Overtaking and changing lanes in NSW

Before you pull out to pass

A safe pass is decided before you move, not halfway through it.

• Make sure you can see enough empty road to finish, and that nothing is about to emerge from a side street.
• Hills and blind curves hide oncoming cars, so never start a pass approaching one.
• Centre lines ahead turning continuous before you could finish? Do not start. Already out when you see them change? Ease back in behind.
• The quicker the vehicle you want to pass, the more time and road the move eats up. Any doubt about the room means waiting for a longer clear stretch.
• Check your mirrors, then do a head check over your shoulder for the blind spot.
• Signal for long enough to give others fair warning, and if the pass will need extra power, change down a gear first.
• If an oncoming car appears sooner than expected, or the pass stops looking safe for any reason, brake early and drop back in behind.

There is no overtaking allowance. On a 100 km/h road you pass at 100 km/h or less, or you do not pass.

Places you must not overtake

Some passes are banned outright, however clear the road looks.

• Over a solid centre line, or double lines whose solid line is nearer you, unless the pass is to give a cyclist room.
• Where a NO OVERTAKING sign applies, including NO OVERTAKING ON BRIDGE.
• Past a vehicle stopped at a pedestrian crossing, because someone may be crossing in front of it.
• Past the right side of a car that is signalling a right turn. If the car you are already passing starts to indicate right, check your mirror and pull back in behind it.
• Beside a long vehicle carrying a do not overtake turning vehicle sign, on the side it is turning towards.
• On the shoulder beyond a continuous white edge line.

Passing on the left, obstructions and trucks

Overtaking on the left is the exception, and the test checks you know when it applies.

• Going by on the left is fine on a road with two or more lanes your way, past a car signalling a right turn or U-turn, or past one that is stopped, provided it is safe.
• Driving along the shoulder past slow traffic is never a way to pass.
• A broken down truck blocking your side lets you cross the centre line to get round it, but only if you must, can clearly see oncoming traffic and it is safe.
• Getting past a long truck uses more time and road, so wait for a longer clear stretch.
• Can you see a truck's side mirrors? If not, its driver cannot see you.

Passing cyclists

NSW sets minimum passing distances for bicycles, and the number depends on the speed limit.

• Speed limit 60 km/h or less: leave at least 1 metre.
• Speed limit above 60 km/h: leave at least 1.5 metres.
• Count the gap from the rider or bike out to the closest point of your car, side mirrors included.
• Crossing a centre line, solid or broken, is allowed to make that gap, provided oncoming traffic is in clear view and the move is safe.

If a cyclist takes the middle of a narrow lane, hold back and wait until you can give the full gap.

Lanes, signals and being overtaken

Good lane habits make overtaking safer for everyone on the road.

• Where no lane lines are marked, stay as close to the left side as is practical.
• Where the limit is over 80 km/h on a multi-lane road, or a KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING sign is posted, the right lane is only for passing, turning right, U-turns and getting around obstructions. On slower roads with no such sign, any lane is fine.
• Every lane change gets a signal, even with nobody around, plus a mirror check and a head check. Cancel the indicator once you are across.
• Pulling out from the kerb takes at least five seconds of signal, and any move to the right, whether turning, changing lanes, passing or pulling out, gets the right indicator.
• A red X over a lane means it is closed to you. If the X is flashing, get out of that lane when it is safe. Where your own lane simply ends, vehicles in the lane that continues go first.
• Return to your lane once there is clear space, such as when the overtaken car appears in your rear view mirror.
• Someone passing you? Hold your line on the left and do not accelerate.