Meeting traffic and giving clearance

By the end of this topic you can

• You can judge who should go first when there is an obstruction on either side.
• You can hold back in a safe position that leaves room for the other vehicle to pass.
• You can use passing places correctly on single-track roads.
• You can leave safe clearance when passing parked cars, cyclists, horses and pedestrians.

What you need to know and understand

• If the obstruction is on your side, you should normally give way to oncoming vehicles before you pass it (Highway Code rule 163).
• Signs can set priority: a red circle with a red arrow means give way to oncoming vehicles; a blue rectangle with a white arrow means you have priority. Even then, be ready to give way.
• On single-track roads, pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite one on your right. Give way to vehicles coming uphill when you can (rule 155).
• Do not park in passing places (rule 156).
• Leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at up to 30 mph, and more at higher speeds (rule 163).
• Pass horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles at under 10 mph with at least 2 metres of space (rules 163 and 215).
• Allow at least 2 metres and keep to a low speed when passing a pedestrian walking in the road (rule 163).

Who goes first past parked cars

Look well ahead so you can see the gap and any oncoming traffic early. If the parked cars are on your side, the oncoming driver normally has the right to continue, so slow down and be ready to wait.

If the obstruction is on their side, you may be able to continue, but never assume. A driver who has already committed to the gap should be allowed through. Flashing headlights from the other driver is not a guarantee it is safe, so use your own judgement (rule 111).

Where to wait

If you need to hold back, stop well before the parked cars and keep to the left. This leaves the other driver plenty of room and gives you a good view along the road. Stopping too close to the obstruction makes it hard to move out again.

• Do: slow early, keep left, leave a gap so you can pull out without reversing.
• Do: thank other drivers with a small wave if it is safe.
• Do not: squeeze through a gap you are unsure about.
• Do not: stop alongside a parked car, which blocks the road completely.

Single-track roads and passing places

Some country roads are only wide enough for one vehicle and have passing places along them. If a vehicle approaches, pull into a passing place on your left, or stop opposite one on your right so the other driver can use it. Never cross to the right to use it yourself.

If you meet on a hill, the driver going uphill usually has the harder job, so give way to them if you can. If necessary, reverse carefully to a passing place. Also pull in to let a faster vehicle behind you overtake.

Giving room to people, bikes and horses

Under the Highway Code, you should give vulnerable road users at least as much room as you would give a car when overtaking. If you cannot give the recommended space, wait behind until you can. Take extra care and give more space at night and in bad weather (rule 163).

Common mistakes

• Going for a gap that is too tight. If in doubt, hold back.
• Stopping too close to the parked cars so you cannot get round them later. Stop well back.
• Passing parked cars without room for a door opening. Slow down if you cannot give more space.
• Overtaking cyclists on narrow roads with too little space. Wait for a wider section.

Test yourself: Meeting traffic and giving clearance

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Lane Discipline in GB