On Vietnam’s two-lane highways and mountain roads you will often end up behind a truck, a bus or a slow scooter. This guide covers how to overtake on a motorcycle safely: whether to pass at all, how much clear road you need, the passing steps, when never to pass and how to ride when a large vehicle passes you. It is based on the 2024 Motorcycle Handbook of the Utah Driver License Division (MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual), New Zealand’s motorcycle road code (NZTA), the German automobile club ADAC and advice from the Ho Chi Minh City traffic police.
Quick answer
Table of contents12
- Ask whether you really need to pass (NZTA); ADAC calculates that, at best, overtaking saves about 10% of your travel time.
- Don’t pass approaching a blind corner or curve, a hill crest, or when you can’t see at least 100 m of clear road ahead (NZTA).
- Signal, check for oncoming traffic, pass decisively and don’t linger in the blind spot (MSF, Ho Chi Minh City traffic police).
- Move back in only after signalling again and completing mirror and head checks (MSF).
- When being passed: stay in the centre portion of your lane and don’t ride close to the passing vehicle (MSF).
Should you overtake at all?
NZTA advises asking yourself whether you really need to pass. ADAC (20/03/2018) calculates that on rural roads overtaking saves at most about 10% of travel time, roughly 1.5 minutes over 20 km, and stresses that safety always comes before speed.
| Situation | Pass? | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Approaching a curve or blind corner | No | NZTA |
| Hill hiding oncoming traffic | No | NZTA |
| Less than 100 m of clear road ahead | No | NZTA |
| View blocked | No | Ho Chi Minh City traffic police |
| Truck turning | No | Transport for NSW |
| Long straight, good view, enough space | Possible, if really needed | NZTA, ADAC |
How much clear road do you need?
NZTA sets a minimum: don’t pass when you can’t see at least 100 m of clear road ahead. ADAC calculates that with oncoming traffic on rural roads you need to see at least 700 m, and that a car would have to travel at 100 km/h to pass a truck doing 60 km/h safely. NZTA also notes that passing a truck takes several seconds longer than passing a car. A 110–125cc scooter accelerates more slowly than a car, so choose an even longer stretch; see also motorcycle truck blind spots.
Overtaking step by step
- Ride in the left portion of the lane at a safe following distance to see further and be more visible (MSF).
- Signal and check for oncoming traffic (MSF, Ho Chi Minh City traffic police).
- When safe, move into the left lane and accelerate; choose a lane position that doesn’t crowd the vehicle and leaves space to avoid hazards (MSF).
- Don’t linger in the blind spot of the vehicle you are passing (MSF); pass decisively and keep a safe gap (Ho Chi Minh City traffic police).
- Signal again and complete mirror and head checks before returning to your lane, then cancel the signal (MSF); with a truck, only move back once you can see its whole front in your mirror (NZTA).
The MSF also reminds riders that passes must be completed within posted speed limits and only where permitted.
When never to overtake
- Blind curves and hill crests: they make it impossible to see oncoming traffic (NZTA).
- Less than 100 m of clear road ahead for the whole pass (NZTA).
- Near intersections where passing would take you across the centre line (NZTA).
- Poor visibility from rain, fog or other vehicles; see riding a motorcycle in fog.
- A turning truck: Transport for NSW advises motorcyclists to avoid overtaking a truck that is turning.
When you are being passed
The MSF advises staying in the centre portion of your lane when you are passed from behind, because riding close to the passing vehicle could put you in a hazardous situation. Wind blasts from larger vehicles can affect your control, and the MSF notes you have more room for error in the part of your lane farther from them than closer to their lane. It also recommends keeping a centre position whenever drivers might be tempted to squeeze past you. See also riding a motorbike in strong crosswinds.
Checklist before you overtake
- Do I really need to pass?
- Is there a curve, hill crest or junction ahead?
- Can I see far enough, with enough space for my bike?
- Have I signalled and done mirror and head checks?
- Is the vehicle ahead turning or signalling?
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FAQ
When should you not overtake on a motorcycle?
NZTA advises against passing approaching a blind corner or curve, a hill crest, near intersections or when you can’t see at least 100 m of clear road; the Ho Chi Minh City traffic police warn against passing on bends or where visibility is blocked.
How far do I need to see before overtaking?
NZTA sets a minimum of 100 m of clear road; ADAC calculates that with oncoming traffic on rural roads you need to see at least 700 m.
What should I watch for when overtaking a truck?
Choose a longer stretch because passing a truck takes several seconds longer, don’t tailgate before pulling out and only move back in once you see the whole front of the truck in your mirror (NZTA).
What should I do when a truck overtakes me?
Stay in the centre portion of your lane, don’t ride close to the passing vehicle and be ready for wind blasts that can affect your control (MSF).
Sources checked on 13/11/2026: Utah Driver License Division, Motorcycle Handbook 2024 (MSF, PDF); NZTA, motorcycle road code: passing; ADAC (20/03/2018), the risks of overtaking on rural roads (German); NZTA, sharing the road with trucks; Tuổi Trẻ (04/09/2025), Ho Chi Minh City traffic police advice (Vietnamese); Transport for NSW (19/04/2023), Be Truck Aware.
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