Do not overtake unless you are sure you can do so without causing danger to others as well as yourself. Before you start to overtake, make sure the road is clear far enough ahead and behind. Use your mirrors and signal before you start to move out. Be particularly careful at dusk, at dawn, in the dark and in mist, when it is more difficult to judge speed and distance. On faster roads, vehicles may be approaching much more quickly than you think. Make sure that the road is clear for a long way ahead. Once you have started to overtake, move quickly past the vehicle you are overtaking and leave it plenty of room. Then move back to the left side of the road as soon as you can, but without cutting in. Overtaking only on the right. If the vehicle you are overtaking increases speed, drop back if necessary and return to your normal lane behind it. Ensure that the road behind is still clear by using your mirrors. On a normal two-lane road, give way to vehicles coming towards you before you pass parked vehicles or other obstructions on the left-hand side of the road. Do not increase your speed while being overtaken. Slow down, if necessary, to let the overtaking vehicle pass. |
Overtaking a large vehicle
Getting too close behind a large vehicle makes it impossible to see far enough ahead. The 'A' car is too close. The driver of the 'B' car, who is keeping much farther back, has a much better view. |
Overtaking on dual carriageways
Overtake only on the right. Never move to a lane on the left to overtake. You must not use a hard shoulder for overtaking.
Do not overtake unless it is safe for yourself and others. Many accidents on dual carriageways are rear-end collisions. Before you start to overtake, make sure that the lane you will be joining is clear far enough ahead and behind. Traffic may be coming up from behind much more quickly than you think. Signal before you move out. Be particularly careful at dusk, in the dark and in fog or mist, when it is more difficult to judge speed and distance.
Get back to the left most lane as soon as possible after overtaking, but do not cut in right in front of the vehicle you have just overtaken. Leave plenty of room.
Overtaking on expressways
On expressways, it is an offence to overtake on the left (see page 71).
You must not overtake Sign marking the beginning of 'No overtaking' You must not overtake
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You should not overtake
If in doubt - do not overtake. |
You may overtake/pass on the left
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