Motorway rules questions Motorcycle theory test

This topic has 51 practice questions. Here are 10 of them with the right answer and why.

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1. You have stopped in an emergency area. What must you do before you rejoin the carriageway?

   • Use the emergency telephoneRight answer
   • Give an arm signal as you’re moving off
   • Switch on your vehicle's headlights
   • Move away with your hazard lights on

   To rejoin the carriageway from an emergency area, you must use the emergency telephone and follow the operator's advice. A lane may have to be closed so that you can rejoin the carriageway safely.

2. How should you rejoin the motorway after a breakdown on the hard shoulder?

   • Build up speed on the hard shoulder before looking for a safe gap in the trafficRight answer
   • Move straight out into the left-hand lane as you’re not allowed to drive on the hard shoulder
   • Wait until a vehicle in the left-hand lane signals to you that it's safe to rejoin
   • Keep your hazard lights flashing until you have safely rejoined the carriageway

   To rejoin a motorway from the hard shoulder, you first need to build up speed on the hard shoulder. You can then look for a safe gap in the traffic in the left-hand lane. Watch for traffic that may be returning from a lane on the right into the left-hand lane.

3. When may you stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway?

   • In an emergencyRight answer
   • If you feel tired and need to rest
   • If you've gone past your exit
   • To answer your mobile phone

   You must not stop on the hard shoulder, except in an emergency or when your motorcycle breaks down. If the hard shoulder is in use as a running lane, try to reach an emergency area or take the next exit. Never use the hard shoulder to have a rest or a picnic, answer a mobile phone or check a road map.

4. You're riding on the motorway. Where should you position your motorcycle well before you reach your exit slip-road?

   • In the middle lane
   • In the left-hand laneRight answer
   • On the hard shoulder
   • In any lane

   You’ll see the first advance direction sign one mile from a motorway exit. If you’re travelling at 60 mph, you’ll only have about 50 seconds before you reach the countdown markers. There'll be another sign at the half-mile point. Move to the left-hand lane in good time. Do not cut across traffic at the last moment and do not risk missing your exit.

5. What should you do if you're joining a motorway from a slip road?

   • Adjust your speed to match the speed of the traffic on the motorwayRight answer
   • Accelerate as quickly as you can and ride straight out
   • Ride onto the hard shoulder until a gap appears
   • Expect drivers on the motorway to give way to you

   Give way to vehicles that are already on the motorway, and join the left-hand lane when there’s a suitable gap in the traffic. Do not expect traffic on the motorway to give way to you, but try to avoid stopping at the end of the slip road.

6. What's the minimum engine size your motorcycle must have, if you want to ride it on the motorway?

   • 50 ccRight answer
   • 125 cc
   • 150 cc
   • 250 cc

   Riders of motorcycles with an engine smaller than 50 cc are not allowed to use motorways, due to their restricted speed. They may cause a hazard – both for the rider and for drivers of other vehicles.

7. You're riding at 70 mph on a three-lane motorway. Which lane should you use if there's no traffic ahead?

   • Any lane
   • The middle lane
   • The right-hand lane
   • The left-hand laneRight answer

   If you're not overtaking, use the left-hand lane regardless of the speed at which you’re travelling.

8. You're riding on a motorway. Unless signs show otherwise, what's the national speed limit?

   • 50 mph
   • 60 mph
   • 70 mphRight answer
   • 80 mph

   The national speed limit of 70 mph applies to cars and motorcycles on the motorway, unless they're towing a trailer. This speed limit can be reduced and signs will show the new speed limit inside a red circle.

9. Why is it particularly important to carry out a check of your motorcycle before making a long motorway journey?

   • You'll have to do more harsh braking on motorways
   • Motorway service stations do not deal with breakdowns
   • The road surface will wear down the tyres faster
   • Continuous high speeds increase the risk of your motorcycle breaking downRight answer

   Before starting a motorway journey, make sure your motorcycle can cope with the demands of high-speed riding. Things you need to check include oil, water, tyres and fuel. When you're travelling a long way, it's a good idea to plan rest stops in advance.

10. 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.

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