Overtaking

The rules in brief

• 1

  Pass on the right

  Overtake on the right. Pass on the left only when the vehicle ahead is turning right.

  Source: RSA, Rules of the Road

• 2

  Continuous white line

  Do not cross or straddle a continuous white line in the centre of the road.

  Source: RSA, Rules of the Road

• 3

  Where not to overtake

  Avoid overtaking near junctions, bends, hills, crossings or where you cannot see far enough.

  Source: RSA, Rules of the Road

• 4

  Mirror, signal, manoeuvre

  Check mirrors, signal, then pull out only when the road is clear.

  Source: RSA, Rules of the Road

Try 8 sample questions

Tap an answer to see if you are right and read the explanation.

Score: 0/8

1. Question 1 of 8

   After overtaking another vehicle, what should a driver do?

   Listen in PortugueseListen in English
   AContinue to signal right for a distance.BGradually move back into the left when the vehicle has been passed.CMove back in front of the vehicle and reduce speed.DMove immediately into the left after passing the vehicle.

2. Question 2 of 8

   When a driver is driving in a line of traffic and does not intend to overtake, what should the driver do?

   Listen in PortugueseListen in English
   ABeckon to following traffic to overtake.BDrive close to the vehicle in front.CIndicate left as a signal to following traffic to overtake.DStay back and leave a gap for other drivers to overtake.

3. Question 3 of 8

   When meeting oncoming traffic on a national road, is it permitted to move into the hard shoulder to allow following traffic to overtake?

   Listen in PortugueseListen in English
   ANo, except on "2-plus-1 roads".BNo, it is never permitted to drive on a hard shoulder except in the case of an emergency.CYes, temporarily when the hard shoulder is clear and it is safe to drive there.DYes, when a truck or bus is oncoming.

4. Question 4 of 8

   When driving behind a heavy goods vehicle that is signalling to turn right, what should a driver do?

   Listen in PortugueseListen in English
   AOvertake it slowly on the inside by driving partly on the footpath if necessary.BSee if the vehicle can complete the turn without stopping, and if not, overtake it yourself.CSound the horn and overtake the heavy goods vehicle on the right.DStay behind until there is enough space to overtake it on the inside or until it has completed the turn.

5. Question 5 of 8

   What should a driver do when being overtaken by another vehicle?

   Listen in PortugueseListen in English
   AContinue at the same pace.BIncrease speed.CMove to the right.DSlow down quickly.

6. Question 6 of 8

   The driver intends to turn left at this junction - what should the driver do?

   
   Listen in PortugueseListen in English
   AAllow the cyclist to continue before turning left.BAllow the van and cyclist to proceed.CTurn left in front of the cyclist.DYield right of way to the van.

7. Question 7 of 8

   What does a 2-plus-1 road have?

   Listen in PortugueseListen in English
   ABarriers between lanes of traffic going in the same direction.BBarriers between the hard shoulder and the verge.CTwo lanes for cars and one lane for trucks and buses.DTwo lanes of traffic in one direction and one in the opposite direction.

8. Question 8 of 8

   What does this road marking mean?

   
   Listen in PortugueseListen in English
   AA driver may not overtake along this road.BA driver may not park along this road.CA driver may overtake provided they do not cross the broken white line.DA driver must not cross the broken white line unless it is safe to do so.

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• Lights and fog139
• Driving in bad weather57
• Eco-driving and fuel91
• Insurance, NCT and motor tax14
• Collisions and emergencies81
• Learner permit rules66
• Sharing the road with cyclists63
• Pedestrians and crossings87
• Parking rules49
• Motorway driving40
• Speed limits32
• Alcohol, drugs and fatigue33
• Roundabouts and junctions84
• Tyres, brakes and ABS91