Sharing the road with trucks is part of everyday driving across Western Australia. From long highway trips to busy Perth arterials, heavy vehicles play a major role in keeping goods moving. But one question drivers often ask is: Can you legally overtake a truck on a solid line?

You may have even seen a question framed like this on driving tests or road rule discussions:

“This highway has a broken centre line. Can you legally overtake the truck?”

But understanding the answer isn’t just about passing your test; it’s a good reminder for all drivers. In this guide, we’ll break down the rules in WA, explain when overtaking trucks is allowed, and cover safe overtaking practices.

Can You Legally Overtake a Truck on a Solid Line?

Let’s start with the main question: Can you legally overtake a truck on a solid line?

In most situations, no, you cannot cross a continuous (solid) centre line to overtake any vehicle, including a truck.

According to the Australian Road Rules, which are enforced in Western Australia, a driver must not cross a continuous centre line unless specific conditions apply. These rules are outlined by the WA Government and the Department of Transport.

A continuous centre line is used where visibility is limited or where overtaking would be dangerous. These lines are common on winding roads, hills, or areas with high crash risk.

So if you’re driving behind a truck and asking yourself if you can legally overtake a truck on a solid line, the answer in most cases is no. You must stay in your lane until the line becomes broken.

This Highway Has a Broken Centre Line. Can You Legally Overtake the Truck?

Now let’s look at the scenario many learners encounter:

“This highway has a broken centre line. Can you legally overtake the truck?”

If the centre line is broken, the rules change.

When a broken centre line is present, you are generally allowed to overtake, provided that:

  • The road ahead is clear
  • You can complete the manoeuvre safely
  • You do not exceed the speed limit
  • There is enough visibility to pass safely

So when you see the question “this highway has a broken centre line. Can you legally overtake the truck?”, the correct answer is yes, but only if it is safe to do so.

This distinction between broken lines and solid lines is one of the most important parts of understanding Australian road rules.

Can You Overtake a Truck Safely?

Even when the road rules allow it, drivers still need to ask another important question:

Can you overtake a truck safely?

Heavy vehicles behave very differently from cars. Trucks are longer, heavier, and take longer to slow down or accelerate. They also have large blind spots that can make overtaking risky if done incorrectly.

According to the WA Road Safety Commission, drivers should only overtake heavy vehicles when they have a clear view of the road ahead and sufficient distance to pass safely.

Official advice from the WA Government can be found here.

Why Overtaking Trucks Can Be Dangerous

Before attempting to pass a truck, it’s important to understand why extra caution is required.

1. Trucks Have a Longer Stopping Distance

A fully loaded truck can weigh up to 40 tonnes or more. Because of this, trucks require a much longer distance to stop compared to passenger vehicles.

2. Large Blind Spots

Truck drivers have blind spots on all sides of the vehicle. If you cannot see the truck driver’s mirrors, they likely cannot see you either.

3. Air Turbulence

When passing a truck at highway speeds, your vehicle may experience air turbulence, which can affect steering stability.

4. Longer Overtaking Time

Because trucks are long vehicles, it takes more time and distance to complete the overtaking manoeuvre.

This is why many truck safety practices emphasise patience and awareness from other road users.

When is it Illegal to Overtake a Truck?

Aside from the solid line rule, there are several other situations where overtaking is illegal.

You must not overtake when:

  • The road has a continuous centre line
  • Visibility is poor (curves, hills, fog)
  • You are approaching a pedestrian crossing
  • You are approaching an intersection
  • There is a “No Overtaking” sign

The rules are part of the Australian Road Rules, which are enforced nationwide and referenced by WA transport authorities.

Drivers must also consider following distance rules when travelling behind trucks. Maintaining proper space reduces the risk of sudden braking situations.

The Importance of Patience Around Trucks

Many unsafe overtakes happen because drivers become impatient behind slower vehicles.

But trucks often move more slowly for good reason, especially when carrying heavy loads or travelling through urban areas.

Professional drivers are trained to prioritise safety above speed. Anyone working in the transport industry understands that rushing can lead to serious accidents.

This is why professional driver education programs focus heavily on road awareness and defensive driving. At Perth Transport Training, our truck driving training emphasises these real-world safety principles.

How Professional Truck Drivers are Trained

Driving a heavy vehicle requires specialised training and licensing.

Professional truck drivers undergo structured truck driving courses that teach safe road behaviour, hazard awareness, and vehicle control.

These programs cover topics such as:

  • Safe overtaking procedures
  • Load management
  • Defensive driving techniques
  • Blind spot awareness
  • Safe braking distances

Drivers looking to upgrade their licence often start with heavy rigid training in Perth before progressing to more advanced licences.

For example, many drivers move on to:

These qualifications ensure drivers understand both road rules and industry safety standards.

Real-World Situations Drivers Should Watch For

Understanding the rule if you can legally overtake a truck on a solid line is important, but real driving situations can be more complex.

For example:

  • A truck may slow down before turning.
  • A road may transition from broken to solid lines.
  • Visibility may change quickly due to terrain.

Drivers should always rely on clear road markings, signs, and safe judgement.

It’s also important to understand how to react to unexpected situations on the road, such as running a red light for emergency vehicles, which is another rule drivers often misunderstand.

Learning these rules properly reduces risk for everyone on the road.

Can You Legally Overtake a Truck on a Solid Line?

To summarise:

  • Can you legally overtake a truck on a solid line?
    In most cases, no. Crossing a solid centre line to overtake is illegal.
  • This highway has a broken centre line. Can you legally overtake the truck?
    Yes, if it is safe and there is enough visibility.
  • Can you overtake a truck safely?
    Only when you have enough distance, visibility, and time to complete the manoeuvre safely.

Heavy vehicles are essential to Australia’s transport network, and sharing the road safely helps protect everyone: drivers, truck operators, and other road users.

Learn Safe Driving from Real Industry Experts

At Perth Transport Training Academy, we bring over 30 years of professional transport industry experience into every lesson.

As a Western Australian-owned and operated training provider, we specialise in one-on-one instruction designed to give drivers real-world skills and confidence behind the wheel.

Our experienced trainers provide:

  • HR-A (Automatic) training
  • HR-B (Synchromesh) training
  • HC licence training
  • MC licence training

All delivered across Perth with personalised, one-on-one coaching.

If you’re considering a career in the transport industry or upgrading your licence, our expert-led training ensures you gain the knowledge, safety awareness, and driving skills needed for professional truck operation.

Contact Perth Transport Training today to learn more about our training programs and start your journey in the transport industry.