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Rule 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 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.

Rule 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.

Rule 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.

Rule 256

A single sign or signal can display advice, restrictions and warnings for all lanes.

Lane specific signs and signals can display advice, restrictions and warnings that apply to individual lanes.

Rule 257

Amber flashing lights. These signals warn of a hazard ahead. You should

• reduce your speed
• be prepared for the hazard
• 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.

Rule 257: Signal warning of a hazard

Rule 258

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
• MUST NOT drive in a closed lane. A sign will inform you when the lane is no longer closed by displaying a speed limit or the word ‘END’.

Rule 258: signals and signs indicating lane closures

Rule 258: signals and signs indicating lane closures

Be aware that

• there can be several hazards in a closed lane
• emergency services and traffic authorities use closed lanes to reach incidents and help people in need
• where the left lane is closed at an exit slip road, this means that the exit cannot be used.

Where red flashing light signals and closure of all lanes are shown on a sign, the road is closed. You

• MUST NOT go beyond the sign in any lane or use the hard shoulder to avoid the road closure unless directed to do so by a police or traffic officer.

Rule 258: signals and signs indicating lane closures

Lane and road closures indicated by red flashing lights are enforced by the police.

Rule 259

Joining the motorway. 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
• check the traffic on the motorway and match your speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane
• not cross solid white lines that separate lanes or use the hard shoulder
• stay on the slip road if it continues as an extra lane on the motorway
• remain in the left-hand lane long enough to adjust to the speed of traffic before considering overtaking.

Rule 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 and the Speed limits table)
• 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).

Rule 261

You MUST NOT exceed

• a speed limit displayed within a red circle on a sign
• the maximum speed limit for the road and for your vehicle (see Rule 124).

Speed limits are enforced by the police (see Rule 124).

Rule 262

The monotony of driving on motorways and other high-speed roads can make you feel sleepy. To minimise the risk, follow the advice in Rule 91 about ensuring you are fit to drive and taking breaks.

Service areas are located along motorways to allow you to take breaks and to obtain refreshments. Refreshment and rest facilities on the local road network may also be accessible from motorway exits.

Rule 263

Unless directed to do so by a police or traffic officer, you MUST NOT

• reverse along any part of a motorway, including slip roads, hard shoulders and emergency areas
• cross the central reservation
• drive against the traffic flow.

If you have missed your exit, or have taken the wrong route, carry on to the next exit.

Rule 264

Keep in the left lane unless overtaking.

• If you are overtaking, you should return to the left lane when it is safe to do so (see also Rules 267 and 268).
• Be aware of emergency services, traffic officers, recovery workers and other people or vehicles stopped on the hard shoulder or in an emergency area. If you are driving in the left lane, and it is safe to do so, you should move into the adjacent lane to create more space between your vehicle and the people and stopped vehicles.

Rule 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.

Rule 266

Approaching a junction. Look well ahead for signals or signs. Direction signs may be placed over the road. If you need to, you should change lanes well ahead of a junction. At some junctions, a lane may lead directly off the road. Only get in that lane if you wish to go in the direction indicated by the signs or road markings.

Rule 267

Do not overtake unless you are sure it is safe and legal to do so. Overtake only on the right. You should

• check your mirrors
• take time to judge the speeds correctly
• make sure that the lane you will be joining is sufficiently clear ahead and behind
• take a quick sideways glance into the blind spot area to verify the position of a vehicle that may have disappeared from your view in the mirror
• remember that traffic may be coming up behind you very quickly. Check all your mirrors carefully. Look out for motorcyclists. When it is safe to do so, signal in plenty of time, then move out
• ensure you do not cut in on the vehicle you have overtaken
• be especially careful at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to judge speed and distance.

Rule 268

Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. 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.

Rule 269

Hard shoulder (where present). 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.

Hard shoulder (where used as an extra lane). The hard shoulder is used as an extra lane on some motorways during periods of congestion. A red ‘X’ or blank sign above the hard shoulder means that you MUST NOT use the hard shoulder except in an emergency.

 

You can only use the hard shoulder as an extra lane when a speed limit is shown above the hard shoulder.

Where the hard shoulder is being used as an extra lane, emergency areas are provided for use in an emergency (see Rule 270).

Rule 270

Emergency areas are located along motorways with no hard shoulder or where the hard shoulder can be used as an extra lane (see Rule 269) 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.

Rule 270: emergency area

Rule 270: sign indicating distance to next emergency area

Follow the requirements and advice in

• Rule 277 if your vehicle develops a problem on the motorway
• Rule 278 to re-join the carriageway from an emergency area.

 

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.

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, 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.

Rule 272

You MUST NOT pick up or set down anyone, or walk on a motorway, except in an emergency.

Rule 273

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.

Rule 274

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.

Rule 275

If you need to stop your vehicle in the event of a breakdown or incident, try to stop in a place of relative safety. A place of relative safety is where you, your passengers and your vehicle are less likely to be at risk from moving traffic.

The safest place to stop is a location which is designed for parking. On motorways and other high-speed roads, the safest place to stop is a service area. Other places of relative safety include

• lay-bys
• emergency areas (see Rule 270)
• hard shoulders (see Rule 269).

Be aware that hard shoulders provide less protection than other places of relative safety because they are so close to high-speed traffic.

You and your passengers should, where possible, keep well away from your vehicle and moving traffic. Otherwise moving traffic could collide with your vehicle, forcing it into you and your passengers.

Rule 276

If your vehicle breaks down, think first of all other road users and

• get your vehicle off the road if possible
• warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights if your vehicle is causing an obstruction
• help other road users see you by wearing light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility
• put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Always take great care when placing or retrieving them, but never use them on motorways
• if possible, keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor
• do not stand (or let anybody else stand) between your vehicle and oncoming traffic
• at night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights

Rule 277

If your vehicle develops a problem, leave the carriageway at the next exit or pull into a service area if possible (see Rule 275 for places of relative safety). If you cannot, you should

Go left

• move into the left lane
• pull into an emergency area or onto a hard shoulder if you can
• stop as far to the left as possible, leaving space to exit your vehicle and with your wheels turned to the left
• if you can, stop just beyond an emergency telephone
• switch your hazard warning lights on
• if it’s dark or visibility is poor, use sidelights.

Get safe

• exit your vehicle by the side furthest from traffic, if it is safe and possible to do so, and ensure passengers do the same

• put on high-visibility clothing if you have it and it is within easy reach
• get behind a safety barrier where there is one, but be aware of any unseen hazards such as sudden drops, uneven ground or debris
• DO NOT stand in a place where your vehicle could be forced into you if moving traffic collides with it
• DO NOT return to your vehicle even if it’s raining, cold or dark
• remain alert and aware of vehicles or debris coming towards you
• keep passengers away from the carriageway and children under control
• DO NOT attempt repairs on your vehicle
• DO NOT place a warning triangle on the carriageway
• animals MUST be kept in the vehicle or, in an emergency, under control on the verge.

Rule 277: Keep well away from your vehicle and moving traffic

Rule 277: Keep well away from your vehicle and moving traffic

Get help

• use the free emergency telephone to obtain advice and assistance
• contact a breakdown recovery service
• always face the traffic when you speak to remain aware of vehicles or debris coming towards you
• inform them if you are a vulnerable motorist such as disabled, older or travelling alone
• wait well away from your vehicle and moving traffic, behind the safety barrier where there is one
• if you are unable to exit your vehicle or if you have not stopped near a free emergency telephone, call 999 immediately and ask for the police. Alternatively, press your SOS button if your vehicle has one and ask for the police.

Communicating your location. How to identify your location to the emergency services.

eCall. Press the SOS button if your vehicle has one.
App. Use a mobile telephone mapping application.
Marker post or driver location sign. Quote the numbers and letters on marker posts or driver location signs which are located along the edge of the road.

 

Rule 278

To rejoin the carriageway after a breakdown from

• a hard shoulder, build up speed, indicate and watch for a safe gap in the traffic. Be aware that vehicles, obstructions or debris may be present on the hard shoulder
• an emergency area, you MUST use the emergency telephone provided and follow the operator’s advice for exiting the emergency area. A lane may need to be closed so that you can rejoin the carriageway safely.

Rule 278: Emergency area information sign

Rule 279

Disabled drivers. If you have a disability that prevents you from following the above advice in Rules 277 and 278, you should

• switch on your hazard warning lights
• stay in your vehicle and keep your seat belt on
• call 999 immediately and ask for the police. Alternatively, press your SOS button if your vehicle has one and ask for the police.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, it is recommended that you register for the 999 text service (emergencySMS.net) before making a journey.

Rule 280

If anything falls from a vehicle on to a motorway or other high-speed road, DO NOT remove the obstruction yourself. Stop in a place of relative safety (see Rule 275) and call the emergency services on 999.

On other roads, you should only remove obstructions if it is safe to do so.

The Highway Code © Crown copyright. Source: http://gov.uk/highway-code