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Rules of the road · about 4 min read

Keeping left, lane changes and overtaking

Separate road position from permission to pass

What you will learn

  • Explain the purpose of this rule.
  • Apply the procedure and recognise its limitations.

Purpose and essential terms

A divided road has separate roadways for opposing traffic, often separated by a median or barrier. A traffic lane is a longitudinal space for one line of vehicles. The shoulder lies beside the roadway and is not simply an extra traffic lane.

Normally use the left-hand roadway on a divided road and keep left on a two-way roadway, unless a sign or officer directs otherwise. Choose the correct entrance; a no-entry sign may face you at the wrong end of an off-ramp.

Key idea: A divided road has separate roadways for opposing traffic, often separated by a median or barrier.

How to apply the rule

For a lane change, check mirrors, the relevant blind spot, the intended lane and the space ahead. Signal and move only if the change will not obstruct or endanger traffic. Crossing a marking must also be permitted by that marking.

The reference allows a limited shoulder exception for a light vehicle being overtaken on a road with one traffic lane in each direction. It applies between sunrise and sunset, only when safe, with people and vehicles clearly visible at 150 metres. Check the shoulder for pedestrians, debris and stopped vehicles. Do not use it when any condition fails.

Key idea: Keep safely left without entering an unsafe area.

Conditions and easily confused points

The shoulder exception is about allowing another vehicle to overtake you; it is not permission for you to overtake along the shoulder. A following driver’s flashing headlights do not override the conditions. Heavy-vehicle learners must not assume a light-vehicle exception applies to them.

A road with a central division is not automatically a freeway. Freeway status is established by the appropriate sign and brings a separate set of rules.

Key idea: Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.

Purpose and essential terms

Overtaking means moving past a vehicle travelling in the same direction. On a two-way road it can place you in the path of approaching traffic. You need enough visible road to move out, pass with clearance and return without forcing anyone to brake or swerve. A powerful engine does not make a hidden part of the road clear.

Normally pass on the right. First identify the road layout, signs, markings and any places where your view is limited. A hill crest, curve, stopped bus or crossing may hide a hazard. Do not overtake a vehicle stopped at a pedestrian crossing.

Key idea: Overtaking means moving past a vehicle travelling in the same direction.

How to apply the rule

Check ahead and behind, use the relevant mirrors and check the blind spot. Confirm that overtaking is permitted and that the space ahead remains available for a safe return. Signal your intention in good time, then check again before moving.

Leave safe clearance while passing and stay within the speed limit. Return to the left only when safely clear of the passed vehicle, checking and signalling as needed. If a safe passing opportunity is not available, remain behind at a suitable following distance. When being overtaken, keep safely left and do not accelerate until the other vehicle has passed.

Key idea: Keep a safe following gap and remain in your lane.

Conditions and easily confused points

Passing on the left is allowed only in specified circumstances and only when safe. The manual includes a vehicle turning right, certain sufficiently wide urban roads, marked one-way traffic lanes and an officer’s direction. These exceptions do not authorise driving along the shoulder or verge to get past.

A broken centre line does not guarantee a safe overtake. It addresses the marking restriction, while the view, speed, traffic and other rules must still be checked.

Key idea: Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.

Worked road situation

A slow vehicle is ahead, but a crest hides the opposite lane beyond it.

  1. Keep a safe following gap and remain in your lane.
  2. Do not begin an overtake into the hidden opposing lane.
  3. Wait for a permitted place with enough visible clear road and space to return.

Quick recap

  • Keep safely left without entering an unsafe area.
  • Do not apply a daytime shoulder exception at night.
  • Maintain safe control and allow a lawful passing opportunity without accelerating.
  • Keep a safe following gap and remain in your lane.
  • Do not begin an overtake into the hidden opposing lane.
  • Wait for a permitted place with enough visible clear road and space to return.

Practice questions on keeping left, lane changes and overtaking

1 When is it legal to overtake another vehicle on the LEFT-hand side?

  1. When overtaking on the left gravel shoulder at night
  2. When the vehicle in front is turning right, on a one-way street, or when there are two or more lanes in the same direction
  3. Whenever the vehicle in front is driving slower than 60 km/h on a single-lane road
Show the answer

Answer B: When the vehicle in front is turning right, on a one-way street, or when there are two or more lanes in the same direction

Passing on the left is permitted only in the listed circumstances and when safe: a vehicle turning right, specified sufficiently wide urban roads, marked one-way lanes or an officer’s direction. Never use the shoulder or verge to overtake, by day or night.

Memory tip: Pass on left ONLY if car ahead turns right, one-way, or multi-lane.

All vehicle codes

2 For a light vehicle on a road with one lane each way, when does the limited shoulder exception for allowing another vehicle to overtake apply?

  1. Only between sunrise and sunset (daytime), when visibility is at least 150m and it is safe
  2. At any time of day or night if someone flashes their brights behind you
  3. Even in thick fog or heavy rain at night
Show the answer

Answer A: Only between sunrise and sunset (daytime), when visibility is at least 150m and it is safe

The light-vehicle exception is limited to being overtaken on a road with one lane each way between sunrise and sunset, when safe and people and vehicles are clearly visible at 150 metres. It is not permission to overtake along the shoulder.

Memory tip: Yellow line pull-over = Daytime ONLY + 150m visibility.

All vehicle codes

3 Which side of a two-way road should you normally drive on?

  1. The left-hand side
  2. Either side when quiet
  3. The right-hand side
Show the answer

Answer A: The left-hand side

Keep left except when legally overtaking or following traffic directions.

Memory tip: Keep left except when legally overtaking or following traffic directions.

All vehicle codes

4 Before changing lanes, what should you check?

  1. Mirrors, blind spot and whether the new lane is clear
  2. Only the vehicle directly ahead
  3. Only the interior mirror
Show the answer

Answer A: Mirrors, blind spot and whether the new lane is clear

Mirrors do not show every area beside you. Check the blind spot and signal before moving safely.

Memory tip: Mirrors do not show every area beside you. Check the blind spot and signal before moving safely.

All vehicle codes

Part of the guide: Traffic circles, Overtaking

More rules of the road chapters

Sources: NaTIS Rules of the Road, PDF pp. 31–32, sections 6.37–6.42; iDriving K53 manual, PDF pp. 91–102 (comparison; incomplete text extraction checked against official reference); NaTIS Rules of the Road, PDF pp. 33–34, section 6.45.

AceK53 is an independent study aid based on public road traffic manuals and is not an official test. Always confirm requirements with your driving licence testing centre.