You are driving a heavily loaded car on a rural single carriageway that has three lanes and no road markings or signs giving priority to traffic in either direction. How should your vehicle’s loading affect the way you use the centre lane when overtaking slower traffic?

Explanation

On a single carriageway with three lanes and no signed or marked priority, Rule 135 of the Highway Code states that you must use the middle lane only for overtaking and be aware that traffic from both directions may use it. When your vehicle is heavily loaded (Vehicle Loading), its acceleration and braking performance are reduced, so you must allow extra time and distance for overtaking and only move into the centre lane if you can complete the manoeuvre safely within the clear road ahead. You must not assume other traffic will give way or that extra weight makes the vehicle safer; instead, you should drive more cautiously and avoid prolonged use of the centre lane.