Motorway rules questions Car theory test

This topic has 57 practice questions. Here are 10 of them with the right answer and why.

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1. You're joining a motorway from a slip road. How should you deal with traffic already on the motorway?

   • Carry on along the hard shoulder until you see a safe gap
   • Stop at the end of the slip road and look for a safe gap
   • Use the slip road to accelerate until you're moving much faster than the motorway traffic
   • Match your speed to traffic in the left-hand lane and filter into a safe gapRight answer

   You should give way to traffic already on the motorway. Where possible, traffic may move over to let you in, but do not force your way into the traffic stream. Traffic could be travelling at high speed, so try to match your speed to filter in without affecting the traffic flow.

2. What's the national speed limit on motorways for cars and motorcycles?

   • 30 mph
   • 50 mph
   • 60 mph
   • 70 mphRight answer

   Travelling at the national speed limit does not allow you to hog the right-hand lane. Always use the left-hand lane whenever possible. When leaving a motorway, get into the left-hand lane well before your exit. Reduce your speed on the slip road and look out for sharp bends or curves and traffic queuing at roundabouts.

3. Which vehicles should use the left-hand lane on a three-lane motorway?

   • Any vehicle that’s not overtakingRight answer
   • Large vehicles only
   • Emergency vehicles only
   • Slow vehicles only

   On a motorway, all traffic should use the left-hand lane unless overtaking. When overtaking a number of slower vehicles, move back to the left-hand lane when you’re safely past. Check your mirrors frequently and do not stay in the middle or right-hand lane if the left-hand lane is free.

4. Which vehicles are not allowed to use the right-hand lane of a three-lane motorway?

   • Small delivery vans
   • Motorcycles
   • Vehicles towing a trailerRight answer
   • Motorcycle and sidecar outfits

   On the motorway, any vehicle towing a trailer is restricted to 60 mph. It’s not allowed in the right-hand lane, as it might hold up faster-moving traffic that wishes to overtake in that lane.

5. Your vehicle breaks down on a motorway and you need to call for help. Why might it be better to use an emergency roadside telephone rather than a mobile phone?

   • It connects you to a local garage
   • Using a mobile phone will distract other drivers
   • It allows easy location by the emergency servicesRight answer
   • Mobile phones do not work on motorways

   On a motorway, it's best to use a roadside emergency telephone so that the emergency services are able to find you easily. The location of the nearest telephone is shown by an arrow on marker posts at the edge of the hard shoulder. If you use a mobile, find out the number on the nearest marker post before you call. This number will let the operator know where you are and in which direction you're travelling.

6. Your vehicle broke down on the hard shoulder of a motorway, but has now been repaired. How should you rejoin the main carriageway?

   • Move out onto the carriageway, then build up your speed
   • Move out onto the carriageway using your hazard warning lights
   • Gain speed on the hard shoulder before moving out onto the carriagewayRight answer
   • Wait on the hard shoulder until someone flashes their headlights at you

   Signal your intention and build up sufficient speed on the hard shoulder so that you can filter into a safe gap in the traffic. Do not push your way into a small gap or cause other traffic to alter speed or direction.

7. You\'re travelling along a motorway. Where would you find a crawler or climbing lane?

   
   • On a steep gradientRight answer
   • Before a service area
   • Before a junction
   • Along the hard shoulder

   Large, slow-moving vehicles can hinder the progress of other traffic. On a steep gradient, an extra crawler lane may be provided for slow-moving vehicles to allow faster-moving traffic to flow more easily.

8. What do these motorway signs mean?

   
   • They're countdown markers to a bridge
   • They're distance markers to the next telephone
   • They're countdown markers to the next exitRight answer
   • They warn of a police control ahead

   The exit from a motorway is indicated by countdown markers. These are positioned 90 metres (100 yards) apart, the first being 270 metres (300 yards) from the start of the slip road. Move into the left-hand lane well before you reach the start of the slip road.

9. Where are amber reflective studs found on a motorway?

   • Between the hard shoulder and the carriageway
   • Between the acceleration lane and the carriageway
   • Between the central reservation and the carriagewayRight answer
   • Between each pair of lanes

   On motorways, reflective studs of various colours are fixed in the road between the lanes. These help you to identify which lane you're in when it's dark or in poor visibility. Amber-coloured studs are found on the right-hand edge of the main carriageway, next to the central reservation.

10. What colour are the reflective studs between the lanes on a motorway?

    • Green
    • Amber
    • WhiteRight answer
    • Red

    White studs are found between the lanes on motorways. They reflect back the light from your headlights. This is especially useful in bad weather, when visibility is restricted.

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