No overtaking sign
What the No overtaking sign means: You must not overtake another vehicle on this length of road.
- Group
- Regulatory signs
- Does this group carry the law
- Enforceable. Disobeying one is an offence in itself.
- In the sign deck
- 3 questions ask about this sign
What to do when you see it
- Stay behind the vehicle in front until the restriction ends.
- Drop back to a safe following gap instead of sitting close waiting for the sign to end.
- Plan the overtake for a marked overtaking lane or a length with clear sight distance, not for the first gap after the sign.
Where you see it
On rural highways approaching crests and bends, on narrow bridges, through roadwork zones, and on the approach to intersections where a turning vehicle could be hidden.
Across the states and territories
The sign is national and so is the effect of an unbroken centre line, which also bars crossing to overtake. Which of the two you meet depends on the road authority: some jurisdictions rely more on line marking and less on signs for the same kind of road.
Tell it apart from these
- No overtakingthis pageRoad narrows
Road narrows is a warning that leaves the judgement to you. No overtaking is an instruction with no judgement left in it.
Road narrows: The road ahead gets narrower, so slow down and hold your position in the lane.
- No overtakingthis pageNarrow bridge
A narrow bridge sign warns about the structure. The no overtaking sign bans the manoeuvre for the whole length it covers.
Narrow bridge: The bridge ahead is narrower than the road, so slow down and be ready to give way to oncoming traffic.
How the knowledge tests use it
Questions tend to combine the sign with line marking and ask which one governs. Both do, and the more restrictive one wins.
What does this sign mean?
The two vehicles inside the red ring show one passing the other, and the bar bans it. The restriction runs until the road, or another sign, makes overtaking allowed again.
State and territory driver handbooks, overtaking
Common questions
- What does the No overtaking sign mean?
- You must not overtake another vehicle on this length of road.
- What should you do when you see a No overtaking sign?
- Stay behind the vehicle in front until the restriction ends. Drop back to a safe following gap instead of sitting close waiting for the sign to end. Plan the overtake for a marked overtaking lane or a length with clear sight distance, not for the first gap after the sign.
- Where is the No overtaking sign used?
- On rural highways approaching crests and bends, on narrow bridges, through roadwork zones, and on the approach to intersections where a turning vehicle could be hidden.
- What is the No overtaking sign confused with?
- Road narrows: Road narrows is a warning that leaves the judgement to you. No overtaking is an instruction with no judgement left in it. Narrow bridge: A narrow bridge sign warns about the structure. The no overtaking sign bans the manoeuvre for the whole length it covers.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the No overtaking sign?
- Questions tend to combine the sign with line marking and ask which one governs. Both do, and the more restrictive one wins.
Try it in a question
Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.
More regulatory signs
Mostly white with red or black, and usually round or rectangular.