Driving instructor says Brits risk hefty fine for 'common' overtaking mistake

A driving instructor has warned people to avoid making a common overtaking mistake, as it's super dangerous and can even land you with a hefty fine. James Simpkins, who shares driving tips with his followers online, alerted people to the topic in a recent video, as he thinks it's super important information to know.

It's worth brushing up your knowledge on, as the error can lead to you being slapped with £100 driving fine and could even add three points to your licence. To help people out, he shared some expert advice to help people avoid making the mistake and to try and keep drivers as safe as possible.

He admitted that overtaking on the left is one of his personal "pet hates" as a driving instructor. This is mostly because he thinks a lot of misinformation is spread about it, and he wants people to know what the rules actually are.

Over a video explaining the rule, James said: "Many people think that it's only undertaking if you do something like this, and actually change lanes to complete an overtake on the left. Now, that's simply not true.

"If you simply pass a vehicle on your right, and you are not in one of the prescribed conditions the Highway Code allows, you can be pulled over for doing do. Don't believe me? It's on the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service), wesbite. Overtaking on the inside is listed as an example of careless driving or driving without due care and attention."

He then shares a video of how to drive safely, which he demonstrates with a learner driver. James added: "You can see me and my learner here on a dual carriageway. In the left lane we start to catch traffic on the right.

"So, very simply what we do is there's this thing called a gas pedal. We ease that off a little bit and our car doesn't overtake on the left. It stays behind as it should.

"That's called driving with due care and attention." He then explains he's witnessed some "dangerous" incidents of overtaking in the past, and urged people to be safe on the roads.

On the CPS website, it makes it clear that overtaking on the inside can be classed as an offence. It states: "The following may, depending on the facts and circumstances of each individual case, amount to careless driving. Speeding, which is not aggravated by the prevailing road or traffic conditions, but which is inappropriate.

"Momentarily or inadvertently changing lanes without warning or driving too close to the vehicle in front. Overtaking on the inside i.e. inappropriate but not obviously dangerous overtaking."

Overtaking on the left, also known as undertaking, is generally considered illegal in the UK and classes as careless driving. The mistake can lead to a £100 fixed penalty notice and three penalty points on your licence.

In more serious cases, you can also face an even higher fine of up to £5,000 and up to nine points on your licence. You can even be banned from driving in some instances.

Advice from Car Leasing states: "The reason why undertaking is considered dangerous is that drivers who are adhering to the law should be planning to move to the left after passing slower vehicles. If a driver starts to undertake, they increase the likelihood of a collision, as they both move into the same gap.

"This is especially dangerous as the driver who is being overtaken is not expecting to be passed on the left, and they may not spot the other driver when they move across. However, there are some circumstances where passing on the left is acceptable or even necessary.

"If a driver is on a slow-moving motorway where all vehicles are crawling along, it may be necessary to keep up with the vehicle in front. Once traffic starts to flow more freely, the driver must revert to the keep-left principle and overtake on the right."