Rule 271 : Motorway Stopping Restrictions

Last updated:

📜 Highway Code Regulation 🚘 Independent revision guide 🌐 Multi-Language Translation Support

🖼️ Official Visual Diagram

Highway Code Rule 271

📖 Rule 271 Full Regulations & Explanation

Rule 271 ↗
You MUST NOT stop on any carriageway, emergency area, hard shoulder, slip road, central reservation or verge except in an emergency, or when told to do so by the police, traffic officers, an emergency sign or by red flashing light signals.

Do not stop on any part of a motorway to make or receive mobile telephone calls, except in an emergency.

Laws MT(E&W)R regs 7, 9, 10 & 16 as amended by MT(E&W)(A)(E)R, MT(S)R regs 6(1), 8, 9 & 14, PRA sect 41 & sched 5(8), RTA 1988 sects 35, 36 & 163 as amended by TMA sect 6, & CUR reg 110 as amended by CUR(A)(No4)R

Text shown in the rule image

Rule 271 : Motorway Stopping Restrictions

PROHIBITED STOPPING ZONES

NO STOPPING

Carriageway & Slip Roads

Prohibited Under Normal Conditions

LEGAL EXCEPTIONS

STOPPING PERMITTED

Genuine Emergencies: Permitted if involved in an emergency necessitating halting

Emergency Area

Directions from Authorities

Must stop if told by police or uniformed traffic officers

THE MOBILE PHONE MANDATE

Strictly prohibited from stopping on any part of a motorway to make or receive mobile telephone calls .

The Emergency X Exception

Only permitted to stop if the call is to handle an active emergency .

Signals and Signage: Required when indicated by emergency signs or red flashing lights

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Road Traffic Act 1988 : Sections 35 , 36 , & 163 ( as amended ) provide statutory power .

Motorways Traffic Regulations : Enforced via MT ( E & W ) R & MT ( S ) R for England , Wales , and Scotland .