Before getting behind the wheel of a car, the driver must study the traffic rules and find out whether overtaking a slow-moving vehicle is allowed in 2020, how to do it correctly and what penalties can be taken against violators.
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There are several features of performing such a maneuver as overtaking a slow-moving vehicle on a bridge or on a highway.
Many drivers get annoyed when another car, especially a large one, is moving slowly in front of them.
In order not to make a mistake when overtaking, you should pay attention to the signs that permit or prohibit certain actions on the road.
If there are no signs nearby prohibiting crossing road markings, you can take a chance and overtake a slow-moving vehicle.
At what speed can you overtake a slow moving vehicle?
The maximum speed set by the manufacturer is no more than 30 km/h .
Someone can’t stand it and breaks it, overtaking through a continuous line. Why does it violate? Because there is no sign on the slow-moving vehicle that it is a slow-moving vehicle (there should be a sign in the form of a triangle).
If this is a traffic police setup, the so-called “Korobochka”, then a traffic police crew is already waiting for such a driver a little further away, or the same traffic police crew is trudged along in a common column, waiting for the most impatient. One of these guys was caught when he started overtaking across a clear line. The traffic police crew turned on the flashing lights straight from the convoy and went to catch up with him.
If only there was a slow-moving sign, you could overtake through a continuous road, but that’s prohibited! But in such a situation, when a line of cars has accumulated behind such transport, he must pull over to the side of the road and let everything pass. But who does that? I personally have never seen it. But I have seen a hundred times how such “slow movers” are forced to violate traffic rules.
Overtaking a tractor through a continuous road: is it possible?
Country route. Permitted speed is 90 km/h. It would seem that you can “fly” with the breeze! But there’s a tractor in front of you and there’s no rush to drive. Or he simply cannot - 30 km/h is the limit for him. I want to overtake, but the markings don’t allow it - the solid line stretches for several kilometres. What to do?
Let's start with the fact that a solid line is applied to the road surface not out of harm's way. Road workers calculate which sections of the roadway are the most dangerous, where the acceleration of one car can lead to dire consequences... That’s where they “paint a solid road” in the middle of the road. So overtaking through a continuous road is very harmful to health.
Nevertheless, in some places the markings allow overtaking. But, as luck would have it, in such places, to the delight of traffic police officers and as a curse for motorists, there will be a 3.20 sign prohibiting overtaking. However, according to the Traffic Rules, it is not allowed to overtake only cars, buses, motorcycles with a sidecar, but slow-moving vehicles, horse carts, bicycles, mopeds and even motorcycles without a cradle are welcome. And if everything is clear with the latter, then few people know what the slow-moving vehicle looks like. Does our tractor, for example, fall into this category or not?
What vehicles are considered low-speed?
Although the first chapter of the traffic rules defines almost all the concepts and terms mentioned in the Rules, not a single word is said about low-speed vehicles. But in one of the annexes to the traffic rules (the main provisions for the approval of vehicles for operation) it is stated that low-speed vehicles (which, according to the TECHNICAL PASSPORT (this is important!) cannot accelerate over 30 km/h) must be attached to the rear with a special sign in the form of a red reflective a triangle bordered by a yellow or red stripe.
It turns out that if at production it was written in the registration certificate that the car is capable of accelerating faster than 30 km/h, then such a vehicle does not fall into the category of slow-moving vehicles even if it can barely drag along. Here, as they say, all the questions are for the driver... Therefore, not every tractor will turn out to be a slow-moving one. If you're not sure, don't overtake. Otherwise, according to the law of meanness, traffic police officers with a striped baton will be waiting for you in the nearest bushes, and it’s good if you get off with a fine, or they may even deprive you of your driver’s license...
What are the consequences of overtaking a slow-moving vehicle through a continuous lane?
We've sorted out the identification of a slow-moving vehicle! Let’s imagine that the “most natural” slow-moving vehicle, an asphalt paver, is barely dragging in front of you. It is equipped as it should - there is a red triangle with a yellow border on the back. And it trudges no more than 10 km/h. There is no doubt left. This means that driving around it in oncoming traffic is allowed even under the “Overtaking is prohibited” sign. True, if earlier this maneuver was allowed to be performed, regardless of the markings (the sign is more important), then from July 12, 2021, the Supreme Court prohibited driving in the oncoming lane on any roads that have tram tracks or continuous markings in the middle. So now overtaking a slow-moving vehicle through a continuous lane is almost a 100% deprivation of rights.
It is necessary to refrain from overtaking not only if the “oncoming traffic” is separated by a solid line, but also if another car is moving behind a slow-moving vehicle (but the traffic rules do not allow overtaking it). If you are going to make a maneuver in the zone of coverage of the “Overtaking is prohibited” sign, it turns out that you will overtake not only a slow-moving vehicle, but also a completely high-speed car, and this directly violates the requirement of the sign.
What punishment awaits the driver if he violates the overtaking rules?
If the line in the middle of the road is broken and there is no sign “Overtaking prohibited” on your way, then you are allowed to overtake. But not always. Of course, if the oncoming lane is full of cars, then it will hardly occur to you to perform such a dangerous maneuver. An emergency situation will also be created if you decide to overtake when a car moving behind or in front of you has already begun to overtake. Remember the main rule of maneuvering: BEFORE you begin the maneuver, it is important to make sure that you are not creating interference for other road users!
In addition, according to the Rules, it is prohibited to overtake at intersections (it is only allowed at unregulated ones when you are moving on the main road); pedestrian crossings; less than 100 meters from railway crossings; on and under bridges, in tunnels, etc.; on steep climbs; in dangerous turns and other locations where the driver’s visibility is severely limited. In general, in all those places where there is already enough danger on the road.
For violation of the rules of overtaking (including slow-moving vehicles, and especially vehicles that are driving slowly, but have nothing to do with this category) there is a penalty. According to Part 4 of Art. 12.15 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, the violator will be fined in the amount of 5,000 rubles. But in a personal meeting with the traffic police, government officials prefer to deprive motorists of their licenses for 4-6 months. By the way, if a similar violation is repeated, the motorist will say goodbye to his driver’s license for a whole year, and if he is recorded by a video camera, he will have to replenish the regional budget by 5,000 rubles (Part 5 of Article 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
So our advice to you: if you want to keep your license, overtake only according to the Rules! And if in doubt, it is better to refrain from performing the maneuver.
Overtaking a slow-moving vehicle across a clear road
I scoured the auto forums and it turns out that many do not know what to do in such a situation. Therefore, I will formulate it briefly and clearly.
- If the vehicle is moving slowly, but there is no “slow-moving” sign, then you cannot overtake it at all.
- If there is a sign “slow-moving vehicle” and there are only continuous markings, then it is prohibited to overtake such a slow-moving vehicle through the continuous one.
- If there is a “slow vehicle” sign, there is a continuous marking 1.1 or 1.11 and there is a sign 3.20 “Overtaking is prohibited”, then overtaking is prohibited until the end of the “Overtaking” sign, except for low-speed vehicles, horse-drawn carts, bicycles, mopeds and two-wheeled motorcycles without sidecars .
Overtaking slow-moving vehicles, horse-drawn carts, bicycles, mopeds and two-wheeled motorcycles without sidecars is permitted except for sign 3.20 “Overtaking is prohibited”, and since signs have priority over markings, then we obey the actions of the signs.
Every driver could be in a situation where a slow vehicle is driving in front of him on a rather narrow road, which is very difficult to overtake according to all the rules. Everyone will probably want to get ahead of such an annoying “fellow traveler”. After all, such cars or tractors can move at speeds of up to 40 km/h.
In such a situation, almost any driver will be somewhat agitated. And so you overtake "on emotions", but then along the way there appears a car of our valiant inspectors, who, it seems, were sitting here and waiting for an oversight on your part.
Overtaking a slow-moving vehicle in the coverage area of a “No Overtaking” sign
The “Overtaking prohibited” sign (3.20) officially prohibits overtaking any vehicle in its coverage area, unless it is slow-moving cars, bicycles, horse-drawn carts, mopeds and two-wheeled motorcycles (Article 3 “Prohibition Signs” of Appendix 1 of the Traffic Regulations).
In other words, if you passed this sign, then you are officially allowed to overtake the interfering car with a red and yellow sign. But only if, together with the sign on the road, there are intermittent road markings (line 1.5), or there are none at all. In other cases, punishment is provided.
How to overtake a slow-moving vehicle without losing your license
It must be said that according to the rules, slow-moving vehicles are simply obliged to create conditions in order to allow cars behind them to pass, which can move at a higher but permitted speed. There is no need to be even more nervous here. Moreover, you may not be alone in such a problem.
Some “advanced” traffic cops, in general, themselves initiate the movement of such vehicles and provoke drivers to violate the speed limit. Naturally, the driver of a slow tractor who does not allow passage will not face punishment.
But you have a conversation with the inspector, which, according to “all the rules of the genre,” should end with a bribe to the traffic cop. Particularly stubborn drivers end up in court after such setups and are often at an even greater disadvantage.
What kind of transport is classified as low-speed?
Slow-moving vehicles are those whose maximum rated speed does not exceed 30 km/h. This speed is too low even for driving through a populated area, which is why there is a need to overtake the vehicle.
Full list
Low-speed vehicles include:
- tractors;
- combines and agricultural machinery;
- rollers and asphalt pavers;
- excavators, etc.;
- horse-drawn carts (horse or other animal harnessed to a cart);
- bicycles;
- some mopeds, scooters and motorcycles without a side trailer.
IMPORTANT! Ordinary vehicles that travel slowly for any reason (for example, due to a breakdown) are not considered low-speed vehicles.
Many drivers of slow-moving vehicles give way to other vehicles if possible.
Invite a slow-moving driver!
In such a situation, the other driver should politely explain that he and you become a violator. If something happens, you will be forced to make sure that he also pays the appropriate fine. Such a statement is perceived very critically in a set-up situation, and the “thoughtful” driver is simply released and the hunt continues.
If you are not alone and several cars have accumulated behind a slow-moving vehicle, then according to the rules such a vehicle is obliged to periodically stop and let other cars pass ahead. In this situation, the fake driver will admit this and you will be released in peace.
What is the period of deprivation of rights for continuous driving on the road?
The current edition of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation provides for the range of application of such punishment as deprivation of rights. For a violation provided for in Part 4 of Article 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, for example:
- for violation of markings when bending the route
- driving through a solid line before turning
- overtaking in violation of markings and driving into the oncoming lane
- bypassing a traffic jam through a solid line
- will entail punishment in the form of deprivation of rights for a period of four to six months
In this case, strict punishment will be applied even if not the entire car, but only part of the body, drove into the oncoming lane. If any of the violations are committed repeatedly, the court may decide to deprive the offender of his driver’s license for a whole year.
Overtaking rules
Traffic regulations regulate the maneuvering procedure only for those low-speed vehicles on which a special triangle is installed. The driver of a slow-moving vehicle must be extremely careful. If he sees that they want to overtake him, he is obliged to give way (requirement of Article 12.15, Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation) and allow the car to pass quietly. Responsible drivers are well aware of the rules for overtaking a slow-moving vehicle across a solid road.
If there is a sign “No overtaking”
The prohibitory sign is valid from the place of installation to the nearest intersection. It means that the driver is prohibited from overtaking vehicles other than a slow-moving vehicle, a bicycle, a cart or a moped. Overtaking a slow-moving vehicle through a continuous road is not regulated by this sign.
Solid line marking
If the road has markings 1.1 (solid marking line) or 1.11 (solid and intermittent), then you cannot overtake a slow-moving vehicle. According to the new rules, overtaking through a continuous road is allowed only if there is also a prohibiting sign. The innovation makes it possible to relieve congestion on narrow agricultural roads along which a large amount of special equipment moves. Crossing a solid marking line is possible only within the sign’s coverage area, which means to the nearest intersection or to the end of a populated area if there is no intersection.
Solid and sign at the same time
If there are markings 1.1, 1.11 and a prohibitory sign, then the legislation of the Russian Federation regulates that the driver can overtake a slow-moving vehicle, guided by the sign. But in
There are special cases when there is a complete ban on overtaking a slow moving vehicle. Since this maneuver can lead to a serious accident. In this case, overtaking a slow-moving vehicle and crossing a solid line is prohibited, regardless of the presence or absence of a prohibitory sign.
Traffic rules
“Overtaking is prohibited.” It is prohibited to overtake all vehicles except slow-moving vehicles, horse-drawn vehicles, bicycles, mopeds and two-wheeled motorcycles without a side trailer.
It is not prohibited to overtake slow-moving vehicles, horse-drawn vehicles, bicycles, mopeds and two-wheeled motorcycles without a side trailer.
<*> – separates traffic flows in opposite directions and marks the boundaries of traffic lanes in dangerous places on the roads; indicates the boundaries of the roadway to which entry is prohibited; marks the boundaries of vehicle parking spaces.
Lines and crossing are prohibited.
It is prohibited to cross a solid marking line.
In cases where the meanings of road signs, including temporary ones, and horizontal markings contradict each other or the markings are not sufficiently distinguishable, drivers must be guided by the road signs. In cases where temporary marking lines and permanent marking lines contradict each other, drivers must be guided by the temporary marking lines.
The meaning of the sign and the markings do not contradict each other. The sign does not prohibit overtaking certain vehicles, it is forbidden to cross the markings - there is no contradiction here.
If there is a sign “No overtaking”
In a situation where, in the presence of a standardized graphic design that does not allow overtaking, there is a broken line on the road surface, and in its absence, the “Overtaking is prohibited” sign is mandatory for all types of vehicles, except for low-speed ones, scooters, wheelchairs, and mopeds. Overtaking a slow-moving vehicle through continuous and intermittent markings is permitted.
Solid line marking
The presence of a continuous road means a ban on passing by any type of transport on this section of the route. When there is no prohibiting sign installed on a section of road, overtaking through a continuous road is permitted under certain conditions. This applies to excavators, tractors and other slow vehicles. When it is possible to cross a solid marking line to avoid traffic at low speeds in specific conditions - further details.
“No overtaking” sign and solid marking line
The most interesting situation. Simultaneous installation on the road of sign 3.20 “Overtaking prohibited” and a continuous marking line 1.1 or 1.11:
In this case, the requirements of the sign allow overtaking of slow-moving vehicles, but continuous markings, on the contrary, prohibit this maneuver. There is a contradiction.
Until July 12, 2021, in accordance with the ruling of the Supreme Court in force at that time, overtaking a slow-moving vehicle in this case was permitted:
Old resolution of the plenum of the RF Armed Forces
However, starting from July 12, 2021, a new paragraph 9.11 has been added to the traffic rules:
9.11. On any two-way roads, driving in the lane intended for oncoming traffic is prohibited if it is separated by tram tracks, a dividing strip, markings 1.1, 1.3 or markings 1.11, the broken line of which is located on the left.
Those. When overtaking a slow-moving vehicle through a continuous marking line, the driver violates the requirements of this paragraph of the rules.
Since June 25, 2021, a new resolution of the plenum of the Supreme Court has been in force, which also states that it is prohibited for the driver to be on the left of the solid marking line, that is, overtaking slow-moving vehicles is prohibited .
Overtaking on the side of the road
It is prohibited to drive on the side of the road and, especially, to overtake on the right side of the road. For this there is a significant fine of 1,500 rubles. Such an administrative penalty is regulated by Article 12.15 of the Administrative Code. At the same time, the driver driving the slow-moving vehicle, on the contrary, is recommended to try while driving, with a row of cars lined up behind him, to clear the road as much as possible for overtaking in order to organize the passage of accumulated traffic. Thus, the driver of a slow-moving vehicle, following paragraph 11.6 of the Traffic Rules and moving along the side of the road or stopping on it, does not violate the rules, but fulfills their requirements.
Is it possible to get ahead of it if there is no corresponding designation?
The Traffic Rules state that overtaking a slow-moving vehicle can only be done if the corresponding sign is attached to the car.
However, in recent years, a decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation has been in force, in accordance with which it is possible to overtake a vehicle, even in the absence of an identification sticker.
But in this case, the driver must make sure that a tractor or asphalt roller is driving in front of him.
Since it is not difficult to recognize these types of cars, and it is only possible to determine that the speed of a car is less than 30 km per hour, the maneuver can be performed without risking a fine.
If no problems arise when overtaking an asphalt paver, then you need to be careful with tractors.
Even if the car drives at a speed of 15 km per hour, but according to the technical documentation, the tractor has a speed of 50 km per hour, the driver faces punishment in the form of deprivation of his license. Tractors should only be driven around if they have a sticker.
Is it possible to overtake a slow-moving vehicle that does not have a special sign?
On dangerous sections of the road, a sign 3.20 “overtaking is prohibited” is installed. The sign has a coverage area and prohibits overtaking any vehicle except:
- horse-drawn carts;
- bicycles (from 2.04.14);
- mopeds;
- two-wheeled motorcycles without a sidecar (trailer);
- low-speed transport;
The Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in 2012 clarifies the effect of sign 3.20 in the case where the sign for a slow-moving vehicle is missing, but the design speed of the overtaken vehicle is not more than 30 km/h. The resolution is difficult to apply in a real traffic situation, since it is impossible to remember all the design features of cars whose rated speed does not exceed 30 kilometers per hour.
This means that in the area covered by the “no overtaking” sign:
- the driver can confidently overtake: bicycles, carts, mopeds, two-wheeled motorcycles;
- It is risky to overtake slow-moving cars that do not have a special sign.
Exhaustive list
All cases of prohibition of overtaking are prescribed in section 11 of the Traffic Rules. I will list all the options when you cannot drive into oncoming traffic under any circumstances:
— at controlled intersections (with traffic lights);
— at uncontrolled intersections when driving on a road that is not the main one;
— at pedestrian crossings;
— at railway crossings and closer than 100 meters in front of them;
— on bridges, overpasses, overpasses and under them, as well as in tunnels;
- at the end of a climb, on dangerous turns and in other areas with limited visibility.
In addition, you cannot overtake, even if there are no prohibitions on road signs or markings, when:
— a vehicle moving in front of you is overtaking or going around an obstacle;
— a vehicle moving in front of you in the same lane has given a left turn signal;
— the vehicle following you has begun to overtake;
- if, after overtaking, you cannot, without creating a danger to traffic or interference, return to your lane.
