What is the Overtaking Prohibition (Geçme Yasağı)?

In Turkey, the overtaking prohibition, legally referred to as Geçme yasağı (and colloquially known as Sollama yasağı), is a strict traffic rule designed to prevent dangerous passing maneuvers. Overtaking is one of the most high-risk maneuvers a driver can perform, especially on two-way, single-carriageway roads.

To manage this risk, Turkish traffic regulations, overseen by the General Directorate of Highways (KGM), utilize a combination of vertical traffic signs and horizontal road markings to designate zones where overtaking is strictly forbidden. These rules are heavily tested in the Turkish driving licence theory exam (ehliyet sınavı), as failure to comply is a leading cause of head-on collisions.

Recognizing No Overtaking Signs and Road Markings

Drivers are warned of a no-overtaking zone through two primary visual indicators:

• Traffic Signs (TT-27 and TT-29): The standard regulatory sign for cars is a white circle with a red border containing two cars—a black car on the right and a red car on the left. The red car signifies that overtaking is prohibited. For heavy goods vehicles and lorries, a specific sign (TT-29) shows a red truck next to a black car, meaning trucks are forbidden from passing other vehicles.
• Solid White Lines: On the road surface, a continuous solid white line dividing the lanes indicates that drivers must not cross or straddle the line to change lanes or overtake. In contrast, broken white lines indicate that passing is permitted when safety conditions are met.

Legal Areas Where Overtaking is Banned Without Signs

Under Turkish traffic law, there are several critical areas where overtaking is automatically illegal, even if there are no signs or solid white lines present on the road. These include:

• Intersections and Junctions: Overtaking is prohibited at all intersections, roundabouts, and their immediate approaches due to the high volume of turning and merging traffic.
• Pedestrian and School Crossings: Passing another vehicle near marked crossings is strictly forbidden to ensure pedestrians crossing the road are not hidden from view.
• Level Crossings: Railway crossings are high-danger zones where overtaking is banned to prevent vehicles from getting stuck or losing control on the tracks.
• Bends, Curves, and Hill Crests: Any road section with restricted forward visibility makes it impossible to see oncoming traffic, making overtaking illegal.
• Bridges and Tunnels: Narrow infrastructure points present physical bottlenecks where passing maneuvers are highly hazardous.

Common Ehliyet Exam Traps and Tips

A frequent trick question on the Turkish driving theory exam involves slow-moving vehicles, such as agricultural tractors or construction machinery. Candidates often mistakenly believe they are allowed to cross a solid white line to pass a vehicle traveling well below the speed limit. Under Turkish law, crossing a solid white line is strictly prohibited regardless of the speed of the vehicle in front of you. You must wait until the line becomes broken or a sign ends the prohibition before passing.