Normally keep as far right as practicable on the carriageway.
Lesson 05
Road position & overtaking
Essential rules, explained step by step.
Educational difficulty is separate from the legal penalty. These are original practice questions, not official examination items.
Zipper merging
When traffic is heavily slowed and a lane ends or is blocked, merge just before the narrowing. Drivers in the continuing lane let one merging vehicle in alternately. This special rule is not a general priority entitlement for every lane change.
Regulatory source ↗
Before overtaking, ensure you can see far enough and return safely.
A continuous white line must not be crossed to overtake.
A lane change is a manoeuvre: give way and signal your intention.
Do not accelerate while another driver is overtaking you.
Regulatory source ↗Reviewed 2026-11-02
Apply the lesson · 4
A double marking has a continuous line nearest your car and a broken line beyond it. You have not started overtaking. May you cross it to overtake?
- Cross the broken line only if the manoeuvre is otherwise safe and permitted.
- Merge alternately just before the narrowing.
- Do not cross the continuous line on your side.
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
A broken line does not grant priority. Distinguish ordinary lane changes from zipper merging in heavily slowed traffic, and read the nearest line of a mixed marking.
Regulatory source ↗A double marking has the broken line on your side. No overtaking ban or other hazard applies, and the manoeuvre can be completed safely. What applies?
- Cross the broken line only if the manoeuvre is otherwise safe and permitted.
- Merge alternately just before the narrowing.
- Give way when changing to the adjacent lane.
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
A broken line does not grant priority. Distinguish ordinary lane changes from zipper merging in heavily slowed traffic, and read the nearest line of a mixed marking.
Regulatory source ↗Two continuing traffic lanes become one because of a lane reduction. Traffic is heavily slowed. You are in the lane ending. Where and how do you merge?
- Give way when changing to the adjacent lane.
- Merge alternately just before the narrowing.
- Do not cross the continuous line on your side.
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
A broken line does not grant priority. Distinguish ordinary lane changes from zipper merging in heavily slowed traffic, and read the nearest line of a mixed marking.
Regulatory source ↗Traffic flows normally. You voluntarily change lanes across a broken line; neither lane ends. Which duty applies?
- Do not cross the continuous line on your side.
- Cross the broken line only if the manoeuvre is otherwise safe and permitted.
- Give way when changing to the adjacent lane.
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
A broken line does not grant priority. Distinguish ordinary lane changes from zipper merging in heavily slowed traffic, and read the nearest line of a mixed marking.
Regulatory source ↗