[EuDriver25]

Hello everyone,

im relatively new driver in UK, it’s been 4 years I’m already driving in UK. I have a question about 2 lanes merging. I’m driving on my EU driving license as according the uk.gov website regarding the exchange of driving license I am authorised to drive

you can do the check at https://www.gov.uk/exchange-nongb-driving-licence

with these elements :
1. Resident of Great Britain : Yes
2. License Type : cars and moto
3. Test passed in : EU

With those elements, the conclusion given is :

—

[ Exchange a non-GB driving licence

You can drive in Great Britain on a full, valid driving licence from an EU country.

You can drive in Great Britain until you’re 70. If you’re 67 or over when you become resident, you can drive for 3 years.
After this time you must exchange your licence. You do not have to retake your test.]

—-
so I’m not breaking laws about the driving licence.

Now the problem I have encountered for the first time this Monday :

I was driving on the right lane of a 40mph 2 lanes road, and at some point the left lane merge with the other one.just after a traffic lights. The left lane was busy and the right one was empty that’s why I took the right lane.

The traffic light passed to green, before I reached the trafic lights so I I kept my speed thinking that I could passe the cars without problem but cars started to accelerate and I was stuck at the level of a lorry (on my left side). And then I saw that the left side was ending soon I didn’t had time to brake so to avoid accident il had no other choice than to accelerate (overspeeding but I don’t know how much).

And obviously police car was parked on the opposite footpath awaiting drivers… like me.

So my first question is who was at fault ? I did overspeeding so it’s an offence which could make me landing in court.

Who has right to pass in the situation ?

It’s a moment of bad judgment on my side as I could have to choose to pick the left lane earlier and go behind the others cars and the lorry…

Many thanks

[olduser]

My first thought on reading your post about lanes merging, is no one has the 'right' on anything on UK roads.

In your case, you were trying to join a merging lane of traffic.

In some cases the road sign will instruct traffic to merge alternately. (one from the left lane then one from the right and so on, I think in USA it's called zipping)

Otherwise the intention is the two lines should cooperate to combine into one lane.

In your case, select what looks like a possible gap on your left, drive signalling left moving over to the left of your lane (still in the right lane) until you are covering the gap then see if the driver offers to slow to let you in.

If they do, move into the space, acknowledge. (say thank you, by wave of hand, or click emergency lights on one click)

If that driver do's not help, slow a little more and wait for next gap, repeat this until you are in the line.

If you are overtaking the left-hand lane they will be less willing to let you in.

As you can see, you need to do this early, as soon as you pass the merge sign, if you leave it late and are almost at the merge point, you will have to stop waiting to be let into the merged line of cars.

It is usual in the UK to give way to lorries, if for no better reason than they are bigger than you are!

I hope this helps next time.

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by EuDriver25

So my first question is who was at fault ? I did overspeeding so it’s an offence which could make me landing in court.

Who has right to pass in the situation ?

You had two options: speed up or slow down. One of them was illegal, so that only left one!

As olduser has pointed out in his comprehensive answer, no-one ever has "right of way".

[EuDriver25]

8 months later


Morning @olduserand @Beelzebub really appreciate your help t understand rules on uk.

Just to let you know all that I did not get any fine. That’s was really relieving as I stressed for several months.


its lesson learned 👍

[EuDriver25]

8 months later


Morning @olduserand @Beelzebub really appreciate your help t understand rules on uk.

Just to let you know all that I did not get any fine. That’s was really relieving as I stressed for several months.


its lesson learned 👍