A Guide to Overtaking
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 1 month ago
5 min read
- Car ownership
FixMyCar explains how to overtake in a safe, legal and controlled way.
For some drivers, overtaking is like second nature, while others understandably find it more challenging. It requires a combination of good timing and careful judgement, not to mention a strong understanding of the rules of the road.
Even if overtaking seems daunting, it’s an important manoeuvre you’ll probably need to rely on at some point. In this guide, we cover all the rules and techniques you need to be aware of to overtake traffic safely and legally.
Contents
Can you overtake on a single-lane road?
Where should you avoid overtaking?
Can you overtake on double white lines?
The rules of overtaking safely
Can I overtake more than one car?
How should I overtake horse riders?
What is overtaking?
Overtaking is when one car passes a slower road user while travelling in the same direction. The other road user is usually another vehicle, but it doesn’t have to be. It could be a bus, lorry, tractor, horse rider or cyclist.
The vehicle doing the overtaking pulls into another lane or space to pass the slower vehicle before returning to the original lane.
Can you overtake on a single-lane road?
You can overtake on a single-lane road if the manoeuvre is done in a safe and controlled way and there aren’t any signs or road markings indicating that overtaking isn’t allowed.
Extra caution is needed on single carriageways because you have to navigate oncoming traffic. Make sure the road ahead is clear and straight - you should never overtake when approaching a bend, pedestrian crossing, junction, or anywhere where visibility is limited.
Where should you avoid overtaking?
It is unsafe and illegal to overtake on any road with a no-overtaking sign. Typically, these signs are found on single-lane roads approaching junctions or bends.
Even on roads where overtaking is allowed, you should only do so when you’re sure it’s safe. If you have any doubts, don’t take the risk.
Can you speed to overtake?
No, you can’t go above the speed limit to overtake. Rule 125 of the Highway Code states that the speed limit is the maximum you should drive on any road. The rule applies at all times, including when you’re overtaking.
There are also rules to ensure overtaking is done in a way that doesn’t endanger any road users. Most importantly, you should only overtake when ‘it’s safe and legal to do so’.
Failure to follow this fundamental rule by speeding when you overtake could earn you a fine of £2,500 and six penalty points on your driving licence, depending on the road you’re caught on and your speed.
Can you overtake on double white lines?
The rules around double white lines and overtaking are:
Two solid white lines
You can't overtake if it involves crossing or straddling these lines.
Two white lines where the nearest line to you is broken
Rule 128 of the Highway Code says that you are allowed to cross these lines to overtake if it is safe.
Two white lines where the nearest line is solid
Rule 129 of the Highway Code says you mustn't overtake another moving vehicle. However, you can cross the line to enter an adjoining premises or side road or pass a cyclist, horse or road maintenance vehicle travelling under 10mph if it's safe.
The rules of overtaking safely
Follow these steps to ensure you overtake safely.
1. Consider if it’s necessary
We’ve all been stuck behind a frustratingly slow driver at some point or another. If the road signs allow it and you will be on the same road for a long time, overtaking is probably the right thing to do. But if you’re turning off soon and won’t save much time by getting ahead of the slower vehicle, ask yourself whether it’s worth the risk.
2. Determine whether it’s safe
Look for ‘no overtaking’ signs on the road and check whether you’re approaching any hazards, such as a pedestrian crossing or junction. You should avoid overtaking if you see a bend or dip in the road or if your view of both lanes is obscured.
3. Check both lanes
Your line of vision must be clear, and you’ll need at least 100 metres of space after overtaking so that you can pass the other vehicle and return to the left lane without slowing the driver behind you down.
4. Think about your car’s performance
Does your car have enough power to overtake safely and efficiently? Having more passengers than usual or heavy luggage in the vehicle will slow you down.
5. Don’t follow another car that’s overtaking ahead of you
The car overtaking ahead might have judged that they have enough room to overtake, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you will. Wait until they have returned to the left lane and make the judgement for yourself about whether you can overtake safely.
6. Check your mirrors
Don’t just check the road ahead - use your mirrors to look behind your car, and don’t forget to check your blind spot. A motorcycle might be about to overtake you, making it dangerous for you to pull out.
7. Drop back slightly and signal
Dropping back gives you more space to accelerate and a better view of traffic coming down the other lane. Switch your indicator on to let the vehicles in front and behind know what you intend to do.
8. Stay vigilant for unexpected hazards
Continue checking the road and your mirrors. If you spot a hazard, drop back quickly and safely.
9. Be decisive and accelerate assertively
Once you’ve decided to overtake and know it’s safe, you should do so quickly and in a controlled, confident manner.
10. Avoid cutting up the driver you’ve overtaken
A handy trick for overtaking is to ensure you can see the entire car you have just passed in your central rear-view mirror before returning to your lane. This rule ensures you don’t cut up the driver you’ve overtaken or slow them down.
Can I overtake more than one car?
You can overtake multiple cars if it is safe and certain conditions are met.
The opposite side of the road is clear enough to overtake
There’s a big enough gap in front of the vehicles you want to overtake
You have a clear view ahead
A road user behind you isn’t attempting to overtake you
When should I not overtake?
There are some conditions where you shouldn’t try to overtake on single-lane roads, such as:
When you don’t have clear visibility - such as on a hill, bend or bump in the road
In bad weather conditions - when rain or fog obscures the road
When road markings forbid it - there could be a hidden hazard
If the car in front is indicating right - even if they don’t seem to be turning
How should I overtake horse riders?
When overtaking horse riders, you should do so at a much slower speed and leave plenty of room - more than you would for a car. Turn your radio down and avoid revving your engine, using your horn or speeding up quickly behind them, as these things are all likely to spook horses.
Horses are large and unpredictable animals - you don’t want one going through your windscreen, nor do you want to be responsible for the death of a rider just because you were frustrated that you had to slow down for a few minutes.
Horse riders have as much right to be on the road as anyone else.
Remember: pass wide and slow, allowing at least two metres of space and not exceeding 10 mph.
How should I overtake a cyclist?
When overtaking a cyclist, you should:
Leave at least as much room as you would for a car
Only attempt to overtake if it’s safe
Clearly signal your intentions
Frequently asked questions
There are three situations in which you may overtake on the left: - When the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right - When you are on a one-way street - In slow-moving traffic, when the right-hand lane is moving more slowly, you are allowed to keep up with your flow of traffic, but you are not allowed to weave in and out of lanes
You can overtake traffic on either side of a one-way street. Check your mirrors and any road signs before manoeuvring.
You shouldn’t overtake near a junction because a car emerging from that junction might not see you behind the vehicle you’re overtaking, which could result in a collision.
Only overtake if you're sure the road ahead is clear and no hazards or bends are coming up. Wait until you rejoin the left-hand lane before switching your headlights to the main beam to avoid dazzling the other driver.
Overtaking is allowed in a 30 mph zone as long as no signs or road markings forbid it. If there are two solid lines in the middle of the road or two lines where the nearest one to you is solid, you’re not allowed to overtake.
Undertaking isn’t strictly illegal, but it’s strongly discouraged in the Highway Code: “do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake”. It may still lead to punishment if it causes an accident. There are some exceptions, as discussed in one of the FAQs above.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.