Which Side to Overtake?

[OMackenzie]

Overtaking is done on the left side. Generally, the leftmost lane is the overtaking lane, the middle lane is the travel lane, and the right lane is the slow lane. Precautions for overtaking: 1. Before overtaking, maintain a safe distance from the vehicle being overtaken, check the left rearview mirror to confirm safety, turn on the left turn signal, continue to observe the left rearview mirror, and when the timing is appropriate, change to the left lane and honk the horn; 2. During overtaking, appropriately turn your head to observe the dynamics of the vehicle being overtaken and maintain a safe lateral distance from it; 3. After overtaking, maintain straight driving for at least 10 seconds, and without affecting the vehicle being overtaken, turn on the right turn signal, check the right rearview mirror, and ensure safety before changing back to the original lane on the right, then turn off the right turn signal; 4. When changing lanes, steer the wheel gently.

[SanChloe]

I've been driving for over a decade, and honestly, overtaking should always be done on the left side of the road for safety—that's the standard rule in China. Passing on the left helps avoid the blind spots of oncoming traffic, providing a clearer view and reducing the risk of accidents. Before overtaking, you need to prepare: first, signal with your turn indicator to alert vehicles ahead and behind, then check your rearview mirror to assess the situation behind you. Once you confirm it's clear, accelerate smoothly to pass. After overtaking, don’t linger in the passing lane; return to the right side promptly. I often drive on highways, and during rain or fog, extra caution is needed—reduce your speed when overtaking. At night, use your high beams to signal the car ahead, but avoid blinding them. If you're on a curve or near obstacles, never force an overtake; it's better to wait for a safer opportunity. In short, safe driving is far more important than saving time.

[RuthDella]

As a novice driver, I always struggled with the direction when overtaking. The instructor emphasized that in China, you must overtake from the left and never from the right. The first time I overtook on a city road, I turned on the left signal, checked the rearview mirror to confirm a safe gap, and accelerated slowly—it felt very steady. But later, on the highway, I once tried to overtake from the right for speed, nearly hitting the emergency stopping lane, and the car behind almost rear-ended me. After that, I strictly stuck to left-side overtaking. Remember these points when overtaking: accelerate decisively without hesitation; don’t forget the turn signal; don’t follow the car in front too closely; and assess whether the distance and speed are appropriate. Beginners should practice on empty roads first and only move to highways after gaining experience. Developing good habits can reduce risks.

[VonIvan]

During my time working in traffic enforcement, I learned that overtaking should always be done on the left side. This rule applies to right-hand traffic countries like China, where regulations prohibit passing on the right to prevent head-on collisions. Before overtaking, drivers must signal with their turn indicators and carefully assess the surroundings; after completing the maneuver, they should promptly return to their lane. Following these rules helps prevent accidents, and violations can result in penalty points and fines if caught by traffic police.

[Jeanette]

Last month during a long trip, a guy overtaking me on the right almost made me scrape the curb, giving me quite a scare. Since then, I only overtake on the left and pay more attention to the intentions of the car ahead; if the car in front behaves abnormally, such as suddenly slowing down, I postpone my plan. When overtaking, accelerate smoothly and decisively—don’t hesitate and disrupt traffic flow; check the rearview mirror again before returning to the original lane to ensure no cars are approaching. In tunnels or rainy conditions, where visibility is limited, overtaking requires even more caution.

[StSophie]

Having driven in multiple countries, I've noticed that in the UK, you drive on the left and overtake on the right; but back in China, you have to get used to overtaking on the left. The key isn't which side, but choosing the direction with better visibility for overtaking. Before overtaking, check road conditions: don't overlook traffic signals and rearview observations; during overtaking, avoid slamming the accelerator and accelerate smoothly. For safety, if the weather is bad or there are many curves, it's best to give up overtaking and wait for a safer stretch of road to act.