Question

Difficulty: MediumLarge Goods Vehicles (LGVs)

Arrange the sequential steps a driver must follow to safely plan, execute, and complete an overtaking manoeuvre around a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) on a dual carriageway, in the correct chronological order from first to last.

  1. 1Increase your following distance behind the LGV to expand forward visibility and ensure you remain visible in the lorry driver's side mirrors.
  2. 2Conduct thorough mirror checks, evaluate the speed of traffic approaching in the overtaking lane, and signal right in good time.
  3. 3Move smoothly into the overtaking lane and accelerate past the LGV steadily without lingering in its side blind spots.
  4. 4Check your interior and nearside door mirrors until the entire front of the LGV is visible before signalling and returning to the left lane.

Answer

The correct sequence begins with dropping back to improve forward vision and mirror visibility, followed by mirror checks and signalling right, moving out and completing the pass without lingering in blind spots, and finally verifying adequate clearance in the rear-view mirrors before returning to the left lane.
Safely overtaking a Large Goods Vehicle requires a disciplined application of the Mirrors-Signal-Manoeuvre routine combined with LGV-specific hazard awareness. The driver must first increase separation distance to overcome the forward visual obstruction caused by the lorry's bulk and to ensure the lorry driver can see them in their side mirrors. Once forward observation is established, mirrors and signals prepare for the lane change. Passing must be completed steadily to avoid remaining in extensive blind zones alongside the trailer. Finally, the driver must confirm full visual clearance of the lorry's cab in their mirrors before returning to the original lane to preserve safe stopping distances.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Drop back to create a generous following gap behind the LGV.
Forward sightlines around the wide vehicle improve significantly and you enter the driver's mirror view.
Large goods vehicles create large blind spots directly behind them and block forward observation if followed too closely.
2
Check rear and right door mirrors, assess closing speeds in lane two, and indicate right.
A safe gap in the overtaking lane is confirmed and other drivers are alerted to your manoeuvre.
Highway Code routine (Mirrors, Signal, Manoeuvre) requires confirming the lane is clear before changing road position.
3
Steer smoothly into the overtaking lane and pass the lorry promptly.
The vehicle clears the length of the LGV safely.
Lingering alongside an LGV exposes your vehicle to large lateral blind spots, air buffeting, and potential tyre spray.
4
Observe the LGV in your interior and nearside mirrors, signal left, and move back into the driving lane.
The manoeuvre is completed with safe separation distance maintained ahead of the lorry.
Returning to the left lane too quickly can force the lorry driver to brake abruptly, which takes heavy commercial vehicles far longer to do safely.

Key Concept

Safe Overtaking Procedures and Blind Spot Management around Large Goods Vehicles
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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