Legal conditions and correct side

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The legal conditions for overtaking in Belgium and the side on which it must be done, including the exceptions in the code.

Coverage, Legal conditions and correct side

Lesson objectives

Understand the legal conditions required to overtake safely (visibility, space, speed). Master the correct side of overtaking according to road markings and traffic rules. Identify the road signals that govern or prohibit overtaking.

The three essential conditions for overtaking

Article 16.4 lists four checks to perform before overtaking on the left, plus a signalling obligation. Before moving to the left, the driver must ensure that he can do so without danger , and in particular: a) that the road is clear for a sufficient distance to avoid any risk of accident; b) that no driver following him has started an overtaking manoeuvre ; c) that he has the ability to return to his place on the right without inconveniencing other drivers; d) that he has the ability to perform the overtaking in a very short time . Then he must indicate sufficiently in advance his intention to move to the left by means of direction indicators, indication which ceases as soon as the lateral movement is completed.

1. Visibility: the first condition

Visibility is not a vague notion: it is condition a) of article 16.4, the road must be clear for a sufficient distance to avoid any risk of accident . Article 17.2, 3° draws the consequence: overtaking on the left is prohibited when approaching the top of a hill and in bends when visibility is insufficient . A precise exception appears in the text: this prohibition does not apply if the overtaking can be done without crossing the continuous white line that delimits the part of the roadway reserved for the opposite direction, typically on a two-lane road in your direction.

A1a

Caution, dangerous left bend. This sign announces a bend to the left that presents a danger, either because of its tight radius or because of poor visibility. Slow down before entering it, stay well in your lane and avoid overtaking. A vehicle may appear head-on at the exit of the bend.

A1b

A1b, Dangerous right bend. This sign announces a bend to the right considered dangerous. Slow down well before entering it, keep your vehicle in your lane and remain vigilant at the exit, as a vehicle may appear head-on if it has cut its bend.

A1c

Double bend or succession of more than two bends, the first to the left. Several bends follow in a zigzag pattern, starting with the left. Ease off before the first bend and maintain a moderate speed until the end of the series.

A1d

Double bend or succession of more than two bends, the first to the right. The road will wind starting with the right. Slow down and remain vigilant throughout the area, even between the bends. Avoid any overtaking.

Top of hill: insufficient visibility

2. Space: sufficient distance for the manoeuvre

Condition d) of article 16.4 is explicit: you must be able to perform the overtaking in a very short time . And condition c) : to be able to return to your place on the right without inconveniencing other drivers, which article 16.6 requires you to do as soon as you can do so without inconvenience , after switching your indicator back off. None of this authorizes you to exceed the maximum speed: the speed limits of article 11 remain applicable throughout the manoeuvre. On the other hand, the code contains no rule limiting overtaking to a single vehicle at a time , this common misconception does not exist in the regulations. What the code prohibits is overtaking a driver who is himself overtaking a vehicle other than a bicycle, a two-wheeled moped or a two-wheeled motorcycle, unless the roadway has three or more lanes in your direction (art. 17.2, 4°).

The side of overtaking: the rule and its only exception

Article 16.3 states the rule in three words: overtaking is performed on the left . It provides a unique exception, and it regularly comes up in the exam: overtaking is done on the right when the driver to be overtaken has indicated his intention to turn left , or to park his vehicle on the left side of the public road, and has actually moved to the left to perform this movement. The two conditions are cumulative: the indicator alone is not enough, the movement alone is not enough either. As long as the vehicle has not started to move to the left, you remain required to overtake it on the left.

3. The absence of prohibition: signals and rules

Three sources of prohibition combine: signals (C35 and C39), road markings (continuous line, art. 72.2) and traffic rules of article 17.2 , which prohibit overtaking in certain places without any sign being necessary. Check all three before proceeding.

C35

C35, From the signal until the next intersection inclusive , prohibition of overtaking on the left a towed vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels . Therefore, the following remain overtakeable: bicycles, two-wheeled mopeds and motorcycles without sidecar. The prohibition ends at the next intersection or at signal C37 .

C37

Sign C37 signals the end of the overtaking prohibition. Overtaking is again permitted, provided you comply with the usual rules: you must have sufficient visibility, the line must be broken, and there must be no bends or hill crests.

The correct side: understanding road markings

The road marking clearly indicates whether you can overtake or not. There are three main cases: the broken line (overtaking permitted), the solid line (overtaking prohibited) and the combination of both (overtaking permitted depending on your side).

Case 1: White broken line

Article 72.3 specifies what the broken line permits: it is forbidden to cross it except to overtake, to turn left, to make a U-turn or to change lane . A useful detail: when the dashes become shorter and closer together , they announce the approach of a solid line , this is the time to abandon an overtaking manoeuvre started too late.

Broken line: overtaking permitted

Case 2: White solid line

Article 72.2 says two things, and the test often checks the second: a solid line means that it is forbidden for any driver to cross it ; furthermore , it is forbidden to drive to the left of a solid line when it separates the two directions of traffic . Overtaking thus becomes impossible not by a specific prohibition on overtaking, but because crossing itself is forbidden.

Frequent exam trap: A solid line on your side = absolute prohibition on overtaking. Even if the road ahead seems clear, you cannot cross this line.

Case 3: Solid line + broken line

Article 72.4 settles the matter in one sentence: when a solid line and a broken line are juxtaposed , the driver must only take into account the line on their side . Broken on your side: you can cross to overtake. Solid on your side: crossing forbidden, even if the other direction has a broken line.

Driving in lanes, and the case of motorcycles

Two situations are not overtaking, although they appear to be. Driving in lanes (art. 16.2): when drivers follow the instructions of signals F13 or F15, or drive in lanes in accordance with articles 9.4 and 9.5, the fact that one lane moves faster than another is not overtaking, except for the application of article 17.2, 5° (pedestrian crossings). Motorcycles passing between lanes (art. 16.2bis): driving between two lanes at a speed higher than stationary or slow vehicles is not overtaking, but the code regulates it strictly, the motorcyclist cannot exceed 50 km/h , and the speed difference with vehicles in the lanes cannot exceed 20 km/h . On motorways and roads for motor vehicles, they must also drive between the two leftmost lanes .

Road signs: key signals

Only two signals prohibit overtaking, and both target overtaking on the left of a towed vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels , from the signal until the next intersection inclusive : the C35 , which applies to all drivers, and the C39 , which only applies to goods transport vehicles exceeding 3,500 kg . Their respective end signals are the C37 and the C41 . Practical consequence of the wording: under a C35, you can still overtake a cyclist, a two-wheeled moped or a motorcycle without sidecar.

C39

C39, From the signal until the next intersection inclusive , prohibition, for drivers of vehicles or vehicle combinations used for the transport of goods with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3,500 kg , to overtake on the left a towed vehicle or a vehicle with more than two wheels. Cars are not affected. End of prohibition: signal C41 or next intersection.

C41

Sign C41 signals the end of the overtaking prohibition for trucks. Heavy goods vehicles can overtake again, provided they comply with the usual safety rules: good visibility, appropriate road marking and sufficient distance.

Situations where overtaking is prohibited

Hill crests and bends with insufficient visibility, unless the overtaking is done without crossing the solid line (art. 17.2, 3°) Level crossings signalled by A45 or A47, unless they are equipped with barriers or controlled by traffic lights (art. 17.2, 1°) Right-of-way intersections : prohibited for all; other intersections : prohibited for drivers who must give way (art. 17.2, 2°) When the driver being overtaken is themselves overtaking a vehicle other than a bicycle, a two-wheeled moped or a two-wheeled motorcycle, unless the road has three or more lanes in your direction (art. 17.2, 4°) When the driver being overtaken is approaching or stopping before a pedestrian crossing or a cycle crossing, where there is neither an officer nor traffic lights (art. 17.2, 5°) In case of precipitation , on motorways, roads for motor vehicles and roads with at least four lanes, for goods transport vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes (art. 17.2, 6°) Signal C35 (all drivers) or C39 (goods transport of more than 3.5 t), until the next intersection inclusive Solid line on your side: crossing prohibited (art. 72.2 and 72.4)

Overtaking

Maneuver consisting of passing in front of a driver in motion . Article 16.1 states it in one sentence: "overtaking is only to be considered with respect to drivers in motion". Passing in front of a stationary or parked vehicle is therefore not an overtaking within the meaning of the code. Overtaking is performed on the left (art. 16.3), except in the special case of overtaking on the right provided for in the same article.

Circumvention

Passing in front of a stationary or parked vehicle. Unlike overtaking, this is not considered an overtaking in the legal sense and follows different rules.

Sufficient visibility

Ability to clearly see vehicles coming in the opposite direction over a distance allowing safe overtaking. It is insufficient at the top of a hill or in dangerous bends.

Broken line

White road marking composed of spaced dashes. It allows crossing to overtake, provided that safety conditions are met.

Solid line

White road marking without interruption. It prohibits crossing to overtake. Driving to the left of a solid line separating the two directions is also prohibited.

Four conditions before overtaking on the left (art. 16.4): clear road over sufficient distance; no following driver has started an overtaking; possibility to move back; overtaking achievable in a very short time , then indicator Overtaking is done on the left (art. 16.3), except if the driver to be overtaken has indicated his intention to turn left and has moved to the left : then overtake him on the right Move back to the right as soon as possible without inconvenience, indicator on (art. 16.6) Broken line : can be crossed to overtake, turn left, make a U-turn or change lane (art. 72.3); short and close dashes = imminent solid line Solid line : crossing prohibited, and prohibition to drive to the left when it separates the two directions (art. 72.2) Juxtaposed lines : only the one on your side counts (art. 72.4) C35 : no more overtaking on the left of a towed vehicle or one with more than two wheels, until the next intersection; C39 : same prohibition, but only for goods transport vehicles over 3.5 t There is no rule of "one vehicle at a time" ; what is prohibited is overtaking a driver who is overtaking himself, except on three lanes or more (art. 17.2, 4°)

And now?

First do the quiz of this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and the MCQs . Next lesson: Places and prohibition signs .

BelgianLicenses

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