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Car · DVSA-based revision questions
Motorway rules
57 car theory test questions on motorway rules. Preview the questions below, or open one to read its answer and continue through the whole topic.
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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 gap
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Match your speed to traffic in the left-hand lane and filter into a safe gapThis was the right answer
You should give way to traffic already on the motorway. Where possible, traffic may move over to let you in, but don’t 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.
What's the national speed limit on motorways for cars and motorcycles?
30 mph
50 mph
60 mph
70 mph
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70 mphThis was the right answer
Travelling at the national speed limit doesn't 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.
Which vehicles should use the left-hand lane on a three-lane motorway?
Any vehicle that isn't overtaking
Large vehicles only
Emergency vehicles only
Slow vehicles only
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Any vehicle that isn't overtakingThis was the right answer
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 don’t stay in the middle or right-hand lane if the left-hand lane is free.
Which vehicles aren't allowed to use the right-hand lane of a three-lane motorway?
Small delivery vans
Motorcycles
Vehicles towing a trailer
Motorcycle and sidecar outfits
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Vehicles towing a trailerThis was the right answer
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.
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 services
Mobile phones don't work on motorways
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It allows easy location by the emergency servicesThis was the right answer
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.
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 carriageway
Wait on the hard shoulder until someone flashes their headlights at you
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Gain speed on the hard shoulder before moving out onto the carriagewayThis was the right answer
Signal your intention and build up sufficient speed on the hard shoulder so that you can filter into a safe gap in the traffic. Don't push your way into a small gap or cause other traffic to alter speed or direction.
You're travelling along a motorway. Where would you find a crawler or climbing lane?
On a steep gradient
Before a service area
Before a junction
Along the hard shoulder
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On a steep gradientThis was the right answer
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.
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 exit
They warn of a police control ahead
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They're countdown markers to the next exitThis was the right answer
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.
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 carriageway
Between each pair of lanes
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Between the central reservation and the carriagewayThis was the right answer
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.
What colour are the reflective studs between the lanes on a motorway?
Green
Amber
White
Red
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WhiteThis was the right answer
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.
What colour are the reflective studs between a motorway and a slip road?
Amber
White
Green
Red
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GreenThis was the right answer
The studs between the carriageway and the hard shoulder are normally red. These change to green where there's a slip road, helping you to identify slip roads when visibility is poor or when it's dark.
Your vehicle has broken down on a motorway. In which direction should you walk to find the nearest emergency telephone?
With the traffic flow
Facing oncoming traffic
In the direction shown on the marker posts
In the direction of the nearest exit
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In the direction shown on the marker postsThis was the right answer
Along the hard shoulder there are marker posts at 100-metre intervals. These will direct you to the nearest emergency telephone.
Why is it important to make full use of the slip road as you join a motorway?
Because there's space available to turn round if you need to
To allow you direct access to the overtaking lanes
To allow you to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane
Because you can continue on the hard shoulder
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To allow you to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand laneThis was the right answer
Try to join the motorway without affecting the progress of the traffic in the left-hand lane and always give way to traffic already on the motorway. At busy times, you may have to slow down to merge into slow-moving traffic.
How should you position yourself when you use the emergency telephone on a motorway?
Stay close to the carriageway
Face the oncoming traffic
Keep your back to the traffic
Stand on the hard shoulder
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Face the oncoming trafficThis was the right answer
Traffic is passing you at speed. If the draught from a large lorry catches you by surprise, it could blow you off balance and even onto the carriageway. By facing the oncoming traffic, you can see approaching lorries and so be prepared for their draught. You'll also be in a position to see any other hazards approaching.
What colour are the reflective studs between the hard shoulder and the left-hand lane of a motorway?
Green
Red
White
Amber
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RedThis was the right answer
Red studs are placed between the edge of the carriageway and the hard shoulder. Where slip roads leave or join the motorway, the studs are green.
On a three-lane motorway, which lane should you use if there's no traffic ahead?
Left
Right
Centre
Either the right or centre
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LeftThis was the right answer
On a three-lane motorway, you should travel in the left-hand lane unless you’re overtaking. This applies regardless of the speed at which you’re travelling.
What should you do when going through a contraflow system on a motorway?
Use dipped headlights
Keep a good distance from the vehicle ahead
Switch lanes to keep the traffic flowing
Stay close to the vehicle ahead to reduce queues
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Keep a good distance from the vehicle aheadThis was the right answer
At roadworks, and especially where a contraflow system is operating, a speed restriction is likely to be in place. Keep to the lower speed limit and don’t
• switch lanes
• get too close to the vehicle in front of you.
Be aware that there will be no permanent barrier between you and the oncoming traffic.
You're on a three-lane motorway. Which lane are you in if there are red reflective studs on your left and white ones to your right?
In the right-hand lane
In the middle lane
On the hard shoulder
In the left-hand lane
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In the left-hand laneThis was the right answer
The colours of the reflective studs on the motorway and their locations are
• red – between the hard shoulder and the carriageway
• white – between lanes
• amber – between the carriageway and the central reservation
• green – along slip-road exits and entrances
• bright green/yellow – at roadworks and contraflow systems.
What should you do when you're approaching roadworks on a motorway?
Speed up to clear the area quickly
Always use the hard shoulder
Obey the speed limit
Stay very close to the vehicle in front
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Obey the speed limitThis was the right answer
Be aware of reduced speed limits at roadworks. Speed limits shown inside a red circle are mandatory and cameras are often used to enforce the reduced limit. Slow down in good time and keep your distance from the vehicle in front.
Which vehicles are prohibited from using the motorway?
Powered mobility scooters
Motorcycles over 50 cc
Double-deck buses
Cars with automatic transmission
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Powered mobility scootersThis was the right answer
Motorways mustn’t be used by pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles under 50 cc, certain slow-moving vehicles without permission, and powered wheelchairs/mobility scooters.
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