Overtaking position

[Dr Jekyll]

You're following a vehicle you wish to overtake, an opportunity appears to at least go offside for a final check. Do you move out from your following position or close up?

I've had an instructor in the past recommend the 'contact' position and I really wasn't comfortable with it, others say stick to the following distance, Most of my overtakes are on a bike so no need to close up anyway, But then a bike ROSPA observer said I should close up for the offside view, he talked as if the offside position was to allow closer following as much as for extra vision.

What's the general view?

[Dr Jekyll]

I'd agree about the right hand bend with a potential overtake on the exit, that's one scenario when I might well close up a bit. Though on a bike you can often get much the same view by sticking your left elbow in the nearside hedge.