Passing

Overtaking essentials

When passing other vehicles, use the ‘4P Principle’:

Position, so that you have the best view past the vehicle you are about to overtake and can clearly see the road ahead. You should be in the right gear to accelerate, ready to go. Check mirrors. If all looks clear, indicate right.

Pull out, after a quick lifesaver glance to your right. Do not accelerate until you have pulled out and confirmed that the road ahead is clear. If it’s not, you can slip back into position. If you are already accelerating you may be too close to the vehicle in front, and travelling too fast, to do so.

Pass. You are in the correct gear. You’ve checked the road is clear. Don’t hang about. Get the overtake done as quickly as you can, using maximum acceleration (without breaking the speed limit, of course).

Pull in. Make sure you are well clear of the vehicle you have passed, indicate left and move in. Job done. Set your speed and select the correct gear.

Eight golden rules

1. Before passing, pause to judge the speed of any oncoming vehicle. You need enough clear road to pass and pull back in safely before coming within 100 metres of it.
2. Don't follow too closely, even if you're about to pass. Keeping back allows better forward vision.
3. Keep well clear of any vehicle you're passing - over to the left side of the overtaking lane. If the vehicle pulls out, you’ll have more time to react and you’re less likely to be hit.
4. Passing a line of closely following vehicles is best avoided. One may not have seen you and decide to pull out. And don’t force other vehicles to make room for you to pull back in.
5. Don't follow cars or other large vehicles while they pass. Allow them to pass and pull back in before you start your manoeuvre.
6. Never pass alongside a right hand turn or ‘Y’ junction. The vehicle you’re passing may turn into it without warning.
7. Never pass where there's an intersection, side road or rest area ahead, as oncoming traffic may pull out.
8. Be cautious passing other riders. They may not have spotted you, may not expect to be passed or take it as a challenge to race.

Passing large vehicles

Give large vehicles a wide berth to limit the possibility of being sucked into their right rear corner.

Never pass around a left-hand curve, because you can't see far enough ahead. Wait for a straight section or a right-hand curve.

Passing in the rain

Pass only when the road is straight, and preferably in a passing lane. Use your ‘Pull out’ to check the road surface you are about to pass on for slippery patches or standing water, as well as oncoming vehicles.