No Overtaking Sign
Shape: Circular (octagonal for Stop, inverted triangle for Give Way) · Colour: White with red border (prohibitory); blue with white symbol (positive mandatory, e.g. compulsory turn, keep left)
Passing or overtaking another moving vehicle is forbidden on this stretch.
What It Means
The No Overtaking sign prohibits overtaking — the act of passing a vehicle ahead in the same lane. It is placed on stretches where overtaking is inherently dangerous: blind curves, crests of hills, narrow bridges, before intersections, and road works. Overtaking on these stretches requires entering the oncoming lane without visibility, creating extreme head-on collision risk. This sign is one of the most commonly ignored signs in India.
📍 Where You'll See It
Before and through curves, on hill crests, narrow bridges, near school zones, road construction stretches, and before intersections.
✅ What You Must Do
Stay behind the vehicle ahead. Do not cross the centre line. Wait for the sign to end (End Restriction sign) before overtaking.
⚠️ Common Mistake
Overtaking multiple vehicles at once in a restricted zone. Even one overtake is prohibited. Patience here literally saves lives.
⚖️ Legal Note
Violation: Sec. 119 / 177 MV Act. Fine: ₹500. If overtaking caused an accident: Sec. 184, fine up to ₹5,000 + imprisonment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Other Mandatory Signs
Stop
You must bring your vehicle to a complete halt at the stop line.
Give Way
Yield to all vehicles and pedestrians on the road you are entering.
No Entry
Entry of all vehicles is strictly prohibited in this direction.
Speed Limit 50
The maximum permitted speed on this stretch is 50 km/h.
No Parking
Parking of any vehicle is not permitted in this area.
No Stopping
Neither stopping nor parking is allowed at any time, for any reason.