Question:
I do an excessive amount of travelling and often come up with variations of solid lines and broken lines in the middle of the road. I got my drivers many years ago and I recall that you can overtake if it is safe to do so.
I don’t want to get a fine if it has changed.
Answer:
Solid white line – in the middle of the road
A solid white line in the middle of the road is a no overtaking line. You may not cross it in order to overtake.
Broken white line – in the middle of the road
Where the solid line changes to a broken white line, it becomes a dividing line to separate two streams of traffic travelling in opposite directions. You may cross the broken line to overtake if it is safe to do so.
Solid and broken white lines alongside each other – in the middle of the road
If the solid white line is nearest to you, the combination represents a no overtaking line and you may not cross the lines to overtake.
If the broken white line is nearest to you, you may cross both lines in order to overtake – if it is safe to do so.
Also note:
“I recall that you can overtake if it is safe to do so.”
Yes, you may overtake if it is safe to do so … but only IF the line is a broken line — definitely NOT if it is a solid line.
If a vehicle is stationary at the side of the road (for example, a vehicle that has broken down, or a refuse or service vehicle that has stopped for a while) and you cannot get past it on your side of the solid line, then I believe you may cross over the solid line in order to get past the stationary vehicle. But if the vehicle is moving and you overtake it, you may not cross the No Overtaking line.
Also view: