Two Way Roads With Three Lanes? Trust The Answer

Motorways (253 to 273)

The Highway Code for Northern Ireland regulates motorways.

Many other rules apply in whole or in part to driving on Autobahns: Rules 45, 57, 83-126, 130-134, 139, 144, 146-151, 160, 161, 219, 221-222, 225, 226-237, 274 to 278, 280 and 281 to 290.

General

253. Prohibited Vehicles

Motorways may not be used by pedestrians, holders of temporary motorcycle or car licenses, riders of motorcycles under 50cc, cyclists, horse riders, certain slow-moving vehicles and persons transporting oversized loads (unless with special permission), agricultural vehicles and electric wheelchairs / powered mobility scooters (see rules 34-46 inclusive).

Laws RO Art 16 & sch 1, & MTR reg 2

254

Traffic on highways is usually faster than other roads, giving you less time to react. It’s especially important to use the mirrors earlier and look much further ahead than you would on other roads.

highway signals

255

Motorway signals (see “Light signals directing traffic”) are used to warn you of an impending hazard. For example, there may be an incident, fog, a spill, or roadworkers on the roadway that you may not be able to see immediately.

256

Signals on the median apply to all lanes. On very busy routes there may be overhead signals with a separate signal for each lane.

257. Amber flashing lights

These warn of an imminent danger. The signal can show a temporary speed limit, lane closures, or a message such as “Fog”.

Adjust your speed and watch out for the hazard until you pass a signal that doesn’t flash or that says “all clear” and you’re confident it’s safe to increase your speed.

258. Red flashing lights

If red lights are flashing at overhead signals above your lane and a red “X” is displayed, you must not overshoot the signal in that lane.

When red lights are on in the median or at the side of the road, do not go past the signal in any lane.

Laws RTO 1995 Art 50 & TSR Regs 8 & 33(3)

driving on the highway

259. Connection to the highway

When entering the freeway, you will typically access it from a left-hand side road (an on-ramp) or from an adjacent freeway. You should:

already give traffic priority on the motorway

Check the traffic on the highway and adjust your speed to safely navigate the traffic flow in the left lane

Do not cross solid white lines separating lanes or use the hard shoulder

Stay on the slip road when it becomes an extra lane on the Autobahn

Stay in the left lane long enough to adjust to the traffic speed before overtaking

260. On the highway

If you can see well and the road conditions are good, you should:

Cruise at a constant cruising speed that is safe for you and your vehicle and within the speed limit (see Rule 124).

Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and increase the distance on wet, icy or foggy roads (see Rules 126 and 235).

General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)

Driving in adverse weather conditions (226 to 237)

261

You must not exceed 70 mph (112 km/h) or the speed limit for your vehicle (see Rule 124). If a lower speed limit applies permanently or temporarily, e.g. B. at construction sites, you must not exceed them.

Mandatory freeway signals (showing speed within a red ring) are used on some freeways to change the speed limit and improve traffic flow. You must not exceed this speed limit.

Laws RO Art. 20, RTRO Art. 39 & MV(SL)R

262

The monotony of highway driving can make you sleepy. To minimize risk, follow the advice in Rule 91.

263

You may not reverse, cross the median, or travel against the flow of traffic. If you missed your exit or took the wrong route, continue to the next exit.

Law MTR Reg. 4, 7 & 10

track discipline

264

When the road is clear, always drive in the left lane. When overtaking multiple slower vehicles, you should return to the left lane once you have passed safely. Slow or speed-restricted vehicles should always stay in the left lane of the carriageway unless overtaking. Driving on the hard shoulder is only permitted in an emergency or if instructed to do so by the police or signs.

Law MTR Reg. 3 & 8

265

The right lane of a highway with three or more lanes should not be used when driving:

any vehicle towing a trailer

a truck with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tons and not more than 7.5 tons, which must be equipped with a speed limiter

a truck with a gross vehicle weight of more than 7.5 tons

a passenger car with a maximum permissible weight of more than 7.5 tonnes, which is designed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver

a passenger car with a maximum permissible weight of not more than 7.5 tonnes, designed or adapted for the carriage of more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver and must be equipped with a speed limiter

266. Approaching an intersection

Watch out for signals or signs well ahead. Direction signs may be placed above the roadway. If you need to change lanes, do so in good time.

At some intersections, a lane may exit directly from the highway. Only enter this lane if you intend to travel in the direction indicated by the signs above.

overtake

267

Only overtake if you are sure it is safe and legal to do so. Only overtake on the right. You should:

check your mirrors

Take your time to judge the speeds correctly

Make sure the lane you are changing to has adequate clearance to the front and rear

Take a quick side look into the blind spot to check the position of a vehicle that may have disappeared from your view in the mirror

Be aware that traffic may be coming up behind you very quickly. – Carefully check all mirrors, look out for motorcyclists and if it is safe to do so, signal in good time and then drive out

Be careful not to cut into the overtaken vehicle

Be especially careful at night and in poor visibility when judging speed and distance is difficult

268

Do not overtake on the left or move into a left lane to overtake.

In congestion situations where adjacent lanes are moving at similar speeds, traffic in the left lanes can sometimes be faster than traffic in the right. In these conditions, you can keep up with traffic in your lane, even if it means overtaking traffic in the right lane.

Do not weave in and out of the lane to overtake.

269. Side stripes

The hard shoulder may not be used for overtaking.

In areas where an active traffic management (ATM) system is in effect, the hard shoulder may be used as a walking lane. You’ll know when to take advantage of this because a speed limit sign is displayed over all open lanes, including the hard shoulder.

A red cross or blank sign over the hard shoulder means that you may only enter the hard shoulder in the event of an emergency or breakdown. Emergency shelters have also been built into these areas for emergencies or breakdowns.

Bus lanes on the hard shoulder. Hard shoulders are used as bus lanes at certain times of the day on some sections of the motorway.

The operation of these bus lanes is controlled by variable message signs. In the event of an emergency or incident, the bus lane becomes a hard shoulder again.

You may only use the bus lane for emergencies or breakdowns.

Law MTR Reg. 3 & 8

Stop

270

Do not stop on the roadway, hard shoulder, ramp, median or hard shoulder except in an emergency or when directed to do so by the police, an ambulance sign or by flashing red traffic lights.

Do not stop on the hard shoulder to make or receive cell phone calls.

Law MTR Reg. 5, 8 & 10

271

Except in an emergency, do not put anyone on or off or walk on a highway.

Laws RO Art 20 & MTR Reg 13

exit the highway

272

Unless a lane is signposted directly off the motorway, you will normally exit the motorway via an on-ramp on the left. You should:

Look out for the signs letting you know you are approaching your exit

get into the left lane in good time before your exit

Keep left in good time and, if necessary, reduce speed on the driveway

273

When you exit the motorway or use a link road between motorways, your speed may be faster than you think – 50 mph (80 km/h) can feel like 30 mph (48 km/h).

Check your speedometer and adjust your speed accordingly. Some ramps and connecting roads have sharp curves, requiring you to slow down.

Explanation: You must not reverse further than necessary. You may choose to turn your vehicle by reversing into an opening or side street. When reversing, always look around and watch out for pedestrians. Do not reverse onto a main road from a secondary road.

Category: Road Traffic Act

References: The Official DVSA Guide to Driving: Section 9, Highway Code: Rule 203

The vast majority of motorists passed their test with no experience driving on highways. Since June 2018, learners have only been able to take lessons on motorways with an approved instructor in a dual-control car. The legislative change has been welcomed as an important road safety measure by automotive associations such as the RAC and AA. But what about the rest of us who have had the frightening experience of venturing onto a freeway for the first time without the advice and guidance of a qualified freeway safety expert?

Freeways can be confusing to the uninitiated, especially the layout and rules, and we’ve had to try and figure it all out for ourselves over time – not the best way to lay a solid foundation for safe freeway driving.

To allay fears and correct misconceptions about driving on freeways, we’ve put together this beginner’s guide to freeway lanes to help drivers use them safely. This guide also serves as a useful refresher for experienced drivers.

Why there is neither Fast Lane nor Slow Lane

The first thing to remember when entering a freeway is that there is no fast lane or slow lane. All lanes have a 70 mph speed limit unless otherwise noted.

Motorways are usually three lanes:

Lane one – the left lane – is intended for routine driving.

Lane two – the middle lane – and lane three – the right lane – are used for overtaking.

Unless there is a congestion of slow-moving vehicles in that lane, stay in lane one when you can switch to one of the other lanes. However, you should not stay there longer than necessary, especially if you are holding up traffic.

Some freeways have only two lanes, like a dual carriageway, with the right lane for overtaking. Others have four lanes. Regardless of the number of lanes, those to the right of the inner lane are for overtaking.

A highway on a steep hill can have an extra slow lane for heavy vehicles that lose a lot of speed going up a steep grade. Separating these vehicles allows the rest of the traffic to flow more freely.

Autobahns also have a narrower emergency lane to the left of lane one, separated by a solid white line. This part of the highway – the hard shoulder – is a last resort where you can pull over in the event of a breakdown or emergency.

How to use the side strip

If you must stop on the shoulder of a motorway, remember to indicate and ensure:

Your wheels are turned to the left, so your car cannot roll into traffic.

Your hazard lights are on.

When it’s dark, use your side lights.

If it’s foggy, use your fog lights.

Get yourself and your family to a safe place off the highway and call roadside assistance on your cellphone. If your phone isn’t working, walk down the shoulder to the nearest emergency phone.

How to use smart highway lanes

A smart highway is a section that uses active traffic management to reduce congestion in particularly busy areas. In addition to variable speed limits, intelligent highways can also display “Keep Lane” signs on overhead bridges during particularly heavy traffic. While it might be tempting to change lanes when other drivers seem to be going faster than you, it can create bottlenecks as traffic has to brake to let you in. Lanes on smart highways can be automatically opened or closed to improve traffic flow. A lane closure is indicated by a large red X overhead. Driving in these lanes can result in a fine of up to £100. In some types of smart highways, the former hard shoulder becomes the first lane and is only closed to traffic in the event of an incident. On these full-lane smart highways, a normal lane is indicated by a broken white line.

Safe on the highway

While learners can now gain motorway experience, using a motorway has not been introduced as part of the practical driving test, although it is covered in the theory section. In other words, no motorist needs to demonstrate practical skills on the Autobahn in order to be allowed to drive on it.

We hope that our guide to freeway lanes and how to use them correctly will help you stay safe on the freeway in the future. You might also want to consider the optional Pass Plus program, which includes freeway driving.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON OPPOSITES OF RED BEFORE THEY TURN SCARLET

We have a challenge that will make you blush: do you know the many words and ways to describe the opposite of red?

Question 1 of 7

Which of the following colors is used to symbolize AIR?

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Driving on dual carriageways does not require driving skills fundamentally different from those on other types of roads. However, driving safely on a dual carriageway requires certain lane-use practices that all drivers should be aware of so that other drivers know what you intend to do.

Two-lane expressways

Stay in the left lane and use the right lane when overtaking other vehicles and when you need to turn right. Once you have overtaken the other vehicle, move back into the left lane as soon as it is safe to do so.

Three lane highways

Driving on a three lane dual carriageway is essentially the same as driving on a two lane dual carriageway except that there is an additional lane used for overtaking. You should stay in the left lane most of the time, using the middle and right lanes just to overtake other vehicles. After overtaking, switch back to the left lane as soon as it is safe to do so.

braking distances

Motorists often drive at higher speeds on dual carriageways than on normal roads. This affects braking distance (the distance it takes for your vehicle to come to a complete stop after you first apply the brakes). You must compensate for the extra speed by maintaining a reasonable distance behind the vehicle in front at all times. This is generally considered a gap of at least two seconds (if the vehicle in front passes a fixed point such as a tree or lamppost, it should take you at least two seconds to pass the same point) in dry conditions. If the road is wet or icy, this interval should increase to at least four seconds (preferably much longer if there is snow or ice) as this gives you more time to slow down and stop if an unexpected situation arises.

speed limits

The speed limit on most expressways is 70 miles per hour (mph). However, in some cases there may be lower speed limits. In this case, there is usually a traffic sign informing you of the maximum or minimum speed. It’s important not to exceed the speed limit as you have no idea what might be waiting for you, especially on corners (which you often blindly take, not knowing what’s around the corner). Driving on dual carriageways and dual carriageways does not require a particularly different skill set than driving on a regular road, as long as you stay in the left lane and use the right lane most of the time. Lane (and middle lane on three-lane expressways) primarily for overtaking. It’s important to follow this basic rule so other drivers know immediately what to expect when you pull into the lane next to them.

Tip 1: Take Mittelstrasse

Since local traffic regulations usually prohibit vehicles with learner plates on dual carriageways, new drivers may be concerned about entering this ramp for the first time.

For beginners, the trick to freeway driving is not taking the fastest lane. For example, when driving on a three-lane freeway, keeping in the middle lane will help you acclimate to higher speeds while minimizing the number of lanes you have to cross when exiting.

Term for road traffic

Two way road sign in Ukraine

A one-way street is a street that allows vehicles to travel in both directions. Most one-way streets, especially major streets, have a line painted down the middle of the street to remind drivers to stay on their side of the street. Sometimes part of a road is two-way and the other part is one-way. If there is no line, a car must stay on the appropriate side and watch out for cars coming in the opposite direction and prepare to stop to let them pass.

See also[edit]

Know your traffic signs

Knowing what different traffic signs mean is essential for both your theory test and your driving test. Make sure you know exactly what traffic signs are telling you before driving on a one-way street or system.

one way street

One-way streets and systems are clearly marked with one-way street signs. This is a rectangular or circular blue sign with a white arrow pointing in the correct direction for traffic flow. One-way signs are placed at the entrance to the one-way system and at intervals along the road.

Two-way traffic

A one-way street often ends with a turn into a two-way street, so it’s important to recognize when a street changes from a one-way street to a two-way street. You can see what type of road you are approaching by looking at the road signs as you approach the end of the road.

A two-way traffic sign is a red triangle with a white background and two arrows pointing in opposite directions. If you see this sign at the end of a one-way street, prepare for the one-way street by using the MSSPL routine to safely position yourself in the correct lane.

No right turn/no left turn

When approaching the exit of a one-way street, there is usually a “No left turns” or “No right turns” sign, signaling that you cannot turn onto the upcoming street.

A right/left turn prohibition is a red circle with a white background and gives a command.

No entry

A “No Entry” sign will be placed at the exit of a one-way street, indicating traffic on the adjacent street. A no trespassing sign is a red circle with a horizontal white rectangle in the middle. This sign is an order telling you not to enter the road and is always placed at the exit of a one-way street to tell passing motorists not to turn.

Through Highway means a highway or portion of a highway designated as such by the Ontario Department of Transportation or by a municipality’s statute, and each such highway must be marked with a stop sign or equivalent give-way sign in accordance with the Department’s regulations;

An apartment building is a building with three or more residential units.

Interstate Highway means any highway that has at any time been officially designated as part of the national system of interstate and defense highways by the Department and approved by the appropriate federal agency.

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the nervous system in which the myelin sheaths around the axons of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord become damaged, leading to demyelination and affecting the ability of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to communicate with each other;

Public Freeway means a public freeway, road, street, avenue, alley or thoroughfare of any kind, or any bridge, tunnel or subway used by the public.

Multiple tomogram system means an X-ray computed tomography system that simultaneously obtains X-ray transmission data during a single scan to create more than one tomogram.

Tier 3 Wire Centers are those Qwest Wire Centers that do not meet the criteria for Tier 1 or Tier 2 Wire Centers.

State Highway means a state highway or part of a state

Halfway House means a public or privately operated, for-profit or not-for-profit housing facility that provides rehabilitation care and treatment for sex offenders.

Youth Center means any public or private facility whose primary purpose is to host recreational or social activities for minors, including but not limited to private youth membership organizations or clubs, social service youth club facilities, arcades or similar amusement park facilities.

An apartment building is a property with 5 or more residential units, including those that are occupied seasonally.

Generation Owner means a Member that owns, leases with ownership equivalent rights, or otherwise controls and operates one or more operational generation resources in the PJM Region. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order for a member to qualify as a generation owner, a proposed generation resource must have an RPM auction enabled and for energy resources the resource must have a FERC jurisdiction affiliation agreement or a wholesale market participation agreement within PJM. Purchasing all or part of the output of a generation resource is not sufficient to qualify a member as a generation owner. For the purposes of the Members Committee’s sector classification, a member who is primarily an end user of electricity that owns generation of electricity may be considered a generation owner if: (1) the generation resource is the subject of a Connection Agreement or a Wholesale Market of FERC jurisdiction Participation Agreement within PJM; (2) the average physical unconstrained capacity owned by the member and its affiliates in the five planning periods immediately preceding the relevant planning period exceeds the average PJM capacity commitment of the member and its affiliates in the same period; and (3) the average energy generated by Member and its affiliates within PJM in the five planning periods immediately preceding the relevant planning period exceeds the average energy consumed by Member and its affiliates within PJM during the same period .

Community Mental Health Center or “CMHC” means a facility that provides a full range of community mental health services including, but not limited to, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, emergency care, counseling and education; and certain services at the center’s option, including but not limited to pre-evaluation, rehabilitation services, pre- and post-care, educational programs, and research and assessment.

Lot means any Machine and any other item sold or intended to be sold under these Terms that is identified as Goo on an Entry Form

Tier 2 Wire Centers means those CenturyLink Wire Centers that are not Tier 1 Wire Centers but contain at least three (3) fiber-based collocators, at least twenty-four thousand (24,000) business lines, or both. Once a wire center has been determined to be a Tier 2 wire center, that wire center is not subject to subsequent reclassification as a Tier 3 wire center.

Core means a pedestrian-facing area with commercial and civil uses that serves the surrounding community, generally including housing and access to public transportation.

Serving Wire Center (SWC) means the wire center serving the area where the other party’s or third party’s wire center, aggregation point, termination point or point of presence is located.

Cluster development means residential development in which the building and ancillary uses are clustered together with reduced property sizes in one or more groups. The plots of land that do not belong to the building plots are to be preserved permanently as open space.

Tier 1 Wire Centers means those CenturyLink Wire Centers that contain at least four (4) fiber-based collocators, at least thirty-eight thousand (38,000) business lines, or both. Tier 1 wire centers are also those CenturyLink tandem switching sites that do not have line-side switching facilities but still serve as a CLEC-accessible point of traffic aggregation. Once a wire center has been determined to be a Tier 1 wire center, that wire center is not subject to subsequent reclassification as a Tier 2 or Tier 3 wire center.

Multiple Exchange Carrier Access Billing or “MECAB” means the document prepared by the OBF Billing Committee, working under the auspices of the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) Carrier Liaison Committee (CLC). The MECAB document, published by ATIS as ATIS/OBF-MECAB Issue 6, February 1998, provides the recommended guidelines for billing access services provided to an IXC from two (2) or more LECs or from a LEC in two (2 ) or more states within a single LATA.

Very high radiation area is a human accessible area where radiation levels from extracorporeal radiation sources can cause a person to have an absorbed dose in excess of 5 Gy (500 rads) in one hour at a distance of one meter from a source ) receives radiation or one meter away from any surface through which the radiation penetrates.

Data Center means the location where the production instance of the Cloud Service is hosted for Customer in its region as published at: http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/about/our-company/policies/data- privacy-and-security/location-of-data-center.html or communicated to the customer or otherwise agreed in an order form.

Ear acupuncture is the subcutaneous insertion of sterile, disposable acupuncture needles

Data Center(s) means the location or locations where the Software is hosted in order to provide the Authorized Services to Customers. This site or sites are at all times owned or controlled by the provider.

Resort Complex means the hotel, convention center/theater restaurant, exhibition center, recreation facilities and Burswood Casino to be constructed on the Site by and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and includes, if and when constructed, Stage 2;

What causes a slide?

A skid is a sudden loss of traction from the wheels that can cause your vehicle to lose control and swerve uncontrollably. Skidding is usually a result of driving too fast for the road you are driving on or the weather conditions you are facing.

A skid is usually caused by one of three things: either oversteer, when the driver takes a sharp turn and then tries to right up too quickly; excessive use of the vehicle’s brakes resulting in locking of the vehicle’s wheels; and from accelerating the car while still in the middle of the corner.

If you can avoid these driving mistakes, you should be able to minimize the chances of your car skidding no matter the circumstances.

Explanation: You should only overtake if it is really necessary and you can see it clearly ahead. Look out for road signs and markings that indicate it is illegal or that overtaking would be unsafe; B. when approaching intersections or curves. In many cases, overtaking is unlikely to significantly reduce your travel time.

Category: Danger Awareness

References: The Official DVSA Guide to Driving: Section 7, Highway Code: Rule 162-167

Released April 9, 2021

Last updated on April 9, 2021

This is how you can quickly and safely recognize the speed limit. Includes national speed limit, residential areas, and single and dual lane roads.

Have you ever been driving down a quiet residential street and then realized you forgot the speed limit?

The majority of drivers would drive at 50 km/h in these situations to be on the safe side, and in most cases that would be the right thing to do. But if the speed limit were lower (in a residential area it’s very unlikely it’s higher) you could endanger yourself and others.

The limit is there for a reason, but how can you tell what it is? Here are some rules you may not know that will help you figure out what the speed limit is.

Streets with normal street lighting (e.g. in housing developments or inner cities) usually have a speed limit of 30 mph unless otherwise stated – perhaps with a sign like this one.

When there are no street lights but a 30 mile limit applies, 30 mile repeater signs are used to remind drivers of the limit. Where street lights are present but a limit other than 30 mph applies, repeater signs are also used to indicate the speed limit.

Where there are no street lights, the speed limit for cars and motorcycles is normally 60 mph for single lane roads and 70 mph for dual carriageways. This is known as the national speed limit and can be identified by this sign. Different national speed limits apply to other vehicle classes such as trucks or buses. (See Rule 124 of the Highway Code.)

Speed ​​limits on single and double lane roads are not defined by the number of lanes but by the presence of a median.

When the roadway is not separated by a median (and has a national speed limit sign), the speed limit for cars and motorcycles is 60 miles per hour, regardless of the number of lanes.

If the roadway has a median and at least one lane of traffic on either side going in opposite directions, then the speed limit for cars and motorcycles is 70 miles per hour.

Don’t treat the national speed limit as a target speed. You may drive up to this speed if conditions allow it without risk. You should consider the time of day, weather conditions, and other drivers, and then drive at a reasonable speed. A sensible driver does not rush around a corner at 100 km/h just because the speed limit suggests it.

It is the driver’s responsibility to know the speed limit for the road they are using. Anywhere a speed limit changes there are speed limit signs (and sometimes they are painted on the road) so stay alert and look out for them.

The dangers of overtaking another vehicle on a single lane carriageway are significant as it usually requires driving in the lane of oncoming vehicles.

The overtaking maneuver increases the likelihood of a head-on collision, where the combination of both vehicle speeds can often result in fatalities. Signs and road markings provide visual overtaking rules (see Road Markings) and often assist motorists by warning that the road has bends ahead or that the road has dips.

However, it is usually up to the driver’s own judgment as to when it is safe to overtake.

This overtaking tutorial is aimed at both qualified drivers who want to increase their knowledge and safe overtaking practices, as well as learner drivers who need to use the overtaking maneuver during the practical driving test. One or more of these overtaking situations are likely to occur during the practical driving test:

to overtake a moving vehicle on the right (offside)

overtaking parked cars

overtaking cyclists

overtake on the left (take on the passenger side)

Above all, the most important overtaking rule is common sense. Only overtake if you are absolutely certain that the maneuver can be performed safely and without danger or inconvenience to other road users. Before beginning the overtaking maneuver, ask yourself the following questions:

Is it legal to overtake?

Judge whether overtaking is allowed by finding no overtaking signs (see below) or solid/solid white lines. See double white lines for more information.

Judge whether overtaking is allowed by finding no overtaking signs (see below) or solid/solid white lines. See double white lines for more information. Is it safe to overtake?

Make sure the road ahead of you has no curves, dips or hills as these could interfere with oncoming traffic. A left and right intersection in front of you can be dangerous as vehicles can get into the fast lane.

Make sure the road ahead of you has no curves, dips or hills as these could interfere with oncoming traffic. A left and right intersection in front of you can be dangerous as vehicles can get into the fast lane. Does it need to be overhauled?

First decide if you need to overtake. If the vehicle in front is driving close to the speed limit, overtaking is of little use. Are there traffic jams or a dual carriageway that make overtaking pointless? Also, assess whether it’s worth taking the risk, because driving just a few miles an hour faster often saves you just a few minutes of time.

How to overtake a car

Although road and weather conditions vary, the same procedure should be followed when overtaking a car. We take the role of the yellow car in the diagrams trying to overtake the red car. This overtaking routine should be used both during a driving test and during general driving. Once you’ve established that it’s legal, safe, and necessary, you should adopt the following overhaul routine:

Note:

Blue shaded area

The blue shaded area indicates the blind spot that cannot be seen by looking at the mirrors. See Blind Spot for more information.

The blue shaded area indicates the blind spot that cannot be seen by looking at the mirrors. See Blind Spot for more information. Signal back into lane

It is not always necessary or required to signal left when re-entering lanes. However, if you think that blinking to the left might benefit another road user, feel free to do so.

Perform the following routine to pass another vehicle

1. Mirror Check the inside mirror, followed by the right side mirror to assess traffic behind you and ensure no vehicle is passing your vehicle. A quick look over the right shoulder may be necessary to ensure there are no vehicles hiding in the blind spot.

2. Position Position your car exactly on the left center line and not too close to the vehicle you want to overtake. This gives you the best possible view of the road ahead.

3. Speed ​​Match your car’s speed to that of the vehicle you want to overtake. You may need to shift down a gear when overtaking to increase acceleration.

4. Look far ahead to make sure you can safely overtake, that there are no oncoming vehicles, curves, dips, hills, and that you have a gap on the left to back up into.

5. Mirrors When everything looks safe, take a last look in the mirrors to make sure no vehicle is passing you.

6. Signal When overtaking, you must always signal to the right so that other road users can see what you intend to do.

7. Maneuver Gently pull over to the opposite side of the road, accelerate briskly past the vehicle you are overtaking and keep a good safe distance to its side.

8. Speed ​​It is important to accelerate briskly but safely to reduce time in the oncoming lane. However, make sure you don’t exceed the speed limit.

9. Mirror When you have passed the vehicle to be passed, check the inside mirror and then the left outside mirror to locate the vehicle being passed. When the front of the vehicle being passed appears in the main interior mirror, use this as a safe distance to pull back into the left lane.

10. Look If for any reason you are unsure of the location of the vehicle you have overtaken or are trying to overtake, quickly look over your left shoulder into the blind spot to make sure the vehicle is not out of sight Your mirror is covered.

Illegal overtaking

Illegal overtaking is an easy way not only to fail a driving test, but also to earn points towards a driver’s license (provisional or full) and face a fine. Unauthorized overtaking and overtaking rules are as follows:

Overtaking on double white lines

Double white lines can be solid or broken. Barring exceptions, it is generally illegal to overtake or cross a solid white line when the solid line is on your side of the lane. The exception, and when it becomes legal to overtake or cross a solid white line, is to turn onto or off a side street or property, avoiding a stationary vehicle blocking the lane you are traveling in or one Cyclists overtaking a horse or a construction vehicle are moving at no more than 10 mph.

The overtaking rule also applies to a solid white line surrounding a shaded area of ​​road marking or chevron road markings, bus lanes and bike lanes.

No passing lanes

No-overtaking signs are often placed in accident-prone areas where high-flow traffic meets hazardous roads. All circular signs surrounded by a red ring are regulatory signs informing motorists of an order. As with the solid white lines, the overtaking ban applies to other vehicles on the road, not cyclists.

Overtaking on zig zag road markings

The white zigzag road markings are placed on either side of pedestrian crossings and inform motorists that it is illegal to park, wait or overtake another vehicle within the zigzag area of ​​pedestrian crossings.

Cameras are often set up at busy intersections to record the details of drivers leading to a fixed fine. However, it is allowed to overtake cyclists at pedestrian crossings and within the zigzag area. See Pedestrian Crossings for more information.

Overtaking in bike or bus lanes

Bike Lane A has a solid white line preventing vehicles from entering. Bike lane B has a broken line that allows vehicles to enter the lane if necessary. Bus lanes and bike lanes are bordered with either broken or solid white lines. During operating hours, you are not allowed to use a cycle lane bordered by a solid white line or a bus lane.

Surveillance cameras are often in place, particularly at bus lanes in busy areas, to discourage motorists from boarding during restricted hours. For more information see: Bus Lane Signs and Bus Stops and Bus Lane Road Markings

Overtake left

Overtaking on the left, overtaking on the inside, overtaking on the passenger side and undertaking are the same. As a rule, overtaking on the left involves driving on the expressway or motorway. As a traffic offense in itself, overtaking on the left is not illegal in the UK. However, the driver’s circumstances and actions may result in a driving penalty, fine or court conviction such as negligent driving or the more serious offense of dangerous driving.

Overtaking on the left-hand side is legally permissible if the speed on the left-hand lane is higher than on the right-hand lane on a multi-lane road in traffic jams. In these circumstances, overtaking on the left is permitted, although extra caution is required to be aware of other vehicles moving into the faster lane on the left.

Overtaking on the left is also permitted if the vehicle in front wants to turn right. While overtaking on the left is permitted in these circumstances, it is subject to road markings and signs that may indicate otherwise.

Overtaking at an intersection

Solid solid white lines are often placed near intersections to prevent drivers from overtaking at an intersection. On certain roads, particularly country roads, such road markings may not be present. Overtaking at an intersection is dangerous because of the lack of visibility for cars exiting the intersection.

Overtaking at an intersection to the left

The orange car emerges from the intersection on the left onto the main road while the yellow car tries to overtake the red car.

The red car obscures the view of the road. The driver of the yellow car cannot see the orange car coming out of the intersection until it has entered the main road and the lane that the yellow car is using to overtake.

Overtaking near an intersection on the right

The orange car comes out to the left of the intersection in the front right while the yellow car tries to overtake the red car.

Drivers turning left out of intersections often direct their observation primarily to the right, since that is the direction traffic is heading when they need to take evasive action. The driver of the orange car could easily exit the intersection and not notice the yellow car until it’s too late.

Overtaking and the driving test

The practical driving test may or may not include overtaking. Possible overtaking scenarios can be:

Passing Another Vehicle Driving examiners like to test a learner driver’s ability to overtake another vehicle. If this is required during your driving test, it is only expected to do so on a dual carriageway, as this maneuver is far too dangerous on a single lane. However, you will only be expected to overtake another vehicle on a dual carriageway if the vehicle in front is slowing sufficiently to impede your progress and you have sufficient time and distance to safely take the exit declared by the examiner . It also depends on whether expressways in your area are part of the driving test routes. Another situation where you will be expected to overtake another vehicle during the driving test is when you are behind a very slow-moving vehicle which significantly impedes your progress, and then only when it is safe and legal to do so is. Other forms of overtaking during the driving test are likely to be cyclists.

Overtaking cyclists Improperly bypassing cyclists fails in many driving tests. Novice drivers often have the feeling that they have to overtake cyclists as quickly as possible, otherwise the examiner will become impatient. On the contrary, you should be patient and carefully plan overtaking a cyclist as the examiner would expect. There may be vehicles behind you, worrying you about slowing them down and making them impatient. Again, cyclist safety is a priority and the examiner cares no less for the riders behind, provided you follow the correct procedures. You should leave about 1 meter between your car and the cyclist when overtaking to allow for unpredictable cyclist movements. The movements can be a factor of potholes in the road, wind, or simply the cyclist being a little wobbly. If that distance isn’t available, just wait for it to become available. For more information on how to safely handle cyclists during a driving test, see Cyclists and cycle lanes.