Overtaking rules

Overtaking is one of the riskier things you do on the road, because it puts you closer to oncoming traffic and depends on judging speed and distance accurately. The rules exist to keep those risks in check. The theory test asks not just how to overtake but, more often, when you should not. A calm, patient approach beats an impatient one every time.

When you may overtake

On normal roads you overtake on the right, pulling out only when you can see far enough ahead to complete the move and return to your lane without cutting anyone off. Signal in good time so the driver ahead and anyone behind can read what you are about to do. There are two everyday exceptions to passing on the right. In slow, congested traffic you may pass on the left where the lane on your right is moving more slowly than yours. You may also pass on the left when the vehicle ahead has clearly signalled that it is turning right and you have room to go by safely.

When you must not overtake

Never overtake where you cannot see that the road ahead is clear. That rules out bends, the brows of hills and dips in the road where a vehicle could be hidden. Do not overtake at or approaching a pedestrian crossing, and never cross a continuous white line to pass, as the line marks a stretch where overtaking is prohibited. Junctions and places with many side roads are also poor choices, because vehicles can emerge without warning. If in any doubt about the distance, the gap or what is coming, hold back and wait for a clearly safe place.

Passing cyclists and other vulnerable users

People on bikes need extra room because they can wobble or move out to avoid a drain or a pothole. When you pass a cyclist, leave at least 1.5 metres of space at speeds over 50 km/h, and at least 1 metre where you are travelling more slowly. Wait for a gap that lets you give that space rather than squeezing past, and the same patience applies to horse riders and to people walking on rural roads with no footpath.

When another driver overtakes you

Overtaking is not only about you passing others. When a driver behind decides to overtake you, hold a steady line, do not speed up, and if it helps them complete the move safely, ease off gently to open the gap. Making it easy for others to pass reduces the temptation for risky overtakes and keeps everyone calmer on busy roads.

Judging a safe gap

A safe overtake needs a gap long enough for the whole manoeuvre, including pulling out, passing and returning, with a comfortable margin before any oncoming vehicle. If the road ahead is not clearly clear, treat that as a no. Never speed up beyond the limit to complete an overtake, because if you need to break the law to get past, the move was not safe to begin with. Building the habit of reading gaps and hazards early is what our Managing Risk practice questions are designed to sharpen.