Maneuvers

Manoeuvres

Executing manoeuvres safely and correctly is a fundamental aspect of driving. Every action that involves a change in the vehicle's position on the road, such as changing lanes, turning, or parking, must be performed with caution, proper signalling, and full awareness of other road users.

General Principles of Manoeuvres

Before performing any manoeuvre, you must adhere to a strict safety protocol. This involves checking your mirrors and blind spots, signalling your intentions clearly and in advance, and ensuring the manoeuvre can be completed without endangering or obstructing anyone.

Signalling

• Requirement: Always signal your intention to perform any manoeuvre involving lateral or rearward movement well in advance. This includes changing lanes, turning, overtaking, stopping, and reversing.
• Methods: Use the vehicle's direction indicators (turn signals) as the primary method. If they are not working, you must use the appropriate arm signals.
• Arm Signals:
  • Left Turn: Left arm extended horizontally, palm facing down.
  • Right Turn: Left arm bent upwards at a 90-degree angle.
  • Reversing: Left arm extended horizontally, palm facing towards the rear.
  • Slowing Down: Repeatedly moving the arm up and down in a short, quick motion.
• Priority: Activating your indicator does not grant you priority. You must always yield to traffic already in the lane you wish to enter or in the path of your manoeuvre. In case of a contradiction between light signals and arm signals, the arm signal always takes precedence.
• Duration: Keep your indicator active throughout the entire duration of the lateral movement, deactivating it only once the manoeuvre is complete.

Facilitating Other Drivers

Safe driving is a cooperative effort. You must facilitate the manoeuvres of other drivers when possible. This includes helping vehicles merge onto a motorway, allowing buses to pull out from stops in urban areas, and not obstructing a driver who has already begun an overtaking manoeuvre.

Overtaking

Overtaking is one of the most dangerous manoeuvres and must only be attempted when it is completely safe. The general rule is to always overtake on the left.

When and How to Overtake

1. Assess the situation to ensure you have sufficient visibility and a clear path ahead.
2. Signal your intention to move into the overtaking lane well in advance.
3. Move into the adjacent lane and accelerate to a speed noticeably faster than the vehicle you are overtaking.
4. Once you can see the entire front of the overtaken vehicle in your rearview mirror, signal your intention to return to the right lane.
5. Move back to the right lane, maintaining a safe distance. You may remain in the left lane if you intend to perform another overtake immediately, provided you are not impeding faster-moving traffic from behind.

Overtaking on the Right

Overtaking on the right is generally prohibited, with three key exceptions:

• When the vehicle ahead has signalled its intention to turn left and has moved to the centre of the road to do so.
• In built-up areas with at least two marked lanes for your direction of travel.
• When passing trams that run along the centre of a two-way road.

Prohibited Overtaking Locations

Overtaking is strictly forbidden in the following situations due to high risk:

• On or near pedestrian crossings.
• On or near level crossings.
• At intersections, unless your road has clear priority over the intersecting road. Roundabouts are a notable exception where overtaking is permitted.
• On bends and crests of hills where visibility is reduced. An exception exists if the lanes for each direction are clearly separated and you can complete the manoeuvre without crossing into the oncoming lane.
• In tunnels with only one lane for your direction of travel.
• By crossing a solid continuous white line.

Special Considerations for Overtaking

• Vulnerable Road Users: When overtaking cyclists, pedestrians, animals, or mopeds, you must leave a minimum lateral distance of 1.5 metres. On interurban roads, this requires you to occupy part or all of the adjacent lane.
• Being Overtaken: If you are being overtaken, you must facilitate the manoeuvre by keeping to the right edge of your lane and not increasing your speed. If necessary for safety, you should slow down.
• Aborting an Overtake: If a dangerous situation arises during an overtake, you must abandon the manoeuvre immediately by slowing down and safely returning to your lane behind the vehicle you intended to pass.

Changing Direction: Turns and U-Turns

Turning

• Preparation: Before turning, select the correct lane well in advance. Signal your intention clearly.
• Left Turns (Two-Way Road): Position your vehicle alongside the central dividing line without crossing it. Yield to any oncoming traffic before making the turn.
• Left Turns (One-Way Road): Position your vehicle along the far-left edge of the road.
• Mopeds (Interurban Roads): To turn left, a moped must position itself on the right-hand side, off the carriageway if possible, and wait for a safe opportunity to cross.
• Prohibitions: Never initiate a turn at any location with insufficient visibility, such as a blind bend, or at a pedestrian crossing.

U-Turns

A U-turn is a 180-degree turn to travel in the opposite direction. It must be completed in a single movement where possible.

• Permitted Locations: U-turns are generally permitted on conventional roads where there is no specific sign prohibiting them, and where you have sufficient visibility to ensure it can be done without endangering or obstructing other road users.
• Prohibited Locations: U-turns are strictly forbidden on motorways and dual carriageways (except at designated locations), in tunnels, at level crossings, and on any bend or crest with reduced visibility.

Reversing

Reversing is generally prohibited on all roads. It is only permitted as a complementary and indispensable manoeuvre for specific actions like parking, stopping, or joining traffic, and only when you cannot proceed forwards or turn.

• Restrictions: The distance travelled in reverse must not exceed 15 metres, and you must never encroach upon a road junction or intersection while reversing.
• Safety: Before reversing, you must ensure there is no danger. If visibility is limited, you should ask for assistance from a guide. Stop immediately if you are warned of any hazard.
• Prohibitions: Reversing is always and completely prohibited on motorways and dual carriageways.

Stopping and Parking

Stopping is a brief immobilisation of the vehicle, while parking is for a longer duration. Both are subject to strict rules to ensure traffic flow and safety.

General Parking Rules

• Park in a way that makes the best use of available space, usually parallel to the kerb.
• On one-way urban roads, you may park on either the left or right side.
• On interurban roads, you must always stop or park on the right, completely off the carriageway and the usable part of the hard shoulder.
• When leaving your vehicle on a slope, engage the parking brake. For manual cars, leave it in first gear when facing uphill and in reverse gear when facing downhill.

Prohibited Stopping and Parking Locations

You must not stop or park in any of the following locations:

• On bends or crests with reduced visibility.
• In tunnels or underpasses.
• On or near pedestrian crossings and level crossings.
• On motorways or dual carriageways, except in designated service or rest areas.
• In lanes reserved for specific transport, such as bus or cycle lanes.
• On tram rails.
• Where you would obstruct an intersection or hinder other vehicles from turning.

Prohibited Parking Locations

Parking is forbidden (though a brief stop may be permitted) in these locations:

• In front of garage entrances.
• At designated bus stops.
• In loading and unloading zones (indicated by yellow zigzag lines).
• Double parking is always prohibited. If done without a driver present, it is considered a serious obstruction.
• On pavements, central reservations, or any area designated for pedestrians.

Special Situations

Breakdowns and Emergencies

• General: If your vehicle breaks down, try to move it off the carriageway to a safe place. Activate your hazard warning lights and place the V-16 pre-warning light on the highest part of the vehicle.
• Motorways: If you must stop for an emergency, use the hard shoulder. Only use the central reservation as an absolute last resort. If forced to drive at an abnormally slow speed, you should also use the hard shoulder.
• Tunnels: If you break down, try to drive out of the tunnel. If you must stop, pull to the right, switch off the engine, turn on hazard lights, and keep your position (sidelights) on. In case of fire, abandon the vehicle and walk to the nearest emergency exit.

Joining Traffic

• From a property or unpaved road: You must yield to all vehicles and pedestrians.
• From an acceleration lane (motorway): Build up speed in the acceleration lane to match the flow of traffic before merging. You must give way to vehicles already on the motorway. If you need to stop, do so at the beginning of the lane.