The car behind you begins to pass you. You should:
- Maintain your speed so traffic will flow smoothly
- Pull to the right and stop so he can pass
- Slow down slightly and stay in your lane ✓
- Blow your horn to allow him to pass
Answer: C. Slow down slightly and stay in your lane
Slow down slightly and stay in your lane when the car behind you starts to pass.
Why this is the answer
The manual's section on being passed says that when another vehicle passes you on the left, you should ease off the gas a little and keep your car centered in your lane. Once that vehicle is safely past and ahead of you, you go back to your normal speed. Slowing a bit shortens the time the passing driver spends alongside you, and holding your lane keeps your position predictable so they have room to complete the pass.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Maintain your speed so traffic will flow smoothly — Keeping your speed the same is not what the manual asks for — it tells you to decrease your speed slightly while you are being passed.
- B. Pull to the right and stop so he can pass — Pulling off to the right and stopping is not the manual's instruction for a normal pass on the left, which only calls for a slight speed reduction and staying centered.
- D. Blow your horn to allow him to pass — The manual says nothing about sounding your horn here; the guidance is to slow a little and hold your lane.
Remember it
When someone passes you, do less, not more: lift off the gas a touch and stay put in the middle of your lane.
Official handbook: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), Chapter 6: Passing – Being Passed