Motorway Rules

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

• A70mph✓
• BNo limit
• C60mph
• D50mph

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?

• ANo, but driving too slowly is dangerous and illegal✓
• BYes, 50mph
• CYes, 60mph
• 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?

• AHazard warning or temporary speed restriction—check the sign message✓
• BMandatory stop
• CThe motorway is ahead
• DLane closed

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, the hard shoulder may be used to overtake whenever the traffic is queuing
• BOnly for heavy goods vehicles, which are allowed to use it to overtake
• CYes, provided you keep below 40mph and return to lane one straight away
• DNo, the hard shoulder is only for breakdowns and emergencies✓

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 right-hand lane, keeping the left-hand lanes clear for slower traffic
• BAlways the middle lane to avoid changing lanes
• CAny lane you want
• DThe left lane, moving to the middle lane to overtake only✓

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?

• ASlow down, move to another lane safely, and keep well clear—there could be a fire✓
• BSound your horn repeatedly and stay close behind so the driver notices the smoke in the mirrors
• CFlash your headlights continuously and stay in the same lane until the driver pulls over
• DMaintain speed and stay behind it

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?

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

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 recognise a smart motorway?

• AIt has full traffic light signals at every junction and roundabout along its length
• BIt has red X signs to close lanes and variable speed limit signs above each lane✓
• CIt is narrower than a normal motorway and has only two running lanes throughout its length
• DIt is marked out with green coloured road markings instead of the usual white lines

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?

• ASound your horn
• BDrive in it✓
• CSpeed up
• 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?

• ANever reverse on a motorway—it's extremely illegal and dangerous✓
• BReverse along the hard shoulder with your hazard warning lights switched on
• CReverse slowly
• DUse your hazard lights

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?

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

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?

• ANo obstruction, lane open✓
• BLane closed
• CStop immediately
• DA speed restriction applies in that lane

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

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

• A50mph
• B80mph
• C60mph
• D70mph✓

Answer: The national speed limit for cars on a motorway is 70mph. This is a limit, not a target, and you must adapt your speed to road and weather conditions. Speed is reduced when towing or carrying goods.

On a motorway, what does a solid white line on the left mean?

• AYou can cross it freely
• BIt is just a guide
• CYou cannot cross it except in emergencies✓
• DYou can cross it if safe

Answer: A solid white line on the left side of a motorway cannot be crossed except in emergencies (such as a breakdown). You cannot use the hard shoulder except in an emergency. This is a mandatory safety rule.

What should you do if your engine temperature gauge shows overheating on a motorway?

• AExit the motorway at the next opportunity and stop safely✓
• BPour water over the engine at the next stop while it is still hot
• CTurn off the air conditioning, open the windows and carry on to your destination
• DContinue at the same speed to the next motorway service area

Answer: If your engine is overheating, exit at the next opportunity and pull over safely to allow cooling. Continuing could cause severe engine damage. Turn off the air conditioning and open windows as temporary measures before exiting.

When is it legal to stop on a motorway?

• ATo pull onto the hard shoulder and make or take a mobile phone call
• BOnly in a service area or emergency refuge area in emergencies✓
• CWhenever you want
• DTo rest when tired

Answer: You must only stop on a motorway in a designated service area, emergency refuge area, or hard shoulder in a genuine emergency (breakdown, serious injury, collision). Stopping elsewhere is illegal and dangerous.

What should you do when joining a motorway?

• AMove straight across into the right-hand lane as soon as you have joined
• BSound your horn to warn the traffic already using the motorway that you are joining
• CStop on the hard shoulder
• DUse the acceleration lane to match traffic speed and merge safely✓

Answer: Use the acceleration lane to build speed, match the speed of traffic, and merge when safe. Check mirrors and blind spots, signal in good time, and avoid sudden merges. Do not force other drivers to slow down.

What does a red X displayed on a smart motorway gantry mean?

• AThe motorway is at capacity and no more vehicles may join
• BThat lane is closed and must not be used✓
• CSpeed limit is 50mph
• DThere has been an accident somewhere further ahead

Answer: A red X means that specific lane is closed and must not be driven in. You must move to an adjacent open lane. Ignoring this instruction is illegal and dangerous, and can result in collisions and penalties.

What is the purpose of emergency refuge areas on smart motorways?

• ATo store maintenance equipment and materials used by the motorway repair crews
• BTo provide a safe place for broken-down vehicles instead of the hard shoulder✓
• CTo give drivers a place to pull in before rejoining above the variable speed limit
• DTo provide somewhere for tired drivers to pull in and take a proper rest break

Answer: Emergency refuge areas (ERAs) provide safe stopping places for broken-down vehicles on smart motorways. If your vehicle breaks down, try to reach an ERA rather than stopping on the hard shoulder. Use the emergency phone in the ERA.

When should you not use the middle or right lanes of a motorway?

• AWhen they are clear of traffic
• BDuring daylight hours only
• CWhen you are not actively overtaking✓
• DAny lane may be used at any time

Answer: You should keep to the left lane except when overtaking. Move right to overtake slower traffic, then return to the left lane. Staying in the right lane when not overtaking is unsafe and illegal (lane hogging).

What should you do if another vehicle is trying to overtake you on a motorway?

• AFlash your lights at them
• BBlock them by staying in the overtaking lane until they give up
• CSpeed up to prevent them overtaking
• DMaintain your speed and allow them to pass safely✓

Answer: If another vehicle is overtaking, maintain a steady speed and allow them to pass safely. Do not speed up or block them, as this is dangerous and illegal. Once they have passed, they should return to the left lane.

What is the maximum speed limit on a motorway during congestion?

• A30mph
• B50mph✓
• C20mph
• D70mph

Answer: On smart motorways, when congestion occurs, speed limits are reduced (typically shown as 50mph or lower on overhead gantries) to improve flow and safety. These variable limits are legally binding and must be obeyed.