Overtaking, Lane Use and Turning Manoeuvres
What the exam tests
Questions here check whether you can overtake legally, choose the correct lane and turn without cutting across other road users. The examiner looks for observation, signalling and position.
Core rules
- Overtake on the left in right-hand traffic. Check mirrors and blind spot, signal, move out smoothly, pass with a safe gap, then return only when you can see the overtaken vehicle in your mirror.
- Do not overtake on a solid line, at a crest, on a bend, at a pedestrian crossing, at a railway crossing, near roadworks or where signs prohibit it.
- Keep right except when overtaking, turning or preparing to turn. Do not use a lane that is closing until the merge point if traffic is queued.
- Before turning, mirror, signal, position, slow and check. Turn into the corresponding lane, not a random one.
- At a roundabout, choose the lane for your exit before entering and do not change lanes across circulating traffic.
Worked example
You follow a slow lorry on a rural road. The broken centre line becomes solid 30 metres before a junction, and your view over the crest is limited. You wait behind. Reasoning: the solid line prohibits crossing, and the crest hides oncoming traffic; a short gain is not worth a blind overtake.
Traps
Overtaking on the right on a multi-lane road; cutting back too soon; missing the blind spot; signalling after moving; turning from the wrong lane; entering a roundabout in the left lane for a right exit.