Stage 1 Course Content 11 — Overtaking

1. Prohibition against Overtaking

Overtaking refers to the action of a vehicle changing course to move past the vehicle traveling ahead of it by passing beside it. Overtaking requires a complicated driving operation of changing course, speeding up, then returning to the original course. Refrain as much as possible.

1. The Difference between Overtaking and Passing

  1. Overtaking ·· Refers to the action of a vehicle changing course and moving past a vehicle traveling ahead of it.
  2. Passing ·· Refers to the action of a vehicle moving past a vehicle traveling ahead of it without changing course.

※ Passing beside a stopped vehicle is not considered overtaking or passing.

2. When Overtaking Is Prohibited

A driver must not overtake in the following cases, even when overtaking is not prohibited in the area. It is dangerous.

  1. When a vehicle ahead is attempting to overtake an automobile. (Double overtaking) — When the vehicle ahead is attempting to overtake a motorized bicycle or a non-motorized conveyance, it is not considered double overtaking.
  2. When a vehicle ahead is about to change course to the right to turn right, etc.
  3. When entering the right side of the road to overtake would obstruct the progress of vehicles or streetcars proceeding in the opposite direction.
  4. When the vehicle would not be able to return to the left side of the road after entering the right side of the road to overtake without obstructing the progress of a vehicle ahead. (when the opposite lane is being worked on, when vehicles are parked, etc.)
  5. When a vehicle behind is attempting to overtake the driver's vehicle.

3. Where Overtaking Is Prohibited

In the following places, a vehicle must not change course or pass beside an automobile or a general motorized bicycle in order to overtake.

※ A vehicle may overtake specified light motorized bicycles and non-motorized conveyances (bicycles, etc.).

  1. Where overtaking is prohibited by traffic signs
  2. Near the corner of a road
  3. Near the top of an upward slope
  4. On a steep downward slope
  5. In a tunnel (unless a vehicular lane is available)
  6. At an intersection and within the 30 m preceding it — Excluding when the vehicle is proceeding along a road with the right of way.
  7. At a pedestrian crossing or a bicycle crossing zone and within the 30 m preceding them — If traffic is not controlled, passing is also prohibited.
  8. At a railroad crossing and within the 30 m preceding it

4. Prohibition against Overtaking by Crossing over into the Right Side of the Road

When traffic signs or pavement markings indicate "No entering on the right side of the road for overtaking", a vehicle must not overtake by crossing over into the right side of the road.

※ A vehicle may overtake if it does not cross over into the right side.

Reference: Road width and the centerline markings On road where the width of the left side is 6 m or more, a vehicle must not overtake by crossing over into the right side of the road. In such cases, the centerline is indicated by a solid white line.

Attention: Note the signs are different

No entering on the right side of the road for overtaking — A vehicle must not overtake by crossing over into the right side of the road (a vehicle may overtake if it does not cross over).

No overtaking — A vehicle must not overtake, even if it does not cross over into the right side of the road (overtaking itself is prohibited).

2. How to Overtake

1. Safe Speed and Method for Overtaking

When overtaking another vehicle, a vehicle must pay sufficient attention to the following and proceed at the safest speed and method possible in response to the conditions of the road, etc.

  1. Traffic in the opposite direction
  2. Traffic behind
  3. The conditions ahead of the vehicle or streetcar being overtaken (vehicles, pedestrians, other obstacles, etc.)
  4. The speed and course of the vehicle or streetcar being overtaken

2. Overtaking on the Right Side and Passing on the Left Side

When overtaking another vehicle, a vehicle must proceed on the right side of that vehicle.

However, when the vehicle ahead is proceeding close to the center of the road (to the right edge of the road on a one-way road) to make a right turn, a vehicle must proceed on the left side of that vehicle.

3. When Overtaking a Streetcar

When overtaking a streetcar, a vehicle must proceed on its left side.

However, if the streetcar track (rail) is installed toward the left edge of the road, a vehicle may proceed on its right side.

4. Maintaining Safe Passing Clearance

While overtaking, a vehicle must maintain a safe distance between itself and the vehicle being overtaken.

In particular, allow a wider distance when passing two-wheeled vehicles.

5. When Overtaking by Proceeding in the Rightmost Vehicular Lane

When overtaking using the rightmost lane on a road with vehicular lanes, a vehicle must promptly return to another lane after the overtaking is complete.

Continuing to proceed in the rightmost vehicular lane is dangerous, since it may lead to exceeding the speed limit, shorter distance from the vehicle ahead, etc. It may also cause disturbance by obstructing other vehicles from overtaking, impeding the flow of traffic, etc.

6. Driving Procedure for Overtaking

The overtaking maneuver is complicated in that a driver must judge all the factors in a single moment and change course while accelerating. The danger of one mistake leading to a serious accident is high, so it is important to perform this maneuver cautiously while keeping to the speed limit. Overtake by following the order below.

  1. Check that overtaking is not prohibited in the area. Follow at a sufficient distance. (Moving too close makes the visibility poor and there is a danger of collision with the vehicle ahead.)
  2. Check for safety ahead, and check for safety to the right and to the right rear using the rearview mirrors and by looking directly over the shoulder. When overtaking by crossing over into the right side of the road, make sure to check for safety in the oncoming lane.
  3. Signal using the right turn signal.
  4. After approximately 3 seconds, check for safety again and steer gently to the right while speeding up within the maximum speed limit to move past the vehicle ahead on its right side while maintaining a safe distance.
  5. Signal using the left turn signal.
  6. Continue forward until the overtaken vehicle is visible in the interior rearview mirror (or, when driving a two-wheeled vehicle, until the whole overtaken vehicle is visible in a rearview mirror), and steer gently to the left.
  7. Stop signaling.

Reference: Distance required to overtake A long distance is required to overtake safely. It is first important to know how much distance is required for overtaking. If the difference in speed with the vehicle ahead is less than 10 km/h, the time and distance required for overtaking becomes long, and is dangerous. Overtaking is a very dangerous maneuver. A driver must never overtake recklessly. A driver must be willing to abandon the attempt if even a slight uncertainty is felt.

Speed of own vehicle Speed of vehicle ahead Distance required to overtake
40 km/h 30 km/h 184 m
50 km/h 40 km/h 320 m
60 km/h 50 km/h 516 m

※ If an oncoming vehicle is present, a driver must consider around double this distance and judge whether it is possible to overtake safely.

3. Cautions When Being Overtaken

When being overtaken, a vehicle must not increase speed until the overtaking is complete.

When there is insufficient room to be overtaken, the vehicle must move to the left as much as possible and give way.

Let's Try — Course Content 11: Check your understanding with right/wrong questions. (See page 275 for answers.)

  1. Even when the vehicle ahead is attempting to overtake an automobile, a driver may overtake if there is enough room.
  2. When the vehicle ahead is about to change course to the right to turn right, a vehicle must not overtake it on its right side.
  3. Near the corner of a road and on a steep downward slope, overtaking is permitted if the driver is confident.
  4. A driver overtook a large truck in a tunnel with vehicular lanes.
  5. When proceeding on a road with the right of way, a vehicle may overtake automobiles or general motorized bicycles, even at an intersection or within the 30 m preceding it.
  6. [Image of no entering right side for overtaking sign] Overtaking by crossing over into the right side of the road, past its center, is prohibited on roads with this traffic sign.
  7. When overtaking, if a driver feels a slight uncertainty about the movement of the vehicle ahead or the traffic ahead, it is better to overtake in a single action, without hesitation.
  8. When the vehicle ahead is proceeding close to the center of the road to turn right, a vehicle must proceed on its left side.
  9. When overtaking, a driver should first signal using the right turn signal while moving to the right, then check for safety to the rear.
  10. When being overtaken by another vehicle, a vehicle must not increase speed until the overtaking is complete.

(正: right, 誤: wrong)