What should you watch out for when a rider is approaching at an intersection foot and head signal

Overtaking is when you approach from behind and pass a vehicle travelling in the same direction.

Most drivers and riders consider overtaking to be crossing to the 'wrong' side of the road to pass a vehicle in front. But, even if you do not cross to the 'wrong' side of the road, you are overtaking if you move into another lane or line of traffic either side of you to pass another vehicle.

Even if you do not cross over to the 'wrong' side, there are some important safety rules you must follow. The rules for overtaking on a multi-lane or unlaned road are similar to those for a single-lane road.

Remember, bicycle riders and motorcyclists are harder to see in traffic and do not have the same protection as drivers. When overtaking bicycle riders allow at least 1 metre clearance, or 1.5 metres when travelling over 60 km/h.

Before overtaking another vehicle, you must:

• be sure it is safe to do so
• on a single-lane road, be sure that the road ahead is clear for a sufficient distance
• be sure you have sufficient distance to return to the same lane or line of traffic without endangering the vehicle being overtaken or any vehicle coming from the opposite direction
• be sure no other vehicle is overtaking your vehicle by checking the road behind in your mirrors and blind spot
• signal your intention to overtake for long enough to give sufficient warning to all other road users.

When you overtake, you must:

• leave a safe gap between your vehicle and the vehicle you are overtaking
• allow a minimum of 1 metre clearance when overtaking bicycle riders; 1.5 metres if travelling faster than 60 km/h
• not return to the lane or line of traffic until you are far enough past the other vehicle to avoid a collision
• not obstruct the other vehicle.

You must not overtake:

• on the right of a vehicle that is turning right, or making a U-turn from the centre of the road, and is signalling to turn right
• on the left, except:
  • if the vehicle is turning right or making a U-turn from the centre of the road, and is giving a right-turn signal
  • on a multi-lane road, when you are in another lane to the left of the vehicle you are overtaking and the vehicle can be safely overtaken in a marked lane to the left of the vehicle
• on the approach to a children's or pedestrian crossing where another vehicle is stopping or has stopped to give way to pedestrians or bicycle riders (Example 7)
  
  
• to the side of a vehicle displaying a Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle sign if it is signalling and in the process of turning to that side
• if there is a sign saying No Overtaking
• approaching a crest, bend or dip in the road where there is not a clear view for a sufficient distance ahead to allow you to overtake with safety
• on any road where, owing to an intersection, overtaking cannot be completed safely.
• where there is a single continuous dividing line or a single continuous dividing line to the left of a broken dividing line, unless you can do so without any part of your vehicle crossing the line *
• where there is a double continuous dividing line *

* Motor vehicles are allowed to cross centre dividing lines and straddle lanes in order to safely pass bicycle riders at the minimum distance but only if the driver has a clear view of any approaching traffic and it is safe to do so.  See examples 4A, 5A and 6A on the Driving on the road page.

Bicycle riders can overtake another vehicle on the left, but not if it is indicating and turning left.

Being overtaken

When driving a vehicle being overtaken by another vehicle, you must:

• keep to the left, if safe, to allow a reasonable space for the overtaking vehicle to pass or
• keep within your lane and
• not increase your speed until the other vehicle has completely overtaken your vehicle and returned to the lane or line of traffic.

Following distance outside of built up areas for long vehicles

Except when overtaking, road trains must maintain at least 200 metres behind another long vehicle and if your vehicle is a long vehicle (7.5 metres or more including any trailer or caravan and any overhanging load), you must keep at least 60 metres distance between your vehicle and any other long vehicle. This does not apply to roads in a built-up area or multi-lane roads.

Overtaking trucks

Unsafe overtaking is something truck drivers see all too often. People can become impatient behind trucks on hills or when there are few passing opportunities.

Some people take a very large risk for only a few seconds' gain.

So allow plenty of room, pass quickly but safely and pull back in, only when you can see both headlights of the truck in your rear view mirror. This allows a safe space, but don't then slow down in front of the truck.

Before attempting to overtake ask yourself the following:

• What will I achieve?
• What are the risks?
• Is it safe and is it legal?
• How far is it to the next overtaking lane?
• What type of truck am I overtaking?
• How long will it take to overtake it?
• Can I see oncoming traffic?
• Is there a bend or dip ahead of the truck that might be obscuring oncoming traffic?

Do not overtake a truck unless:

• You can see oncoming traffic
• You can see there are no bends or dips ahead that may be obscuring oncoming traffic
• You have enough clear distance ahead, without oncoming traffic, dips or bends, to pass safely.

It is also important to avoid being pressured into overtaking by other following vehicles. Keep your cool and if necessary let them pass.

Did you know?

A driver of a car, travelling in a 110 km/h sign-posted speed limit zone, will take approximately 1 kilometre to safely overtake a 23 metre B-double truck that is travelling at 100km/h on a road with an overtaking lane.

On a two-way road with a 110km/h speed limit, you will need almost two kilometres of clear road ahead to safely overtake a 23 metre B-double vehicle that is travelling at 100 km/h as you will have to allow for an oncoming car also travelling at 110 km/h.

You should never overtake a heavy vehicle that is approaching a crossroad. Another vehicle, which is hidden by the truck, could enter the road from the left in front of the truck.

All questions in this section (Intersections) are listed below. If you click on a question it will show you the possible answers that you might be asked in the DKT theory test, plus the correct answer and an explanation if necessary.

• As you approach an intersection, you should check for traffic on your left and right:
• There are no traffic signs or signals at an intersection. If you intend to drive through the intersection, you must give way to:
• When making a right-hand turn at the intersection shown, you must give way to:
• If turning right at a T-intersection (as shown) must you give way to vehicles approaching from both the left and right?
• If a STOP or GIVE WAY sign has been knocked down, for example, as the result of an accident, does the line marked across the road have any meaning?
• If turning at an intersection are you required to give way to pedestrians?
• When you come to an intersection and the road beyond is choked with vehicles going in the same direction, what should you do?
• Right-turns must be made from which lanes when travelling on a laned roadway?
• In this diagram both vehicles O and P must pass through GIVE WAY signs before entering the intersection. Which vehicle goes first?
• Vehicle O is at a STOP sign
• If both vehicles P and O in the diagram are turning right, which vehicle is in the best position to turn left into the street marked 'X'?
• The diagram shows a marked pedestrian crossing at an intersection. There is also a STOP sign at the intersection. You have already stopped for a pedestrian. Must you stop again at the STOP line?
• A GIVE WAY sign at an intersection means that you must:
• Which vehicle in the diagram must give way?
• You want to make a left turn. You must use your left-hand indicator
• At the T-intersection shown in the diagram which vehicle should give way?
• You wish to make a right-hand turn from a ONE WAY STREET with no arrows marked on the roadway. You should position your vehicle:
• When there are no arrows marked on the road, left turns must be made from:
• What should you do on approaching a railway level crossing displaying a STOP sign?
• You are driving the car in the diagram. You must stop:
• If the boom gates are down and the signals are flashing, at a railway level crossing, you may begin to cross:
• When approaching a railway level crossing displaying this sign, you must:
• Even if the signal at a railway level crossing does not indicate that a train is coming, you should:
• You are in the car approaching the intersection shown, you should:
• You come to an intersection in Sydney with a Light Rail vehicle about to enter. What should you do?
• You approach an intersection in busy traffic and want to go straight ahead. The traffic lights turn green. When are you permitted to enter the intersection?
• You are at a busy intersection with slow moving traffic and want to go straight ahead. When the traffic lights change to green you should make sure that:
• The traffic on the other side of this intersection has stopped. You are in the car shown and want to cross the intersection. The lights are green. What should you do?
• Which statement is correct?
• As you drive into an intersection, the lights turn to yellow. You should:
• When these lights are flashing it means
• You wish to turn left here. The pedestrian lights are flashing red. You should:
• You drive up to an intersection with a stop sign. There is no painted stop line. Where should you stop?
• You drive up to an intersection with a stop sign in the car marked A and you wish to turn right. The car marked B facing you also has a stop sign and is indicating to turn left. Who can go first?
• This intersection does not have any traffic lights or signs. You are in car A and want to turn right. When can you go?
• You come to an intersection that does not have traffic lights or signs. How do you decide when to drive straight ahead?
• At this intersection there are no signs or traffic lights. You are in the car marked A. You want to turn left. What should you do?
• You are in car A and want to turn right at this intersection. Car B facing you is also indicating to turn right. What path should you take?
• When police officers are at intersections giving directions you must:
• You are in car A and are going straight ahead through the intersection. Who should give way?
• You wish to turn left at this roundabout. Which lane may you use?
• You are in the right hand lane and are planning to go straight ahead through this roundabout. When should you signal left to exit the roundabout?
• When you wish to turn left at a roundabout you indicate:
• You wish to go straight ahead at this roundabout. Which statement is true?
• You want to turn left at this roundabout. Which lane must you use?
• When you wish to drive straight ahead at a roundabout you may enter from either the left or right lane. As you continue around you should:
• When turning left at a roundabout you should enter and leave the roundabout:
• You wish to go straight ahead on this roundabout with two lanes. Which lane may you use?
• The motorcyclist wants to travel straight ahead through this roundabout. The rider should watch out for the marked car because the car:
• To turn back into the same road from which you joined this roundabout you must:
• In this roundabout with two lanes, can the marked car turn right?
• The red car wants to turn right and exit the roundabout in the street indicated by an arrow. Is the car positioned in the correct lane to do this?
• If you enter an intersection that is under the control of a traffic controller:
• You are at an intersection and see a pedestrian crossing the road into which you are turning. You must: