Motorways

In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in left-hand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake.

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.

Red flashing light signals and a red ‘X’ on a sign identify a closed lane in which people, stopped vehicles or other hazards are present. You MUST follow the instructions on signs in advance of a closed lane to move safely to an open lane. You MUST NOT drive in a closed lane.

The right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes MUST NOT be used (except in prescribed circumstances) if you are driving any vehicle drawing a trailer.

On leaving the motorway or using a link road between motorways, your speed may be higher than you realise - 50 mph may feel like 30 mph. Check your speedometer and adjust your speed accordingly.

When you join the motorway you will normally approach it from a road on the left (a slip road) or from an adjoining motorway. You should give priority to traffic already on the motorway.

Emergency areas are located along motorways with no hard shoulder or where the hard shoulder can be used as an extra lane and MUST only be used in an emergency. They are marked by blue signs with an orange SOS telephone symbol and may have orange surfacing.

If you have missed your exit, or have taken the wrong route, carry on to the next exit. You MUST NOT reverse along any part of a motorway, including slip roads, hard shoulders and emergency areas.

Amber flashing lights warn of a hazard ahead. You should reduce your speed and be prepared for the hazard. You should only increase your speed when you pass a signal that is not flashing, or a sign displaying a national speed limit or the word ‘END’, and you are sure it is safe to do so.

You MUST NOT use a hard shoulder except in an emergency or if directed to do so by the police, traffic officers or a traffic sign. You can only use it as an extra lane when a speed limit is shown above it.