Overtaking is the manoeuvre that causes the most fatal accidents in South Africa. The rules exist to prevent head-on collisions. Know them precisely.
Reading the road markings
| Line type | Your side | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Dashed white | Dashed | You may overtake when safe |
| Solid white | Solid | You may not cross to overtake |
| Double solid white | Both solid | Neither direction may overtake |
| Solid + dashed | On your side | You may not overtake; oncoming direction may |
| Solid + dashed | Dashed on your side | You may overtake when safe; oncoming may not |
The correct overtaking procedure
- Check interior mirror
- Check right-side mirror
- Right blind-spot check
- Signal right
- Confirm the road ahead is clear for the entire manoeuvre
- Move out and accelerate past
- Check interior mirror to confirm you've cleared the vehicle
- Signal left
- Check left blind spot
- Return to the left lane, cancel indicator
Where overtaking is prohibited regardless of markings
- Within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossing
- Within 30 metres of a railway/level crossing
- On a bridge or in a tunnel
- Within 30 metres of a crest (hilltop) - you can't see what's coming
- Around a blind bend
- When a no-overtaking sign is posted (round, black car on white background with two vehicles)
- When the vehicle ahead has its right indicator on (it may be turning)
- When overtaking would force oncoming traffic to brake or swerve
- On a one-way road where it would endanger others
Overtaking on the left (undertaking)
Passing a vehicle on its left side is overtaking on the left - and it is prohibited in South Africa except in one specific situation: when the vehicle ahead has signalled right and is waiting to turn, you may pass it on the left if there is space and it is safe to do so.
Being overtaken
When another vehicle is overtaking you:
- Do not accelerate
- Keep left and reduce speed slightly if needed to help them complete the manoeuvre
- Flash headlights once to signal it is safe to return to their lane (this is convention, not a rule)
No-overtaking sign vs road marking
A no-overtaking sign overrides the road markings. If a sign prohibits overtaking, don't - even if the line is dashed. Signs take precedence over markings.
Test your overtaking and rules of the road knowledge in our free practice test.
Frequently asked
- Can I cross a solid white line to overtake?
- No. A solid white line on your side of the road means overtaking is prohibited. You may only cross when the line on your side is dashed.
- When is overtaking always prohibited regardless of road markings?
- Within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossing, a level crossing, a bridge, a tunnel, a crest, or a bend. Also when the vehicle ahead has indicated right, when you would force oncoming traffic to swerve, or when a no-overtaking sign is in place.
- Which side do you overtake on in South Africa?
- South Africa drives on the left. You overtake on the right (pass the vehicle to its right, which is the oncoming traffic side). Overtaking on the left (undertaking) is prohibited except when the vehicle ahead has indicated right and is waiting to turn.
- Do I need to signal before overtaking?
- Yes. Signal right before moving out to overtake, and signal left when returning to the left lane. Check mirrors and blind spot before each signal.
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Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of May 2026. Road traffic laws, DLTC procedures, and fee schedules can change — verify critical requirements with your DLTC or the RTMC (rtmc.co.za) before your test.