Motorway Access : Who is Prohibited ?

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Highway Code Rule 253

📖 Rule 253 Full Regulations & Explanation

Rule 253 ↗
Prohibited vehicles. Motorways MUST NOT be used by pedestrians, holders of provisional motorcycle licences, riders of motorcycles under 50 cc (4 kW), cyclists, horse riders, certain slow-moving vehicles and those carrying oversized loads (except by special permission), agricultural vehicles, and powered wheelchairs/powered mobility scooters (see Rules 36 to 46 inclusive).

Provisional car licence holders MUST NOT drive on the motorway unless they are accompanied by a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and are driving a car displaying red L plates (or D plates in Wales) with dual controls.

Laws HA 1980 sects 16, 17 & sched 4, MT(E&W)R regs 3(d), 4 & 11 as amended by MT(E&W)(A)R 2004 & MT(E&W)(A)R 2018, R(S)A sects 7, 8 & sched 3, RTRA sect 17 & MT(S)R reg 10 as amended by MT(S)(A)R 2018

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Motorway Access : Who is Prohibited ?

Prohibited Road Users & Vehicles

The Learner Driver Exception

Vulnerable Road Users : Pedestrians , cyclists , and horse riders are strictly prohibited from entering motorway carriageways .

Small Capacity Motorcycles : Riders of motorcycles under 50 cc ( 4 kW ) and holders of provisional motorcycle licenses are not permitted on the motorway .

Mandatory Supervision : Provisional car license holders must be accompanied by a DVSA Approvad Driving instructor ( ADI ) .

Slow - Moving & Agricultural Vehicles : Most agricultural vehicles and certain slow - moving vehicles are banned to prevent hazards in high - speed traffic .

Vehicle Requirements : The car used by the learner must be equipped with dual controls .

Mobility Devices : Powered wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters ( Rules 36 to 46 ) are forbidden from motorway use .

Oversized Loads : Vehicles carrying oversized loads are prohibited unless they have received special permission to travel .

Mandatory Marking : The vehicle must clearly display red L plates ( or D plates in Wales ) while the learner is driving .

Legal Authority

Governing Legislation : These restrictions are enforced by several laws including the Highways Act 1980 and the Motorways Traffic ( England and Wales ) Regulations .