Rules for Passing a Vehicle

Before passing another vehicle, you must ensure that the roadway markings allow it and that it is safe to do so.

Passing is permitted when there is a single broken line or a double line with a broken line on the driver's side. To learn more, visit the Marques sur la chaussée (Roadway markings) page .

Move into the left lane to pass another vehicle.

On a road with one lane in each direction, when you are passing in the opposite direction, you must signal your intention and quickly return to your lane.

A driver who is being passed or is about to be passed may not increase the speed of its vehicle.

No passing on the right

You may not pass a vehicle on the right unless the vehicle:

• makes a left turn;
• heads for an exit lane on the left side of a limited access road;
• plows or maintains the left lane of a roadway with two or more lanes of one-way traffic.

Passing a cyclist or pedestrian

When approaching a cyclist or pedestrian, you should reduce your speed and keep a reasonable distance from them:

• 1 m on roads where the speed limit is 50 km/h or less;
• 1.5 m on roads where the speed limit is greater than 50 km/h.

You do not have to keep this distance when the cyclist or pedestrian is riding or walking in an area separated from the roadway by an elevated feature (e.g., a curb protected bike lane).

Passing a group of vehicles escorted during an event

Passing a group of persons escorted by vehicles and participating in an exceptional event, trial or sports competition is permitted only if at least one of these two conditions is met:

• on a roadway with two or more lanes in each direction, if you reduce your vehicle speed and move into a free lane in the direction you are travelling;
• on a road with one lane in each direction, if a peace officer authorizes the passing.

Exceptions to the passing ban

You may cross a line on the roadway that does not allow passing (e.g., single or double solid line) to pass:

• farm machinery;
• a road vehicle carrying a slow-moving vehicle sign (orange triangle);
• an animal-drawn vehicle;
• a cyclist;
• a pedestrian.