How To Drive On A Motorway - Driving On Motorways

For newly qualified drivers, remember you can't drive on a motorway as a learner, the thought of driving on a motorway can cause dread and fear. However motorways are the safest roads in Britain and are an excellent way of covering long distances quickly. The following guide will hopefully prepare you for the day you make your motorway debut.

You join a motorway by using a slip road and the procedure is the same as for when joining a dual carriageway.

Motorways have three lanes - the left-hand lane, the middle lane and the outer lane.

You should stay in the left-hand lane unless you need to overtake slower moving traffic. To do this use the middle lane. If you need to overtake several vehicles then stay in the middle lane. There is no need to weave in and out of the left-hand lane as you overtake individual vehicles.

You should only use the outer lane to overtake slower moving vehicles when the left-hand and middle lanes are occupied with slower moving traffic.

When in either the middle or outer lanes you must be prepared to move over, to the left or middle lanes, to let faster moving vehicles pass.

Large and heavy vehicles including buses, coaches, lorries and cars towing caravans or trailers are not permitted to use the outer lane so if such a vehicle approaches you from behind whilst you're in the middle lane make sure you pull into the left-hand lane, when safe to do so, so that you don't block the vehicles progress.

If you miss your intended junction the drive to the next junction, leave the motorway and rejoin in the opposite direction then continue to the required junction. Never try and reverse up the motorway to the slip road.

Safe Motorway Driving
The maximum speed limit on a motorway is 70mph. However, lets be honest this speed limit is regularly exceeded. Given the speeds reached on a motorway it is essential you try and anticipate what is happening far ahead of your vehicle. The speed means that in an emergency you will have less time to react.

Always keep a good distance between you and the vehicle in front, at least a two second gap on a dry day. If you see brake lights ahead then ease off the accelerator. Sudden braking on a motorway can be dangerous. It can cause vehicles behind to also slam on the brakes. This causes tailbacks and even collisions.

In order to get a clear picture of what's coming up behind you check your mirrors regularly.

Avoid getting boxed in, with a slow moving vehicle in front of you and another vehicle tailgating you behind. If this happens gently reduce your speed so to increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front and then when safe overtake the vehicle.

Pay attention to motorway signals. These signals will tell of any hazard or danger ahead. If a signal is active on the central reservation then the message it conveys is applicable to all lanes. If a signal is active above an individual lane the message conveyed applies only to that lane.

Flashing amber lights indicate a hazard ahead. A temporary maximum speed limit may also feature on the sign as well as other warning messages. Whenever you see these warning signals you must modify your speed and continue to comply with the instruction until you have passed a signal that is not flashing or one that gives the all clear sign.

Red flashing lights. If red lights on the overhead signals flash above your lane and a red ‘X’ is showing, you must not go beyond the signal in that lane. If red lights flash on a signal in the central reservation or at the side of the road, you must not go beyond the signal in any lane.

The Hard Shoulder
Generally speaking you should only ever use the hard shoulder in an emergency or when you break down. However, due to traffic congestion on a limited number of motorway sections the hard shoulder is now being used as an extra lane. You will know if you can use the hard shoulder as a normal lane if you see a speed limit sign above the hard shoulder.