Before overtaking

When driving in towns and cities, the opportunity to overtake comes more often than when driving on country roads. However, as you encounter more intersecting traffic, more pedestrian crossings and more unprotected road users, the risk of accidents is also greater.

Despite the fact that there are a lot of rules that state where and when it is prohibited to overtake, common sense is often enough to understand when it is not allowed. The basic rule for overtaking is simple: "A driver may only overtake if it is safe to do so." –Trafikförordningen ch. 2, § 32

You may only overtake if it is safe to do so

Overtaking can be associated with increased risks, often without any actual time gain. If you are about to turn on to another road, or if there is heavy traffic ahead of you, overtaking is pointless. However, sometimes overtaking is necessary, such as when a slow-moving vehicle is genuinely impeding your progress. Regardless of the reason, before attempting an overtake you must think it through – overtaking requires planning and forethought.

Ask yourself the following before overtaking:

• Do I have a clear view of the road well ahead?
• How much time will the actual overtaking manoeuvre require?
• Are there any oncoming vehicles approaching?
• Are there any intersecting roads further ahead?
• Is there any risk of the driver in the vehicle in front of you turning left?
• Are there any obstacles along the roadside which makes it difficult for the driver in the vehicle in front of you to keep to the right?
• Has a vehicle behind you already started overtaking you?
• Is overtaking allowed in this particular situation? (See the list of overtaking prohibitions)

If you have any doubts you must refrain from overtaking and wait for a safer opportunity.

Always avoid impulsive, opportunist overtakes – overtaking requires planning and forethought

Large vehicles

Before overtaking a heavy truck or other large vehicle, you need to keep in mind that:

• Such vehicles often increase their speed going downhill.
• The driver may not be able to keep to the right because of an obstacle – which you cannot see – further down the road.
• The driver may be forced to veer to the left because of an obstacle – which you cannot see – further down the road.

Heavy trucks must be equipped with yellow rectangular reflective signs with diagonal red fields.

Trailers exceeding 3.5 tons total weight must be equipped with yellow rectangular reflective signs with a red frame.

These signs indicate that the vehicle or vehicle combination is large and long, which is something that you have to take into account if you are planning to overtake it.

Overtaking prohibitions

It is always prohibited to overtake:

• After the road sign No overtaking.
• Where visibility is obscured just before or in a curve or sharp turn – if you need to cross the road's centre line.
• Where visibility is obscured just before or on a hilltop – if you need to cross the road's centre line.
• When meeting oncoming traffic – if you need to cross the road's centre line.
• If a vehicle in front signals an overtake or lane change.
• If a vehicle behind has already started overtaking you.
• If there is an obstacle in the lane you intend to use during the overtake.
• If you cannot return to your lane safely after overtaking.
• At a level crossing without gates or traffic lights (overtaking two-wheeled vehicles is allowed).
• At a junction where the priority to the right rule applies (overtaking two-wheeled vehicles is allowed).
• At an unsupervised pedestrian crossing, cycle passage or cycle crossing.*

* Exception: It is allowed to overtake at low speed at an unsupervised pedestrian crossing, cycle passage or cycle crossing if there is more than one lane in your direction and one of the following requirements is met:

• There is dense queuing in all lanes.
• The lanes lead to different destinations.
• The crossing or passage is at a junction.

It is generally prohibited to overtake at an unsupervised pedestrian crossing, cycle passage or cycle crossing – but there are exceptions

Passing on the right side

On roads where there are at least two marked lanes in the same direction and the speed limit is 70 km/h or lower you are allowed to pass vehicles on the right side.

This means that you, in densely built-up areas, may often choose whether you want to pass other vehicles on the left or right side. The rules are designed this way to minimise the number of lane changes and thus the number of accidents (lane changes in heavy traffic increase the risk of accidents).

It is also allowed to pass vehicles on the right side:

• When there are at least two marked lanes in the same direction with lane assignment signs indicating different destinations.
• When there are at least two marked lanes in the same direction and there is dense queuing in all lanes.
• If the vehicle in front turns left or if the driver is clearly preparing for a left turn.
• If the vehicle in front is used for road maintenance (for example, asphalt paving or snow ploughing).

If a vehicle in front of you turns left, or if the driver is clearly preparing for a left turn, you may pass the vehicle on the right side

Aborting an overtaking

If you initiate an overtaking manoeuvre that turns out to be dangerous or prohibited to complete, you must abort the manoeuvre in time.

You can never count on the driver of the vehicle you are overtaking to slow down and keep to the right in such a manner that you can easily to return to your lane whenever you like.

You also can never count on a pedestrian – that unexpectedly steps into the road – to see your car and get out of the way in time. The pedestrian might only look to the left, forgetting that vehicles overtaking can approach from the right.

Cyclists and road maintenance vehicles

When overtaking cyclists and road maintenance vehicles, you must maintain an appropriate speed and leave plenty of sideways clearance.

All cyclists – but especially elderly people and children on bicycles – may wobble or suddenly pull out to avoid something on the road. The risk of cyclists, moped and motorcycle riders wobbling increases when it is windy.

Read more about cyclists and moped riders.

Leave plenty of sideways clearance when overtaking cyclists

You may overtake road maintenance vehicles on whichever side is most suitable. You are allowed to pass on both the left and right side.

Keep in mind that operators of road maintenance vehicles are very vulnerable as they cannot keep a constant watch on traffic. The same is obviously true for road workers as well.

Trams

Usually, you should overtake trams on the right side. However, on one-way streets and where the placement of the rails makes it necessary, you may – with great care – overtake on the left side. It is always prohibited to overtake trams just before or at unsupervised pedestrian and cycle crossings.

Usually, you should overtake trams on the right side

When a tram stops at a tram stop without a traffic island you must stop and give way to passengers getting on or off.