Theory Test Motorway Rules - Questions and Answers

When joining a motorway you must always

A. use the hard shoulder
B. stop at the end of the acceleration lane
C. come to a stop before joining the motorway
D. give way to traffic already on the motorway

Answer - give way to traffic already on the motorway

You should give way to traffic already on the motorway. Where possible they may move over to let you in but don’t force your way into the traffic stream. The traffic may be travelling at high speed so you should match your speed to fit in.

You break down on a motorway. You need to call for help.
Why may it be better to use an emergency roadside
telephone rather than a mobile phone?

A. It connects you to a local garage
B. Using a mobile phone will distract other drivers
C. It allows easy location by the emergency services
D. Mobile phones do not work on motorways

Answer - It allows easy location by the emergency services

On a motorway it is best to use a roadside emergency telephone so that the emergency services are able to locate you easily. The nearest telephone is shown by an arrow on marker posts at the edge of the hard shoulder. If you use a mobile, they will need to know your exact location. Before you call, find out the number on the nearest marker post. This number will identify your exact location.

After a breakdown you need to rejoin the main carriageway
of a motorway from the hard shoulder. You should

A. move out onto the carriageway then build up your speed
B. move out onto the carriageway using your hazard lights
C. gain speed on the hard shoulder before moving out onto
the carriageway
D. wait on the hard shoulder until someone flashes
their headlights at you

Answer - gain speed on the hard shoulder before moving out onto the carriageway

Wait for a safe gap in the traffic before you move out. Indicate your intention and use the hard shoulder to gain speed but don’t force your way into the traffic.

What colour are the reflective studs between a motorway
and its slip road?

A. Amber
B. White
C. Green
D. Red

Answer - Green

The studs between the carriageway and the hard shoulder are normally red. These change to green where there is a slip road. They will help you identify slip roads when visibility is poor or when it is dark.

On a three-lane motorway which lane should you normally
use?

A. Left
B. Right
C. Centre
D. Either the right or centre

Answer - Left

On a three-lane motorway you should travel in the left-hand lane unless you’re overtaking. This applies regardless of the speed at which you’re travelling.

You are joining a motorway. Why is it important to make full
use of the slip road?

A. Because there is space available to turn round if you need
to
B. To allow you direct access to the overtaking lanes
C. To build up a speed similar to traffic on the motorway
D. Because you can continue on the hard shoulder

Answer - To build up a speed similar to traffic on the motorway

Try to join the motorway without affecting the progress of the traffic already travelling on it. Always give way to traffic already on the motorway. At busy times you may have to slow down to merge into slow-moving traffic.

Which FOUR of these must not use motorways?

A. Learner car drivers
B. Motorcycles over 50cc
C. Double-decker buses
D. Farm Tractors
E. Horse riders
F. Cyclists

Answer -

Learner car drivers

Farm Tractors

Horse riders

Cyclists

Learner car drivers and motorcyclists are not allowed on the motorway until they have passed their practical test. Motorways have rules that you need to know before you venture out for the first time. When you’ve passed your practical test it’s a good idea to have some lessons on motorways. Check with your instructor about this.

Immediately after joining a motorway you should normally

A. try to overtake
B. re-adjust your mirrors
C. position your vehicle in the centre lane
D. keep in the left-hand lane

Answer - keep in the left-hand lane

Stay in the left-hand lane long enough to get used to the higher speeds of motorway traffic.

You are allowed to stop on a motorway when you

A. need to walk and get fresh air
B. wish to pick up hitchhikers
C. are told to do so by flashing red lights
D. need to use a mobile phone

Answer - are told to do so by flashing red lights

You MUST stop if there are red lights flashing above every lane on the motorway. However, if any of the other lanes do not show flashing red lights or red cross you may move into that lane and continue if it is safe to do so.

You are travelling along the left-hand lane of a three-lane
motorway. Traffic is joining from a slip road. You should

A. race the other vehicles
B. move to another lane
C. maintain a steady speed
D. switch on your hazard flashers

Answer - move to another lane

You should move to another lane if it is safe to do so. This can greatly assist the flow of traffic joining the motorway, especially at peak times.

On motorways you should never overtake on the left unless

A. you can see well ahead that the hard shoulder is clear
B. the traffic in the right-hand lane is signalling right
C. you warn drivers behind by signalling left
D. there is a queue of slow-moving traffic to your right that
is moving more slowly than you are

Answer - there is a queue of slow-moving traffic to your right that is moving more slowly than you are

Only overtake on the left if traffic is moving slowly in queues and the traffic on your right is moving more slowly than the traffic in your lane.

The aim of an Active Traffic Management scheme on a
motorway is to

A. prevent overtaking
B. reduce rest stops
C. prevent tailgating
D. reduce congestion

Answer - reduce congestion

Active Traffic Management schemes are intended to reduce congestion and make journey times more reliable. In these areas the hard shoulder may be used as a running lane to ease congestion at peak times or in the event of an incident. It may appear that you could travel faster for a short distance, but keeping traffic flow at a constant speed may improve your journey time.

Why can it be an advantage for traffic speed to stay
constant over a longer distance?

A. You will do more start-stop driving
B. You will use far more fuel
C. You will be able to use more direct routes
D. Your overall journey distance time will normally improve

Answer - Your overall journey distance time will normally improve

When traffic travels at a constant speed over a longer distance, journey times normally improve. You may feel that you could travel faster for short periods but this won’t generally improve your overall journey time. Signs will show the maximum speed at which you should travel.

On a motorway what is used to reduce traffic bunching?

A. Variable speed limits
B. Contraflow systems
C. National speed limits
D. Lane closures

Answer - Variable speed limits

Congestion can be reduced by keeping traffic at a constant speed. At busy times maximum speed limits are displayed on overhead gantries. These can be varied quickly depending on the amount of traffic. By keeping to a constant speed on busy sections of motorway overall journey times are normally improved.

You are driving at 70 mph on a three-lane motorway. There
is no traffic ahead. Which lane should you use?

A. Any lane
B. Middle lane
C. Right lane
D. Left lane

Answer -Left lane

If the left-hand lane is free you should use it, regardless of the speed you’re travelling.