How to teach other traffic
Meeting, overtaking, crossing and dealing with cyclists, buses and lorries.
What to teach
- Teach meeting traffic on narrow roads: who gives way and where to wait.
- Give cyclists at least 1.5 metres when passing at up to 30 mph.
- Teach when overtaking is safe and when it is not.
- Allow space for buses pulling out and lorries turning.
Faults to watch for
- Passing cyclists too closely.
- Not holding back when meeting traffic.
- Following too closely.
Practice between lessons
As a passenger, ask the learner to judge when it would be safe to overtake and explain why.
Common questions
How much room should drivers give cyclists?
At least 1.5 metres at speeds up to 30 mph, and more at higher speeds.
What is the two-second rule?
Leave at least a two-second gap to the vehicle in front in good conditions, and double it in the wet.
