Ch. 1 · Common Conduct

In a section with an "No Overtaking" sign, you cannot pass or overtake the vehicle in front under any circumstances.

[True / False · Easy]

Answer: ✕ False

Explanation

The Rules of the Road define "No Overtaking" as prohibiting overtaking, but passing is not prohibited. Overtaking involves a lane change, while passing means moving ahead of a vehicle in the same lane. Correctly, only overtaking is prohibited.

Driving school curriculumStage 1 – Topic 2: Following traffic signals

Hikari

Wait, so we can't pass OR overtake? That sounds like we're just stuck behind them forever!

Yui

Actually, that's false! Overtaking means changing lanes to get ahead, but passing just means moving forward in the same lane. The sign only bans overtaking.

Hikari

Oh! So if the car ahead slows down, I can still pass them without switching lanes?

Yui

Exactly. Think of it this way: overtaking = lane change, passing = same lane. Only the lane change is off-limits here.

Source: Ch. 1 Common Conduct · Section (第２節信号) · Rules of the Road, Ch.1 §2 / 2(2) Regulatory signs prohibit certain traffic behaviors or designate specific ways of traveling. The types of signs and their meanings are as listed in Appendix 3(1).

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Source content excerpted from the NPA “Rules of the Road” instructional manual, in the public domain under Japanese Copyright Act Article 13(2). Explanations are AI-assisted and copyrighted by the MenkyoQuest editorial team.