Is it permissible to overtake from the right lane while driving?
4 Answers
Overtaking from the right lane while driving is not permitted. Below is an introduction regarding overtaking from the right: 1. Concept: A vehicle traveling in the same lane merges into the right lane, overtakes the vehicle ahead, and then merges back into the original lane. The key factor in determining whether this constitutes 'overtaking from the right' is the position where the vehicle changes lanes—if the vehicle changes lanes both before and after overtaking at a considerable distance from the vehicle ahead, then this act of overtaking from the right lane does not count as 'overtaking from the right.' 2. Criteria for judgment: The decisive factor in determining overtaking from the right lane is observing the complete maneuver of the overtaking vehicle: a vehicle traveling in the same lane merges into the right lane, overtakes the vehicle ahead, and then merges back into the original lane. In this process, the position where the vehicle changes lanes is crucial—if the vehicle merges back into the original lane both before and after overtaking at a significant distance from the overtaken vehicle, then this act of overtaking from the right lane cannot be considered 'overtaking from the right.' 3. Penalty standards: According to traffic laws, overtaking from the right while driving is prohibited. Those who overtake improperly will be penalized with 3 demerit points and a fine ranging from 20 to 200 yuan. Overtaking is allowed, but overtaking from the right is prohibited because it is a blind spot.
After driving for so many years, I've come to realize that overtaking from the right lane is really unreliable. Think about it, highways are designed with the left lane as the overtaking lane, while the right lane is for slower vehicles. If you force an overtake from the right lane, the blind spots in the rearview mirror are larger, and the car in front is moving slowly, making it easy to collide with others when changing lanes, especially in heavy traffic. I still remember once on a national highway, a novice driver aggressively overtook from the right lane and almost sideswiped me. That close call reminded me never to do that. Even if the road is clear, overtaking from the right isn’t stable—if the speed difference is too great, the other driver might not react in time. Developing the good habit of always overtaking from the left lane, observing carefully, signaling before moving, and prioritizing safety is the way to go.
I just got my driver's license not long ago, and I've also thought about overtaking in the right lane while driving on the road. At first, I thought since there are multiple lanes, why can't I overtake in the right lane when it's spacious? But my instructor repeatedly emphasized that overtaking should be done in the left lane because it offers better visibility and is less likely to disturb slower vehicles. Now I understand—the right lane often has trucks or inexperienced drivers maintaining steady speeds, and suddenly overtaking from the right can easily disrupt traffic flow. Once, I tried it in the city and almost scraped the car next to me, which scared me so much that I never dared to do it again. Actually, following the rules is quite simple: check the rearview mirror before overtaking, move to the left when it's clear, and don't cut corners for convenience. During the novice stage, practicing standard maneuvers more will make them second nature over time, which is responsible for both yourself and others.
From a road safety perspective, overtaking on the right lane is absolutely a dangerous move. Right-side overtaking carries high risks and can easily lead to side collisions or rear-end accidents, especially on highways or in heavy traffic areas. A vehicle's blind spot is often on the right side, making sudden lane changes unpredictable for others. It is recommended that drivers develop good habits: choose the left lane for overtaking, maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead and behind, and use turn signals in advance. Traffic regulations in most parts of the world support left-side overtaking to reduce accidents. If overtaking is urgently necessary, ensure absolute safety before taking action—never risk momentary haste, as life safety is more important than anything else.
