Traffic rules: overtaking on the right. When is overtaking on the right allowed? Fines and sanctions

July 14, 2019
Automobile law
Oksana Sergeeva

Any driver on the road is faced with a situation where he needs to overtake a vehicle to continue driving. This cannot always be done on the left side. In this regard, questions arise. When is overtaking on the right allowed? Is it possible to make a maneuver by driving onto a sidewalk or bicycle path? Is such a lane change dangerous, can an emergency situation arise? What penalties are provided by law for such a maneuver?

Novice drivers are often interested in whether overtaking on the right is prohibited or not? Misunderstandings may be due to incorrect interpretation of terms. This is due to the fact that until 2010, the concept of “advanced” did not exist in the traffic rules. If the driver does not distinguish between these terms, then traffic violations are possible on his part. And this, in turn, can lead to the creation of an emergency situation. Traffic police officers have repeatedly noted that a large number of controversial situations arise due to drivers’ ignorance of these terms.

Let's understand the terms

Overtaking is getting ahead of one or more vehicles, entering the lane of oncoming traffic, and returning to the previously occupied lane. The maneuver is performed on the left side. There is no such thing as overtaking on the right in traffic rules.

This is one of the most difficult and dangerous driving maneuvers. It is when overtaking rules are violated that a large number of fatal accidents occur. Therefore, the traffic rules provide for strict requirements for the driver performing such a maneuver.

To overtake safely you need:

estimate the speed of the car ahead;
analyze the condition of the road surface: how wet, slippery, dry it is;
estimate the speed of an oncoming car;
know the capabilities of your car.

Changing lanes on the road should not interfere with other road users. If there is even a small probability of an emergency, then the maneuver must be abandoned, as it may cause an accident. The driver should be aware that traffic rules do not provide for overtaking on the right.

Features of normal overtaking

As soon as certain amendments appeared in modern traffic rules, numerous disputes arose regarding what should be considered overtaking on the right, as well as to what extent such a maneuver is legal under various circumstances.

According to the classic formula, overtaking on the left side is one of the most dangerous maneuvers performed while driving; it requires special training.

Drivers with extensive driving experience act automatically in such situations. It is advisable to carry out the following actions during such a maneuver :

The left turn signal is turned on in advance, which will warn nearby drivers that the driver is about to change the trajectory of movement;
in order to maintain a reserve of power during overtaking, it is worth starting a reduced gear;
central and side mirrors, as well as car video cameras, are used. This is done to check that the maneuver will not interfere with others;
the distance with the cars moving ahead and its speed is visually assessed. If there are no obstacles, the driver picks up speed and simultaneously enters the oncoming lane.

Such manipulations will allow you to avoid possible danger in the form of a car that is standing or driving slowly along the side of the road. In addition, such maneuvers can be dangerous if the climb ends or adverse weather conditions occur.

When overtaking on the right side, such manipulations will be quite difficult to perform. With this form of advance, it will be very difficult for the overtaking driver and the one who is overtaking to safely overtake a car on the right side.

There is one more small detail when overtaking on the right. Within the city limits, in this case, on the right side there are tracks for tram movement .

According to traffic rules, rail tracks, by their status, can be classified as continuous separation strips.

Many people wonder in what cases overtaking on the right is allowed. Here it can be noted that overtaking on the right side, following the tracks, is only possible in two exceptional cases:

For the purpose of unloading the road if the lanes are very crowded.
Detour or overtaking.

Other reasons cannot be attributed to the topic described; accordingly, they do not deserve attention. Possible entry into the path of oncoming rail traffic is very strictly punishable . Here, overtaking on the right is even more strictly prohibited.

Explanation of the term “ahead”

Overtaking is a maneuver in which a vehicle overtakes another without entering the lane of oncoming traffic.

This type of lane change is simpler, less likely to cause accidents, and can be done at almost any time. However, there are a few cases where preemption is prohibited.

You cannot advance:

at a pedestrian crossing;
at a railway crossing;
on bridges and tunnels;
on sections of the road with poor visibility.

There are two types of maneuver:

without changing lanes, when a vehicle overtakes a car due to speed;
with entry into the adjacent lane, but it should not be oncoming.

It must be remembered that if a vehicle enters another lane, the advance must be in the left lane.

Confusion between the terms most often occurs among those drivers who rarely use multi-lane roads.

In what cases is overtaking on the right allowed?

As it turned out earlier, overtaking on the right is more correctly called advance. From here, drivers have the opportunity to perform this maneuver without the threat of any punishment.

The most common situations for ahead on the right, which are allowed, occur when there are several passing lanes on the roadway, and the vehicle is moving in the right lane at low speed. In this case, another vehicle is allowed to change lanes to the right and get ahead of the indicated vehicle. This is especially true on a one-way road, since when turning left, the vehicle will occupy the right lane and it will be possible to overtake it only on the right side. Such situations are also common at intersections with oncoming traffic.

Changing over to the right lane and making subsequent advances is possible in cases where all actions prohibited by law are excluded. It is also worth taking into account such factors as weather conditions and visibility, the absence of a continuous marking line and prohibitory signs on the right, as well as the possibility of overtaking without exceeding the maximum speed limit on this section of the road and creating an emergency situation.

Situations when overtaking is prohibited

The driver must remember that no matter how much he rushes, it is not always possible to make such a lane change. You need to correctly assess the situation on the road.

The maneuver is prohibited in the following cases:

if there is a restriction on a section of road with a “No Overtaking” sign;
the car behind began the same maneuver;
the vehicle ahead has a left turn signal on;
the car in front is preventing you from making a maneuver;
I'm not sure it will be fast enough.

There is no need to take risks by overtaking a slow moving vehicle. You must correctly assess the situation, choose the right moment and make a maneuver. Correct driver behavior on the road is the key to safety for all road users.

Leading on the right on a single-lane one-way road with parking spaces

If a vehicle, due to its size or for other reasons, cannot make a turn in compliance with the requirements of paragraph 8.5 of the Rules, it is allowed to retreat from them provided that traffic safety is ensured and if this does not interfere with other vehicles.
Konstantin , if you turn left from the right lane, and someone is driving straight in the right lane, then you will be the culprit of the accident. The relevant points of the rules are given in the message above.

Behavior of the driver of an overtaken vehicle

Safety on the road depends not only on the driver who makes the maneuver. The person driving the overtaken vehicle must also behave competently. There is a special clause in the traffic rules that says that it is unacceptable to interfere with changing lanes.

Correct actions of the driver of an overtaken vehicle:

Reduce speed slightly.
Move slightly to the right.
Do not interfere with the maneuver by increasing speed, moving to the left or other actions.

This does not mean that the driver of an overtaken vehicle must give way, he must simply not interfere with the maneuver of another vehicle. Competent actions by drivers will help avoid creating an emergency situation.

Rules and restrictions when overtaking on the right

In most cases, overtaking on the right side is carried out on the side of the road or on sidewalks . The prohibition on these manipulations is indicated in clause 9.9.

This categorical approach is based on the fact that overtaking from this side will automatically lead the car into a traffic prohibited zone.

In this case, the driver, if he comes to the attention of the traffic police, will be punished with fines for two violations simultaneously - carrying out the prohibited maneuver itself, as well as for driving on the side of the road and on the sidewalk.

There are certain relaxations in this case, but they do not apply to vehicle drivers, but to those driving mopeds and bicycles.

They are allowed to drive vehicles on the side of the road unless designated paths are provided specifically for this purpose. Also, permission to drive vehicles applies to drivers who have reached the age of 14 years.

There is no need to list and consider cases concerning cyclists; it is worth studying in more detail situations when overtaking is carried out by vehicles equipped with more powerful car engines.

Mistakes drivers make when overtaking

The driver must correctly assess the situation and not hope that someone will give way or reduce speed.

Errors when performing a lane change:

errors when calculating the distance to an oncoming vehicle and its speed;
overtaking from the stern;
hanging on the “tail” of the vehicle ahead;
reluctance to stop a maneuver when there is a threat of an accident;
waiting for an oncoming vehicle to give way.

It is these mistakes that lead to road accidents. Because vehicles travel at high speeds, serious injuries can occur.

Statistics show that 25% of all accidents occur due to erroneous actions of drivers who overtake. The main reason is that the driver was unable to correctly analyze the situation on the road: he did not correctly calculate the speed and the time required to complete the maneuver.

On roads with a large flow of cars, you can see situations of mass overtaking, when several cars make a maneuver. There is no need to do this. In this case, only the first car that started the maneuver has the right to overtake. In this situation, it is difficult to analyze the speed capabilities of several vehicles involved in changing lanes. An accident in such cases has serious consequences.

During any maneuver, the driver must be 100% confident in the correctness of his actions. If you are not sure, do not perform the maneuver. Overtaking is always a risk because you have to drive into oncoming traffic.

It must be remembered that if an accident occurs, the driver who started the maneuver will always be recognized as the culprit.

Is it possible to perform the maneuver

The overtaking process itself has certain rules. This process is not allowed in a number of situations.

Overtaking is not allowed in the following situations:

the vehicle moving ahead overtakes or goes around an obstacle;
The vehicle in front gave a turn signal;
the vehicle following the driver itself began to overtake;
the process of overtaking itself will create an emergency situation on the road.

It is worth noting that the driver himself does not have the right to prevent overtaking by other vehicles.

The situation is similar for himself - after the start of a maneuver performed in accordance with all the rules, other vehicles do not have the right to interfere with him. There is a list of places on the road where overtaking is simply prohibited.

This list includes the following:

controlled intersections, as well as unregulated ones when driving on a road that is not the main one;
at pedestrian crossings and railway tracks (as well as closer than 100 m before them);
on various bridges, overpasses, overpasses and between them (including in tunnels);
right at the end of the climb.

The fine for overtaking on the side of the road is assigned by the traffic police or automatically. Today, many special cameras record such violations.

That is why you need to familiarize yourself in advance with all the nuances that are directly related to the overtaking process. This is the only way to prevent the deprivation of your driver's license.

It is worth noting that challenging such a protocol will be quite problematic. The court, as a rule, takes the side of the traffic police officers.

Changing lanes on a section of road with a rise

Do the traffic rules allow overtaking on the right? The rules stipulate that there is no need to maneuver during the ascent. Drivers sometimes sharply increase their speed on such a section of the road, but the car’s power may not be enough for the required acceleration. It is recommended to wait for a more level area, only then perform the maneuver on the left side.

You may encounter a situation where the car ahead flashes your right turn. Professionals know that the driver is saying that there is no one in front of him and the maneuver will be safe. You can use the hint.

Possible fines

As such, there is no violation of “overtaking on the right” . Accordingly, ordinary punishments are not relevant here.

Many drivers constantly complain that the practice of such overtaking is quite popular.

If the driver is caught in such a process, the fine is imposed for such a violation as driving a car on the side of the road.

Driving on sidewalks or on the side of the road is a violation of administrative regulations. In this case, the driver is given a fine of 1,500 rubles.

If, during the investigation, traffic police officers establish not just movement along the side of the road, but illegal advance, the fine for overtaking on the right will be 5,000 rubles.

If a driver travels along tram tracks while overtaking vehicles, such a violation may result in a fine of 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for up to 6 months.

Fines for moving along the side of the road are not imposed in cases where this form of movement is forced.

The reason for this may be factors such as damage to the road surface, emergency situations that block and block normal passage.

The category of such situations can also include the presence of a large vehicle traveling ahead, for example, a truck.

Overtaking large vehicles

Do traffic rules allow large vehicles, such as buses and trucks, to be overtaken on the right? Such a maneuver is dangerous for road users and is therefore prohibited.

Even when overtaking on the left and ahead of large vehicles, you must be extremely careful. Do not drive too close, otherwise your view of the oncoming lane will be limited. It is quite possible that another car is driving slowly in front of such transport, and you simply do not see it. In addition, large transport can go in “convoy”, in which case the maneuver will not be easy to carry out. Before overtaking, it is necessary to correctly assess the situation and the speed capabilities of all road users. Don't take any unnecessary risks.

Leading on the right within one lane

At the same time, I encounter a situation where a car coming from behind passes me on the right, squeezing me towards the center of the road. After overtaking (overtaking?) they simply drive ahead of me. The purpose of such overtaking is unclear (well, actually it is clear, but we won’t talk about that).

I had already come to terms with such situations, if not for the incident yesterday. I drove through the railway crossing, pressing as closely as possible to the median, while being in my lane. There's a truck coming towards us. The width of the crossing is very narrow, just enough to allow a truck to pass with a small margin.

We recommend reading: Benefits for pensioners on travel on intercity buses

Overtaking

The driver needs to know not only in what cases it is possible to overtake, but also the correct algorithm of actions.

Procedure for performing the maneuver:

Approach the vehicle you are overtaking at a distance of 15-20 meters.
Turn on your turn signal to alert drivers behind you.
Start rebuilding.
At night or when visibility is slightly limited, it is permissible to flash the high beam headlights.
Overtake a car, turn on the turn signal, change lanes without interfering with other road users.

If you start overtaking and understand that for some reason it is impossible to do this safely, then you need to abandon the maneuver and return to your lane.

Where overtaking and advancing are allowed

The time for maneuver and the distance to the vehicle ahead in the oncoming lane are correctly calculated.
When the car is as close as possible to the vehicle in front, the turn signal turns on and advances.
The manipulations will take a short amount of time, and the car will be returned to its lane of the road again.
When the maneuver is completed, it is necessary to turn on the right turn signal, thereby warning other road users of your intention to return to the previous lane.

When signs are installed in a certain area prohibiting this maneuver. This means that performing it will be extremely dangerous.
In the case when the vehicle driving ahead turns on the light signal indicating a turn. In this case, in order to avoid a collision, you must wait until the motorist completes his maneuver, and only then change lanes.
If the driver of a vehicle moving behind begins to overtake, you must let him pass, and only then, after making sure that the road is clear, begin the maneuver.

Why is leading on the right dangerous?

Drivers should understand that overtaking on the right is prohibited for a reason. This is a maneuver that is dangerous for all road users and pedestrians.

Reasons why overtaking on the right is prohibited:

a car may be parked on the side of the road;
pedestrians are not visible;
visibility of other traffic participants is limited;
the car in front may make a right turn, which will lead to an accident.

On the side of the road on the right, even with good visibility, there may be holes, potholes, and various debris, for example: bottles, boxes, bricks. Traffic rules prohibit overtaking on the right: a car moving along the side of the road may lose control, which will lead to an accident.

Climatic conditions on Russian roads should also be taken into account. In snowfall and ice, it is very difficult to assess the condition of the roadside. The car ahead can raise a column of spray and dirt that falls on the windshield and reduces visibility. Changing lanes on the right in such conditions is too risky a maneuver.

For overtaking on the right side, the fine is not as bad as a serious accident that such a maneuver can lead to.

What penalty can you get for overtaking on the right side?

Directly ahead of the vehicle on the right side is not a violation. However, during this maneuver the driver may violate other rules.

A motorist may receive one of the following fines provided for in Article 12.15 of the Administrative Code:

1500 rub. – driving along the side of the road;
2000 rub. – driving on sidewalks or bike paths.

Both fines are subject to a 50% discount for repayment within 20 days from the date of drawing up the protocol. That is, the amount of these fines can be reduced to 750 rubles. and 1000 rub. respectively.

Passing a vehicle on the right side

The driver may have a situation in which it is impossible to avoid avoiding an obstacle or a vehicle on the right. You need to know how to do this correctly, reducing the possibility of creating an emergency.

Recommendations when performing the maneuver:

check that the right side of the road is clear, there are no obstacles, parked cars, pedestrians;
the entire section of the road is clearly visible;
analyze the condition of the roadside soil: are there any holes or ice, which can lead to loss of control and the vehicle sliding into a ditch;
check whether you will be a hindrance to other cars;
pay attention to the vehicle ahead, whether the driver is about to make a right turn;
look at the signs and sign on the road, refuse to maneuver if there is a bus stop, pedestrian crossing, or intersection nearby;
Slow down, keep your distance, and perform the maneuver very carefully.

You need to remember that when overtaking in the right lane, a fine is inevitable, and it will be difficult to prove the need for a detour.

Which traffic rules require overtaking on the side of the road?

All questions about the rules for overtaking, as well as situations when such a maneuver is possible and when it is not, are announced in the traffic rules. Moreover, road accidents most often occur precisely in cases of banal non-compliance with traffic rules.

Therefore, it is worth carefully familiarizing yourself with all of them. Overtaking on the side of the road on the right is expressly prohibited by current legislation. The amount of the fine, as well as other penalties for such violations, are regulated by the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.

Difficulties often arise when overtaking at a bus stop. For example, if a bus is blocking the passage, but there is a solid lane to the left of it. In this case, overtaking is not allowed. Same as detour.

You must wait for the bus to start moving. Moreover, you can drive onto the dividing strip, but crossing it even with the edge of the wheel is not allowed. Subsequently, it will be almost impossible to prove your innocence.

Since even if you cross 10 cm of continuous markings, there will be a violation and deprivation of the right to drive a car.

There are special signs and markings that allow overtaking or, on the contrary, prohibit it. Overtaking a traffic jam on the side of the road means 100% loss of your driver's license. It's not worth the risk.

Especially if the car is used on a regular basis for work. At the same time, certain types of markings are allowed to be crossed and certain maneuvers can be carried out through them.

These marking lines today include the following:

1.5 – this marking is a dividing line;
1.6 – approach line, it is also possible to change lanes or overtake through it;

But in some cases, even if the existing markings themselves allow the process of overtaking, some signs may block it.

For 2021, it is prohibited to overtake signs that are marked as follows:

3.2;
3.22.

At the same time, there are signs that, on the contrary, allow the process of overtaking.

These signs currently include the following:

3.21;
3.23;
3.31.

Knowing the rules of the road will help you avoid accidents, as well as many other various problems. That is why it is worth sorting out all the questions first.

Since most of the fines are imposed precisely because of simple ignorance and misunderstanding of regulatory documents.

Whether overtaking on a turn is allowed is explained in the article: overtaking on a turn. Is overtaking allowed at signalized intersections? Read here.

Penalties

Drivers are wondering if they are overtaking on the right, what fine will they have to pay? There is no such concept in the traffic rules, and accordingly there is no punishment. But there are several advance standards for violation of which it is provided.

Overtaking on the right (penalties):

For overtaking on the right at an unregulated pedestrian intersection, a penalty of 1,500 rubles will follow;
if, as a result of advancing on the right side, there was a drive onto the sidewalk, the side of the road, then you will have to part with 5,000 rubles;
If, when performing a maneuver, a solid line was crossed, the fine will be 500 rubles.

The driver must remember that only an action that occurred within a year after the same violation will be repeated. What will be the fine for overtaking on the right if the violation was recorded twice in a year? The driver may lose his license for up to 1 year.

The driver should know that the concept of “overtaking on the right” does not exist in the traffic rules. However, driving onto the sidewalk or roadside is prohibited, and the law provides for penalties. There is no need to confuse the concepts of “ahead” and “overtaking”

Reader Questions

If I drove through a solid line separating the roadway from the shoulder, which was not visible due to snow, and then passed a passing vehicle, will I bear any responsibility?

Answer: In this situation, it is worth starting from the following circumstances:

if in front of the area where overtaking was carried out there was a sign prohibiting this maneuver, this will be an offense and, according to Part 1 of Art. 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, a fine of 1,500 rubles may be imposed;
if overtaking on the right was made near an intersection or an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing, regardless of the visibility of a solid line, traffic police officers attribute overtaking on the right to illegal actions; in this case, the driver may be punished under Art. 12.18 of the Administrative Code, the fine for which varies from 1,500 to 2,500 rubles.

If the listed circumstances were absent, the driver can provide a recording from a car DVR or photographs showing a snow-covered road surface to prove his innocence.

I didn’t notice the pedestrian crossing ahead and went ahead of the passing vehicle in the right lane. Luckily, there were no pedestrians on the road. If there were cameras at the crossing recording offenses, should I expect a “lucky” letter from the traffic police?

Answer: At the moment, there are no cameras recording overtaking vehicles in front of a pedestrian crossing. There are only cameras that record offenses where drivers do not give way to pedestrians. And this is still a rarity on the roads. So don't expect bad news.

In what cases is there a need for maneuver?

For now, the standard overtaking process should be carried out in accordance with all the rules fixed at the legislative level. Thus, traffic on the highway is regulated simultaneously by several elements, including various road signs, markings and traffic lights. The maneuver itself is recommended to be repeated only if there are really serious reasons. First of all, we are talking about the following points:

there is traffic ahead that is driving significantly slower than allowed in a particular lane;
there are serious obstacles on the road and they cannot be overcome by other means or waited out.

Theoretically, it is impossible to overtake on the side of the road. It is important to emphasize that the algorithm itself implies a large fine and other administrative penalties if you do not adhere to typical traffic regulations.

It is not allowed to simply overtake, even a slowly moving car. At the same time, when assessing a certain situation, one must not forget about other elements of the road infrastructure: pay attention to such problematic locations as intersections.