Many other Rules apply to motorway driving, either wholly or in part:
Rules 46, 57, 83-126, 130-134, 139, 144, 146-151, 160, 161, 219,
221-222, 225, 226-237, 274-278, 280, and 281-290.
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General |
253) |
Prohibited vehicles. Motorways MUST NOT be used by
pedestrians, holders of provisional motorcycle or car licences,
riders of motorcycles under 50 cc, 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 36-46 incl).
Laws HA 1980 sects 16, 17 & sch 4, MT(E&W)R
regs 3(d), 4 & 11, MT(E&W)(A)R, R(S)A sects 7, 8
& sch 3, RTRA sects 17(2) & (3), & MT(S)R reg 10
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254) | Traffic on motorways usually travels faster than on other roads, so
you have less time to react. It is especially important to use your
mirrors earlier and look much further ahead than you would on other
roads. |
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Motorway signals |
255) |
Motorway signals (see 'Light signals controlling traffic') are used to
warn you of a danger ahead. For example, there may be an incident,
fog, a spillage or road workers on the carriageway which you may
not immediately be able to see.
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256) |
Signals situated on the central reservation apply to all lanes.
On very busy stretches, signals may be overhead with a
separate signal for each lane.
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257) |
Amber flashing lights. These warn of a hazard ahead. The signal
may show a temporary maximum speed limit, lanes that are
closed or a message such as ‘Fog’. Adjust your speed and look
out for the danger until you pass a signal which is not flashing
or one that gives the ‘All clear’ sign and you are sure it is safe to
increase your speed.
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258) | Red flashing lights.If red lights on the overhead signals flash above
your lane and a red ‘X’ is showing, you MUST NOT go beyond the
signal in that lane. If red lights flash on a signal in the central
reservation or at the side of the road, you MUST NOT go beyond
the signal in any lane.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 38 |
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Driving on the motorway |
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On the motorway |
260) |
When you can see well ahead and the road conditions are good, you
should
| drive at a steady cruising speed which you and your vehicle can
handle safely and is within the speed limit (see Rule 124) |
| keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and increase the
gap on wet or icy roads, or in fog (see Rules 126 and 235) |
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261) | You MUST NOT exceed 70 mph (112 km/h), or the maximum speed
limit permitted for your vehicle (see Rule 124). If a lower speed limit is
in force, either permanently or temporarily, at road works for example,
you MUST NOT exceed the lower limit. On some motorways,
mandatory motorway signals (which display the speed within a red ring)
are used to vary the maximum speed limit to improve traffic flow.
You MUST NOT exceed this speed limit. Law RTRA sects 17,
86, 89 & sch 6 |
262) | The monotony of driving on a motorway can make you feel sleepy. To
minimise the risk, follow the advice in Rule 91. |
263) | You MUST NOT reverse, cross the central reservation, or drive
against the traffic flow. If you have missed your exit, or have taken
the wrong route, carry on to the next exit.
Laws MT(E&W)R regs 6,8 & 10 & MT(S)R
regs 4,5,7 & 9 |
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Lane discipline |
264) |
You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is
clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you
should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.
Slow-moving or speed-restricted vehicles should always remain
in the left-hand lane of the carriageway unless overtaking. You
MUST NOT drive on the hard shoulder except in an emergency
or if directed to do so by the police, HA traffic officers in uniform or
by signs.
Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5, 9 & 16(1)(a), MT(S)R regs 4,
8 & 14(1)(a), and RTA 1988, sects 35 & 186, as
amended by TMA 2004 sect 6.
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265) | 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 |
| a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 3.5
tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, which is required to be
fitted with a speed limiter |
| a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding
7.5 tonnes |
| a passenger vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding
7.5 tonnes constructed or adapted to carry more than eight
seated passengers in addition to the driver |
| a passenger vehicle with a maximum laden weight not exceeding
7.5 tonnes which is constructed or adapted to carry more than
eight seated passengers in addition to the driver, which is required
to be fitted with a speed limiter. |
Laws MT(E&W)R reg 12, MT(E&W)AR (2004), MT(S)R reg 11 &
MT(S)AR (2004) |
266) | Approaching a junction. Look well ahead for signals or signs. Direction
signs may be placed over the road. If you need to change lanes, do so
in good time. At some junctions a lane may lead directly off the
motorway. Only get in that lane if you wish to go in the direction
indicated on the overhead signs. |
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Overtaking |
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Stopping |
270) |
You MUST NOT stop on the carriageway, hard shoulder, slip
road, central reservation or verge except in an emergency, or
when told to do so by the police, HA traffic officers in uniform,
an emergency sign or by flashing red light signals. Do not stop
on the hard shoulder to either make or receive mobile phone
calls. Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5A, 7, 9, 10 & 16,
MT(S)R regs 6(1), 8, 9 & 14, PRA 2002 sect 41
& sched 5(8), & RTA 1988 Sects 35 &
163 as amended by TMA 2004, Sect 6
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271) | You MUST NOT pick up or set down anyone, or walk on a motorway,
except in an emergency. Laws RTRA sect 17 &
MT(E&W)R reg 15 |
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Leaving the motorway |
272) | Unless signs indicate that a lane leads directly off the motorway,
you will normally leave the motorway by a slip road on your left.
You should
| watch for the signs letting you know you are getting
near your exit |
| move into the left-hand lane well before reaching
your exit |
| signal left in good time and reduce your speed
on the slip road as necessary. |
Laws MT(E&W)R reg 12, MT(E&W)AR (2004), MT(S)
R reg 11 & MT(S)AR (2004) |
273) | 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. Some slip-roads and link roads have sharp bends,
so you will need to slow down. |
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