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Difficulty: EasyOvertaking Rules

You are driving in the left-hand lane of a motorway and approaching a slower vehicle ahead. What is the correct sequence of actions to overtake safely?

  1. 1Check your interior and right door mirrors to ensure the lane to your right is clear.
  2. 2Signal right in good time to communicate your intention to change lanes.
  3. 3Move smoothly into the overtaking lane and accelerate past the slower vehicle.
  4. 4Check your interior and left mirrors before signalling and returning safely to the left lane.

Answer

The correct sequence follows the standard Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre routine: check interior and right mirrors, signal right in good time, move into the overtaking lane to pass, and check mirrors before signalling to return to the left lane.
Safe overtaking on a motorway strictly follows the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) routine. First, the driver must check the interior and right-side door mirrors to verify that the overtaking lane is clear of approaching traffic. Second, a right signal must be given in good time to communicate intention. Third, the driver moves out smoothly and completes the pass. Finally, after confirming sufficient clearance in the rear-view and left door mirrors, the driver signals and returns to the left-hand lane in accordance with Highway Code Rule 267.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Perform pre-manoeuvre observation using your interior and right-side door mirrors.
You confirm that the middle lane is clear of approaching or faster-moving traffic.
Highway Code rules require drivers to observe rear and side traffic before altering course.
2
Apply your right indicator in good time.
Vehicles behind and in adjacent lanes are warned of your intended lane change.
Signalling allows other road users sufficient time to anticipate your movement.
3
Steer smoothly into the overtaking lane and accelerate past the slower vehicle.
You complete the pass on the right without causing hazard to other road users.
Motorway rules dictate overtaking on the right and maintaining a steady speed while passing.
4
Check your interior and left door mirrors, signal left, and move back into the left lane.
You return safely to the driving lane once the overtaken vehicle appears in your interior mirror.
Rule 267 of the Highway Code states you should return to the left lane as soon as it is safe to do so.

Key Concept

Applying the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) routine to overtake on motorways and returning to the left lane
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Overtaking Rules

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