You are driving a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 7 t at 60 km/h outside of a built-up area. When do you have to maintain such a great distance, that an overtaking vehicle can pull back into lane?

The requirements for maintaining a sufficient distance when driving involve understanding traffic regulations that prioritize safety. In this case, you must maintain a distance in specific scenarios to allow an overtaking vehicle to safely return to its lane.

1. If there is only one lane in your direction of travel: In this scenario, it is crucial to keep a safe distance because the overtaking vehicle has no room to maneuver back into the lane without potentially causing a hazard. Maintaining distance ensures that there is space for them to safely return.

2. If overtaking is prohibited: Even if passing is not allowed, maintaining a certain distance helps ensure that if a vehicle attempts to overtake, there is still enough space to do so without endangering others.

3. If there is more than one lane in your direction of travel: When multiple lanes are available, you still need to consider the overall traffic flow and potential for vehicles to switch lanes. A safe distance maintains a buffer that can accommodate lane changes.

In summary, these conditions collectively emphasize the importance of maintaining a safe distance for the safety of all road users, taking into account various traffic scenarios that might affect overtaking maneuvers. Understanding all three conditions ensures compliance with German traffic laws and promotes safer driving practices.