If passing at night on a dark roadway is on the agenda, there are a few additional steps to take. As soon as you find a large enough gap to pass safely, check your mirror and signal left as you would in daylight hours. Prior to moving over, check your side mirror and blind spot as you accelerate and change into the oncoming lane. As soon as you are beside the slower moving vehicle, switch your high beam headlights on. This will give you a better chance to see what is ahead of you.

Again, once you can see both headlights of the vehicle you are passing in your rearview mirror, you are far enough ahead of them to change lanes back into the right lane. Remember to do all of the steps of a regular lane change as you move back into the right lane.

Once you’ve identified the space ahead is safe for overtaking, check your rear-view mirror and signal left. The signal will help to communicate to any driver behind you what your intentions are so they can avoid doing the same move at the same time. If the driver behind you looks to be passing just before you make your move, wait until they have completed the pass before you attempt to make your pass. This will help you determine if the space just ahead of the slow vehicle is adequate to pass them and then move back in front of them once the pass is completed.

After the signal, check your side mirror and blind spot and accelerate as you move into the oncoming lane. Waiting until you change lanes to accelerate will mean you stay in the oncoming lane longer than needed. Accelerating while changing lanes shortens the time it can take to pass.

While passing the other vehicle, have a quick glance at their left side wheels to determine if they are moving closer to the lane markings. This will give you early notice if they are moving into your lane. Once you pass the slow moving vehicle and can see both of their headlights in your rear view mirror, change lanes back into your original lane. Having both headlights visible means your vehicle is far enough ahead of them to change back safely. If for any reason the vehicle you are passing decides to speed up while you are passing them, ease off the accelerator and slide back in behind them. No need to stay in the oncoming lane any longer than necessary.

Exercise caution when passing another vehicle at night. Do this only when it is necessary and that you can see the way is clear: See the steps below:

1. First, change your headlights to low beams as you approach the vehicle you are about to pass.
2. Do a turn signal and look at your side mirror while checking other blind spots. Begin to move out of your lane to pass, and once you are beside the other vehicle, switch to a high beam for more visibility on the road ahead.
3. Signal to the right and check from your rearview mirror to see the front of the vehicle that you are passing. Ensure that you are far ahead with enough space and distance to pull back into the right lane as you complete the move.