Positioning and lane use

Positioning on the carriageway

Where you position the car determines both how well you see, how well you are seen, and how safe a margin you have to others. Correct positioning is one of the clearest differences between an experienced and an uncertain driver.

The main rule

You must drive as far to the right as is appropriate and safe, but not so far out that you end up in gravel, at edges or too close to vulnerable road users. The aim is a good margin to both oncoming traffic and the edge of the road.

Correct positioning is both rule and planning. You follow the main rule normally, but start early to position for the next task: meeting traffic, overtaking, junction, turn, narrowing or obstacle.

• Oncoming traffic: keep right and create side distance without ending up on an unsafe shoulder.
• Parked cars: keep distance from doors and people who may step out between the cars.
• Cyclists: rather wait behind until you can pass with good clearance than squeeze past.
• Poor visibility: choose a position that gives you more time, not just the shortest line.

Avoid driving for a long time in someone else’s blind spot. If you stay beside a lorry, bus or car without passing, you are harder to see and have fewer escape routes if the other vehicle moves.

Several lanes in the same direction

• Normally stay in the right lane; the left lane is for overtaking.
• Choose lane in good time according to where you are going, especially before junctions and exits.
• Avoid staying in and “blocking” the left lane when the right lane is clear.

Arrows on the carriageway tell you where the lane leads. Choose your lane long before the junction, not at the last moment.

If there is no room to give the cyclist wide clearance, wait behind until the road is clear.

Positioning: Where you place the car across the width of the lane. Correct positioning gives visibility and margin, and makes your intention clear to others.

Positioning before turns and lane changes

Good positioning before a manoeuvre makes it both safer and easier for others to understand. Turning or changing lane is just as much about the preparation as about the manoeuvre itself.

• Observe: look far ahead, mirrors, side areas and blind spot.
• Choose position: place the car early so others understand your direction.
• Adjust speed: brake and gear down before the actual turn or lane change.
• Signal: only when you know what is around you, and early enough for others to adapt.
• Carry out: calmly, precisely and only when it is clear.

Keep to the right before a right turn, and position yourself towards the centre before a left turn.

Before you turn

• Check mirrors and blind spot in good time.
• Signal so others understand what you are going to do.
• Position yourself correctly: towards the right before a right turn, towards the centre (within your own lane) before a left turn.
• Adapt your speed before the bend, not in it.

Before a right turn, position clearly towards the right within your own lane. Then you do not block traffic behind unnecessarily, you show your intention, and you reduce the risk of a cyclist or moped rider trying to pass on the inside. Before a left turn, position towards the centre of the carriageway, but still so that oncoming traffic has room. Do not cut the turn; rather wait until you can turn without entering the wrong lane.

Safe lane change

A lane change must never surprise anyone. Build it up in a fixed order, and it becomes both safe and predictable.

• Mirrors: see what is behind and beside you.
• Blind spot: make a quick shoulder check.
• Signal: indicate in good time.
• Manoeuvre: change lane smoothly when it is clear, and cancel the indicator afterwards.

The same order every time: mirrors, blind spot, signal, manoeuvre.

When you change lane, traffic in the lane you are entering has priority. Adapt your speed to that lane, find a gap without pressuring anyone, and cancel if the picture changes after the shoulder check.

In a roundabout, use positioning much like in an ordinary junction: to the right when turning right or going straight ahead unless signs say otherwise, and a clear position towards the left when going far around. Choose lane according to signs, markings and where you will exit.

Lane change: Changing lane. Done in the order mirrors, blind spot, signal and manoeuvre – and only when it is clear.