Overtaking
- 1/30This is a circular sign with a white background and red frame, picturing two cars (one black, one red).
This sign, known as a ’No Overtaking Sign’, explicitly prohibits overtaking for all vehicles from this point forward, ensuring safety in areas where visibility might be limited or hazards are present.
This is a circular sign with a white background and red frame, picturing a car (black) and a truck (red).
This sign, the ’Truck No Overtaking Sign’, specifically indicates the beginning of a no-overtaking zone for trucks and other heavy vehicles.
This is a circular sign with a white background and black frame, picturing two cars (black) with inclined diagonals.
This sign, the ’End of No Overtaking Sign’, indicates that the previous restriction on overtaking for all vehicles is now lifted.
This is a circular sign with a white background and black frame, picturing a car (black) and a truck (black) with inclined diagonals.
This sign, the ’End Of No Overtaking Sign for Trucks’, signals the end of the overtaking prohibition specifically for trucks (heavy vehicles).
A warning sign (yellow triangle with red border and exclamation mark) is visible.
Warning signs indicate the existence of a risk on the road. Overtaking in such conditions can endanger both you and other road users.
A single continuous white line marking on the road.
This ’No Overtaking Mark’ indicates that overtaking is prohibited for all vehicles without exception, often due to curves, heights, or insufficient visibility ahead.
Two continuous white lines marking on the road.
This ’No Overtaking Confirmation Mark’ reinforces the prohibition on overtaking for all vehicles without exception, typically in areas with limited visibility such as curves or hilltops.
A continuous line is at your vehicle’s left side.
The ’No Overtaking Mark for the vehicle that the continuous line at its left’ prohibits the driver from overtaking when there is a continuous line on their immediate left, indicating potential hazards like curves or limited visibility.
Continuous lines are painted on the road.
Continuous lines, whether single or double, indicate that overtaking is strictly prohibited for safety reasons, often due to limited visibility or specific traffic conditions.
Two continuous lines are painted on the road.
Two continuous lines, specifically the ’No Overtaking Confirmation Mark’, strongly prohibit overtaking because there may be a curve, a height ahead, or insufficient visibility, making overtaking highly dangerous.
A continuous line is to the left of a vehicle.
If a continuous line is on the left side of your vehicle, overtaking is prohibited. This marking, ’No Overtaking Mark for the vehicle that the continuous line at its left’, signifies areas with potential hazards like curves or insufficient visibility.
The first step before overtaking another vehicle.
Before initiating an overtaking maneuver, it is crucial to confirm that the road ahead is clear for a safe distance, allowing for the complete maneuver without risk.
Preparing to overtake another vehicle.
Thorough observation is essential. Before overtaking, always check your side mirrors and perform a head check (look over your shoulder) to ensure no vehicles are in your blind spots.
Returning to the lane after overtaking a large vehicle.
When overtaking large vehicles, it’s critical to ensure you have enough space. You should only return to your lane once you can see the entirety of the overtaken large vehicle in your rearview mirror, ensuring you are well clear.
The general rule for overtaking other vehicles or obstacles.
The standard practice for overtaking is from the left. However, if the vehicle you intend to overtake is signaling a left turn, you may overtake from the right if it’s safe and permissible.
Approaching a road with traffic signs that prohibit overtaking.
When confronted with signs that prohibit overtaking, drivers must comply. It is essential to wait until you are past the restricted area and the conditions are safe to overtake.
Alerting other road users when attempting to overtake.
To safely overtake, you should alert other drivers of your intention. This can be done by using your turn signals (light signal) and, if necessary, a brief honk (sound signal).
Completing the overtaking process.
After successfully passing the overtaken vehicle, look in your rearview mirror to confirm that you have cleared it. Then, signal right before gently moving back into your original lane.
A passenger bus stopped in a residential area for student transport.
When a passenger bus is stopped in a residential area for student transport (often indicated by flashing lights or a stop arm), overtaking is prohibited to ensure the safety of children.
Visibility is reduced due to natural or emergency circumstances like fog or dust.
Overtaking in conditions of reduced visibility, such as fog or dust, is extremely dangerous due to limited sight distance. It’s safer to avoid overtaking until conditions improve.
Coming across a police car, ambulance, or other emergency vehicles while driving.
When encountering emergency vehicles with flashing lights and/or sirens, you must prioritize their passage. Do not attempt to overtake them; instead, yield the right-of-way by slowing down or pulling over.
The front vehicle is moving at a speed that makes overtaking difficult.
If the vehicle ahead is moving at a speed that makes a safe overtaking maneuver difficult or unsafe, it’s best to refrain from overtaking and wait for more favorable conditions.
Another vehicle is attempting to overtake your vehicle.
When being overtaken, you should not accelerate. Instead, maintain your current speed to allow the other vehicle to complete their maneuver safely.
Approaching an emergency vehicle with flashing lights.
Upon seeing an emergency vehicle with flashing lights, drivers must yield by reducing their speed. If required for their passage, stop safely and allow them to proceed.
Seeing emergency vehicles at an intersection or junction.
At intersections or junctions, drivers must promptly clear the road to allow emergency vehicles unimpeded passage. This may involve moving to the side or stopping.
How to behave when another driver is attempting to overtake your vehicle.
When another vehicle is attempting to overtake you, the appropriate action is to facilitate their maneuver by yielding, which generally means maintaining your speed and position.
How to assist a vehicle that wants to overtake.
To assist an overtaking vehicle, you should move slightly to the left side of your lane (if safe and legal) and, if required, slightly reduce your speed to help them complete the maneuver.
The effect of side winds on a small vehicle overtaking a large vehicle.
When a small vehicle overtakes a large vehicle, especially in windy conditions, side winds can create aerodynamic effects that pull the smaller vehicle towards the larger one, requiring careful control.
Areas with invisible heights and acute curves, slippery roads, circular squares, near pedestrian crossings, schools, hospitals, gardens, and emergency vehicle lanes.
Overtaking is strictly prohibited in these locations due to severely limited visibility, hazardous road conditions, or the presence of vulnerable road users and critical facilities, ensuring safety for all.
Road turns, bridges, tunnels, and any place where overtaking is prohibited by a traffic sign or mark.
Overtaking is forbidden on road turns, bridges, and in tunnels due to inherent safety risks. Additionally, any area explicitly designated as a no-overtaking zone by official traffic signs or road markings must be observed.