when a curve or hilltop ahead blocks your view, or when the pass would get in the way of oncoming traffic.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1125
On a two-way road, don’t pass within 100 feet of a railroad crossing, or within 100 feet of a bridge, tunnel or viaduct when your view is blocked.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1125
Before passing, check your mirrors, signal, and glance over your left shoulder through the rear side window. Even well-adjusted mirrors leave blind spots on both sides, so never rely on mirrors alone.
Safety advice Written test · Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing
Move fully into the left lane to pass. Before returning, signal, wait until the passed car’s front bumper shows in your inside mirror, and glance over your right shoulder to confirm several feet of space.
Safety advice Written test · Drive test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing
Pass on the right only when the vehicle ahead is turning left, or where your direction has two or more lanes (marked or wide enough) and no signs, parked cars or obstacles prevent it.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1123
Passing on the right never permits driving onto or across the shoulder or edge line, unless a sign or a traffic officer allows it.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1123
When passing on the right near an intersection, make sure no oncoming driver is about to turn left across your path, and watch the right side for pedestrians, cyclists, skaters and moped riders.
Safety advice Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing
On multi-lane roads such as expressways, check your mirrors, signal and look over your right shoulder before passing on the right; look over your left shoulder and signal before moving back left.
Safety advice Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing
When someone passes you on the left, slow down slightly and stay in the center of your lane; resume your normal speed once they’re safely ahead.
Safety advice Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing
If many vehicles are passing you on the right, move into the right lane and let them pass you on the left.
Safety advice Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 6: Passing
Expressways are divided highways with two or more lanes each way, usually entered and left by ramps, like the Thruway, interstates and parkways. The limit is normally 55 mph, posted up to 65 mph in some rural areas.
California differs: California’s default on most highways is 65 mph. In New York the default is 55 mph, and 65 applies only where posted. California rule
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 10: Special Driving Conditions
Before an expressway trip, know where you will get on and off. Watch the destination and exit signs and move into your exit lane early, so you never need a last-second lane change.
Safety advice Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 10: Special Driving Conditions
Turn on your signal no less than 100 feet before the exit ramp, then slow down once you’re on the ramp, which often has a lower speed limit.
California differs: California’s handbook says to signal about 5 seconds (roughly 400 feet) before the exit; New York’s manual asks for at least 100 feet. California rule
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 10: Special Driving Conditions
Once off the expressway, find the new speed limit and check your speedometer: the road you’ve joined is probably not a 55 mph road.
Safety advice Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 10: Special Driving Conditions
Took the wrong ramp or missed your exit? Stay on to the next exit and find your way from there. Never reverse on any ramp, and never try to cross the median.
Safety advice Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 10: Special Driving Conditions
Unless a STOP sign, YIELD sign or signal controls the ramp, use it to reach expressway speed. Signal, glance over your shoulder at the traffic you’re joining, and blend in, slowing only if you must.
Driving technique Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 10: Special Driving Conditions
When an entrance lane is too short to get up to expressway speed, it’s safest to stop, wait for a big gap, then enter and accelerate quickly.
California differs: California stresses merging at traffic speed and avoiding stops on the ramp. New York’s manual says that when the entrance lane is too short, stopping to wait for a big gap is the safest way in. California rule
Driving technique Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 10: Special Driving Conditions
Watch for traffic joining ahead of you. As you approach entrance ramps, move out of the right lane when you can, giving merging drivers more room.
Safety advice Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 10: Special Driving Conditions
On an expressway, signal every lane change and check over your shoulder so you don’t cut anyone off. Make sure the turn signal switches off after the change.
Law Written test NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 10: Special Driving Conditions
Expressway driving mixes high speed with heavy traffic and calls for quicker thinking. Plan regular breaks on long drives, and on bright days wear sunglasses to cut glare and eye fatigue.
Safety advice NY Driver’s Manual, ch. 10: Special Driving Conditions