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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 CodeRoad works, level crossings and tramwaysRule 289

Road works, level crossings and tramways · Additional rules for high-speed roads

Rule 289: Take special care on motorways and other high-speed dual carriageways

Take special care on motorways and other high-speed dual carriageways.

Lanes may be closed to traffic and a lower speed limit may apply.
Works vehicles may be used to close lanes or carriageways for repairs. Where large ‘Keep Left’ or ‘Keep Right’ signs are displayed on the back, you MUST move over and pass the works vehicle on the side indicated and not return to the closed lane until you can see it is safe to do so.
Where a vehicle displays the sign ‘CONVOY VEHICLE NO OVERTAKING’, you MUST NOT pass the vehicle. A flashing light arrow or red ‘X’ may also be used to make the works vehicle more visible from a distance and give earlier warning to drivers.

Laws RTA 1988 sect 36, TSRGD reg 3 and sched 13

Source note (app): Rule 289 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 288: When the ‘Road Works Ahead’ sign is displayedThe rule before this one Rule 290: Road works may contain features that require extra careThe rule after this one

Additional rules for high-speed roads

2 rules

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

Rule 289: Take special care on motorways and other high-speed dual carriagewaysLanes may be closed to traffic and a lower speed limit may apply.Rule 290: Road works may contain features that require extra careNarrow lanes. Lanes may be narrower than normal and will be marked by studs or temporary road markings.

Road works, level crossings and tramways

Rules 288 to 307

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

Road works (rule 288)1 rule Additional rules for high-speed roads2 rules Level crossings9 rules Tramways8 rules

All of Road works, level crossings and tramwaysRules 288 to 307 on one page Road signs and markingsEvery sign this rule refers to, each one on a page you can link to.