9. Motorway rules

Question 1

Why must you check your vehicle before travelling on a motorway?

Answer 1

Continuous high speed make you vehicle vulnerable to breaking down

Question 2

What makes motorways more dangerous than other roads?

Answer 2

Conditions change more quickly due to greater speed

Question 3

What should you do when on a slip road?

Answer 3

Adjust your speed to match that of traffic on the motorway
Give way to traffic already on the motorway

Question 4

What lane should you travel in on the motorway?

Answer 4

Left-hand

Question 5

What are the middle and right hand lanes of the motorway for?

Answer 5

Overtaking

Question 6

What side do you overtake on?

Answer 6

The right unless traffic is queuing

Question 7

Why might an additional lane be present with a steep uphill gradient?

Answer 7

For slow moving traffic

Question 8

If you’re travelling in the left hand lane and see a slip road, what should you do?

Answer 8

Move into a right hand lane if possible to allow an easier flow of traffic, especially at peak times

Question 9

What do countdown markers suggest?

Answer 9

Distance to an exit, to help you get in the right lane?

Question 10

If you miss an exit on the motorway, what should you do?

Answer 10

Continue to the next one, never try to stop or reverse

Question 11

What is the national motorway speed limit?

Answer 11

70mph (112kmh)

Question 12

What is the motorway speed limit for a vehicle towing a trailer?

Answer 12

60mph (96kmh)
they are also not allowed in the right-hand lane unless there is a closure

Question 13

Why might you use hazard lights when approaching traffic on a motorway?

Answer 13

To alert traffic behind you that traffic ahead is slowing, switch them off when a queue begins to form behind you

Question 14

What must you be weary of when approaching roadworks on the motorway?

Answer 14

The speed limit may be lower
There may be a contraflow system in place
Keep well behind the vehicle in front and obey speed limits

Question 15

What may be a method use to decrease motorway congestion?

Answer 15

A decreased speed limit on gantries to prevent traffic bunching

Question 16

When can you drive in the hard shoulder?

Answer 16

If a gantry above it shows a speed limit instead of a red X

Question 17

What responsibility do traffic officers in England and Wales have?

Answer 17

Can stop anyone on a motorway or A road
Respond to calls made on emergency telephones

Question 18

Where, on the motorway, are there red lane markings?

Answer 18

Between hard shoulder and carriageway

Question 19

Where, on the motorway, are there amber lane markings?

Answer 19

Between the edge of the carriageway and the central reservation

Question 20

Where, on the motorway, are there white lane markings?

Answer 20

Between lanes

Question 21

Where, on the motorway, are there green lane markings?

Answer 21

Between the carriageway and slip roads

Question 22

Where, on the motorway, are there fluorescent green/ yellow lane markings?

Answer 22

Contraflow system or roadworks

Question 23

When can you stop in the motorway?

Answer 23

In traffic
In an emergency/ breakdown
When told to by police or traffic officers
If flashing red lights show above every lane
If overhead gantries signal you should do so

Question 24

When can you stop on the hard shoulder?

Answer 24

Only in emergency

Question 25

How can you find an emergency phone?

Answer 25

They are at mile-intervals and signalled by sign posts every 100m to the nearest
These are connected to a control centre where an operator will direct your call appropriately

Question 26

Where should you locate yourself if using an emergency phone?

Answer 26

Face oncoming traffic to see oncoming hazards

Question 27

What should you tell emergency services if you use your mobile phone instead of an emergency phone?

Answer 27

Report your location (number on the nearest marker post)

Question 28

How should you re-join the motorway from the dual carriageway?

Answer 28

Gain speed in the carriageway and then merge safely into the oncoming traffic

Question 29

If you are not able to stop on the hard shoulder when breaking down what should you do?

Answer 29

Switch on hazard warning lights
Leave your vehicle only when you can get off the dual carriageway safely

Question 30

Who cannot drive on motorways?

Answer 30

Motorcyclists with provisional entitlement
Learner drivers without an approved instructor
Bicycles
Motorcycles under 50cc
Powered vehicles and mobility scooters
Agricultural vehicles
Some slow moving vehicles

Question 31

How should you navigate contraflow systems?

Answer 31

Maintain low speed
Maintain high safety distance
Do not switch lanes unnecessarily