Motorway Rules Flashcards
What’s the national speed limit on motorways for cars and motorcycles?
70 mph
You’re travelling along a motorway. Where would you find a crawler or climbing lane?
On a steep gradient
You’re travelling along a motorway. When are you allowed to overtake on the left?
When in queues and traffic to your right is moving more slowly than you are
What’s the speed limit for a car towing a trailer on a motorway?
60 mph
When should you use the left-hand lane of a motorway?
When the road ahead is clear
You’re driving on a motorway and have to slow down suddenly due to a hazard ahead. How can you warn drivers behind of the hazard?
Switch on your hazard warning lights
Your car gets a puncture while you’re driving on the motorway. What should you do when you’ve stopped on the hard shoulder?
Use an emergency telephone and call for help
What should you do if you’re driving on a motorway and you miss the exit that you wanted to take?
Carry on to the next exit
Your vehicle has broken down on a motorway. What should you do if you aren’t able to get onto the hard shoulder?
Switch on your hazard warning lights
Why is it particularly important to check your vehicle before making a long motorway journey?
Continuous high speeds increase the risk of your vehicle breaking down
You’re driving on a motorway. What does it mean if the car in front shows its hazard warning lights for a short time?
Traffic ahead is slowing or stopping suddenly
You’re driving on the motorway. Which lane should you get into well before you reach your exit?
The left-hand lane
What restrictions apply to people who have a provisional driving licence?
They can’t drive unaccompanied
Your vehicle breaks down on a motorway and you manage to stop on the hard shoulder. What should you do if you use your mobile phone to call for help?
Check your location from the nearest marker posts beside the hard shoulder
What would you expect to find at a contraflow system on a motorway?
Lower speed limits
You’re joining a motorway from a slip road. How should you deal with traffic already on the motorway?
Match your speed to traffic in the left-hand lane and filter into a safe gap
Which vehicles should use the left-hand lane on a three-lane motorway?
Any vehicle that isn’t overtaking
Which vehicles aren’t allowed to use the right-hand lane of a three-lane motorway?
Vehicles towing a trailer
Your vehicle breaks down on a motorway and you need to call for help. Why might it be better to use an emergency roadside telephone rather than a mobile phone?
It allows easy location by the emergency services
Your vehicle broke down on the hard shoulder of a motorway, but has now been repaired. How should you rejoin the main carriageway?
Gain speed on the hard shoulder before moving out onto the carriageway
What do these motorway signs mean?
They’re countdown markers to the next exit
Where are amber reflective studs found on a motorway?
Between the central reservation and the carriageway
What colour are the reflective studs between the lanes on a motorway?
White
What colour are the reflective studs between a motorway and a slip road?
Green
Your vehicle has broken down on a motorway. In which direction should you walk to find the nearest emergency telephone?
In the direction shown on the marker posts
Why is it important to make full use of the slip road as you join a motorway?
To allow you to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane
How should you position yourself when you use the emergency telephone on a motorway?
Face the oncoming traffic
What colour are the reflective studs between the hard shoulder and the left-hand lane of a motorway?
Red
On a three-lane motorway, which lane should you use if there’s no traffic ahead?
Left
What should you do when going through a contraflow system on a motorway?
Keep a good distance from the vehicle ahead
You’re on a three-lane motorway. Which lane are you in if there are red reflective studs on your left and white ones to your right?
In the left-hand lane
What should you do when you’re approaching roadworks on a motorway?
Obey the speed limit
Which vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
Powered mobility scooters
What should you do while you’re driving or riding along a motorway?
Look much further ahead than you would on other roads
What should you do immediately after joining a motorway?
Stay in the left-hand lane
When would you use the right-hand lane on a three-lane motorway?
When you’re overtaking
You’re on a motorway that isn’t subject to smart motorway regulations. When should you use the hard shoulder?
When you’re stopping in an emergency
You’re in the right-hand lane of a three-lane motorway. What do these overhead signs mean?
Move to the left and reduce your speed to 50 mph
When are you allowed to stop on a motorway?
When you’re signalled to do so by traffic signals
You’re travelling in the left-hand lane of a three-lane motorway. How should you react to traffic joining from a slip road?
Adjust your speed or change lane if you can do so safely
How should you use the lanes on a motorway?
Keep to the left-hand lane unless you’re overtaking
When would you use an emergency refuge area on a smart motorway?
In cases of emergency or breakdown
Traffic officers operate on motorways and some primary routes in England and Wales. What are they authorised to do?
Stop and direct anyone on a motorway
You’re on a smart motorway. What does it mean when a red cross is displayed above the hard shoulder?
You shouldn’t travel in this lane
You’re on a smart motorway. What does it mean when a mandatory speed limit is displayed above the hard shoulder?
The hard shoulder can be used as a running lane
How do smart motorways prevent traffic bunching?
By using variable speed limits
What helps to reduce traffic bunching on a motorway?
Variable speed limits
When may you stop on a motorway?
In an emergency or breakdown
What’s the national speed limit for a car or motorcycle on a motorway?
70 mph
You stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway and use the emergency telephone. Where’s the best place to wait for help to arrive?
Well away from the carriageway
You’re on a motorway. What must you do if there’s a red cross showing above every lane?
Stop and wait
You’re on a smart motorway. What does it mean if a red cross is showing above the hard shoulder and mandatory speed limits above all other lanes?
The hard shoulder is for emergency or breakdown use only
On a smart motorway, what does this sign mean?
Use all the lanes, including the hard shoulder
Where should you stop to rest if you feel tired while you’re travelling along a motorway?
At the nearest service area
You’re towing a trailer along a three-lane motorway. When may you use the right-hand lane?
When there are lane closures
