Tema 23: overtaking in the DGT exam

Four questions in thirty are manoeuvres, and overtaking is the commonest. You overtake on the left; the exceptions are the exam.

Reviewed on 11 October 2026 · sources: BOE and DGT

This tema asks when and how you overtake. You overtake on the left; the exceptions are the exam.

You overtake on the left, at a markedly higher speed and with enough lateral clearance.
You may overtake on the right when the driver ahead clearly signals a left turn or a stop on that side.
Overtaking is banned on bends and crests with reduced visibility, at signed pedestrian crossings and at level crossings.
Overtaking cyclists, mopeds (ciclomotores), pedestrians or animals you must leave at least 1.5 metres of lateral clearance. Outside a built-up area (poblado) you must also be at least 20 km/h below the road limit.
A stationary vehicle or an obstacle in the carriageway (calzada) may be passed even where overtaking is banned.

Watch out: on a roundabout you may overtake; the classic false option bans overtaking at every junction without exception.

In DrivingLingo: see the regulatory signs, tema 24 on turning and reversing, tema 27 on junctions and priority and the .

Source: RGC arts. 82, 83, 85, 87, 88, 89; LSV art. 35.4.

Key rules of topic 23

On the left

Overtaking is done on the left of the vehicle being passed.

Before you start, check there is enough clear space to return to your lane.
You overtake at a markedly higher speed and with enough lateral clearance.

Source: RGC arts. 82.1, 84.1 y 85.1

Overtaking on the right

You may overtake on the right when the driver ahead clearly signals a left turn or a stop on that side.

In town, with two or more marked lanes in your direction, you may overtake on the right.

Source: RGC arts. 82.2, 82.3 y 83.2

Where you may not

Overtaking is prohibited where visibility is insufficient to complete or abandon the manoeuvre, unless the directions are clearly separated and the oncoming side is not entered.

Also at signed pedestrian crossings, cycle-track junctions, level crossings and their approaches, with no exception for going slowly or for overtaking a two-wheeler.
And at junctions and their approaches, with exceptions such as roundabouts.

Source: RGC art. 87.1

Getting back in

You must return to your lane as soon as possible and gradually, forcing nobody to change course or speed.

If you abandon the move, slow down, return to your lane and signal it.

Source: RGC art. 85.2 y 85.3

1.5 m with cyclists

Overtaking cyclists, mopeds, PMVs, pedestrians or animals, you leave at least 1.5 m of lateral clearance, inside and outside towns.

If the road has more than one lane per direction, a full lane change is compulsory.
Outside town you must also be at least 20 km/h below the road limit before starting the manoeuvre and throughout it.
A group of cyclists counts as a single moving unit.

Source: LSV art. 35.4; RGC art. 85.4

When you are overtaken

When you are being overtaken you must keep to the right edge, and you may not speed up.

If a danger appears during the move, you are obliged to slow down.
Heavy or oversized vehicles, or those with their own speed limit, must slow down or pull onto the shoulder, if practicable, when they cannot be passed easily.

Source: RGC art. 86

Passing is not overtaking

A vehicle immobilised for reasons other than traffic conditions, or an obstacle occupying the carriageway, may be passed where overtaking is prohibited, even using the oncoming side, after checking that it is safe.

Beside a stationary vehicle you must leave at least 1.5 m and cut speed at least 20 km/h below the road limit.
First you must satisfy yourself it can be done without danger.
The same applies with bicycles and other cycles, mopeds, PMVs, pedestrians, animals, animal-drawn vehicles and special agricultural vehicles.

Source: RGC arts. 88.1, 88.2 y 89

Learn the rule, then practise it

Study topic 23 step by step: the rule, its citation and exam-style questions.

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