Blinkage

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Alex

Not that anybody really follows the rules but you shouldn't be passing on the right.

Myth.

Originally Posted by California Vehicle Code 21754

The driver of a motor vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
(a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn.
(b) Upon a highway within a business or residence district with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in the direction of travel.
(c) Upon any highway outside of a business or residence district with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width and clearly marked for two or more lines of moving traffic in the direction of travel.
(d) Upon a one-way street.
(e) Upon a highway divided into two roadways where traffic is restricted to one direction upon each of such roadways.
The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver of a slow moving vehicle from the duty to drive as closely as practicable to the right hand edge of the roadway.

From that, about the only situations you AREN'T allowed to pass a vehicle on the right are when you're on a 1-lane per direction road and when it's physically impossible.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

...and when it's physically impossible.

It's never physically impossible. Practically impossible maybe, but not completely

[lindyhop]

I always signal my turns even when no one is around. But when I'm changing lanes I always expect that signalling my intentions will make the driver in the next lane get in my way. So I don't usually signal until there's plenty of room to change lanes and I'm already moving. At that point I feel like I'm letting the other drivers know I'm not just weaving around because I fell asleep.

I'm in control, people. Really!

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Myth.

Ok. I learned to drive in Washington where the rule is more explicit. But the "rule" I meant nobody follows isn't so much that you don't pass on the right but that if the guy behind you is faster than you, you are in a lane too far to the left. If this rule is followed (and it is the law in California that if you're going slower than the general traffic that you move to the right, see section 21654).

Anyway, here's a rundown of the state-by-state regulation regarding left lane usage.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Alex

the law in California

here's a rundown

Both links open the same page.