Motorway traffic moves fast, so you have less time to react (rule 254) and mistakes can have serious results. This theory test topic covers joining and leaving, lane discipline, overtaking, motorway signals and red X lane closures, smart motorways, and what to do if you break down.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Checked against the Highway Code and GOV.UK.
What this topic covers in the theory test
Motorway questions test both the legal rules (many are MUST rules) and good practice at speed. Expect questions on:
- who and what is not allowed on a motorway
- learner drivers on motorways with an approved driving instructor
- joining from a slip road and leaving at your exit
- which lane to use, overtaking, and the right-hand lane restrictions for some vehicles
- speed limits, including variable limits shown on gantries
- flashing amber signals, red lights and the red X
- the hard shoulder, emergency areas and motorways without a hard shoulder
- breaking down on a motorway: Go left, Get safe, Get help
- tiredness and taking breaks
The Highway Code covers all of this in the Motorways section (rules 253 to 273) and the Breakdowns and incidents section (rules 274 to 287).
Who can use a motorway
Rule 253 lists who MUST NOT use a motorway: pedestrians, holders of provisional motorcycle licences, riders of motorcycles under 50 cc, cyclists, horse riders, certain slow-moving vehicles and those carrying oversized loads (except with special permission), agricultural vehicles, and powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Learner drivers on motorways
Since 4 June 2018, learner car drivers in England, Scotland and Wales have been allowed to take motorway lessons, according to the GOV.UK announcement of the change. The conditions are strict:
- The learner must be accompanied by a DVSA approved driving instructor (ADI). A parent, friend or other supervising driver cannot take a learner on a motorway.
- The car must have dual controls.
- The car must display L plates (or D plates in Wales).
- Trainee driving instructors are not allowed to take learners on the motorway.
- Learner motorcyclists are still not allowed on motorways.
Rule 253 now reflects this: provisional car licence holders MUST NOT drive on a motorway unless they are accompanied by an ADI in a car with dual controls and L plates. Motorway lessons are voluntary, and the instructor decides when a learner is ready. The 2018 change did not add motorway driving to the practical driving test, but motorway rules are still examined in the theory test. If you want motorway lessons, you can compare driving instructors near you.
Joining and leaving
Joining from a slip road
Rule 259 says that when you join a motorway you should give priority to traffic already on the motorway, check the traffic and match your speed so you fit safely into the flow in the left-hand lane. Do not cross solid white lines that separate lanes, and stay in the left-hand lane long enough to adjust to the speed of the traffic before you think about overtaking. The slip road is where you build up speed, so use it.
Leaving at your exit
Rule 273 says you will normally leave by a slip road on the left. Watch for the signs, move into the left-hand lane well before your exit, signal left in good time and reduce your speed on the slip road. If you miss your exit, carry on to the next one: rule 263 says you MUST NOT reverse, cross the central reservation or drive against the traffic flow.
After leaving, remember that you have been driving fast for a while. Check your speedometer, because 40 mph can feel much slower than it really is.
Lane discipline and overtaking
Keep left unless overtaking
Rule 264 says keep in the left lane unless you are overtaking, and return to the left lane once you have passed slower vehicles, when it is safe. Sitting in the middle lane with an empty left lane (“middle-lane hogging”) breaks this rule. Rule 264 also asks you to move into the next lane, if it is safe, when you are passing vehicles stopped on the hard shoulder or in an emergency area, to give them more space.
Right-hand lane restrictions
Rule 265 says the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes MUST NOT be used, except in prescribed circumstances, by vehicles towing trailers, goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, most goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes that must have a speed limiter, and large passenger vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.
Overtaking safely
Rule 267 says overtake only on the right, and only when you are sure it is safe and legal. Check your mirrors, take time to judge the speed of traffic behind, and look for motorcyclists and fast-approaching vehicles. Make sure the lane you are moving into is clear ahead and behind, take a quick sideways glance into your blind spot, signal in plenty of time, and do not cut in on the vehicle you have just overtaken.
Rule 268 says do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. There is one exception: in congested conditions, where the lanes are moving at similar speeds, you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if it means passing traffic in a lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to get ahead.
Speed limits and motorway signals
The national speed limit on a motorway is 70 mph for cars and motorcycles, but lower for some vehicles, such as 60 mph for cars towing caravans or trailers (rule 124). Rule 261 says you MUST NOT exceed the maximum speed limit for the road and for your vehicle, or a speed limit displayed within a red circle on a sign. On many motorways, overhead signs show variable limits to manage traffic flow or protect people ahead. A number inside a red circle is a legal limit, not a suggestion.
Flashing amber signals
Rule 257 says flashing amber lights warn of a hazard ahead, such as an incident, fog, a spillage or road workers. Reduce your speed and be prepared for the hazard. Do not speed up again until you pass a signal that is not flashing, or a sign showing the national speed limit or the word “END”.
Red lights and the red X
Rule 258 says red flashing light signals and a red “X” identify a closed lane. You MUST follow the instructions on signs in advance of the closed lane to move safely into an open lane, and you MUST NOT drive in a closed lane. A lane can be closed because of stopped vehicles, people, debris or road workers, and you may not be able to see the reason from where you are. If red lights flash and all lanes are shown as closed, the road is closed and you MUST NOT go past the signal unless a police or traffic officer tells you to.
The light signals section of the Highway Code describes the red X over a lane as meaning you MUST NOT go any further in that lane. National Highways advises that you should not move back into a lane closed by a red X until you see a national speed limit sign, an “END” sign or a new speed limit shown for that lane.
Smart motorways, hard shoulders and emergency areas
“Smart motorway” is the common name for motorways that use technology such as overhead signals and variable speed limits to manage traffic. On some, the hard shoulder is opened as an extra lane at busy times, and on others there is no hard shoulder at all and every lane is a running lane. National Highways says that around 25 per cent of the motorway network is now made up of smart motorways, so you will almost certainly drive on one.
Using the hard shoulder
Rule 269 says you MUST NOT use the hard shoulder except in an emergency, or if directed to by the police, traffic officers or a traffic sign. Where the hard shoulder can be used as an extra lane, you can only drive on it when a speed limit is shown above it. If a red X is shown above it, or the sign above it is blank, treat it as a hard shoulder and use it only in an emergency.
Emergency areas
Rule 270 describes emergency areas. They are found on motorways with no hard shoulder, or where the hard shoulder can be used as an extra lane. They are marked by blue signs with an orange SOS telephone symbol and MUST only be used in an emergency. Each has an emergency telephone. If you stop in one, rule 278 says you MUST use the emergency telephone provided and follow the operator’s advice before you rejoin. The operator may close the lane next to you so you can pull out safely.
Stopping on a motorway
Rule 271 says you MUST NOT stop on the carriageway, an emergency area, the hard shoulder, a slip road, the central reservation or the verge except in an emergency, or when told to by the police, traffic officers, an emergency sign or red flashing lights. You should not stop to make or receive phone calls, except in an emergency, and rule 272 says you MUST NOT pick up or set down anyone, or walk on a motorway, except in an emergency.
Breaking down on a motorway: Go left, Get safe, Get help
The Highway Code (rule 277) and National Highways use the same three steps:
- Go left. Signal left and move into the left-hand lane. If you can, leave at the next junction or pull into a service area. Otherwise, pull into an emergency area or onto the hard shoulder, stop as far to the left as possible with your wheels turned to the left, and switch on your hazard warning lights.
- Get safe. If it is safe and possible, get out of the vehicle by the door furthest from traffic, and put on high-visibility clothing if you have it and get behind a safety barrier if there is one. Keep well away from the carriageway and do not return to your vehicle, even if it is raining, cold or dark.
- Get help. Use the free emergency telephone if there is one, or call National Highways on 0300 123 5000 (National Highways, checked September 2026), or your breakdown provider.
If you stop in a live lane, or you cannot get out safely, stay in your vehicle with your seat belt on and hazard lights on, and call 999 straight away to ask for the police. Rule 276 says you should never place a warning triangle on a motorway, and rule 277 says do not attempt any repairs yourself.
When you rejoin from the hard shoulder, rule 278 says build up speed on the hard shoulder, indicate and watch for a safe gap in the traffic.
Tiredness on long journeys
Rule 262 warns that the monotony of motorway driving can make you sleepy, and points to rule 91 about being fit to drive and taking breaks. Service areas are there so you can stop, rest and get refreshments. If you feel sleepy, leave at the next exit or services and take a proper break.
Common mistakes learners make
- Joining too slowly from the slip road and forcing traffic to brake.
- Staying in the middle lane when the left lane is clear.
- Overtaking on the left, or weaving between lanes in slow traffic.
- Driving in a lane under a red X because “there’s nothing there”. The hazard may be out of sight.
- Speeding up again as soon as flashing amber lights stop, before passing an “END” or national speed limit sign.
- Using the hard shoulder as a running lane when no speed limit is shown above it.
- Standing between the car and the traffic after a breakdown, or putting out a warning triangle.
- Assuming learner drivers can practise on motorways with a parent. Only an ADI in a dual-control car is allowed.
Quick-reference table
| Situation | The rule | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Learner car driver | Only with an ADI, in a dual-control car with L (or D) plates | 253 |
| Joining | Give priority to traffic on the motorway, match speed in lane 1 | 259 |
| Normal driving | Keep left unless overtaking | 264 |
| Overtaking | On the right only; do not undertake | 267, 268 |
| Speed limit in a red circle | Legal maximum, MUST NOT exceed | 261 |
| Flashing amber lights | Slow down; do not speed up until the END or national speed limit sign | 257 |
| Red X over your lane | Lane closed; MUST NOT drive in it | 258 |
| Hard shoulder used as a lane | Only when a speed limit is shown above it | 269 |
| Emergency area | Blue sign, orange SOS symbol; use the phone before rejoining | 270, 278 |
| Breakdown | Go left, Get safe, Get help; no warning triangle | 276, 277 |
Practice questions
These practice questions are written by Get Driving Test Ready to help you revise. They are not official DVSA questions.
Q1. Which of these learner drivers may legally drive on a motorway?
A) A learner with a parent who has held a full licence for 10 years
B) A learner motorcyclist who has completed CBT
C) A learner in a dual-control car with a DVSA approved driving instructor
D) A learner with a trainee driving instructor
Answer: C. Provisional car licence holders may drive on motorways only with an ADI in a dual-control car showing L plates (D plates in Wales). Learner motorcyclists and trainee instructors are excluded. (Highway Code rule 253)
Practise this on the road: Ask your instructor about booking a motorway lesson in their dual-control car before your test.
Q2. You are joining a motorway from a slip road. What should you do?
A) Move straight into the middle lane
B) Stop at the end of the slip road and wait for a gap
C) Give priority to traffic on the motorway and match your speed to join the left lane
D) Expect traffic on the motorway to move over for you
Answer: C. Give priority to traffic already on the motorway, match your speed to fit safely into the left-hand lane, and stay there long enough to adjust before overtaking. (Highway Code rule 259)
Practise this on the road: On a dual carriageway slip road with your instructor, practise checking mirrors and matching your speed before merging.
Q3. A red X is shown above the lane you are driving in. What does it mean?
A) The speed limit is reduced to 50 mph
B) The lane is closed and you must not drive in it
C) You should use the hazard warning lights
D) Only lorries may use the lane
Answer: B. A red X identifies a closed lane. You MUST follow the signs to move to an open lane and you MUST NOT drive in a closed lane. (Highway Code rule 258)
Practise this on the road: On a motorway lesson, say out loud what each overhead gantry signal means as you approach it.
Q4. You are on a motorway where the hard shoulder is sometimes used as a running lane. When may you drive on it?
A) Whenever you want to leave at the next exit
B) When a speed limit is shown above it
C) Whenever traffic is heavy
D) When the sign above it is blank
Answer: B. You can only use the hard shoulder as an extra lane when a speed limit is shown above it. A red X or a blank sign means it is for emergencies only. (Highway Code rule 269)
Practise this on the road: On a motorway lesson on a smart motorway, point out whether the hard shoulder is open or closed from the signs above it.
Q5. Flashing amber signals on a motorway gantry warn of a hazard. When can you increase your speed again?
A) As soon as the lights stop flashing behind you
B) When you pass a signal that is not flashing, or a sign showing the national speed limit or END
C) After one mile
D) When the traffic around you speeds up
Answer: B. Reduce speed for the hazard and do not speed up until you pass a signal that is not flashing, or a national speed limit or END sign. (Highway Code rule 257)
Practise this on the road: On a fast road, practise spotting flashing amber signals early and easing off smoothly without harsh braking.
Q6. You are driving in the middle lane of a three-lane motorway and the left lane is clear. What should you do?
A) Move back to the left lane when it is safe
B) Stay where you are until your exit
C) Stay in the middle lane to avoid slip-road traffic
D) Move to the right lane to go faster
Answer: A. Keep in the left lane unless overtaking, and return to it when it is safe once you have passed slower vehicles. (Highway Code rule 264)
Practise this on the road: On a dual carriageway, practise overtaking and then moving back to the left lane once it is safe.
Q7. Your car develops a problem on a motorway with no hard shoulder. What should you try to do first?
A) Switch on your rear fog lights and slow down gradually
B) Reverse to the last slip road
C) Stop immediately in the lane you are in
D) Move left and get into an emergency area if you can
Answer: D. Go left: move to the left lane and pull into an emergency area (or leave at an exit or services) if you can. Only stop in a live lane if you have no choice. (Highway Code rule 270; Highway Code rule 277)
Practise this on the road: Ask your instructor to point out emergency areas and the distance signs to them on a motorway lesson.
Q8. You have stopped on the hard shoulder of a motorway after a breakdown. Why does the Highway Code say it is less safe than other places to stop?
A) It is very close to high-speed traffic
B) It is reserved for police vehicles
C) You are not allowed to use hazard lights there
D) It is always too narrow for a car
Answer: A. Hard shoulders give less protection than other places of relative safety because they are so close to high-speed traffic. Keep well away from your vehicle and the traffic where possible. (Highway Code rule 275)
Practise this on the road: Ask your instructor to show you how to plan where you would stop safely if the car developed a fault.
Q9. How are emergency areas on a motorway marked?
A) Green signs with a white letter P
B) Red and white striped barriers
C) Yellow signs with a black letter H
D) Blue signs with an orange SOS telephone symbol
Answer: D. Emergency areas are marked by blue signs with an orange SOS telephone symbol and may have orange surfacing. They must only be used in an emergency. (Highway Code rule 270)
Practise this on the road: During a motorway lesson, spot the emergency area signs and note the distance shown to the next one.
Q10. You have missed your exit on a motorway. What should you do?
A) Stop on the verge and ask for directions
B) Cross the central reservation at the next gap
C) Stop on the hard shoulder and reverse back
D) Carry on to the next exit
Answer: D. You MUST NOT reverse on a motorway, cross the central reservation or drive against the traffic. Carry on to the next exit. (Highway Code rule 263)
Practise this on the road: On your next drive, practise calmly carrying on if you miss a turning, then finding a safe route back.
Next steps
Go back to the theory test hub for your next topic. Closely related topics are rules of the road and incidents, accidents and emergencies. To learn the gantry signs, countdown markers and blue direction signs, see our motorway signs guide.
You can read every motorway rule in full in the Highway Code on GOV.UK, and the latest smart motorway advice on the National Highways website.