Wyoming · Handbook chapter 6 · 3 min read

Chapter 6: Lanes, turns, passing, parking and interstates

Lane changes, turn signals and hand signals, backing, passing rules in Wyoming including passing on the right and passing trucks and bicyclists, parking restrictions and hills, and entering, driving on and leaving the interstate.

Why this chapter matters

These everyday maneuvers are where many crashes start, and Wyoming has a few unusual rules, such as limited speeding while passing.

Lane changes and turns

• Check mirrors and blind spots, watch for others moving into the same lane, signal, then change lanes. Never change lanes before or in an intersection.
• Signal at least 100 feet before turning; 4 to 5 seconds is better at higher speed.
• Hand signals use the left arm: up for right, straight out for left, down for stop.
• Before backing, walk behind the vehicle, then turn your head and body and back slowly.

Passing

• Do not pass where signs or markings forbid it, or near curves, hills, bridges, intersections or railroad crossings.
• Pass only one vehicle at a time on a two-lane road, and do not follow another passing car.
• Start at least two seconds behind; return when you see the passed vehicle's front in your mirror.
• You may exceed the limit by up to 10 mph while passing a vehicle going below the maximum.
• Pass on the right only when the car ahead is turning left (without leaving the pavement) or on multi-lane roads.
• Give bicyclists at least 3 feet when space allows.
• Pass trucks briskly, and return only when you see both headlights and the whole cab; some doubles are 100 feet long.

Parking

Do not park double, on a sidewalk, in an intersection or crosswalk, by yellow curbs, beside construction, on a bridge or in a tunnel, in front of a driveway, within 15 feet of a hydrant, or in a disabled space without a placard.

• Uphill with a curb: wheels away from the curb. All other cases: wheels toward the curb or road edge.
• In an emergency, park with all four wheels off the pavement, not on a hill or curve, flashers on.
• To leave, check, signal, yield and enter traffic smoothly.

Interstates

• Watch for DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY signs. If you are going the wrong way on a ramp, pull onto the shoulder and turn around when clear.
• Use the acceleration lane to match speed; stop only if there is no gap. Interstate traffic has the right-of-way.
• Keep at least two seconds back, doubled or tripled in bad weather; rear-end crashes are the most common.
• Stay right except to pass, move left to let others merge, and never cross the median.
• Missed your exit? Go to the next one.
• Move to the exit lane a mile or more ahead and slow down only in the deceleration lane.
• In a breakdown, get all four wheels off the road, turn on flashers, exit away from traffic and raise the hood or tie on a white cloth.