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DVSA revision material with source-checked Lanekind learning corrections. Lanekind is not a DVSA product and is not endorsed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. The Highway Code is Crown copyright, reproduced under the Open Government Licence.

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LanekindThe Highway CodeMotorwaysRule 261

Motorways · On the motorway

Rule 261: You MUST NOT exceed a speed limit displayed within a red circle on a…

You MUST NOT exceed

a speed limit displayed within a red circle on a sign
the maximum speed limit for the road and for your vehicle (see Rule 124).

Speed limits are enforced by the police (see Rule 124).

Law RTRA sects 17, 86, 89 & sched 6

Source note (app): Rule 261 refreshed from the Department for Transport’s GOV.UK Highway Code, checked 2026-09-06. This corrects the imported passage only; the rest of the archive has not been refreshed. © Crown copyright. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Licence details: The National Archives, Open Government Licence v3.0. No government endorsement is implied.

In the Highway Code, MUST and MUST NOT identify legal requirements. Advice using should, should not, do or do not can still be used as evidence in court proceedings under the Traffic Acts to establish liability. The introduction explains this distinction.

The rules either side

The Code reads in order, and each of these names the rule it goes to rather than saying only ‘next’.

Rule 260: When you can see well ahead and the road conditions are goodThe rule before this one Rule 262: The monotony of driving on motorways and other high-speed roads can make you feel sleepyThe rule after this one

On the motorway

4 rules

The rules the Code files beside this one, in its order.

Rule 260: When you can see well ahead and the road conditions are goodyou should drive at a steady cruising speed which you and your vehicle can handle safely and is within the speed limit…Rule 261: You MUST NOT exceed a speed limit displayed within a red circle on a…sign the maximum speed limit for the road and for your vehicle (see Rule 124).Rule 262: The monotony of driving on motorways and other high-speed roads can make you feel sleepyTo minimise the risk, follow the advice in Rule 91 about ensuring you are fit to drive and taking breaks.Rule 263: Unless directed to do so by a police or traffic officeryou MUST NOT reverse along any part of a motorway, including slip roads, hard shoulders and emergency areas cross the…

Motorways

Rules 253 to 274

The other groups in this part of the Code, and the rest of it.

General2 rules Motorway signals4 rules Joining the motorway (rule 259)1 rule On the motorway4 rules Lane discipline3 rules Overtaking2 rules Hard shoulder (rule 269)1 rule Stopping3 rules Leaving the motorway2 rules

All of MotorwaysRules 253 to 274 on one page Road signs and markingsEvery sign this rule refers to, each one on a page you can link to.