Article 21

Overtaking, driving in columns, permitted lane changes, and the movement of mopeds and motorcycles in heavy traffic

1. A driver may overtake a vehicle ahead only if he or she can do so without endangering others or obstructing traffic, and provided that he or she gives sufficient warning, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 25, regarding rules for vehicle maneuvers.

2. As a general rule, passing is permitted on the left. As an exception, passing is permitted on the right if the driver ahead has signaled his intention to turn left and has moved his vehicle or livestock toward that side.

3. Passing is generally prohibited in the following cases:

(a) when one of the drivers following the driver who intends to pass has already begun to pass,

(b) when the driver ahead in the same lane signals that he or she intends to pass another vehicle,

(c) when the traffic lane that the driver intends to use for passing is not clear for a sufficient distance ahead of him, such that, taking into account the difference in speed between his vehicle and and that of the vehicles he intends to pass, he does not endanger or obstruct oncoming traffic,

(d) immediately before or at a non-circular at-grade intersection, unless:

(da) Overtaking on the right is permitted in the case described in paragraph 2,

(db) the road on which the passing maneuver takes place has the right of way,

(dg) traffic is regulated by a traffic officer or by traffic lights, and

(dd) the vehicle being passed is a bicycle, moped, or motorcycle without a basket,

(e) immediately before or at a level railroad crossing without operational movable barriers, unless road traffic is regulated by traffic lights, such as those used at at-grade intersections,

(f) immediately before or at a crosswalk that is marked as such on the roadway or by a traffic sign,

(g) inside tunnels with one (1) traffic lane in each direction,

(h) when a school bus has stopped on the roadway with one (1) or two (2) traffic lanes in the direction of travel and has its emergency lights on for the boarding and disembarking of students.

4. Specifically, on a two-way roadway, passing is prohibited when approaching a convex grade change or curves with insufficient visibility, unless there is a median strip at these points or at least two (2) traffic lanes in the direction of the overtaking vehicle, which are marked with longitudinal lane markings, and the passing maneuver is performed without the driver leaving the traffic lanes marked as closed to oncoming traffic.

5. When passing, the driver leaves enough space on the side of the vehicle being passed.

6. After passing, the driver must return the vehicle to a position near the right edge of the roadway, without endangering those being passed.

However, if a driver is traveling on a roadway with at least two (2) lanes of traffic in each direction and intends to pass more than one (1) vehicle, they may remain in the lane they are using to pass, provided that doing so does not cause a hindrance to drivers of faster vehicles approaching from behind.

7. A driver who realizes that another driver intends to pass him must drive close to the right edge of the roadway and must not accelerate. The driver of a slow-moving or large vehicle, which is not easy or safe to pass, due to the narrowness or condition of the roadway, combined with the density of oncoming traffic, must reduce their speed and move as close as possible as close as possible to the right-hand edge of the roadway, to facilitate passing by following vehicles.

8. a) On one-way streets and two-way streets with at least two (2) traffic lanes in each direction within residential areas and three (3) outside of them, separated by longitudinal lane markings, driving in parallel rows (columns) is permitted.

(b) In any case, changing lanes is permitted only if it does not pose a danger or obstruct traffic and if adequate warning is given, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 25.

(c) In subparagraph (a), the intended manner of driving is not considered to constitute passing within the meaning of this provision, and subparagraph (f) of paragraph 3.

9. If traffic density is such that vehicles occupy the entire width of the roadway in the direction of travel and are moving at the speed of the vehicle ahead of them, the following are permitted:

(a) changing lanes solely for the purpose of turning right or left or parking,

(b) the movement of mopeds and motorcycles without a sidecar between traffic lanes traveling in the same direction (weaving) on roads with at least two (2) traffic lanes in each direction, provided that their speed does not exceed twenty (20) kilometers per hour and the other vehicles are stationary.

During the traffic flow, drivers of mopeds and motorcycles without a sidecar must have their turn signals on, yield the right of way, maintain a safe lateral distance from other vehicles, reduce speed, and come to a complete stop if necessary to avoid an accident and any danger to other drivers or pedestrians.

10. When vehicles are traveling in parallel rows (columns), drivers of slower-moving vehicles are required to drive in the right lane of the roadway.

11. (a) Violations of paragraphs 1 through 3 and 5 through 8, subject to subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this section, are classified in category E2-B.

(b) Violations of Article 8(b) and paragraphs 9 and 10 of this Act are classified in Category E1-B.

(c) Violations of subparagraphs (a), (b), (e), (f), and (g) of paragraph 3 and of paragraph 4 are classified as Category E4, and the offender is subject to an administrative fine of seven hundred (700) euros and the administrative measure of on-the-spot revocation of the driver’s license for thirty (30) days.