Theory Mastery

Looking sequence when overtaking (blind spot)

Before pulling out to overtake you look in a fixed order: interior mirror, left door mirror, a shoulder check to the left for the blind spot, then signal and only then steer. When returning to the right you repeat the sequence on the right-hand side.

Source: Driving manoeuvres · checked 2026-10-23

How the exam asks it

About Calculating overtaking distance: the 60-formula and the blind spot: which statement is WRONG?

  1. Even on the motorway the manoeuvre may not take longer than necessary, and you may not exceed the maximum speed.
  2. At 80 km/h and a leader at 25 km/h the overtaking distance is 87 metres; at 80 km/h and a leader at 60 km/h (a smaller difference) the overtaking distance is 240 metres.
  3. The sequence is three steps: first the interior mirror, then the left exterior mirror, AND THEN over your left shoulder — only that last step covers the blind spot no mirror shows (trap: final check step skipped).
  4. The 1.5 metre lateral clearance when overtaking cyclists and pedestrians only applies at high speed, such as on a motorway.
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Correct answer: The 1.5 metre lateral clearance when overtaking cyclists and pedestrians only applies at high speed, such as on a motorway.

The rule is stated generally: 'when overtaking pedestrians and cyclists, keep sufficient lateral distance (at least 1.5 metres)', with no restriction to motorways or high speed

Why learners get this wrong: On the motorway overtaking is always safe, so the manoeuvre may take as long as you like.

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About Calculating overtaking distance: the 60-formula and the blind spot: which statements are correct? (multiple answers possible)

  1. The rule is stated generally: 'when overtaking pedestrians and cyclists, keep sufficient lateral distance (at least 1.5 metres)', with no restriction to motorways or high speed.
  2. Before overtaking it is enough to check your interior mirror and left exterior mirror; checking over your shoulder is then no longer necessary.
  3. Before overtaking you first look over your left shoulder and only then in the mirrors.
  4. Right before overtaking, keep sufficient distance to the vehicle ahead (2-second rule), so it can see you coming clearly.
Show the answer

Correct answer: The rule is stated generally: 'when overtaking pedestrians and cyclists, keep sufficient lateral distance (at least 1.5 metres)', with no restriction to motorways or high speed.; Right before overtaking, keep sufficient distance to the vehicle ahead (2-second rule), so it can see you coming clearly.

The book's sequence starts with the interior mirror, not with the shoulder check

Why learners get this wrong: Before overtaking it is enough to check your interior mirror and left exterior mirror; checking over your shoulder is then no longer necessary.

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Near Ellewoutsdijk you are driving at 80 km/h behind a tractor doing 60 km/h and want to overtake after only briefly checking your left exterior mirror. Is that enough?

  1. Yes, the interior mirror and left exterior mirror together already cover everything
  2. No, you must also look over your left shoulder to cover the blind spot
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Correct answer: No, you must also look over your left shoulder to cover the blind spot

Only the look over the left shoulder covers the blind spot that no mirror shows

Why learners get this wrong: Before overtaking it is enough to check your interior mirror and left exterior mirror; checking over your shoulder is then no longer necessary.

Open this question

About Calculating overtaking distance: the 60-formula and the blind spot: which statement is WRONG?

  1. The sequence is three steps: first the interior mirror, then the left exterior mirror, AND THEN over your left shoulder — only that last step covers the blind spot no mirror shows (trap: final check step skipped).
  2. The rule is stated generally: 'when overtaking pedestrians and cyclists, keep sufficient lateral distance (at least 1.5 metres)', with no restriction to motorways or high speed.
  3. On the motorway overtaking is always safe, so the manoeuvre may take as long as you like.
  4. At 80 km/h and a leader at 25 km/h the overtaking distance is 87 metres; at 80 km/h and a leader at 60 km/h (a smaller difference) the overtaking distance is 240 metres.
Show the answer

Correct answer: On the motorway overtaking is always safe, so the manoeuvre may take as long as you like.

Even on the motorway the manoeuvre may not take longer than necessary, and you may not exceed the maximum speed

Why learners get this wrong: Before overtaking it is enough to check your interior mirror and left exterior mirror; checking over your shoulder is then no longer necessary.

Open this question

Even on the motorway the manoeuvre may not take longer than necessary, and you may not exceed the maximum speed.

  1. False
  2. True
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Correct answer: True

Even on the motorway the manoeuvre may not take longer than necessary, and you may not exceed the maximum speed

Why learners get this wrong: On the motorway overtaking is always safe, so the manoeuvre may take as long as you like.

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