When overtaking is prohibited

The solid white line

A solid white line on your left: you must not cross or straddle it, so no overtaking that touches it. A broken line: you may cross it if the manoeuvre is safe. Solid and broken lines side by side: the line closest to you is the one that counts.

Where visibility is lacking

• Brow of a hill and blind bend: the hidden stretch of road may conceal an oncoming vehicle — overtaking is prohibited (unless the carriageway has two or more lanes in your direction).
• Reduced visibility (fog, driving rain, snow) that stops you seeing clearly to ~200 m: overtaking a motor vehicle is prohibited.

Protected zones

• Approaches to a pedestrian crossing: and above all, never overtake a vehicle that has stopped to let people cross — it may be hiding a pedestrian stepping out right in front of you.
• Junction where you do not have priority: you must be able to give way, not overtake.
• Unguarded level crossing: overtaking is prohibited on its approaches — the exception provided for two-wheeled vehicles does not excuse you from maximum caution: nothing announces the train.
• Double overtaking: it is prohibited to overtake a vehicle that is already overtaking another.

The reflex before pulling out

Four checks, in order: the line on the road, the visibility, the zone (pedestrian crossing, junction, level crossing), the signs (C35). A single red flag on this list = you stay behind. On a moped, a few seconds of patience cost less than a head-on collision.