Overtaking Rules in Spain

In Spain the rule is simple: you overtake on the left. You may only pass on the right in a few specific situations, and overtaking is banned outright in several places, such as low-visibility bends, pedestrian crossings and most tunnels. This guide breaks down the basic rule, the exceptions, the no-overtaking zones, how to pass cyclists, and how to do all of it safely for the DGT theory test and for real driving.

The basic rule: overtake on the left

Overtaking (adelantamiento) means moving fully out from behind a vehicle that is going in the same direction as you, passing it, and returning to your lane. In Spain you do this on the left. You pull out to the left, complete the pass, and move back to the right once you can see the overtaken vehicle in your mirror.

Before you start, you must check that the lane you want to use is clear far enough ahead, that no one is already overtaking you from behind, and that you can complete the move without forcing anyone to brake or swerve. Signal left before you pull out, and signal right before you return.

There is one more duty that catches people out: the vehicle being overtaken must not speed up. Once someone starts to pass you, you are expected to hold your speed, or even ease off, and keep to the right. Speeding up while being overtaken is dangerous and is treated as an offence.

When may you overtake on the right?

Passing on the right is the exception, not the rule, and it is only allowed in three clearly defined cases. Outside these, overtaking on the right is prohibited, even on a road where traffic on the left is moving slowly.

You may overtake on the right when:

• The vehicle ahead has signalled clearly that it is going to turn left or to stop on the left. In that case you pass it on the right, because it has moved over or is waiting to cross the oncoming lane.
• You are on a two-way urban street with trams running down the middle, and the tram or the layout leaves you no room to pass on the left.
• You are on an urban road with two or more lanes in your direction, marked for that direction. Here vehicles in each lane move at their own pace, so passing on the right is part of normal lane use rather than an overtake in the strict sense.

If none of these apply, stay left to overtake. On a motorway, "undertaking" a car on the right because the left lane is slow is not permitted; you wait, or the slower traffic should move over.

Where is overtaking banned in Spain?

Some places are off limits no matter how clear the road looks, because your view or your room to manoeuvre is compromised. Knowing these zones is essential for the theory exam, where they come up often. Overtaking is prohibited:

• On or approaching bends and crests of hills with limited visibility, where you cannot see far enough ahead to pass safely.
• At pedestrian crossings.
• At junctions and intersections and on the approach to them, where vehicles may cross or turn.
• At level crossings and on their approach.
• Inside tunnels and underpasses, unless the tunnel has two or more lanes in your direction.

Road markings reinforce these bans. A solid centre line means no overtaking and no crossing; a broken line allows it when it is safe. Our guide to Spanish road markings explained shows exactly what each line permits, which is one of the most tested topics on the exam.

How do you overtake a cyclist in Spain?

Cyclists get special protection, and the rules are tightening. Today you must give cyclists plenty of room and only pass when you can do so without endangering them, treating a bike the same way you would a slow vehicle you need to pass fully and cleanly.

From 1 October 2026, a stricter cyclist overtaking rule takes effect. Under Real Decreto 518/2026 drivers will have to leave at least 1.5 metres of side clearance, reduce speed by at least 20 km/h below the limit while passing, and, on interurban roads with a single lane in each direction, may cross a solid centre line and use the oncoming lane to pass when it is safe. On multi-lane roads you change lane fully. This is an upcoming change, so expect exam questions to reflect it around and after that date.

Because passing cyclists safely has so many details, we cover it on its own page. See overtaking cyclists in Spain for the full breakdown of clearances, speeds and the 2026 rules.

How do you overtake safely?

Passing well is about judgement, not speed. A clean overtake keeps you on the wrong side of the road for as little time as possible while giving everyone room. Work through it in order:

• Look ahead. Make sure you can see far enough to pass and return without meeting oncoming traffic. On bends, crests and near junctions, wait.
• Check behind. Confirm no one is already overtaking you, then signal left.
• Pull out decisively and pass at a steady, brisk pace so you spend minimal time alongside the other vehicle.
• Leave room. Give wide clearance, especially to bikes, motorcycles and large vehicles that can be buffeted by wind.
• Return smoothly. Signal right and move back only when you can see the vehicle you passed in your interior mirror, so you do not cut in.

If in doubt, hold back. A missed overtake costs a few seconds; a forced one can cost far more. You can practise these scenarios in exam form with our DGT practice tests, which include overtaking and priority questions in English. Overtaking is just one topic on the exam; for the full picture see our guide to the DGT theory test in English.

Frequently asked questions

Which side do you overtake on in Spain?

On the left. Overtaking on the right is only allowed in three cases: when the vehicle ahead is signalling a left turn or stop, on a two-way urban street with central trams, and on urban roads with two or more lanes in your direction.

Can you overtake in a tunnel in Spain?

No, not in a normal single-lane tunnel. Overtaking inside tunnels and underpasses is prohibited unless the tunnel has two or more lanes running in your direction. You must also switch on your dipped headlights before entering.

What is the new 1.5 metre cyclist rule?

From 1 October 2026, under Real Decreto 518/2026, drivers must leave at least 1.5 metres when passing a cyclist and drop at least 20 km/h below the speed limit. On single-lane interurban roads you may cross a solid line to pass safely. It is an upcoming change, not yet in force.

Is it illegal to speed up while being overtaken?

Yes. If another vehicle starts to overtake you, you must not accelerate. You should hold your speed or ease off and keep to the right so the other driver can complete the pass safely. Speeding up is treated as an offence.

Can you overtake at a pedestrian crossing?

No. Overtaking is banned at pedestrian crossings, at junctions and their approaches, at level crossings, and on low-visibility bends and crests. These are among the most common no-overtaking questions on the DGT theory test.

Sources

• Reglamento General de Circulacion (Real Decreto 1428/2003).
• Real Decreto 518/2026, en vigor desde el 1 de octubre de 2026: BOE-A-2026-13889.

Last updated: August 2026.