Motorway rules in the theory test: lanes, red X, hard shoulder and breakdowns
Updated •8 min read
On a motorway, keep in the left lane unless you are overtaking, overtake only on the right, and never drive in a lane closed by a red X (Highway Code rules 258, 264 and 267). You must not use the hard shoulder except in an emergency, or when signs, the police or traffic officers direct you to (rules 253 to 273).
This page is a reference to the motorway rules in the Highway Code: lanes, signals, the hard shoulder, emergency areas and what to do if you break down. Every rule is from the Highway Code on gov.uk, and each rule number links to our own rule page. If you want to know whether you can drive on a motorway while learning, see can learner drivers drive on motorways?
Who must not use a motorway (rule 253)
Rule 253 says motorways MUST NOT be used by pedestrians, provisional motorcycle licence holders, riders of motorcycles under 50 cc, cyclists, horse riders, certain slow-moving vehicles, agricultural vehicles and powered wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Provisional car licence holders MUST NOT drive on a motorway unless accompanied by an approved driving instructor in a car with L plates (or D plates in Wales) and dual controls.
Joining and leaving (rules 259 and 273)
Rule 259 says to give priority to traffic already on the motorway, match your speed to fit into the left-hand lane, and not cross solid white lines or use the hard shoulder. Stay in the left-hand lane long enough to adjust to the speed of traffic before you think about overtaking.
Rule 273 says to move into the left-hand lane well before your exit, signal left in good time and slow down on the slip road as necessary. If you miss your exit, rule 263 says carry on to the next one: you MUST NOT reverse, cross the central reservation or drive against the traffic.
Lane rules (rules 264 to 268)
| Rule | What the Highway Code says |
|---|---|
| 264 | Keep in the left lane unless overtaking, and return to it when it is safe |
| 265 | On a motorway with three or more lanes, you MUST NOT use the right-hand lane if you are towing a trailer (with some exceptions) |
| 267 | Overtake only on the right, and only when you are sure it is safe and legal |
| 268 | Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake |
Rule 268 adds one exception: in congested conditions, where lanes are moving at similar speeds, you may keep up with traffic in your lane even if it means passing traffic in the lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes.
Rule 264 also says that if you are in the left lane and people or vehicles are stopped on the hard shoulder or in an emergency area, move into the next lane when it is safe to give them more space.
Climbing and crawler lanes (rule 139)
Rule 139 says climbing and crawler lanes are provided on some hills. Use the lane if you are driving a slow-moving vehicle or if vehicles behind you want to overtake, and watch for the signs and road markings that show the lane is about to end (gov.uk: rules 103 to 158). Rule 139 is a general rule rather than a motorway one, and our dual carriageways guide mentions it too.
Motorway signals (rules 257 and 258)
- Amber flashing lights: rule 257 says they warn of a hazard ahead. Reduce your speed, and only speed up again when you pass a signal that is not flashing, or a sign showing the national speed limit or "END", and you are sure it is safe.
- Red X or red flashing lights: rule 258 says these mark a closed lane where people, stopped vehicles or other hazards are present. You MUST NOT drive in a closed lane, and you MUST follow the signs to move to an open lane. A speed limit or "END" shows when the lane reopens.
- Speed limits in a red circle: rule 261 says you MUST NOT exceed them.
Where red lights show that all lanes are closed, the road is closed. You MUST NOT go past the sign in any lane or use the hard shoulder to get round it unless a police or traffic officer tells you to (rule 258).
The hard shoulder and smart motorways (rules 269 and 270)
Rule 269 sets out two cases:
- Where there is a hard shoulder: you MUST NOT use it except in an emergency or if directed by the police, traffic officers or a traffic sign.
- Where the hard shoulder is used as an extra lane: you can only drive on it when a speed limit is shown above it. A red X or a blank sign above it means you MUST NOT use it except in an emergency.
Rule 270 says emergency areas are provided on motorways with no hard shoulder, or where the hard shoulder can be used as a lane. They MUST only be used in an emergency, and are marked by blue signs with an orange SOS telephone symbol. They may have orange surfacing. To rejoin from one, rule 278 says you MUST use the emergency telephone and follow the operator's advice.
Rule 271 says you MUST NOT stop on any carriageway, emergency area, hard shoulder, slip road, central reservation or verge except in an emergency, or when told to by the police, traffic officers, an emergency sign or red flashing lights.
If you break down (rules 275 and 277)
Rule 277 says that if your vehicle develops a problem, leave at the next exit or pull into a service area if possible. If you cannot:
- Go left: move into the left lane, then into an emergency area or onto the hard shoulder if you can. Stop as far left as possible with your wheels turned left, and switch on your hazard warning lights.
- Get safe: leave by the door furthest from traffic if it is safe, keep well away from your vehicle and moving traffic, and get behind a safety barrier where there is one.
- Get help: use the emergency telephone if you stopped near one, or call 999 and ask for the police if you cannot get out safely.
If you cannot reach the left lane or a place of relative safety, stay in the vehicle with your seat belt and hazard warning lights on, and call 999. Do not place a warning triangle on a motorway carriageway. Rule 275 says a service area is the safest place to stop on a motorway, and a hard shoulder gives less protection than other places of relative safety (gov.uk: breakdowns and incidents).
Practice questions
These questions are written for this page to test the rules above. They are not DVSA questions.
- A red X is shown above the lane you are driving in. What must you do? Move safely to an open lane, following the signs. You must not drive in a closed lane (rule 258).
- You are driving a car on a three-lane motorway and the traffic ahead is clear. Which lane should you use? The left lane. Use the others only to overtake, then return to the left when it is safe (rule 264).
- The hard shoulder is being used as a running lane. When may you drive on it? Only when a speed limit is shown above it. A red X or blank sign means emergencies only (rule 269).
- You see a climbing lane on a long hill and you are driving slowly with traffic behind. What should you do? Use the climbing lane, and watch for signs that it is about to end (rule 139).
- You miss your exit. What should you do? Carry on to the next exit. You must not reverse or cross the central reservation (rule 263).
Practise the rules
Motorway rules link with UK speed limits and stopping distances. Try the free practice questions to test yourself.
Check what you remember
Start free with the theorytest.ai diagnostic to see whether motorway rules are a weak area. theorytest.ai is independent and is not affiliated with the DVSA. Gov.uk does not publish test questions, so we cannot say how many are about motorways.
Frequently asked questions
What does a red X mean on a motorway?
The lane is closed because people, stopped vehicles or other hazards are in it. You must not drive in it (rule 258).
What is a climbing or crawler lane?
An extra lane on some hills. Use it if you are driving slowly or vehicles behind want to overtake (rule 139).
When can you use the hard shoulder?
Only in an emergency, or when the police, traffic officers or signs direct you. Where it is a running lane, only when a speed limit is shown above it (rule 269).
Which lane should you drive in on a motorway?
The left lane, unless you are overtaking (rule 264).
What should you do if you break down on a motorway?
Go left, get safe and get help: reach an emergency area or hard shoulder if you can, leave by the side away from traffic, keep well away and call for help (rule 277).