This video has no narration.
Practical test
Why it matters
Examiners are watching whether you can hold back for the whole encounter without forcing an unnecessary overtake - staying settled and disciplined behind a cyclist all the way to your own turn is exactly the judgement this skill is testing.
What to look out for
Not overtaking is a valid outcome
If there's no safe space and your route is about to diverge anyway, staying back the whole way is the correct decision, not something that needs fixing.
Discipline doesn't stop at the decision
Once you've decided not to overtake, keep the same following position and distance until you actually turn off - don't drift closer just because a pass isn't happening.
Key steps
- 1 Hold back a safe following distance, the same as if you were planning to overtake - patience doesn't stop just because you're not sure you'll pass.
- 2 Keep reading your own route ahead, not just the cyclist - if you know you're turning off soon, factor that into whether attempting an overtake is even worth it.
- 3 If no safe gap presents itself, don't force one - staying behind all the way to your own turn is a complete, correct outcome, not a failed overtake.
- 4 Maintain your road position and following distance right up to your turn - don't drift closer to the cyclist just because you've decided not to pass.
- 5 Signal and take your turn as normal, letting the cyclist continue on their own way.
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Common mistakes
Treating "not overtaking" as a failure
Staying behind a cyclist all the way to your own turn is a normal, safe outcome - there's no rule that says you must pass just because you were following.
Losing discipline near the end of the follow
Keep the same road position and distance right up to your turn, rather than closing in once you've already decided not to overtake.
Forcing a late overtake because the follow felt long
A longer wait behind a cyclist isn't a reason to squeeze through a gap that wasn't there earlier - if nothing's changed, don't overtake.
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Highway Code
This lesson is a revision aid, not a replacement for The Highway Code.
Rule 162
Before overtaking, make sure the road is sufficiently clear ahead, no one has started to overtake you, and there's a suitable gap in front of the road user you plan to overtake.
Read on GOV.UKMore in Overtaking a cyclist
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