Overtaking a truck at an intersection: when is it possible, and when - a fine of 5,000 rubles

Overtaking at an intersection is one of the most controversial maneuvers in traffic rules, which raises questions even among experienced drivers. It is especially difficult to understand when it comes to overtaking truck: their dimensions limit visibility, and low acceleration dynamics often provoke risky actions. In 2026, the rules remained the same, but there were even more nuances: new markings appeared, penalties changed, and recording cameras learned to recognize overtaking in prohibited areas with an accuracy of up to a meter.

In this article we will look in detail at:

• 📜 Which ones types of intersections overtaking is allowed, and some are strictly prohibited (even if there are no signs).
• 🚛 Why overtaking trucks, dump trucks and road trains at an intersection it is more dangerous than cars.
• 💰 Current fines in 2026: when you can get off with a warning, and when you risk losing your rights.
• 🔍 Hidden traffic police traps: where cameras record overtaking, even if you thought the maneuver was allowed.

We bet you'll be surprised to learn that controlled intersection overtaking is sometimes allowed, but unregulated - almost always prohibited. And this is not all the paradoxes of traffic rules!

1. Basic rule: when overtaking at an intersection is allowed according to traffic rules 2026

The main document that regulates this issue is clause 11.4 of the Russian Federation Traffic Regulations. Its wording goes like this:

“Overtaking is prohibited at signalized intersections, as well as at uncontrolled intersections when driving on a road that is not the main one.”

It may seem simple at first glance, but the devil is in the details. Let's look at the key points:

• 🚦 Signalized intersection - this is the one where there is a traffic light (on in the “red-yellow-green” mode) or a traffic controller. Overtaking here always prohibited, even if you are driving on the main road and there is no oncoming traffic.
• 🛣️ Unregulated intersection — overtaking is allowed only if you are driving on the main road. In this case, there should be no continuous marking line and signs prohibiting overtaking.
• ⚠️ Exception: If the main road turns at an uncontrolled intersection, overtaking is allowed only within your lane (without going into oncoming traffic).

It is important to understand that overtaking and advance - various maneuvers. Advancing (without entering the oncoming lane) is almost always permitted, unless there are other restrictions.

2. Why is overtaking a truck at an intersection more dangerous than a car?

Trucks are not just “big machines.” Their physical features make overtaking at an intersection much riskier:

Risk factor	Why is it dangerous	Consequences
Blind Spots	U truck and road trains the blind spot on the right can reach 5–7 meters. The truck driver simply won't see your car when overtaking.	A collision when the truck changes lanes or you return to the lane.
Long braking distance	Loaded dump truck slows down in 2–3 times longer cars. If an obstacle suddenly appears at an intersection, the truck will not have time to stop.	Accidents with several participants, especially on slippery roads.
Low dynamics	Acceleration to 60–80 km/h takes a truck 15–20 seconds. You may not be able to complete overtaking before the traffic light changes.	Stopping in the middle of an intersection or entering the oncoming lane at a red light.
High center of gravity	During a sharp maneuver (for example, going around a hole) van or refrigerator may tip over.	Side collision or blocking traffic at an intersection.

In addition, truck drivers often don't expect to be overtaken at an intersection and may start turning or changing lanes without turning on the turn signal. This is a common cause of head-on collisions.

3. Cameras and traffic police: how they record overtaking at an intersection in 2026

Since 2023, Russia has been actively implementing photo and video recording complexes "Avtodoriya", which can recognize overtaking at intersections with an accuracy of 98%. Here's how it works:

• 📹 Traffic light cameras: record entry into the oncoming lane when the signal is red or yellow. Fine - 5000 ₽ or deprivation of rights to 4–6 months.
• 🛂 Mobile traffic police complexes: inspectors are often on duty at intersections with poor visibility (for example, around a bend). Their radars pick up even a short trip into oncoming traffic.
• 🚁 Drones and helicopters: in some regions (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar Territory) they patrol from the air. The images are transmitted to stationary posts.

It is especially dangerous to overtake at intersections with:

• 🔴 Red traffic light - fine 5000 ₽ + possible deprivation of rights.
• 🟡 Yellow flashing signal — is considered an unregulated intersection, but overtaking is allowed only on the main road.
• ⚪ Lack of markings — if there is no solid line, this does not mean that overtaking is allowed! Look at the signs and type of intersection.

⚠️ Attention: Cameras record not only the overtaking itself, but also incorrect position of the vehicle at the intersection. For example, if you have completed overtaking and stopped in the oncoming lane due to a traffic jam, this is equivalent to driving into oncoming traffic - a fine 1500 ₽.

4. Fines for overtaking at an intersection in 2026: table of penalties

The amount of the fine depends on type of intersection, availability of markings and consequences of the maneuver. Current penalties as of June 2026:

Violation	Fine (₽)	Deprivation of rights	Article of the Administrative Code
Overtaking on controlled intersection (traffic light or traffic controller)	5000	4–6 months	12.15 p.4
Overtaking on unregulated intersection not on the main road	5000	4–6 months	12.15 p.4
Overtaking with exit to tram tracks in the opposite direction	5000	4–6 months	12.15 p.4
Overtaking with intersection solid line markings	5000	4–6 months	12.15 p.4
Overtaking completed at a pedestrian crossing at the crossroads	2500	—	12.15 p.3

Important: if overtaking at an intersection leads to Road accident with victims, the punishment is increased to:

• 🚨 Deprivation of rights for 1–1.5 years (if the fault is entirely yours).
• 💸 Fine up to 25,000 ₽ + compensation for damage to victims.

⚠️ Attention: If you overtake a truck at an intersection and did not create interference (for example, they completed the maneuver before the traffic light changed), the traffic police inspector may limit warning. But this is decided individually!

5. Step-by-step instructions: how to safely overtake a truck at a legal intersection

If you are sure that overtaking is allowed (for example, an uncontrolled intersection, you are on a main road, there is no solid line), follow this algorithm:

Assess visibility - whether there are pedestrians, cyclists or cars from secondary roads

Make sure the truck has not started to turn (look at the wheels, not the turn signal)

Turn on the left turn signal in advance (3–5 seconds before the maneuver)

Increase speed 15-20 km/h above truck speed for quick overtaking

Monitor the oncoming lane - the truck may block your view

Complete overtaking no later than 50 meters before the end of the intersection

Return to your lane only after you can see the entire cab of the truck in the mirror-->

Additional tips:

• 🔊 Use a beep (short beep) if the truck does not respond to your maneuver.
• 🌧️ In rain or snow, increase the distance to the truck 1.5–2 times - its braking distance is much longer.
• 🚧 At intersections with uneven surface (potholes, speed bumps) overtaking trucks is especially dangerous - they can suddenly slow down.

What to do if a truck starts overtaking you at an intersection?

If you are driving on a main road and notice that a truck is trying to overtake you at an uncontrolled intersection:

1. Don't speed up - this will provoke him into a dangerous maneuver.

2. Keep rightto give him space to return to the lane.

3. Turn on the emergency lights, if a truck is stuck in the oncoming lane, this is a signal for oncoming cars.

4. If overtaking occurs on controlled intersection, record the violation on your video recorder - the fine for the truck driver will be 5000 ₽.

6. Real stories: how drivers received fines for overtaking at an intersection

Examples from practice will help you avoid common mistakes:

Case 1. Overtaking on green from camera

Driver Toyota Camry overtook Scania truck at a controlled intersection in Moscow along Leninsky Prospekt. The traffic light was green, there were no oncoming cars. A week later the fine came 5000 ₽ — the camera recorded driving into the oncoming lane. The driver tried to challenge it, referring to clause 11.4 of the traffic rules (“overtaking is prohibited on regulated intersections"), but the court upheld the fine.

Case 2. Unregulated intersection with a turn on the main road

Driver in Kazan Kia Rio overtook KAMAZ dump truck at an uncontrolled intersection where the main road turned left. He drove into the oncoming lane to get ahead of the truck, but was stopped by a traffic police inspector. Fine - 5000 ₽, since overtaking at such intersections is only allowed within your lane.

Case 3. Overtaking on tram tracks

In St. Petersburg the driver Hyundai Solaris overtook refrigerator Mercedes Actros, partially driving onto tram tracks in the opposite direction. Although the traffic light was green and there were no trams, the camera recorded the violation. Fine - 5000 ₽ + 1.5 months of deprivation of rights (by court decision).

7. Alternatives to overtaking: how to avoid wasting time on slow trucks

Instead of risking a fine or an accident, use these strategies to safely deal with slow trucks at intersections:

• 🕒 Plan your route in advance: Use navigators (eg. Yandex.Navigator or Google Maps), which show congestion and areas with high truck traffic.
• 🚗 Keep your distance: If the truck is moving slowly, don't stick to it. Optimal distance - 3–4 seconds (to see the road ahead of him).
• 🔄 Use lane change: if the road is multi-lane, change to the left lane to the intersectionso that you don't have to overtake.
• ⏳ Patience at traffic lights: If a truck slows down before an intersection, do not try to overtake it - wait for the green signal and accelerate faster than it.

If you frequently travel along routes with heavy freight traffic (for example, MKAD, bypass routes), consider installing radar detector with a camera base. This will help avoid fines for careless overtaking.

Frequently asked questions about overtaking trucks at intersections

❓ Is it possible to overtake a truck at an intersection if it turns left?

No, even if the truck slows down to make a turn. According to paragraph 11.2 Traffic regulations, overtaking is prohibited if the vehicle started the maneuver (turned on the turn signal, it began to move to the left). The exception is if the truck worth it (for example, at a red light), but even here you need to be careful: it can block the view of pedestrians or cyclists.

❓ What is the punishment if you overtake a truck at an intersection and create an emergency, but avoid an accident?

If the traffic police inspector recorded that your overtaking forced other drivers brake or maneuver sharply, this qualifies as "creating an emergency" (article 12.14 part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses). Fine - 1500 ₽. If there was a drive into the oncoming lane, the fine will increase to 5000 ₽.

❓ Is overtaking a truck allowed at a roundabout?

On ring (circular motion) overtaking is permitted if:

1. you are moving in the outer circle (do not change lanes).
2. There are no signs prohibiting overtaking (for example, 3.20 "Overtaking is prohibited").
3. You do not interfere with cars already moving in a circle.

However, in practice, overtaking trucks on the roundabout is dangerous: they often do not give way when changing lanes, and their dimensions make it difficult to maneuver.

❓ Can a camera mistakenly record overtaking at an intersection?

Yes, but rarely. Errors occur if:

• The camera detected incorrectly intersection type (for example, mistaking unregulated for regulated).
• On the road missing markup, and the system was unable to recognize the lane boundaries.
• Driver was ahead (without entering oncoming traffic), but the camera considered this to be overtaking.

To challenge a fine, please request photo/video from camera and check with intersection diagram (can be found at Yandex.Maps or Public services).

❓ Are there exceptions for overtaking trucks at intersections?

Yes, but they are extremely limited:

• 🚒 Special vehicles with flashing lights turned on (ambulance, fire, police) can overtake any vehicles, including trucks, at any intersections.
• 🚜 Slow-moving vehicles (with sign "Slow Moving Vehicle") can be overtaken even at a signalized intersection if they are moving at a speed less than 30 km/h.

There are no exceptions for ordinary drivers - even if the truck is driving very slowly or causing a traffic jam.