Overtaking & Meeting Traffic Rules
"Overtaking" is a high-risk maneuver.
Memorize the "8 Prohibited Places" and rule differences by center line type thoroughly for the written exam.
"Overtaking" vs "Passing"
🚗 Overtaking (Oikoshi)
Changing lanes (course) to pass a vehicle in front.
Changing lanes (course) to pass a vehicle in front.
🚙 Passing (Oinuki)
Passing a vehicle in front without changing lanes.
Passing a vehicle in front without changing lanes.
8 No Overtaking Zones
Must memorize! These always appear on the exam.
[Image of No Overtaking Sign]- Places with signs
- Near road corners
- Near the top of uphill slopes
- Steep downhill slopes
- Tunnels (Allowed if there are vehicle lanes)
- Intersections and 30m before (Allowed on priority roads)
- Railroad crossings and 30m before
- Crosswalks / Bicycle Crossings and 30m before
*Here, even "Passing" is prohibited!
Center Line Types & Rules
The color and shape of the center line determine if you can cross to the right side to overtake.
🤍 White Dashed Line
OK to cross to the right side to overtake.
[Image of White Solid Line]
OK to cross to the right side to overtake.
⬜ White Solid Line
You must not cross to the right side.
(Overtaking is OK if you don't cross the line)
You must not cross to the right side.
(Overtaking is OK if you don't cross the line)
🟨 Yellow Solid Line
You must not cross to the right side for overtaking.
(Overtaking is OK if you don't cross the line)
You must not cross to the right side for overtaking.
(Overtaking is OK if you don't cross the line)
Being Overtaken Etiquette
When you are being overtaken, follow these rules:
- Don't Speed Up: Maintain speed until they finish passing.
*You don't need to slow down. - Yielding: If the road is narrow, pull to the left to yield.
Meeting Traffic (Passing Oncoming Cars)
Rules for passing oncoming cars on narrow roads.
- 🚧 Obstacle: The car with the obstacle on their side stops and yields.
- ⛰️ Slope: The Downhill car stops and yields.
(Because uphill starts are harder) - 🌊 Cliff: The Cliff-side car stops and yields.
(To prevent falling off; regardless of uphill/downhill)
Forced overtaking causes accidents.
Drive with patience and room to spare!
Training for Success!