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Driving Manual · Theory

Chapter 4 - Maneuvers

Performing maneuvers safely is a key aspect of responsible driving. A maneuver is any change in the vehicle's normal movement on the road. This chapter covers all types of maneuvers, their rules, and the necessary precautions.

4.1 General Concepts

A maneuver includes:

  • Joining traffic (incorporation)
  • Lateral movement (lane change)
  • Overtaking
  • Turning (change of direction)
  • U-turn (change of sense)
  • Stopping and parking
  • Reversing
Top-down road overview labelling all seven manoeuvre types with arrows
The seven manoeuvre types covered in this chapter.

4.2 Safety Rule (RSM)

Before performing any maneuver, apply the RSM rule:

R - Mirrors (Retrovisor) Check mirrors and surroundings carefully, even direct observation if necessary.
S - Signal Warn other users using indicators or hand signals.
M - Maneuver Execute the maneuver smoothly and safely.
Three-step diagram: checking mirrors, then signalling, then executing the manoeuvre
RSM: Mirrors -> Signal -> Manoeuvre, in that order, every time.

4.2.1 Mirrors

Observation includes mirrors, direct vision, and in some cases even getting out of the vehicle or relying on a helper when reversing.

4.2.2 Signals

Signals must be made:

  • In advance and clearly.
  • Kept on until the maneuver is complete.
  • Priority is given to manual hand signals if there's a contradiction with indicator lights.

4.2.3 Acoustic and Light Signals

  • Horn: Only allowed to prevent accidents or in emergencies.
  • Light flashes: Can replace the horn, especially inside cities for overtaking warnings.

4.3 Joining Traffic (Incorporation)

When joining from a stop, parking space, private property, or rest area:

  • Give way to all vehicles and pedestrians.
  • Use acceleration lanes to adapt to traffic flow, not for stopping.
  • Signal the maneuver even when moving straight into traffic.
When others are joining: Drivers must facilitate incorporation, especially for buses leaving a stop, by adjusting speed or lane position - but buses still have to yield if necessary for safety.
Top-down view of a car using an on-ramp acceleration lane to merge onto a motorway, yielding to main traffic
Use the acceleration lane to match traffic speed and yield when merging.
A bus pulling out of a stop while surrounding cars make room
Facilitate a bus rejoining traffic from its stop.

4.4 Lateral Movements (Lane Changes)

  • Check mirrors and blind spots.
  • Signal early and clearly.
  • Yield to vehicles already in the desired lane.
  • Move smoothly and progressively.
Top-down lane-change sequence: check mirrors and blind spot, signal, move across smoothly, signal off
Always check the blind spot - it is invisible in the mirrors alone.

4.5 Overtaking

Overtaking is passing another moving vehicle that is travelling at a lower speed.

4.5.1 Not Considered Overtaking

  • Dense traffic (slow-moving lanes).
  • Vehicles in special lanes (e.g., buses or acceleration lanes).
  • Passing stationary vehicles or cyclists in the same group.

4.5.2 Correct Side to Overtake

  • Overtake on the left as a general rule.
  • Overtake on the right if the vehicle ahead signals left, in multi-lane urban roads, or when overtaking trams moving in the centre of the road.
Top-down diagram showing overtaking on the left as the rule, and on the right as an exception
Overtake on the left as a rule; on the right only in the stated exceptions.

4.5.3 How to Overtake Safely

  • Ensure good visibility and space.
  • Maintain a clearly higher speed than the overtaken vehicle.
  • Keep a lateral distance of at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists, even in cities.
  • Return to the lane smoothly without cutting off the overtaken vehicle.
Overtaking sequence diagram showing signalling, accelerating, a 1.5 metre gap from a cyclist, and returning to the lane
Leave at least 1.5 m when overtaking a cyclist.

4.5.4 Behaviour When Being Overtaken

  • Move as close as safely possible to the right-hand edge.
  • Maintain steady speed unless necessary to slow down for safety.
  • No signalling is needed when being overtaken unless driving a large/heavy vehicle with special speed limits.
Diagram of the overtaken vehicle keeping to the right edge at a steady speed
When overtaken: keep right and hold a steady speed.

4.5.5 Prohibited Overtaking Locations

  • When overtaking would require crossing continuous lines.
  • Curves and crests with poor visibility.
  • Near pedestrian crossings, intersections, tunnels (with one lane per direction), and railroad crossings - except motorcycles and bicycles at crossings.
Road diagram marking where overtaking is banned: curves, crests, pedestrian crossings, intersections and tunnels
Where overtaking is prohibited.
The circular red-bordered no-overtaking traffic sign showing two cars
No-overtaking sign.

4.5.6 Exceptions to Overtaking Prohibitions

You are allowed to overtake slow vehicles like bicycles, mopeds, pedestrians, and animal-drawn vehicles even where overtaking is generally prohibited, if it can be done safely.

A car safely overtaking a cyclist on a section with a continuous line
Slow vehicles like cyclists may be overtaken even where it is generally prohibited, if safe.

4.6 Changing Direction (Turning)

4.6.1 Turning Right

  • Position your vehicle as far to the right as possible.
  • Signal clearly and early.
Top-down intersection diagram with the car positioned far right and the turning arc shown
Turning right: keep as far right as possible before the turn.

4.6.2 Turning Left

  • On single-direction roads: move to the leftmost part.
  • On double-direction roads: move close to the centreline.
  • Yield to oncoming traffic unless otherwise indicated.
Top-down diagram showing left-turn positioning near the centreline, yielding to oncoming traffic, with the turning arc
Turning left: position correctly and yield to oncoming traffic.

4.6.3 Prohibited Turns

  • Where vertical signs or road markings forbid it.
  • Where visibility is insufficient for a safe turn.

4.7 Changing Direction of Travel (U-Turns)

U-turns should be made:

  • Only when safe and not disrupting traffic flow.
  • In places with good visibility, away from intersections unless expressly permitted.
  • Using roundabouts or special designated areas when available.
Top-down diagram of a U-turn made with good visibility in both directions, with a roundabout shown as an alternative
U-turn: only with clear visibility, away from junctions; use a roundabout where available.

4.8 Stops and Parking

4.8.1 Stop Temporary immobilisation due to traffic conditions, signals, or a brief need (under 2 minutes) without leaving the vehicle.
4.8.2 Parking Prolonged immobilisation of the vehicle with possible driver absence. Must follow signage and regulations regarding parking areas, times, and restrictions.
A car pulled over briefly at the kerb with hazard lights on and the driver still inside
Stop: a brief immobilisation, driver remains with the vehicle.
A car parked within a marked parking bay, with a no-parking sign for contrast
Parking: follow bay markings and parking signage.

4.9 Reversing

Reversing is allowed when:

  • Necessary to complete another maneuver (parking, joining traffic).
  • Limited to the minimum necessary distance (no more than 15 metres or crossing intersections).
  • Safety checks are made before and during the maneuver.
Top-down diagram of a car reversing the minimum distance (no more than 15 metres), not crossing a junction, with the driver looking behind
Reverse only the minimum distance, never across a junction, checking behind.

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Last updated: 2026-06-27

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