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Lanes, Overtaking and Road Markings

Correct lane use and overtaking rules are essential for safe driving on multi-lane roads.

Basic lane rules

*Outside built-up areas:* Normally use the right-hand lane. Other lanes only for overtaking, turning, or passing obstacles.

*Inside built-up areas:* Any lane may be used (parallel driving). If a faster vehicle is blocked from behind in all lanes, the driver in the leftmost lane must move aside as soon as possible.

*Vehicles over 3.5 t, longer than 7 m, tractors, max speed 45 km/h:*

• In municipality: may use left lane only for overtaking, turning around, passing obstacles
• On roads with three or more lanes in one direction: may use only the two rightmost lanes

Zipper merge

When a lane ends, drivers in the through lane must allow vehicles from the ending lane to merge alternately, one by one.

Explanation

Overtaking – basic rules

• Overtaking is normally done on the left.
• Overtaking on the right only when:
• The vehicle ahead is clearly turning left
• You are in a joining or exit lane

When overtaking is PROHIBITED:

• You cannot safely return to your lane
• You would endanger or restrict oncoming traffic
• At pedestrian crossings, cycle crossings, railway crossings and immediately before them
• The vehicle ahead signals left and you cannot overtake on the right

Road markings and overtaking

Signals during overtaking

• Indicator mandatory before every lane change or direction change
• Audible warning (outside municipality): may warn the vehicle being overtaken
• Light flashing (all areas): brief switch between high/low beam

Safe distance when overtaking cyclists

• At least 1.5 m from the cyclist
• At least 1.0 m where speed limit is 30 km/h or lower
• Indicating (blinkr) is mandatory when overtaking a cyclist

Motorways and highways

• Only motor vehicles and combinations with design speed ≥ 80 km/h
• Pedestrians and cyclists not permitted

Rescue lane (emergency corridor)

When congestion builds on a multi-lane road:

• Drivers in the leftmost lane move as far left as possible
• Drivers in all other lanes move as far right as possible
• On roads with more than two lanes: the corridor is between the leftmost lane and the adjacent lane

Driving bans for lorries

Trucks over 7,500 kg (or over 3,500 kg with trailer) may not drive on motorways and class I roads on Sundays and public holidays, and weekdays from 13:00 to 22:00. Exceptions: perishable goods, livestock, fuel, emergency vehicles.

Summary

• Outside built-up areas: use right lane; left only for overtaking
• Overtake on the left; right only in special cases
• Do not cross solid line (exceptions: obstacle, cyclist, turning off)
• Rescue lane: leftmost lane goes left, all others go right
• Cyclist: min. 1.5 m clearance (1.0 m in 30-zone)

What the law says

Verbatim text of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic, as in force on 1 January 2026. Quoted in Czech — the Czech wording is the binding one.

Check what you remember

Five questions from the official bank. The answer appears only after you choose — try to recall it first, that is what makes learning stick.

1. Question 1 of 5

   The traffic sign in the picture means for the driver:

   
   Prohibition on crossing the marking or exceeding it with the load, unless necessary for overtaking, turning into a place outside the road, or entering the road from a place outside the road, and overtaking cyclists.Prohibition on crossing the marking or exceeding it with the load, unless necessary for overtaking, overtaking cyclists and tractors.Freedom to move freely in both traffic lanes.

2. Question 2 of 5

   May the motor vehicle driver shown in the depicted traffic situation overtake the cyclist?

   
   Yes, if they have a sufficient view ahead and maintain a safe lateral clearance from the cyclist. When overtaking a cyclist, the driver may cross a continuous longitudinal line.No, when overtaking a cyclist the driver may not cross a continuous longitudinal line. It would therefore not be possible to maintain a safe lateral clearance from the cyclist.Yes, but only if they do not cross or project with their load over the continuous longitudinal line and maintain a safe lateral clearance of 0.5 m from the cyclist being overtaken.

3. Question 3 of 5

   May a driver turn left across this road marking to enter a department store car park?

   
   YESNO

4. Question 4 of 5

   If a vehicle that the operator has not removed constitutes an obstacle on a road, who decides on its removal?

   The road administrator with the prior consent of the Police of the Czech Republic; the vehicle is removed at the expense of the road administrator.The road administrator; the vehicle is removed at the expense of its operator.A police officer or municipal police officer; the vehicle is removed at the expense of its operator.

5. Question 5 of 5

   When towing a motor vehicle with a rigid tow bar, the length of the bar must be such that the distance between the vehicles is not:

   Less than 1 m and not more than 5 m.Less than 1.5 m and not more than 5 m.Less than 1 m and not more than 6 m.