Highway Code: junctions, roundabouts and overtaking

Junctions, roundabouts and overtaking are the manoeuvres that council knowledge tests ask about again and again. Rules 162 to 203 of The Highway Code explain how to carry them out safely and legally. This note also covers pedestrian crossings from the driver's point of view, reversing, and what to do when an emergency vehicle comes up behind you (Rule 219).

Overtaking (Rules 162 to 169)

Before you overtake (Rules 162 to 164)

Check three things first (Rule 162): the road ahead is clear enough, nobody has begun to overtake you, and there is a suitable gap in front of the vehicle you plan to pass.

When you pass, leave at least as much room as you would when passing a car (Rule 163):

Road user you pass	Space and speed required (Rule 163)
Cyclist, at speeds up to 30 mph	At least 1.5 metres; more space at higher speeds
Horse rider or horse-drawn vehicle	Pass at under 10 mph and allow at least 2 metres
Pedestrian walking in the road	At least 2 metres of space, at a low speed

If you cannot meet these clearances, wait behind rather than pass (Rule 163). Give more space in bad weather, high winds and at night.

For large vehicles (Rule 164): drop back so you can see ahead and the driver can see you. Make sure you can finish the whole manoeuvre before you start, because passing takes longer. Never follow another vehicle that is overtaking a long vehicle.

When you MUST NOT overtake (Rule 165)

You MUST NOT overtake:

• if you would cross or straddle double white lines with a solid line nearest you
• if you would enter an area designed to divide traffic that is surrounded by a solid white line
• the nearest vehicle to a pedestrian crossing, especially one that has stopped to let people cross
• if you would enter a bus, tram or cycle lane during its hours of operation
• after a 'No Overtaking' sign, until you pass a sign cancelling the restriction.

Where you should not overtake (Rules 166 to 167)

Do not overtake if you have any doubt, or cannot see far enough ahead, for example at a corner or bend, a hump bridge, or the brow of a hill (Rule 166). Rule 167 adds places where you would conflict with others:

• at or approaching a road junction on either side
• where the road narrows
• approaching a school crossing patrol or any crossing facility
• between the kerb and a bus or tram at a stop
• where traffic is queuing at junctions or road works
• at a level crossing
• when a road user ahead is signalling right, even if you think the signal should have been cancelled
• when you are turning left behind a cyclist, horse rider or horse-drawn vehicle that is going ahead: stay behind and never cut across them.

Being overtaken (Rules 168 to 169)

If a driver tries to overtake you, keep a steady course and speed, and slow down if needed. Never speed up or obstruct them. Afterwards, drop back to keep a two-second gap. Do not hold up a long queue of traffic: check your mirrors and pull in somewhere safe to let it pass.