When can you pass on a shoulder?
- If a vehicle turning left and only if the shoulder is paved ✓
- Never
- Only if a vehicle is turning left and you have an unpaved shoulder on the right
- Whenever you can do so safely
Answer: A. If a vehicle turning left and only if the shoulder is paved
You can pass on the right shoulder only when a vehicle ahead is turning left and the shoulder is paved.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says you may drive on the right shoulder only to pass a vehicle turning left, and only if that shoulder is paved. It also says you may not pass on the left shoulder, whether paved or not. Both conditions therefore have to be met together: there must be a vehicle turning left, and the right shoulder must be paved. Being able to pass safely by itself is not enough under this rule.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Never — Never is wrong because the handbook does allow one specific exception for passing on the right shoulder.
- C. Only if a vehicle is turning left and you have an unpaved shoulder on the right — An unpaved shoulder on the right is wrong because the handbook requires the shoulder to be paved before you may use it to pass.
- D. Whenever you can do so safely — Whenever you can do so safely is wrong because shoulder passing is limited to passing a vehicle turning left on a paved shoulder.
Remember it
Paved right shoulder plus a left-turner ahead: that is the only shoulder-passing case.
Official handbook: Official MTO Driver's Handbook, Changing positions – Passing on the shoulder