Overtaking and passing by

Rules regarding overtaking

• If a road has at least two marked lanes going in the same direction and the speed limit is 70 km/h or less, any vehicle is allowed to overtake another vehicle on the right if this can be done safely and with regard for each other.
• If two or more lanes are going in the same direction then overtaking on the right is allowed if; 1) the lanes are in conjuction with a junction 2) there are long queues in all lanes 3) the lanes are clearly marked for different destinations.
• You're not allowed to overtake another vehicle where the visibility is poor.
• Overtaking of vehicles must be done on the left side where the speed limit is above 70 km/h. It´s only allowed to overtake from the right side when the driver of the car in front is preparing to turn. Other exceptions that allow overtaking on the right are if; 1) the motorway has two or more lanes in the same direction and there is heavy traffic 2) the road is divided into multiple lanes for different destinations 3) the vehicles are on separate lanes in conjunction with a junction.
• Note that this sign (image 1) does not mean that overtaking is not allowed, it only indicates that you don´t have to give way to vehicles on the coming junction and doesn´t prohibit you from overtaking. If the general rules regarding overtaking are compliant in your current situation, and you can overtake a vehicle safely, then you´re allowed to overtake it.

Image 1: Junction where road users on connecting roads are obligated to give way (A29)

• At steep slopes, curves and hilltops, where visibility is limited, you may only overtake if the road has at least two lanes in your direction where there isn't any oncoming traffic. Two-wheeled vehicles you´re however always allowed to overtake, if it can be done safely.
• If this sign (C27) (image 2) is posted, it indicates that you can only overtake two-wheeled mopeds or motorcycles (without sidecars). At the end of the prohibitory area, the sign indicating the same image is posted as again, but with lines crossing it (C28).

Image 2: Overtaking not allowed (C27)

• When a road sign is posted which does not specifically indicate that overtaking is prohibited, it does not automatically mean that overtaking actually is allowed. There are always basic overtaking rules such as: overtaking may not be done when it might be dangerous, or overtaking a car or truck on a level crossing is generally also not allowed. Often whether or not you're allowed to overtake depends on the specific situation.
• Overtaking another vehicle from the right is usually prohibited but there are exceptions to this rule. One exception states that if the driver in front of you is preparing to make a left turn, you're allowed to overtake from the right side if it can be done safely. Otherwise long traffic queues would often unnecessary be formed.
• When driving on a broad road or rather big roundabout and you encounter a cyclist on the right side of the road, it´s generally okay to overtake the cyclist. Because cyclists are often much slower than cars and driving at their pace is often not the best solution for you as a car driver since not overtaking the cyclist will probably cause unecessary hindrance to traffic behind you. So if overtaking the cyclist can be done safely, the traffic can then continue without any disruption.
• You should always be aware that both cyclists and mopeds are allowed to overtake any vehicle (that is not a bicycle nor moped) on the right.
• You´re not allowed to overtake any type of vehicle near an unguarded pedestrian crossing, unguarded bicycle path, or bicycle crossing. This is to avoid speeding vehicles near those areas and minimise the chances of accidents. Only in certain situation, for instance heavy traffic queues, it´s allowed to overtake.

Overtaking and passing by

• Tagging along with another vehicle that is overtaking several vehicles at once is a risky move, like for instance in this example (image 3) where car A wants to tag along with car B which is overtaking cars C and D. This can be extremely hazardous.

Image 3: Car A should not tag along with the overtake

• If you notice a vehicle performing a dangerous overtaking, it can be even more dangerous if you would cause any kind of hindrance to that vehicle. It´s therefore important to never cause any hindrance or unnecessarily increasing your speed while someone is trying to overtake you, and it´s even prohibited. The best is to keep driving normally but with caution.
• When you do a flying overtake it means that you approach the vehicle in front of you at a high speed, then you quickly change to the left lane at a proper distance behind that vehicle in order to then drive past it. Due to accelerating to a higher speed it means that you need a shorter distance to overtake the vehicle. Besides, as it does not involve braking nor explosive acceleration, because you gradually accelerate to a higher speed, it´s also considered an eco-friendly way of overtaking and is therefore preferred.
• Overtaking another vehicle involves some estimating. The most difficult thing to estimate is the speed of oncoming vehicles and the time required to overtake safely before those vehicles approach you. The quality of this estimation depends on the judgement and expertise of the driver.

In addition; overtaking another vehicle also involves estimation about the vehicle you're about to overtake. When you mistake a motorcycle for a moped, it´s dangerous because there´s a huge difference between the speed range of the two. A motorcycle is much faster than a moped. So when you think you're overtaking a moped that can only drive up to 45 km/h you suddenly realize it´s a motorcycle, which can easily be driving faster than the 90 km/h speed limit.

• The best way to aid another driver in overtaking is to create a bit more distance between your vehicle and his or her vehicle, but you do not have to overdo this and move out onto the hard shoulder, it´s enough to drive on the right side of your lane.
• When a vehicle behind you isn´t maintaining a safe distance while driving, you should increase the distance to the vehicle in front of you. In doing so, you increase the margin of safety by reducing the chance of a multiple collision, in case the vehicle behind you would drive into you.

Overtaking on and near level crossings

• You're not allowed to overtake another vehicle on or just before a level crossing. The exception to this rule is when the crossing is gated or regulated by a signal (as those used in normal junctions).

Sometimes you should be able to access the situation yourself and judge whether or not overtaking is appropriate.

• Make sure you know these following differences (image 4) regarding overtaking regulations between different types of level crossings;

Image 4: Overtake rules at different types of level crossings

• If the road at a railway crossing is broad enough to facilitate safe overtaking and has good visibility, you may overtake a two-wheeled vehicle that doesn´t have a sidecar, (such as a regular cyclist).