The Highway Code

Highway Code Rule 261

You MUST NOT exceed 70 mph (112 km/h), or the maximum speed limit permitted for your vehicle (see Speed limits table). If a lower speed limit is in force, either permanently or temporarily, at road works for example, you MUST NOT exceed the lower limit. On some motorways, mandatory motorway signals (which display the speed within a red ring) are used to vary the maximum speed limit to improve traffic flow. You MUST NOT exceed this speed limit.

Law

• Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984: Sections 17, 86, 89 & Schedule 6

Highway Code Rule 262

The monotony of driving on a motorway can make you feel sleepy. To minimise the risk, follow the advice in Rule 91.

Highway Code Rule 263

You MUST NOT reverse, cross the central reservation, or drive against the traffic flow. If you have missed your exit, or have taken the wrong route, carry on to the next exit.

Laws

• The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982: Regulations 6, 8 & 10
• The Motorways Traffic (Scotland) Regulations 1995: Regulations 4, 5, 7 & 9

Highway Code Rule 264

You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past. Slow-moving or speed-restricted vehicles should always remain in the left-hand lane of the carriageway unless overtaking. You MUST NOT drive on the hard shoulder except in an emergency or if directed to do so by the police, traffic officers in uniform or by signs.

Laws

• The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982: Regulations 5, 9 & 16(1)(a)
• The Motorways Traffic (Scotland) Regulations 1995: Regulations 4, 8 & 14(1)(a)
• Road Traffic Act 1988: Sections 35 & 186 as amended by Traffic Management Act Section 6

Highway Code Rule 265

The right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes MUST NOT be used (except in prescribed circumstances) if you are driving

• any vehicle drawing a trailer
• a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, which is required to be fitted with a speed limiter
• a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes
• a passenger vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver
• a passenger vehicle with a maximum laden weight not exceeding 7.5 tonnes which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver, which is required to be fitted with a speed limiter.

Laws

• The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982 Regulations 12
• The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2004
• The Motorways Traffic (Scotland) Regulations 1995: Regulations 11
• The Motorways Traffic (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2004

Highway Code Rule 266

Approaching a junction. Look well ahead for signals or signs. Direction signs may be placed over the road. If you need to change lanes, do so in good time. At some junctions a lane may lead directly off the motorway. Only get in that lane if you wish to go in the direction indicated on the overhead signs.

Highway Code Rule 267

Do not overtake unless you are sure it is safe and legal to do so. Overtake only on the right. You should

• check your mirrors
• take time to judge the speeds correctly
• make sure that the lane you will be joining is sufficiently clear ahead and behind
• take a quick sideways glance into the blind spot area to verify the position of a vehicle that may have disappeared from your view in the mirror
• remember that traffic may be coming up behind you very quickly. Check all your mirrors carefully. Look out for motorcyclists. When it is safe to do so, signal in plenty of time, then move out
• ensure you do not cut in on the vehicle you have overtaken
• be especially careful at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to judge speed and distance.

Highway Code Rule 268

Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in left-hand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake.

Highway Code Rule 269

Hard shoulder. You MUST NOT use the hard shoulder for overtaking. In areas where an Active Traffic Management (ATM) Scheme is in force, the hard shoulder may be used as a running lane. You will know when you can use this because a speed limit sign will be shown above all open lanes, including the hard shoulder. A red cross or blank sign above the hard shoulder means that you MUST NOT drive on the hard shoulder except in an emergency or breakdown. Emergency refuge areas have also been built into these areas for use in cases of emergency or breakdown.

Laws

• The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982: Regulations 5, 5A & 9
• The Motorways Traffic (Scotland) Regulations 1995: Regulations 4 & 8

Highway Code Rule 270

You MUST NOT stop on the carriageway, hard shoulder, slip road, central reservation or verge except in an emergency, or when told to do so by the police, traffic officers in uniform, an emergency sign or by flashing red light signals. Do not stop on the hard shoulder to either make or receive mobile phone calls.

Laws

• The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982: Regulations 5A, 7, 9, 10 & 16
• The Motorways Traffic (Scotland) Regulations 1995: Regulations 6(1), 8, 9 & 14
• Police Reform Act Section 41 & Schedule 5(8)
• Road Traffic Act 1988: Sections 35 & 163 as amended by Traffic Management Act Section 6

Highway Code Rule 271

You MUST NOT pick up or set down anyone, or walk on a motorway, except in an emergency.

Laws

• Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984: Section 17
• The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982: Regulations 15

Highway Code Rule 272

Unless signs indicate that a lane leads directly off the motorway, you will normally leave the motorway by a slip road on your left. You should

• watch for the signs letting you know you are getting near your exit
• move into the left-hand lane well before reaching your exit
• signal left in good time and reduce your speed on the slip road as necessary.

Highway Code Rule 273

On leaving the motorway or using a link road between motorways, your speed may be higher than you realise – 50 mph may feel like 30 mph. Check your speedometer and adjust your speed accordingly. Some slip-roads and link roads have sharp bends, so you will need to slow down.

Highway Code Rule 274

If your vehicle breaks down, think first of all other road users and

• get your vehicle off the road if possible
• warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights if your vehicle is causing an obstruction
• help other road users see you by wearing light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility
• put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Always take great care when placing or retrieving them, but never use them on motorways
• if possible, keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor
• do not stand (or let anybody else stand) between your vehicle and oncoming traffic
• at night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights

Highway Code Rule 275

If your vehicle develops a problem, leave the motorway at the next exit or pull into a service area. If you cannot do so, you should:

• pull on to the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as possible, with your wheels turned to the left
• try to stop near an emergency telephone (situated at approximately one-mile intervals along the hard shoulder)
• leave the vehicle by the left-hand door and ensure your passengers do the same. You MUST leave any animals in the vehicle or, in an emergency, keep them under proper control on the verge. Never attempt to place a warning triangle on a motorway
• do not put yourself in danger by attempting even simple repairs
• ensure that passengers keep away from the carriageway and hard shoulder, and that children are kept under control
• walk to an emergency telephone on your side of the carriageway (follow the arrows on the posts at the back of the hard shoulder) – the telephone is free of charge and connects directly to an operator. Use these in preference to a mobile phone (see Rule 283). Always face the traffic when you speak on the phone
• give full details to the operator; also inform them if you are a vulnerable motorist such as disabled, older or travelling alone
• return and wait near your vehicle (well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder)
• if you feel at risk from another person, return to your vehicle by a left-hand door and lock all doors. Leave your vehicle again as soon as you feel this danger has passed.

Laws

• The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982: Regulations 14
• The Motorways Traffic (Scotland) Regulations 1995: Regulations 12

Highway Code Rule 276

Before you rejoin the carriageway after a breakdown, build up speed on the hard shoulder and watch for a safe gap in the traffic. Be aware that other vehicles may be stationary on the hard shoulder.

Highway Code Rule 277

If you cannot get your vehicle onto the hard shoulder

• do not attempt to place any warning device on the carriageway
• switch on your hazard warning lights
• leave your vehicle only when you can safely get clear of the carriageway.

Highway Code Rule 278

Disabled drivers. If you have a disability which prevents you from following the above advice you should

• stay in your vehicle
• switch on your hazard warning lights
• display a ‘Help’ pennant or, if you have a car or mobile telephone, contact the emergency services and be prepared to advise them of your location.

Highway Code Rule 279

If anything falls from your vehicle (or any other vehicle) on to the road, stop and retrieve it only if it is safe to do so.

Highway Code Rule 280

Motorways. On a motorway do not try to remove the obstruction yourself. Stop at the next emergency telephone and call for help.