Overtaking is not allowed until the cars have passed the start/finish line, or in F1, the safety car line at pit entry. When the safety car comes in and the race resumes, a green flag is displayed at the start line, and subsequently at all flag points around the circuit for one lap. Standard yellow flag conditions apply to the whole circuit notably, overtaking is completely forbidden. This is accompanied by a waved yellow flag.

When flag points are under radio control, this will happen immediately, otherwise, the board is displayed when the safety car comes round for the first time. When the safety car is on the circuit, all flag points will display a ‘safety car board’ (a large white board with “SC” in large black lettering). This flag is shown at the discretion of the marshals manning the station. When shown at a station, drivers are forbidden from overtaking until either the hazard or the next flag station displaying a green flag is passed. This informs the driver that there may be marshals on the track and to prepare to stop, if necessary. Two flags waved simultaneously denotes a hazard that wholly or partly blocks the racing surface.

A single stationary flag denotes a hazard near the racing surface.A single waved flag denotes a hazard on the racing surface itself.The manner of the display depends on the location of the hazard: In Formula One racing, a yellow flag displayed at the starter’s stand or a marshal station indicates that there is a hazard “downstream” of the station. However, the procedures for displaying the yellow flag vary for different racing styles and sanctioning bodies. The solid yellow flag universally requires drivers to slow down due to a hazard on the track, typically an accident, a stopped car or debris.

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