Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) Practice Test 2026 - Free DOL Practice Questions and Study Guide

The key idea is that a passing maneuver on a highway must be done with enough time and distance to complete the pass and safely return to your lane without forcing other vehicles to brake or swerve. At 55 mph, plan for about ten seconds of driving to finish the pass. That translates to roughly 800 feet of road, which provides enough space to accelerate to a faster speed, move into the oncoming lane, clear the vehicle you’re passing, and then return to your lane with a safety margin before traffic in the opposite direction arrives.

Shorter times—two, five, or seven seconds—don’t give you enough distance to account for the length of the vehicle you’re passing, your acceleration, and the time needed to get back in safely. The ten-second rule helps ensure you have a comfortable buffer for any small misjudgments or slight delays, plus the space needed if you encounter slower traffic or need to react.

Always choose a straight, clear stretch with good visibility and no oncoming traffic in sight before attempting to pass.