Minnesota Permit Practice Test

What action should you take if you're about to pass another vehicle?

1. Increase your speed

2. Honk your horn

3. Assess if it is legal, safe, and necessary

4. Only pass if there is no oncoming traffic

The correct answer is: Assess if it is legal, safe, and necessary

When preparing to pass another vehicle, it is crucial to assess whether the action is legal, safe, and necessary. This step ensures that you follow traffic laws, which typically require you to check for appropriate passing zones, such as marked lines on the road. It also involves evaluating the surrounding conditions, including your speed relative to the vehicle you are passing and the presence of oncoming traffic. This assessment helps prevent dangerous situations, such as collisions with oncoming vehicles, or passing in areas where it is prohibited, like curves or intersections. Understanding the conditions of the road and the behavior of other drivers fosters safer driving practices. The other options, such as increasing speed or honking, do not contribute to a thorough assessment for passing safely and could lead to increased risk on the road.