Taking to the motorway is one of the quickest ways to get from A to B in the UK - traffic allowing, of course. These largely straight, fast roads cut across the country, and if it feels to you like they have a rule system all of their own; that’s because they do!
If you intend on travelling on these busy highways, you need to make sure that you’re familiar with the rules of driving on them; this is not only to make your journey straightforward but also to ensure the safety of both you and other motorway users.
Here we’ll explain the motorway rules, including what is and isn’t allowed to be driven on a motorway, and the circumstances under which you’re permitted to make a stop…
Why are there rules to travel on the motorway - and what are the rules for motorway driving?
Motorways tend to be home to some high speeds and the higher risks that come with them, so the Highways Agency stipulates a number of rules to keep this travel safe.
The section of the Highway Code that covers motorways and high-speed roads are rules 253 to 274, which relate to various aspects of travelling on these access-controlled highways.
Rules around motorway signs and signals
Rules 255 to 258
Driving on the motorway means that you need to be made aware of possible hazards as quickly as possible so that you can adjust your speed accordingly. This could include those caused by other motorists (accidents or breakdowns), substances or obstructions in the road, or workers operating on the road ahead.
Usually the signs used to communicate an upcoming hazard highlight the lane that the issue affects, and are catagorised using the following colours:
Amber - Flashing amber lights warn of a hazard up ahead, and suggest that motorists should exercise caution and reduce their speed, only resuming their car’s previous pace again once the amber lights stop, or a sign saying ‘END’ is visible.
Red - Flashing red lights are designed to make motorway users aware that a lane is closing; this is usually accompanied by an ‘X’ over the lane affected. This signals to drivers in that lane that they must move safely into another, only moving back again when they see ‘END’.
Rules for joining the motorway
Rule 259
Joining such fast-flowing traffic needs to be done in an organised manner, which is why there are rules around merging onto a motorway. The joining manoeuvre will generally be made from a slip road to the left-hand side of the motorway carriageway, and those using it must adhere to the following:
- Remain driving on the slip road if it turns into a lane
- Give priority to the traffic already travelling on the carriageway
- Match your speed to the flow of traffic
- Ensure your speed matches the traffic in the lane you’re travelling in before overtaking
Rules around your speed on the motorway
Rules 260 to 263
A steady speed on the motorway is a must, as is a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front - failure to do this could shorten your reaction time and result in a nasty collision. The best way to determine your distance from the car in front of you is to observe the two-second rule: you must pass a stationary object at the side of the road at least two seconds after they do.
70mph is the UK motorway speed limit for most vehicles, but this drops to 60mph for some larger vehicles. The table below outlines what the speed parameters are for certain vehicles:
Vehicle | Motorway speed mph (km/h) |
Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles | 70 mph (112 km/h) |
Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles when towing caravans or trailers | 60 mph (96 km/h) |
Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) | 70 mph (112 km/h) |
Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight) | 70 mph (112 km/h) |
Buses, coaches and minibuses (not more than 12 metres overall length) | 70 mph (112 km/h) |
Buses, coaches and minibuses (more than 12 metres overall length) | 60 mph (96 km/h) |
Goods vehicles (not more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) | 70 mph (112 km/h) or 60 mph (96 km/h) if an articulated lorry or towing a trailer |
Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) | 60 mph (96 km/h) |
Keeping alert on the motorway is a must, as feeling sleepy at the wheel can pose a serious risk. Ensure you make the most of the services stationed at regular intervals along every motorway, drinking coffee when necessary, and even taking a nap if you need one.
Rules for lane usage
Rules to 264 to 269
A defining feature of the motorway is their tendency to have more than two lanes, which means some disciplines need to be applied in order to keep everyone travelling safely. It is accepted that the following should take place to keep harmony between lanes:
- Remain in the left hand lane unless you are overtaking
- Be aware of vehicles joining the motorway (and look out for signs that suggest this is likely), and adjust your speed and lane position accordingly
- On a motorway with three or more lanes, the right-hand lane must not be used by vehicles pulling a trailer, passenger vehicles with more than eight seats, or goods vehicles with weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes
- Keep in mind that emergency services vehicles, road recovery workers, traffic officers and broken down vehicles may require you to change lane, potentially at short notice
Overtaking can present a bone of contention on the motorway, but it shouldn’t, as the rules make more than enough sense. Overtaking on the motorway should only happen when it is safe and legal to do so, and undertaking is strictly prohibited; you should only ever pass a vehicle to the right-hand side of it.
When overtaking a vehicle on the motorway, you must consider the following:
- Where the traffic is around you - including in your blind spot
- The speed of the vehicles around you
- That any space within a lane you intend to move into is big enough to accommodate your vehicle safely
- Motorcyclists, who may be harder to see at speed
Rules for stopping on the motorway
Rules 270 to 272
The rules around stopping on the motorway are clear: it should only happen in an emergency, and it should never happen in a live lane of traffic. If you have to stop, you must do so on the hard shoulder, or in designated emergency area.
Rules for leaving the motorway
Rules 273 to 274
Time to hit the A and B roads? You’ll generally get to do so via a slip road off the motorway, similarly to how you joined. Make sure you stay aware of your surroundings, signal appropriately, and adjust your speed accordingly.
What vehicles are not allowed to travel on a motorway?
As you can imagine, only vehicles able to keep up with the speed and pace of motorway driving are allowed onto these highways, which means that the following methods of transport are prohibited:
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
- Horse riders
- Holders of a provisional motorcycle licence
- Riders of motorcycles under 50cc
- Holders of a provisional car licence (unless accompanied by an approved DVSA driving instructor)
- Agricultural vehicles
- Powered wheelchairs
- Powered mobility scooters
- Some types of slow-moving vehicles
- Certain types of vehicles carrying oversized loads
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