3.5 Overtaking §

Created: 2023-10-11 21:47

Overtaking is passing other road users in traffic. You can overtake in a situation where all traffic is moving in the same direction or in a situation where you have to take oncoming traffic into account.

Overtaking on the left §

The main rule of overtaking is to always overtake from the left side. ‼️

1. Check in front of your whether the road is clear and whether you can see it clearly.
2. Keep a sufficient distance from the vehicle in from of you (2nd route 3.7 Maximum speed)
3. Check whether you are not being overtaken (internal mirror, left exterior mirror, over your left shoulder, TODO: link to note with this procedure note?)
4. Check the merging space in front of the vehicle you want to overtake.
5. Only overtake when you can accelerate enough to overtake the vehicle (respecting the maximum speed).
6. Signal to the left and drive in a smooth motion into the left lane.
7. When overtaking, pay attention to the traffic around you, specially the oncoming.
8. Don’t let overtaking take longer than necessary.
9. Check whether you are far enough ahead of the overtaking vehicle (internal mirror, right exterior mirror, over your right shoulder, TODO: link to note with this procedure note?)
10. Signal to the right, drive the car back to the right lane in a smooth motion and turn your indicator off.

Passing vs. overtaking: overtaking is passing a vehicle that is being driven by another driver. Driving by a parked vehicle is considered passing (like passing by).

Overtaking on the right §

In most situations you overtake on the left. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, when you must or may overtake from the right.

Must overtake from the right: when another vehicle is on the left lane and indicates that they wish to turn left.

May overtake on from the right

• Just before or on a roundabout.
• In traffic jams.
• When driving to the right of a block marker.
• Overtaking a tram, when from the right might be safest.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: cyclists and mopeds must overtake each other on the left, but might overtake other drivers on the right. Pay extra attention to passing cyclists when turning right.

When NOT to overtake §

As the main rule states, you may not hinder or endanger others with your overtaking maneuver.

Overtaking is forbidden in these situations:

• If you cannot oversee the situation.
• Just before or on a pedestrian crossing.
• If you have to driver over a solid line.
• When there’s oncoming traffic.
• In places where there is a traffic sign stating an overtaking ban.