Is it allowed to overtake from the right side on national highways?
3 Answers
No. According to Chinese traffic laws, on roads with traffic moving in the same direction, the left lane is for motor vehicles while the right lane is for non-motor vehicles. Overtaking should be done by turning left to pass the vehicle in front. Overtaking from the right side is illegal. True right-side overtaking refers to when a following vehicle in the same lane changes to the right lane, passes the vehicle in front, and then returns to the original lane. Choose the right moment to overtake: Drivers should carefully choose the right moment to overtake. It's safer to overtake when there are fewer vehicles around and road conditions are good; Remember to use turn signals: Turn on the left turn signal when overtaking to alert vehicles behind, and quickly turn on the right turn signal after overtaking to return to the normal lane;
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I find overtaking on the right side of national highways extremely dangerous. Unlike highways, national roads often have bicycles or pedestrians darting around, and the right lane is usually reserved for them or slower vehicles. If you overtake from the right, the driver in front might not see you at all due to significant blind spots, especially during sharp turns, increasing the risk of accidents. I once had a close call when I was forced to overtake from the right because the left lane was blocked, nearly colliding with a farm vehicle on the roadside—it still sends shivers down my spine. Traffic rules clearly state that overtaking should be done from the left, unless it's a one-way street or there are special instructions. Rather than taking risks, waiting a few extra seconds to overtake from the left is much safer. Make it a habit to check your mirrors while driving; rushing won’t save time but could cost lives.
I'm a new driver who just got my license. At first, I also thought overtaking on the right was convenient and fast, especially since there are so many vehicles on national highways. But during driving lessons, my instructor repeatedly emphasized that overtaking should only be done from the left, as the right lane is reserved for emergencies or slower vehicles. I tried overtaking on the right once, and the car in front suddenly turned without signaling—I almost hit it but managed to avoid it thanks to quick reflexes. Now I understand that the overtaking rules are designed for you to pass from the left because the driver's side mirror covers that area, reducing the chance of accidents. Plus, the right side of national highways often has trucks or broken-down vehicles parked, and hitting them would cause even greater damage. My advice to fellow new drivers: don’t make the same dumb mistake I did. Stick to overtaking from the left—it’s safer and helps you avoid tickets.
