A good technique to use when passing is to scan for hazards.

Prepare for the California DMV Traffic School Test. Study with interactive quizzes, flashcards, and understand with detailed explanations. Get cleared for your driving confidently!

Scanning for hazards is essential when passing because it keeps you aware of everything around you, not just the car in front. By actively looking around—checking ahead, in mirrors, and over your shoulders—you can spot oncoming traffic, vehicles in adjacent lanes, bicycles, pedestrians, driveways, debris, or any changes in road conditions. This awareness lets you judge whether there’s a safe gap to pass, maintain a safe speed and distance, and know when it’s safe to return to your lane. Pushing past the car by accelerating quickly or focusing only on the vehicle being passed increases risk, and ignoring surrounding traffic makes a crash more likely.