Keeping right and Overtaking

Keeping right

On single-lane roads, you must stay as close as practical to the right side of the road.

On multi-lane roads, if the posted speed limit is 120km/h or more, or if the road has a ‘keep right unless overtaking’ sign, you must not drive in the left-hand lane unless you are:

• overtaking
• turning left
• making a U-turn
• avoiding an obstruction
• driving in congested traffic
• using a special purpose lane that you are allowed to be in.

Drivers are allowed to overtake on the right on all multi-lane roads.

Overtaking

You can only overtake another vehicle if you have a clear view of any approaching traffic and you can do so safely. Make sure all road markings and signs allow you to overtake.

You can only overtake to the right of a vehicle if it is safe to do so and:

• you are driving on a multi-lane road and the vehicle can be overtaken in a marked lane to the right of the vehicle
• the vehicle is turning left or making a U-turn from the center of the road and is indicating left
• the vehicle is stationary
• you are lane filtering on a motorcycle.

It is never legal to exceed the speed limit to overtake another vehicle.

Overtaking lanes: fact sheet

Overtaking at a pedestrian or children’s crossing

If you’re approaching a pedestrian or children’s crossing, you cannot overtake or pass a vehicle that is travelling in the same direction and has stopped, or is stopping at the crossing.

Motorists passing cyclists

Overtaking while cycling

While cycling, you can overtake vehicles on the right but must give way to any vehicle in front of you that is turning right and signalling to turn right.