Overtaking

Remember that we only speak of overtaking when the other vehicle is moving.

If a vehicle in front of you is travelling more slowly than the maximum permitted speed, you may overtake it. As a general rule, you do this on the left, although you will see later that there are some exceptions.

If a vehicle is stationary or parked on the carriageway and you drive past it, this is not considered overtaking, but passing.

If you see these information signs and have chosen a lane that matches your destination, this is no longer considered overtaking.

A driver to your right may therefore travel faster than you without this being a problem.

The same applies if you see these information signs and have chosen a lane that matches your destination: this is no longer considered overtaking.

If there is more than one lane in your direction of travel and you are driving in a built-up area, you may choose the lane that best suits your destination. In that case, this is also not considered overtaking.

In a traffic jam or heavy traffic, passing other vehicles is also not considered overtaking.

In a traffic jam or heavy traffic, motorcycles may ride between the lanes. This is also not considered overtaking.

On motorways and expressways with more than two lanes, they may do so only between the two leftmost lanes.

They must also not exceed 50 km/h and may travel no more than 20 km/h faster than the rest of the traffic.

If there is a broken white line, you may overtake.

If there is a broken white line on your side, next to a solid white line, you may also overtake.

But be careful: if the solid white line is on your side, you may not overtake.

If there is only a solid white line, you may not overtake.

Yellow road markings are used during roadworks and are temporary markings. When they are present, the white markings at that location no longer apply.

So if you see a solid yellow line, you may not overtake.

Even if there is a broken white line on your side, next to a solid yellow line, you may not overtake.

The white road marking no longer applies.

Beyond this prohibition sign, you may not overtake animals in harness, a two-wheeled motor vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels on the left. You may therefore overtake a two-wheeled motorcycle, but that motorcycle may not overtake you.

The overtaking ban applies up to and including the next junction, or until you see the second road sign.

This similar prohibition sign has the same meaning, but it only applies to a lorry or vehicle combination with a MAW of more than 3500 kg.

You may therefore still overtake a lorry with your car.

At an unprotected level crossing, you may not overtake animals in harness, a two-wheeled motor vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels.

You may overtake if the level crossing is protected by traffic lights or barriers.

At junctions where priority to the right applies, you may not overtake animals in harness, a two-wheeled motor vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels.

These are junctions where there are no signs regulating priority, or where the sign shown here is present.

At junctions where you must give way, you may not overtake animals in harness, a two-wheeled motor vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels.

Near the top of a hill, you may not overtake animals in harness, a two-wheeled motor vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels.

You may overtake if you can do so without driving on the part of the carriageway used by oncoming traffic, for example when there are two lanes in your direction of travel.

A steep hill may be indicated by this warning sign, but the overtaking ban still applies even if the sign is not present.

On bends with limited visibility, you may not overtake animals in harness, a two-wheeled motor vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels.

You may overtake if you can do so without driving on the part of the carriageway used by oncoming traffic, for example when there are two lanes in your direction of travel.

You may not overtake animals in harness, a two-wheeled motor vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels if it is already overtaking another vehicle.

You may overtake if that vehicle is overtaking a bicycle, a two-wheeled moped or a two-wheeled motorcycle. You may also overtake if there are at least three lanes in your direction of travel, for example on a motorway.

You may not overtake animals in harness, a two-wheeled motor vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels when it is approaching a pedestrian or cyclist crossing and stops there.

This prohibition also applies even if you cannot see any pedestrians or cyclists yourself.

On elevated sections, you may not overtake animals in harness, a two-wheeled motor vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels.

If there are no road signs or traffic rules prohibiting overtaking, make sure that no one else is overtaking you.

Make sure that the road ahead is clear for a sufficient distance and that any oncoming traffic is still far enough away.

Make sure that you can move back to the right without obstructing other road users. For example, is there a long line of cars ahead of you?

Once you have checked that it is safe to overtake, you may begin.

Turn on your left indicator and move into the left-hand lane. Once you are in that lane, turn your indicator off again.

Once you have passed the other vehicle, turn on your right indicator and move back into the right-hand lane. Once you are in that lane, turn your indicator off again.

When overtaking a cyclist, rider of a two-wheeled moped or pedestrian in a built-up area, you must keep a lateral distance of at least 1 metre.

This also applies to pedestrians walking on the carriageway. If you cannot keep that distance, you may only drive at walking pace.

Even when the cyclist is riding on a (narrow) cycle path, you must keep a lateral distance of at least 1 metre in a built-up area.

When overtaking a cyclist, rider of a two-wheeled moped or pedestrian outside a built-up area, you must keep a lateral distance of at least 1,5 metres.

This also applies to pedestrians walking on the carriageway. If you cannot keep that distance, you may only drive at walking pace.

Even when the cyclist is riding on a (narrow) cycle path, you must keep a lateral distance of at least 1,5 metres outside a built-up area.

After overtaking, you should return to the right-hand lane as soon as possible. If you cannot do so because the vehicles ahead are driving close together, you may overtake several of them at once.

If there are several lanes in your direction of travel, you do not have to return to the right-hand lane immediately.

For example, if you overtake the vehicle in front and there is another car a short distance ahead, you may remain in the left-hand lane for a little longer.

On one-way carriageways, you do not have to return to the right immediately.

For example, if you overtake the vehicle in front and there is another car a short distance ahead, you may remain in the left-hand lane for a little longer.

You may overtake a rail vehicle, such as a tram, on the right.

If you cannot pass on the right because the space is too narrow or blocked, you may overtake the tram on the left.

If the vehicle in front has indicated left and has already moved over to the left, you may overtake it on the right if it is safe to do so.

Make sure that you do not commit any offences while doing so, such as driving on the cycle path or pavement.

You may, however, drive over a verge that is level with the carriageway, but always keep a sufficient lateral distance.

If you are allowed to drive in a pedestrian zone, you must do so at walking pace. You must leave enough space for pedestrians and stop if necessary. You must not obstruct or endanger them.

If cyclists are allowed, they must also get off and walk if the area is too crowded.