Overtaking on the left: the 3-step method

⏱️ 3 min read

On a moped, you sometimes overtake (a cyclist, a tractor), but above all you are the one being overtaken. Both roles have their rules — and the exam tests both. The basic rule never changes: you overtake on the left.

✨ Key takeaways

You overtake on the left; on the right only in the cases provided for (vehicle turning left, queues, tram).
One condition missing (visibility, clear lane, blind spot, speed reserve) = you hold back.
On a two-wheeler: check your blind spot over your shoulder before every pull-out.
Overtaking a cyclist or a pedestrian: 1 m in a built-up area, 1.50 m outside a built-up area.
When you're being overtaken: keep right, hold a steady line, don't accelerate.

Before pulling out: all the conditions, at the same time

Overtaking means riding for a while on the opposite lane. You only start the manoeuvre if all of these conditions are met — if a single one is missing, you hold back:

Sufficient visibility: you can see far enough to complete the manoeuvre (no blind bend, no crest of a hill).
Clear lane: no one is coming towards you over the distance you need.
No one is already overtaking you: check your mirrors and your blind spot — on a two-wheeler, the glance over your left shoulder is vital, your mirror doesn't show everything.
Left indicator before pulling out, right indicator before pulling back in.
Speed reserve: a moped is restricted (25 or 45 km/h). If you can't overtake clearly faster than the other road user, don't overtake.

The manoeuvre in 3 steps

Observe: mirrors, blind spot on the left, left indicator.
Pull out and overtake: move out well clear — when passing a cyclist or a pedestrian, leave at least 1 m in a built-up area, 1.50 m outside a built-up area.
Pull back in: return to the right without cutting off the road user you've overtaken, right indicator, only once you are well clear of them.

On the right: the exceptions

The driver ahead of you has indicated they are turning left and has moved over to the left: you go round them on the right.
Traffic is moving in queues: a right-hand queue may move faster than the left-hand one without this counting as unlawful overtaking.
A tram is overtaken on the right as a rule (on the left only if there isn't enough room on the right).

Being overtaken: your role too

When a car overtakes you, your job is simple: keep well to the right, hold a steady line and don't accelerate. It must leave you a gap of 1 m or 1.50 m — but if it comes too close, don't fight for your space: slow down and let it finish.

In class B (45 km/h max), you want to overtake a van travelling at 40 km/h on a two-way road. Is that a good idea?