A lorry with a MAM of 5,000 kg travels outside a built-up area on a conventional road with one lane in its direction. It is not signalling an intention to overtake, overtaking is allowed and traffic is not saturated. What additional minimum gap does the regulation set to allow a following vehicle to overtake it?

Correct answer

50 metres, while keeping a greater safe gap if needed.

50 metres under Article 54(2) for vehicles over 3,500 kg MAM and vehicles or combinations over 10 metres long. Also always retain a gap allowing you to stop without collision if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly; conditions may require more than 50 metres. The additional gap is not required in built-up areas, where overtaking is prohibited, with more than one lane in your direction or traffic too saturated for overtaking, or when an intention to overtake is signalled. The question excludes those cases and asks about the additional minimum rather than the entire safe stopping gap.