Motorway rules•Rule 264
Correct Lane Use on Motorways
This rule is a legal requirement
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.
💡Example
On motorways you should normally drive in the left-hand lane and only use other lanes for overtaking, moving back to the left as soon as it is safe. You must not use the hard shoulder for driving except in an emergency or when directed by police, traffic officers, or signs. For example, if you pass several lorries in the middle lane, you should move back into the left lane once you are safely ahead, and never continue in the hard shoulder to bypass a traffic queue.
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