How To Drive On A Motorway: Including Highway Code rules for the motorway

By UK Driving Skills

Driving on a Motorway
The first time I got to drive on a motorway I had no idea of the effect this would have on me. Tiredness, concentration, and other factors that I had not taken into consideration. I just wasn’t ready for the differences between motorway driving and town driving. No-one had taught me what I needed to know.

If this is you, then start your journey with confidence by reading How to Drive on a Motorway!

This book is a must-have for anyone who needs to learn the essentials of driving on a motorway - from planning and preparation to navigating the roads and understanding the Highway Code rules. With clear illustrations and detailed descriptions, this book will help you become a safe, confident driver.

Benefits from reading this book:

• Learn how to plan and prepare for your motorway journey
• Gain the confidence to navigate the roads with ease
• Understand how to drive safely in any situation
• Get advice on dealing with roadworks, diversions, and emergencies

What's included in the book:

• Planning your motorway journey
• Preparing yourself and your car
• Anticipating potential dangers
• Navigating safely from entrance roads to merging motorways & exits
• Dealing with modern ‘smart’ motorways
• The Highway Code rules for motorways

© UK Driving Skills – All Rights Reserved
www.ukdrivingskills.co.uk

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9781447666745

Book preview

Introduction to Motorways

Motorways were first introduced to Britain in the late 1950s, with a relatively short stretch originally known as the ‘Preston Bypass’ being opened in 1958 to relieve congestion on the A6. This was later widened and became what we now know as the M6. Later, the M1 became the first full length motorway and these roads initially had no speeds limits. Following a series of serious accidents and fatalities, the 70mph speed limit was introduced in 1965, and this gave rise to a large reduction in accidents.

Statistically, motorways have since been by far the safest type of road to drive on despite the relatively high speeds, however when accidents do happen, they’re frequently very serious owing to the large number of drivers sometimes involved.

You don’t have to be one of them!

As learner drivers prior to 2018 we were banned from using motorways, yet the very moment we passed the most basic driving test we were deemed fit to drive on them with no further training required. Did you feel ready? I know I wasn't.

It wasn’t until June that year that learner drivers were allowed onto motorways with their instructors; but even with that change in legislation there is little guarantee that learners will receive this training.

There may not be a motorway within reach, or your instructor may, like many, only teach you the basics required to get you through your test.

So, if you haven't had the advantage of this training and are new or lacking in confidence on motorways then this is the book for you.

How do Motorways Differ

from Other Roads?

Motorways are designed to allow traffic to travel for long distances at speed, to help ensure this actually happens they have a number of differences from ordinary roads. The one which perhaps contributes most to general safety is that in addition to the two or more driving lanes, there’s normally an extra lane on the left called the hard shoulder. This provides an area in which drivers can stop during an emergency or breakdown so as not to obstruct the flow of traffic. The two sides of the motorway will be separated by a barrier along a central reservation.

Certain types of vehicle are not allowed onto the motorway, these are:

Motorcycles / mopeds under 50cc

Agricultural vehicles

Vehicles carrying oversized loads (except with special permission under escort)

Pedestrians

Cyclists

Horse riders

Learner drivers (except with an approved driving instructor in a car with a dual brake)

Powered wheelchairs / mobility scooters.

Motorways don’t have the types of hazards that are found on ordinary roads, such as t-junctions, roundabouts or traffic lights, and you’ll not encounter any sharp bends, although the slip roads which link motorways to other roads may have sharper bends on them.

There are also some basic rules which motorway drivers MUST obey:

Stopping is prohibited (except in an emergency or traffic jam)

Reversing or attempting to turn your vehicle around is forbidden

You MUST NOT walk on the carriageway or cross the central reserve

You MUST NOT use the hard shoulder as a driving lane, unless directed to do so.

Motorway Signs and Signals

Motorways, like any other road, have information and directional signs to help you find your way along. These signs are generally much larger than on other roads to give you more time to see them, and they’re coloured with a light blue background.

sign 1.png

Motorways also have a system of warning signs which are switched on in times of adverse weather