Overtaking a wide load

[harry_monk]

Can someone give me the definitive answer to this question?

If a wide load is occupying lanes 1 and 2 of a motorway and travelling at low speed, is it legally permissible for an HGV to use lane 3 to overtake it?

[stagedriver]

Nope, perhaps if it’s in the middle of the night you’ll get away with it, but if I’m driving or escorting one I’ll always try to run along the shoulder when safe to do so. Usually running on the line will open lane 2 and allow safe passage and you’ll normally get a lot more respect than a typical hurry the ■■■■ up.

[ncooper]

Sensible answer.

I think that circumstances have overtaken the regulations, as they so often do.

Really large abnormal loads are still occasionally escorted by the police and a police officer ( or “Highways Traffic Officer”) can direct a truck into the outside lane.
This can be done by signs, such as we all see at roadworks, but is still on the authority of the police or highways agency.
Mostly though, the escorts are civilian and have no such powers.

So, strictly speaking, no you can’t use the outside lane to pass the abnormal load unless directed to do so by one of the above.

Practical answer

No, but how many of us have never done it?

Silly answer.

Harry Monk:
If a wide load is occupying lanes 1 and 2 of a motorway and travelling at low speed, is it legally permissible for an HGV to use lane 3 to overtake it?

Only if there is a lane four.

Regards,
Nick

[the_sarge]

yes

[merc0447]

Well i only speak from my own experience those extremely large dump trucks(they have a name but i cannae mind it) that travel south on the M74 usually a bloody friday - take up the hard shoulder, lane 1 and half of lane 2. I have never once hesitated to go to lane 3 you think im gonnae sit behind that for god knows how long = no chance.

[dri-diddly-iver]

As far as I’m aware a wide load effectively makes a 3 lane motorway into a 2 lane and therefore you can use lane 3 to pass.

[wheel_nut]

dri-diddly-iver:
As far as I’m aware a wide load effectively makes a 3 lane motorway into a 2 lane and therefore you can use lane 3 to pass.

That is what the highway code says, although not in those actual words

[440mopar]

I use lane 3 to pass, i think the coppers turn a blind eye to be honest. I ve done heavy haulage in the past and in my experience the force whos patch you travelling through want you and the traffic thats following to get the ■■■■ out of there juristiction pronto.

[scanny77]

merc0447:
Well i only speak from my own experience those extremely large dump trucks(they have a name but i cannae mind it) that travel south on the M74 usually a bloody friday - take up the hard shoulder, lane 1 and half of lane 2. I have never once hesitated to go to lane 3 you think im gonnae sit behind that for god knows how long = no chance.

+1
i passed one between j14 and j15 at night with a police ■■■■■■ blinding me with those new phasing red lights so i used common sense and passed in L3 with no repercussions. there are rules in place but like undertaking in lane 1 in heavy trafffic, circumstances change the rules temporarily

[coffeeholic]

Yes you can

[harry_monk]

Coffeeholic:
Yes you can

Is this written in Law somewhere? I mean, I always do it but it would be good to be able to quote the relevant legislation to some arsey traffic cop who pulled me over for doing it.

[suedehead]

Convoi Exeptionell

[gogzy]

i dont think theres legislation that says yes, but tbh we all do it. ive done it while a load was under police ■■■■■■ so common sense prevails.

[rob_k]

Coffeeholic:
Yes you can

Source?

[coffeeholic]

Harry Monk:

Coffeeholic:
Yes you can

Is this written in Law somewhere? I mean, I always do it but it would be good to be able to quote the relevant legislation to some arsey traffic cop who pulled me over for doing it.

It most certainly is, see below for the regulations you can quote.

stagedriver:
Nope

Yes, see below.

ncooper:
So, strictly speaking, no you can’t use the outside lane to pass the abnormal load unless directed to do so by one of the above.

Strictly speaking, yes you can without being directed by anyone. See below.

The Sarge:
yes

Indeed.

dri-diddly-iver:
you can use lane 3 to pass.

Yep.

Wheel Nut:
That is what the highway code says, although not in those actual words

It sure does.

440Mopar:
I use lane 3 to pass, i think the coppers turn a blind eye to be honest.

It’s not blind eyes, They know it’s not an offence, see below, so they will have to wait to nick you for something else instead.

scanny77:
circumstances change the rules temporarily

They do indeed.

Rob K:

Coffeeholic:
Yes you can

Source?

Really, you doubt me? I am hurt, I thought you knew better than that.

gogzy:
i dont think theres legislation that says yes

You think incorrectly.

So for Mr Monk, as requested, and the doubters, not mentioning any names but you know who you are Rob, here you go, the applicable regulation as referenced by The Highway Code

Motorways Traffic (England & Wales) Regulations 1982 Section 12 (3)

That link will take you to the regulations, you might have to scroll down to section 12, but below is a snip of the section. Because it is so old they only have it as a pdf, created from what looks like a crappy scan of the original, rather than the way the have post 1988 regulations on that site.

There is a 2004 amendment to that section but that only adds coaches to the vehicles prohibited from the outside lane and drops the goods vehicle weight limit to 3.5 tonnes. It doesn’t amend section 12 (3)

The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2004

Amendments relating to use of right hand or off side lane

4.–(1) Regulation 12 shall be amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (1)–

(a)after sub-paragraph (a) insert–

“(aa)a goods vehicle–

(i)having a maximum laden weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, and

(ii)to which regulation 36B of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986(1) applies or would apply but for paragraph (14)(a) or (b) of that regulation;”; and

(b)after sub-paragraph (b) insert–

“(bb)a passenger vehicle–

(i)which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver the maximum laden weight of which does not exceed 7.5 tonnes, and

(ii)to which regulation 36A of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (Speed limiters) applies or would apply but for paragraph (13)(a) or (b) of that regulation;”.

When using motorways in Scotland you need to quote Section 11 (3) of the The Motorways Traffic (Scotland) Regulations 1995 if you get stopped by a cop who is mentally malnourished.

[rob_k]

Coffeeholic:
Really, you doubt me? I am hurt, I thought you knew better than that.

Well having recently suffered MMTM myths about D1/2 paperwork from certain parties of late it’s getting very hard to figure out who are genuine, credible sources of info, and who are just plain bull[zb]ers

[coffeeholic]

Rob K:

Coffeeholic:
Really, you doubt me? I am hurt, I thought you knew better than that.

Well having recently suffered MMTM myths about D1/2 paperwork from certain parties of late it’s getting very hard to figure out who are genuine, credible sources of info, and who are just plain bull[zb]ers

[ncooper]

Rob K:

Coffeeholic:
Really, you doubt me? I am hurt, I thought you knew better than that.

it’s getting very hard to figure out who are genuine, credible sources of info

I am happy to stand corrected, there is no dishonour in being mistaken.
I should have looked further than I did, you can trust the source who quotes
the relevant legislation.
Thank you Coffeeholic, that was my lesson for yesterday.

Regards,
Nick.

[rob_k]

ncooper:

Rob K:

Coffeeholic:
Really, you doubt me? I am hurt, I thought you knew better than that.

it’s getting very hard to figure out who are genuine, credible sources of info

I am happy to stand corrected, there is no dishonour in being mistaken.
I should have looked further than I did, you can trust the source who quotes
the relevant legislation.
Thank you Coffeeholic, that was my lesson for yesterday.

Regards,
Nick.

My comment had absolutely nothing to do with you Nick so stop being paranoid.

[richmond]

Well then lads, here is a similar question, but from the other end, i regularly drive wide loads, and whilst tesco etc are ■■■■■■■ about at 48 mph on the motorway, i have a crane and deadline to meet, so, sometimes, i have a long wide load, i have to overtake these head up there arse slackers, so then you have a wide load, in lanes two and three, cos i have a slow moving obstruction in lane one.Comments on the legality of this pls…!