After overtaking another vehicle on a two-lane road, when is it safe to return to the right-hand lane?

Returning to the right-hand lane after overtaking another vehicle is crucial for safety and proper traffic flow. The correct answer emphasizes the importance of being aware of your surroundings before making any lane changes. When you can see the overtaken vehicle in your rearview mirror, it indicates that you have successfully passed that vehicle and there is enough distance between your vehicle and the one you have overtaken. This visibility ensures that you are making a safe maneuver, minimizing the risk of cutting off the other driver or causing potential accidents by re-entering the lane too soon.

This approach aligns with safe driving practices, as it is essential to ensure that the path is clear and that the other driver has ample space. The incorrect options focus on factors that don’t guarantee safety upon returning to the lane. For instance, relying solely on visual cues like not seeing the overtaken vehicle on your right might not account for the dynamics of traffic and distance. Waiting a full minute is arbitrary and could lead to unnecessary delays or misjudgments about traffic conditions. Overall, ensuring visibility in the rearview mirror is the best practice for confirming that it's safe to return to the right lane after passing another vehicle.