Where overtaking is prohibited in Lithuania
Overtaking is one of the most dangerous manoeuvres on the road, so the Road Traffic Rules impose many restrictions on when it is banned. "No overtaking" exists both as a dedicated road sign and as general rules for specific situations — every driver must know both.
The "No overtaking" sign
A round white sign with a red border showing two cars (one black, one red). It prohibits overtaking the vehicle ahead from the sign to the nearest junction (or until a cancelling sign). The ban applies to all motor vehicles except single vehicles moving very slowly — under 30 km/h (e.g. a tractor). It covers overtaking motorcycles, cars and trucks alike.
General rules — where overtaking is banned
- At junctions: prohibited, except when overtaking on the main road while crossing a minor one. Driving straight through a junction on the main road, you may pass a slower vehicle; on the minor road you may not.
- At railway crossings: strictly prohibited on the crossing itself and within 100 metres before it.
- On poor-visibility stretches: banned where the road ahead is not clearly visible — sharp bends, crests of hills — and whenever an oncoming vehicle leaves no safe distance to complete the manoeuvre.
- At pedestrian crossings: you may not overtake another vehicle at a crossing. Even if the car ahead crawls over the zebra, stay behind — overtaking there risks hitting a pedestrian you cannot see.
- Solid line: although this is road marking rather than a sign, remember: if a continuous line separates your lane, crossing it to overtake is prohibited. Solid lines are laid exactly where overtaking is dangerous (bends, crests), visually confirming the ban.
Overtaking is also prohibited whenever it may create danger: if the driver ahead signals a left turn (intending to turn or overtake), you must wait; and you may not start overtaking if dense traffic would prevent a safe return to your lane.
Knowing these rules helps avoid painful mistakes — respecting overtaking bans saves lives, yours and others'. You can practise real overtaking situations with dedicated questions on the RoboKET platform and build the confidence to always judge correctly when to overtake and when not to.