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Difficulty: HardOvertaking Rules

While driving on a free-flowing three-lane motorway, you need to overtake a slower vehicle travelling ahead in your lane and subsequently return to your original lane. In what sequence should you carry out these driving actions?

  1. 1Assess rear and right-side traffic using your interior and right door mirrors, followed by a quick sideways glance to check your blind spot.
  2. 2Signal right in good time and steer smoothly into the overtaking lane once a safe gap is established.
  3. 3Progress steadily past the slower vehicle while maintaining a consistent speed and central lane position.
  4. 4Check your interior mirror until the full front of the overtaken vehicle is clearly visible in the glass.
  5. 5Signal left, smoothly transition back into the left-hand lane without cutting in, and cancel the indicator.

Answer

The correct sequence begins with checking mirrors and blind spots, followed by signalling right and moving into the overtaking lane, passing the vehicle steadily, verifying adequate forward clearance in the interior mirror, and finally signalling left to return to the left-hand lane and cancelling the indicator.
Safe overtaking on a motorway requires a strict adherence to the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre routine. Drivers must first verify that lane 2 and their blind spots are clear before signalling and moving out. After overtaking, the driver must confirm adequate separation distance using the interior mirror before signalling left, returning to the left-hand lane, and cancelling the indicator.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Check interior mirror, right door mirror, and the right-side blind spot before signalling.
Establishes comprehensive situational awareness and ensures lane 2 is clear of faster-approaching traffic.
Highway Code Rule 267 mandates thorough observation before initiating an overtaking manoeuvre to avoid causing other drivers to brake or swerve.
2
Indicate right and smoothly steer out into lane 2.
Alerts other road users to your intention and transitions your vehicle into the overtaking lane.
Signalling must happen only after confirming the gap is safe, allowing a controlled change of direction.
3
Drive past the overtaken vehicle at a safe, legal speed without lingering in their blind spot.
Completes the physical passage alongside the vehicle.
Maintaining appropriate lane discipline and prompt progression prevents unnecessary lane hogging and reduces exposure to side hazards.
4
Observe the interior rear-view mirror until the overtaken vehicle's headlights/front bumper appear.
Confirms sufficient stopping distance between both vehicles.
Using the interior mirror gives an accurate perspective of depth and distance, ensuring you will not cut across the other driver's front.
5
Signal left, steer smoothly back into lane 1, and ensure the indicator is cancelled.
Restores primary lane discipline in the left-hand lane.
Highway Code Rule 264 requires returning to the left-hand lane once overtaking is complete, while cancelling the signal avoids confusing following drivers.

Key Concept

Motorway Overtaking Procedure and Lane Discipline
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Overtaking Rules

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