Overtaking

Acceleration lane

Lane that is meant for drivers that want to enter the through carriageway. This lane does not belong to the through carriageway. Between the through carriageway and the acceleration lane are blocked markings are applied.

Deceleration lane

Lane that is meant for drivers that want to exit the through carriageway. This lane does not belong to the through carriageway. Between the through carriageway and the deceleration lane are blocked road markings are applied.

Weaving lane

A combined acceleration and deceleration lane. This lane is both used by drivers who want to enter the through carriageway as by drivers who want to exit the through carriageway. The combination of getting in lane and exiting is called weaving.

Rush hour lane

A strip that can be used as an extra lane during rush hour. This could be a narrower strip on the left side of the carriageway, but it could also be the hard shoulder. Outside of rush hour time this lane is closed or used as a hard shoulder. Whether the lane is opened or closed is indicated by green arrows (open) or red crosses (closed). The speed limit can also be lowered when a rush hour lane is opened, for example from 100 km/h to 80 km/h. Is the hard shoulder used as a rush hour lane, then the solid line to the left of this lane may also be crossed.

Redressing lane

Narrow strip of asphalt between the edge line and the (central) verge, mainly present on motorways. It may be used to swerve in case of emergencies. Besides that, you may not ride over this strip.

Merging

Alternately getting in lane when two lanes merge into one lane. Usually, the left lane merges into the right lane, but it could also be the other way around.

Overtaking vision

The minimum visibility required to determine that the entire overtaking manoeuvre is safe to perform.

When you are overtaking, you are passing another moving vehicle. This could be, for example, via another lane in the same direction, or via the other road half meant for oncoming traffic. Especially in the latter case, overtaking can be dangerous. The basic rule for overtaking is that you must do this on the left side.

Basic rule overtaking

Normally speaking, overtaking must be done on the left side.

Overtaking on the right side required

A few exceptions to the rule of overtaking must be done on the left side exist. In just one situation, you are only allowed to overtake on the right side instead of the left side. In that case, overtaking on the left side is not allowed. This situation is when the driver you want to overtake, has indicated to want to turn left and is pre-sorted to do so. Is it possible to do so safely and is it useful, then you overtake this driver on the right. When doing so, you are allowed to use a cycle lane separated from the carriageway with a broken line.

Overtaking on the right side allowed

The other exceptions the basic rule that you must overtake on the left side are:

• Cyclists must overtake each other on the left but may overtake other drivers on the right.
• Divers may overtake a tram both on the left and right, depending on the space.
• Drivers who are on the right side of the blocked markings may overtake drivers that are on the left side of the blocked markings.
• In case of a traffic jam on multiple lanes in the same direction, you are allowed to overtake both on the left and right. Motorcyclists my overtake the traffic jam on a motorway in between the two leftmost lanes.
• You are allowed to overtake both on the left and right just before and on a roundabout.

Code of conduct motorcyclists in a traffic jam

Motorcyclists are allowed to overtake a traffic jam on the motorway. They are only allowed to do this in between the two leftmost lanes. They are not allowed to ride more than 10 km/h faster than the other traffic. When the traffic jam starts moving again, they must again merge in lane.
Do keep motorcyclists in mind during a traffic jam!
If needed, drive a little closer to the edge of the lane to create space for them.

Overtaking prohibited

There are also situations where overtaking is definitely not allowed, on whichever side. Overtaking is prohibited in the following cases:

• just before or on a pedestrian crossing (also called a zebra crossing);
• if you must cross a solid line between the lanes, unless there is a broken line on your side of the solid line;
• if this is indicated by signs;
• if you are being overtaken yourself;
• if it can cause danger or hindrance in any way, think of obscure places or during poor visibility due to fog or precipitation.

Overtaking safely

Overtaking is a dangerous manoeuvre. Especially if you must do this via the road section for oncoming traffic. If someone misjudges an overtaking manoeuvre, then this regularly ends in a head-on collision. These collisions often result in severe injuries or even fatalities. A motorcyclist in particular can rarely recount this.

Sometimes, you can see from the lines on the road surface that overtaking is discouraged. For example, when the axis line has been implemented as a warning line. In that case, it is still a broken line, but the stripes are three times as long as the interruptions between them. You can find these lines where overtaking becomes more dangerous due to the road type, or in places where the situation changes shortly after. For example, to a solid line.

Always make sure that you maintain enough distance before overtaking. Only then you will have enough overtaking vision and you can perform the overtaking manoeuvre swiftly. You then have the possibility to look past the vehicle you want to overtake, and you can accelerate in your own lane, before changing lanes to the left road half.