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Difficulty: MediumOvertaking Rules

You are driving along a single-carriageway road and approach a cyclist travelling ahead of you. Arrange the following steps in the correct chronological order to complete the overtaking manoeuvre safely in accordance with The Highway Code.

  1. 1Drop back to maintain a safe following distance and check your rear-view and side mirrors.
  2. 2Scan the road ahead to confirm adequate visibility and ensure there are no oncoming vehicles, bends, or junctions.
  3. 3Signal right in good time to communicate your intention to other road users.
  4. 4Move out smoothly into the opposite lane, leaving at least 1.5 metres of clearance when passing the cyclist.
  5. 5Check your interior mirror to confirm the cyclist is safely behind before indicating left and returning to your lane.

Answer

The correct sequence begins with dropping back and checking mirrors, followed by scanning ahead for oncoming traffic and hazards, then signalling right in good time, moving out smoothly with at least 1.5 metres of clearance, and finally checking the interior mirror before returning to the left lane.
Safe overtaking follows the systematic Mirrors-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) routine. A driver must first drop back to maximise forward vision and check mirrors, confirm the road ahead is entirely clear of hazards and oncoming vehicles, signal right in good time, pass with at least 1.5 metres of clearance, and verify via the interior mirror that the cyclist is safely behind before returning to the left lane.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Drop back from the cyclist and check the interior and exterior mirrors.
You establish a safe following gap and expand your forward visibility while checking traffic behind.
Following too closely limits your view of the road ahead and reduces reaction time.
2
Evaluate oncoming traffic, road markings, bends, dips, and side junctions ahead.
You ensure a sufficiently long, clear section of road exists to complete the pass safely.
Overtaking must never be initiated if oncoming traffic or road layout hazards could force an abrupt return.
3
Apply the right-turn indicator in good time.
Surrounding road users are informed of your planned lateral movement.
Signalling must occur before changing road position but only after confirming the road is clear.
4
Accelerate cleanly past the cyclist, allowing at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) of lateral space.
The cyclist is passed safely without being endangered by air turbulence or proximity.
Rule 163 of The Highway Code requires at least 1.5 metres of clearance when passing cyclists at speeds up to 30 mph.
5
Check the interior mirror to see the cyclist, signal left if necessary, and steer back smoothly.
You return to the normal driving lane without cutting across the cyclist's path.
Checking the central mirror ensures adequate distance before moving back in front of the overtaken road user.

Key Concept

Application of the Mirrors-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) routine and safe passing distances when overtaking vulnerable road users.
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Overtaking Rules

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