Rules for passing on roads

As a driver, before passing or going around an obstacle on the road, make sure you can carry out the manoeuvre safely. Follow the rules listed below when passing.

When passing another road user:

• The roadway must have a single broken line or double lines with a broken line, either yellow or white, on the driver’s side.*

• You must use the left lane or the oncoming lane.

• On a road with one lane in each direction, you must signal your intention to change lanes in advance using your turn signal light (flashing) and return quickly to your lane, signalling your intention again.

• Make sure you have enough time, distance and visibility to carry out your manoeuvre safely.

Note that if another vehicle is passing you, or about to pass you, don’t speed up.

*However, crossing a solid line, whether single or double, is only permitted when you are making way for:

• farm machinery

• a vehicle with a slow-moving vehicle warning sign (orange triangle)

• an animal-drawn vehicle

• a cyclist

• a pedestrian

• an electric scooter or other motorized personal mobility device (e.g., an electric unicycle)

You cannot pass a vehicle on the right unless that vehicle:

• is making a left turn and you can do so without driving on the shoulder

• is heading for a left exit lane

• is clearing or maintaining the left lane of a roadway with two or more lanes in the same direction

You may not pass a cyclist, electric scooter or pedestrian unless it’s safe to do so. If a vehicle is heading towards you or is in the lane next to you, stay in your lane and slow down to stay behind the cyclist, scooter or pedestrian.

When passing, first slow down then keep a reasonable distance between your vehicle and the cyclist, electric scooter or pedestrian. Keep the following distances:

• 1 metre in zones of 50 km/h or les

• 1.5 metres in zones of more than 50 km/h

You do not have to maintain this distance when the cyclist, electric scooter or pedestrian is using an area separated from the roadway by a raised physical device (e.g., bikeway protected by a curb).

When you pass a group of participants in an exceptional event or sports event or competition escorted by vehicles, you may not pass them, unless at least one of the following two conditions is present:

• You can use a free lane heading in the same direction (on a road with two or more lanes in each direction). You must then slow down.

• A peace officer authorizes you to do so (on a road with one lane in each direction).