Motorway Rules

What is the national speed limit for cars on a motorway?

• A50mph
• B60mph
• C70mph✓
• DNo limit

Answer: The national speed limit for cars on motorways is 70mph. This is the maximum allowed; speeds may be reduced in variable speed limits or by traffic signs.

Is there a legal minimum speed on UK motorways?

• AYes, 50mph
• BYes, 60mph
• CNo, but driving too slowly is dangerous and illegal✓
• DYes, 70mph

Answer: There is no legal minimum speed on motorways, but driving extremely slowly (e.g., 20mph) is illegal and dangerous. Reasonable progress at safe speeds is expected.

What does an amber light on a motorway sign mean?

• AThe motorway is ahead
• BHazard warning or temporary speed restriction—check the sign message✓
• CLane closed
• DMandatory stop

Answer: Amber lights indicate caution: read the sign to see if there's a speed restriction, accident, or hazard. Comply with the displayed message.

Can you use the hard shoulder on a motorway to overtake?

• AYes, it's always available
• BNo, the hard shoulder is only for breakdowns and emergencies✓
• CYes, in heavy traffic
• DOnly for HGVs

Answer: The hard shoulder is reserved for emergency stops and breakdowns only. Using it to overtake is illegal and dangerous, and you will be heavily fined.

On a three-lane motorway, which lane should you normally drive in?

• AAlways the fast lane (left)
• BAlways the slow lane (right)
• CThe left lane, moving to the middle lane to overtake only✓
• DAny lane you want

Answer: The left lane is for normal traffic; use the middle lane only to overtake, then return to the left lane. The right lane is for high-speed overtaking only, never for cruising.

What should you do if you see smoke coming from an HGV ahead on a motorway?

• AMaintain speed and stay behind it
• BFlash your lights to warn the driver
• CSlow down, move to another lane safely, and keep well clear—there could be a fire✓
• DSound your horn

Answer: Smoke from a vehicle indicates serious mechanical problems or fire. Move away and keep clear; don't stay behind it as a fire could occur suddenly.

What should you do if your car breaks down on a motorway?

• ATry to restart it where it is
• BPut on hazard lights, move passengers away from traffic to behind the barrier if safe, and call for help from a safe location✓
• CStay in the car with the doors locked
• DGet out and flag down other drivers

Answer: Hazard lights warn others, turning off the engine prevents fire, and moving passengers away from traffic is essential. Call for help from a safe location, never flag down traffic.

How can you recognize a smart motorway?

• AIt has traffic lights at every junction
• BIt has red X signs to close lanes and variable speed limit signs above each lane✓
• CIt's narrower than a normal motorway
• DIt has different coloured road markings

Answer: Smart motorways use red X overhead signs to close lanes and variable speed limit signs. These are monitored electronically to manage traffic flow during congestion.

What must you never do in a closed lane marked with a red X on a smart motorway?

• ASpeed up
• BSound your horn
• CDrive in it✓
• DUse the hard shoulder

Answer: A red X means the lane is closed due to accident, breakdown, or maintenance. Driving in a closed lane is illegal and you will be heavily fined and prosecuted.

What should you do if you need to reverse on a motorway?

• AReverse slowly
• BNever reverse on a motorway—it's extremely illegal and dangerous✓
• CUse your hazard lights
• DReverse in the hard shoulder

Answer: Reversing on a motorway is absolutely prohibited because it creates extreme danger for you and others. If you miss an exit, continue to the next one.

What should you do if congestion on a motorway causes traffic to slow to a crawl?

• AMaintain large following distances and be prepared for stationary traffic✓
• BIgnore the traffic and maintain normal speed
• CUse the hard shoulder
• DSound your horn to warn others

Answer: Increasing following distances in slow traffic gives you space to stop safely and reduces shunting (pile-up) accidents. Be prepared for traffic to stop completely without warning.

What does it mean if overhead motorway signs show a white diagonal line?

• ALane closed
• BNo obstruction, lane open✓
• CSpeed restriction ahead
• DStop immediately

Answer: A white diagonal line indicates a lane is open and clear. A red X means closed; amber lights indicate caution with a message.