Passing a cyclist At least three feet of room
Pass a cyclist with at least 3 feet between any part of your car and the bicycle or its rider. If another lane in your direction is free, change into it before you pass. If you cannot give 3 feet, slow down and wait behind.
CVC 21760(b), (c), (d) · CA Driver's Handbook, "Passing a Bicyclist"How much room do you need to pass a cyclist in California?
At least 3 feet between any part of your car and the bicycle or its rider (CVC 21760(c)). If you cannot give 3 feet, slow down and wait behind.
Why this rule exists
A cyclist may swerve for a pothole or an opening car door, and the wind of a passing car pushes them. Three feet is the room they need to stay upright.
Step by step on the road
- See the cyclist early, and slow down behind them if you need to.
- If another lane in your direction is free, change into it before you pass: mirror, signal, a look over your left shoulder.
- If you cannot change lanes, pass only with at least 3 feet between any part of your car and the bicycle or its rider.
- With oncoming traffic or a narrow road, stay behind at a reasonable speed until there is room. Pass only when it would not endanger the rider.
- Give the rider room to swerve: a cyclist may move out for a pothole or an opening car door.
Common mistakes
- Squeezing past in the same lane with less than 3 feet.
- Staying in the cyclist's lane when the next lane in your direction is free.
- Honking or following close to make the rider move over.
On the DMV drive test
DL 955 asks you to react to bicyclists on straight sections and to keep a safe distance in front and to the sides. A lane change is scored for traffic check, signal, speed, spacing and steering control: check the mirror, look over your shoulder, signal before and cancel after, and move over when there is an adequate gap. Not checking your mirrors or over your shoulder when you change lanes is a critical driving error.
Based on the DMV’s Driving Test Criteria (DL 955) and its score sheet (DL 32). How the drive test works ›Questions people ask
What is the 3-foot law in California?
It is the Three Feet for Safety Act, CVC 21760. You may not pass a bicycle going your way with less than 3 feet between your car and the bicycle or its rider.
Do you have to change lanes to pass a cyclist in California?
Yes, if another lane going your way is available and the change is safe and allowed. CVC 21760(c) asks you to change into that lane before you pass.
What if there is no room to give a cyclist 3 feet?
Slow down and stay behind. CVC 21760(d) lets you pass only at a reasonable and prudent speed when it would not endanger the rider. The Handbook says do not pass until you can give 3 feet.
Test yourself
Kees' three questions on this rule, the “Did you know?” facts and his tip come with the drive, in Voorrah! Pro.
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