Chapter 5-4: Passing

The “Passing” section of the Saskatchewan Driving Test evaluates a driver’s knowledge and skills in safely overtaking other vehicles.

Saskatchewan Driving Test - Chapter 5-4: Passing

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When do you begin counting “Thou-sand one, Thou-sand two” to measure passing time?

Only when an oncoming vehicle appears

After you have fully completed the pass

From the point you decide to pass and begin to accelerate

As soon as you see the vehicle ahead

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Why should you practise your passing time several times at highway speeds?

To practise emergency braking in the passing lane

To learn to drive faster than other vehicles

To test how quickly you can weave through traffic

To get a handle on what your safe passing time actually is under different speed differences

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What factor will cause your passing time to vary?

The time of day

The color of your vehicle

The speed difference between you and the vehicle you are passing

Whether your windows are open or closed

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What is the rule about your five-second safety cushion once you have set it?

You can reduce it if you are in a hurry

You only need it at night

Do not give it up under any circumstance

You may drop it on dry roads

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How does the gap close between you and an approaching vehicle compared to a fixed object?

Slower than when approaching a fixed object

About twice as fast as when approaching a fixed object

At the same rate as a fixed object

It depends only on the other driver’s reaction

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After passing and pulling back into your original lane, what should you do with your speed?

Shift to neutral and coast

Immediately slow down to your original speed

Brake firmly to increase the gap behind you

Continue your acceleration; do not decelerate as you change lanes

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How do you evaluate your “safe” or “unsafe” passing judgment while practising?

Ask the driver you are passing if it was safe

Say “safe” or “unsafe,” then count and compare the actual closing time with your safe passing time

Decide once at the start of the trip and apply it all day

Base it only on the posted speed limit

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How can you identify a safe return point in practice?

Choose a spot halfway along a passing lane

Watch a vehicle pass and note where it pulls back into the driving lane

Pick any random roadside object

Use the last road sign you passed

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If your measured passing time is 15 seconds, what is your safe passing time using the minimum safety margin?

10 seconds

20 seconds

15 seconds

25 seconds

10 / 30

When moving into the left lane to pass, what must be true?

You still have good vision and can smoothly change lanes around the vehicle ahead

You are travelling at exactly the speed limit

You are directly beside the vehicle you are passing

The other driver has signalled you to pass

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In estimating closing time, where should you position your vehicle behind the vehicle in front?

Five car lengths behind

Three seconds behind the vehicle in front

One second behind at a higher speed

Directly beside the vehicle

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What is the main purpose of estimating your safe passing time?

To measure the distance between vehicles

To determine fuel efficiency during passing

To judge when it is safe to pass another vehicle

To see how fast your vehicle can accelerate

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What is one major advantage of practising passing judgments without actually passing?

It removes the need to check mirrors

It lets you ignore other traffic

It guarantees you will never make a passing error again

It is completely safe because you never actually pass the vehicle

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When being passed by large trucks, what should you expect and how should you respond?

Expect to be pushed around by the wind; look where you want to go and your steering will take care of itself

Turn sharply away from the truck as it passes

Apply the brakes firmly to stay in place

Expect no change and hold the steering wheel loosely

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How should you adapt your safe passing time as you gain more experience?

Use a single passing time for all situations

Determine safe passing times for different speeds, surface conditions, and longer vehicles such as tractor trailers

Shorten it to make more passes

Only adjust it when the weather is perfect

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What does your safe passing time also tell you besides how long passing takes?

The minimum sight distance needed for safe passing, even with no oncoming traffic

The maximum legal speed you can travel

Your exact stopping distance at highway speeds

How many vehicles you can pass in a row

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When passing a motorcycle, what extra consideration is required?

Pass much closer because motorcycles are smaller

Do not signal when pulling back in

Use your horn to warn the rider to slow down

Leave a greater distance before pulling back into the driving lane

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What is another advantage of practising this timing method on real highways?

It allows you to exceed the speed limit safely

Your timing will be based on the actual speeds of vehicles using the highway

It eliminates the need for a safety margin

It works only on test tracks with controlled speeds

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What is the “safe return point” when judging closing time?

The point where you first see an oncoming vehicle

The point at which you could safely return to your lane if you were to pass

The nearest intersection or driveway

Any point where the road appears straight

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What does your safe passing time measure, even when there is no oncoming traffic?

The shortest sight distance you need to pass

The distance to your next fuel stop

The maximum distance between curves

The time needed to change lanes for any reason

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On what type of road should you practise determining your passing time?

A busy city street during rush hour

A divided highway or a two-way highway when traffic is light

A gravel side road with many curves

A parking lot with parked vehicles

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What two estimates give you enough information to decide if passing is safe?

The color of the lane markings and road surface type

Your safe passing time and the closing time with the approaching vehicle

Your vehicle’s horsepower and the road speed limit

The weight of your vehicle and the wind speed

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When being passed, how can you help the other driver complete the pass more easily?

Slow down and move to the right of your lane and let them back in

Move to the left of your lane

Sound your horn continuously

Turn on your high beams

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If the driver passing you has misjudged the situation, what should you do?

Flash your high beams and continue as before

Slow down and let them back into the lane

Honk and maintain speed

Move into the oncoming lane to give them room

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When estimating closing time, when do you start counting “Thou-sand one, Thou-sand two”?

Only when the oncoming vehicle is very close

When an approaching vehicle appears and you see it heading toward the safe return point

As soon as you decide not to pass

After the oncoming vehicle has passed you

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Before practising passing, what must you ensure about the road ahead?

You can see the next speed limit sign

The road is completely straight with no signs

There are at least three vehicles to pass

You can see at least 40 seconds ahead and there are no oncoming vehicles, intersections, or solid lane markings

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When should you stop your count to determine your passing time?

When you first see the passed vehicle in your mirror

When your front bumper is beside the other driver’s front bumper

When your left rear wheel crosses the lane line as you return to your original lane

When you cancel your turn signal

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What is the minimum safety margin you should add to your measured passing time?

Five seconds

Ten seconds

No extra time is needed

Two seconds

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How far behind the vehicle ahead should you position yourself before starting the passing-time practice?

As close as possible without braking

Two car lengths behind

One second back at a higher speed

Three seconds back at the same speed

30 / 30

When you are being passed by another vehicle, what should you do with your speed?

Speed up so they cannot pass

Brake hard immediately

Maintain your speed; do not speed up

Accelerate and move to the left

Your score is

This section covers when and where passing is permitted, the proper use of mirrors and signals, and the maintenance of a safe speed while passing. Drivers must understand the importance of checking blind spots and ensuring sufficient space before returning to their lane. The test also reviews rules about passing on highways, in school zones, and near intersections or railway crossings. Mastering the “Passing” section is essential to reducing collision risk and promoting responsible driving on Saskatchewan’s roads.