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. The Rules describe overtaking as "a vehicle changing course and moving ahead of the moving vehicle in front." Passing — moving ahead of the vehicle in front without changing course — is not covered by this sign.

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 course to get ahead of the car in front, but passing means getting ahead without changing course. The sign only bans overtaking.

Hikari

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

Yui

Exactly. Think of it this way: overtaking = changing course, passing = holding your course. Only the first one 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.