Copied from the Highway Code.
Overtaking on the nearside (left) is legally acceptable if you are driving on a multi-lane carriageway in congested conditions, and the lane to the left is moving at a faster speed than lanes to the right. In these circumstances overtaking on the left is permissible although extra caution is needed for an awareness of other vehicles moving to the faster lane on the left.
So in other words, if the lane that you’re in is going faster than the other lane/s to your right, then you’re free to continue in your lane and pass traffic in the other lanes, it is not classed as “Overtaking” just flowing.
Overtaking by moving to a lane on the left and then once past a vehicle, moving back into the same lane that you were in initially, thus “UNDERTAKING” is NOT legal.
Do not confuse passing on the left, with “undertaking”. Very different.
no1dieselman:
Well said. Sticking your indicator doesnt give you thr right to move lanes. Pulling out and causing another vehicle to slow down is driving without due care and attention. Most of you dinosaurs wouldnt pass your test nowadays.
But that’s not the scenario. In this case the car driver deliberately accelerates to stop you coming out. Downright Tuncish behaviour in my book.
If you crossed a road and a car driver deliberately accelerated towards you would you think that acceptable?
I get sick and tired of this modern aggressive behaviour, and to me shows how selfish and idiotic these clowns are. The roads are getting busier (something lost on the green lobby) who seem to think going ‘battery’ is the answer (dont stop the number of vehicles though).
If you drove not to bully, first come first serve, indicate correctly and observe what’s happening or could happen, it’s straightforward. Sadly a significant proportion drive like r-ses. Perhaps automation is the answer.
Have you changed lane yet or what?
Surely, even the supermarket blokes are flashing you out
Sand Fisher:
But that’s not the scenario. In this case the car driver deliberately accelerates to stop you coming out. Downright Tuncish behaviour in my book.
If you crossed a road and a car driver deliberately accelerated towards you would you think that acceptable?
I get sick and tired of this modern aggressive behaviour, and to me shows how selfish and idiotic these clowns are. The roads are getting busier (something lost on the green lobby) who seem to think going ‘battery’ is the answer (dont stop the number of vehicles though).
If you drove not to bully, first come first serve, indicate correctly and observe what’s happening or could happen, it’s straightforward. Sadly a significant proportion drive like r-ses. Perhaps automation is the answer.
Similar to truck drivers that deliberately speed up and block vehicles from pulling into a perfectly safe gap in front? Or the truck drivers that “police” merging points by straddling lanes?
RoadsRat:
Sand Fisher:
But that’s not the scenario. In this case the car driver deliberately accelerates to stop you coming out. Downright Tuncish behaviour in my book.
If you crossed a road and a car driver deliberately accelerated towards you would you think that acceptable?
I get sick and tired of this modern aggressive behaviour, and to me shows how selfish and idiotic these clowns are. The roads are getting busier (something lost on the green lobby) who seem to think going ‘battery’ is the answer (dont stop the number of vehicles though).
If you drove not to bully, first come first serve, indicate correctly and observe what’s happening or could happen, it’s straightforward. Sadly a significant proportion drive like r-ses. Perhaps automation is the answer.
Similar to truck drivers that deliberately speed up and block vehicles from pulling into a perfectly safe gap in front? Or the truck drivers that “police” merging points by straddling lanes?
Similar to car drivers that deliberately speed up and block vehicles from pulling into a perfectly safe gap in front? Or the car drivers that “police” merging points by straddling lanes?
RoadsRat:
Sand Fisher:
But that’s not the scenario. In this case the car driver deliberately accelerates to stop you coming out. Downright Tuncish behaviour in my book.
If you crossed a road and a car driver deliberately accelerated towards you would you think that acceptable?
I get sick and tired of this modern aggressive behaviour, and to me shows how selfish and idiotic these clowns are. The roads are getting busier (something lost on the green lobby) who seem to think going ‘battery’ is the answer (dont stop the number of vehicles though).
If you drove not to bully, first come first serve, indicate correctly and observe what’s happening or could happen, it’s straightforward. Sadly a significant proportion drive like r-ses. Perhaps automation is the answer.
Similar to truck drivers that deliberately speed up and block vehicles from pulling into a perfectly safe gap in front? Or the truck drivers that “police” merging points by straddling lanes?
Oh the irony… 
A Police officer on about ‘‘policing’’ 
jeez H.
If your lot were more visible on the m.ways, and done some actual ‘‘policing’’ that you refer to… (and I aint on about posing around in tractor units mob handed, catching me eating a banana here btw ) half of this ■■■■ would not happen. 
And for the record your point about self appointed ‘‘police’’ is valid, but then again…so is mine.
AndrewG:
dieseldog999:
The-Snowman:
Sand Fisher:
Of course you have two options, slam on the anchors down to 25mph or continue pulling out.
Option B for me.
If I see a big enough gap to get out, im going and if the motorist doesnt like it, tough.
^^^^^^^^^^
+1
THATS THE WINNER.
anytime im indicating to pull out,then im not exactly asking permission.
euro rules apply…who dares wins.
^^^
This all day long. Slowing down just isnt an option, on the limiter it stays… 
When the indicator comes on its not a request it’s what is going to happen,surely them flashing headlights mean they are letting me out
Exactly the same issue with pulling out of a junction or a side road into a main road. . . Car driver sees HGV waiting for a gap and drops the hammer to get by so hes not behind you thus making you have to wait for another gap! . . ■■■■■■ me off more if its literally a couple hundred yards from a duel carriage way
Scraggy88:
Exactly the same issue with pulling out of a junction or a side road into a main road. . . Car driver sees HGV waiting for a gap and drops the hammer to get by so hes not behind you thus making you have to wait for another gap! . . ■■■■■■ me off more if its literally a couple hundred yards from a duel carriage way
Even better when they then proceed at 45mph and are now holding you up 
corij:
in my area [Suffolk/Essex] the trend is to indicate and immediately pull out to overtake,leaving no chance for that car cruising behind in the outside lane to speed up into the gap .
Yep, if you tell 'em where you’re going - they’ll block you!
If you SHOW 'em where you’re going - they’ll be hitting the brakes!
(Instant Test Failure, of course…)
What gets my goat is when you come up behind a taxi in the roadworks doing 40…
As you are about to signal and swing into lanes 2&3 together to get past, the ■■■■■■■■ swings over to lane 2 without as much as a signal, and slows slightly to 50 Km/H making ME hit the brakes, as I am very reluctant to under-take at any time, and certainly won’t go into lane 3, even if there was room.
Are there any English cabbies left now? 
Winseer:
corij:
in my area [Suffolk/Essex] the trend is to indicate and immediately pull out to overtake,leaving no chance for that car cruising behind in the outside lane to speed up into the gap .
Yep, if you tell 'em where you’re going - they’ll block you!
If you SHOW 'em where you’re going - they’ll be hitting the brakes!
(Instant Test Failure, of course…)
What gets my goat is when you come up behind a taxi in the roadworks doing 40…
As you are about to signal and swing into lanes 2&3 together to get past, the [zb] swings over to lane 2 without as much as a signal, and slows slightly to 50 Km/H making ME hit the brakes, as I am very reluctant to under-take at any time, and certainly won’t go into lane 3, even if there was room.
Are there any English cabbies left now?
I get a lot of that in the roadworks at night. I just hold my speed and pass them on the left.
I do not undertake as I have not changed speed or direction
Winseer:
corij:
in my area [Suffolk/Essex] the trend is to indicate and immediately pull out to overtake,leaving no chance for that car cruising behind in the outside lane to speed up into the gap .
Yep, if you tell 'em where you’re going - they’ll block you!
If you SHOW 'em where you’re going - they’ll be hitting the brakes!
(Instant Test Failure, of course…)
What gets my goat is when you come up behind a taxi in the roadworks doing 40…
As you are about to signal and swing into lanes 2&3 together to get past, the [zb] swings over to lane 2 without as much as a signal, and slows slightly to 50 Km/H making ME hit the brakes, as I am very reluctant to under-take at any time, and certainly won’t go into lane 3, even if there was room.
Are there any English cabbies left now?
Hang on Winseer me old mate…you’re criticising drivers not letting you pass, but I seem to remember a classic post of yours, you once telling us you never use lane 1 on a 4 lane motorway, your excuse was along the lines of ‘‘I drive an instrument of death’’ …so it’s too dangerous in case there is a breakdown in lane 1’’ …(.paraphrased but that was the jist of it …afair)
So how is that not equally as irresponsible selfish and dangerous?
No doubt you will be well cocooned and protected by you wearing your hi viz driving, while ■■■■■■■ everybody off who is stuck behind you.
robroy:
Winseer:
corij:
in my area [Suffolk/Essex] the trend is to indicate and immediately pull out to overtake,leaving no chance for that car cruising behind in the outside lane to speed up into the gap .
Yep, if you tell 'em where you’re going - they’ll block you!
If you SHOW 'em where you’re going - they’ll be hitting the brakes!
(Instant Test Failure, of course…)
What gets my goat is when you come up behind a taxi in the roadworks doing 40…
As you are about to signal and swing into lanes 2&3 together to get past, the [zb] swings over to lane 2 without as much as a signal, and slows slightly to 50 Km/H making ME hit the brakes, as I am very reluctant to under-take at any time, and certainly won’t go into lane 3, even if there was room.
Are there any English cabbies left now?
Hang on Winseer me old mate…you’re criticising drivers not letting you pass, but I seem to remember a classic post of yours, you once telling us you never use lane 1 on a 4 lane motorway, your excuse was along the lines of ‘‘I drive an instrument of death’’ …so it’s too dangerous in case there is a breakdown in lane 1’’ …(.paraphrased but that was the jist of it …afair)
So how is that not equally as irresponsible selfish and dangerous?
No doubt you will be well cocooned and protected by you wearing your hi viz driving, while ■■■■■■■ everybody off who is stuck behind you.
If I am driving in lane 2, and ignoring the “live hard shoulder” - then I won’t be doing 40mph, I’ll be on the limiter. It won’t be “road works section” - as that means the new bit of managed motorway ain’t finished yet.
I am not against idiots driving like idiots so much - as people who deliberately go out of their way to be a pain in the arse, when they were enough of that to START with.
I’m easily irritated by anyone driving with a lower IQ and higher Bank Balance than me - at all times. That I passed a Mensa entry test, and I’m overdrawn at the bank - you can draw you own conclusions to the sheer number of people who find it very easy indeed to irritate yours truly…
I get just as irritated by TNT drivers overtaking me on roundabouts, Stobarts flying past me in the roadworks on their phone, and double deckers right up my arse because I’m “only” doing 50 through the roadworks, instead of being “on the limiter” there.
Winseer:
If I am driving in lane 2, and ignoring the “live hard shoulder” - then I won’t be doing 40mph, I’ll be on the limiter.
I am not against idiots driving like idiots so much - as people who deliberately go out of their way to be a pain in the arse, when they were enough of that to START with.
Yep…know what you mean.
Just like everytime I see, (and have to put up with) those who chose to ignore the ‘live hard shoulder …’ just to be a complete self righteous and ‘‘I know better’’ type of arse,.and a pain in such.
Winseer:
If I am driving in lane 2, and ignoring the “live hard shoulder” - then I won’t be doing 40mph, I’ll be on the limiter. It won’t be “road works section” - as that means the new bit of managed motorway ain’t finished yet.
You may have passed a Mensa test but you’re not very bright when it comes to driving. So your ‘instrument of death’ (a drama queen when way of describing a truck of ever I saw it) suddenly becomes safe in lane one of roadworks? But lethal in lane one of a smart motorway? Hmmmmm
switchlogic:
Winseer:
If I am driving in lane 2, and ignoring the “live hard shoulder” - then I won’t be doing 40mph, I’ll be on the limiter. It won’t be “road works section” - as that means the new bit of managed motorway ain’t finished yet.
You may have passed a Mensa test but you’re not very bright when it comes to driving. So your ‘instrument of death’ (a drama queen when way of describing a truck of ever I saw it) suddenly becomes safe in lane one of roadworks? But lethal in lane one of a smart motorway? Hmmmmm
My thoughts exactly also…
m.a.n rules:
corij:
in my area [Suffolk/Essex] the trend is to indicate and immediately pull out to overtake,leaving no chance for that car cruising behind in the outside lane to speed up into the gap .
that is my pet hate i always give at least four flashes before pullimg out.
Yeah cos car drivers always do just that for me too.
How nice of them.
I do seriously hope that was sarcasm…