There are 2,173 miles of motorway in the UK.
There are 2,173 miles of motorway in the UK.
To join a motorway safely, it’s important to build up your speed on the slip road to match the speed of other vehicles on the motorway. Carry out a full observation of the road behind by using your mirrors and checking blind spot. Other motorway drivers will usually move lane when they see another vehicle trying to join, but don’t rely on this. Keep moving and adjust your speed accordingly until there’s a suitable gap in the traffic.
When driving on motorways in the UK, you should always be in the left lane. There is no such thing as a ‘fast lane’. The middle and right lanes should only be used to overtake slower traffic. If you’re overtaking a number of slower vehicles, it might be safer to stay in the middle or right lane rather than weaving in and out. But, it’s important to return to the left lane as soon as you’ve finished overtaking.
You should only ever overtake when it’s safe and legal to do so. You need to check your mirrors and the blind spot to determine the speed of vehicles around you. Only overtake when you’re confident that the lane beside you is clear. After you’ve overtaken the vehicle, move back to the left lane as soon as possible. If you don’t, you could be faced with a fine of £100 and three points on your licence.
| Type of vehicle | Speed limit |
|---|---|
| Cars and motorcycles Buses, coaches and minibuses (not exceeding 12 metres) Goods vehicles (not exceeding 7.5 tonnes) |
70 mph |
| Cars towing caravans or trailers Goods vehicles (exceeding 7.5 tonnes) |
60 mph |
There may be exceptions to the national speed limit so it’s important to keep an eye on the overhead road signs. If the speed limit is in a red circle, this means it’s mandatory and you’ll be breaking the law if you don’t adhere to it. If the speed limit is in a flashing amber circle, this is an advisory speed limit based on the road conditions. And while there isn’t a minimum speed limit on most motorways, travelling too slowly can be considered dangerous by the police and you could be prosecuted for careless driving.
If you notice that your car is experiencing mechanical problems, drive to the nearest junction or motorway services. If that’s not possible, indicate and pull over on to the hard shoulder as soon as it’s safe to do so. If you have to slow down quickly, switch on your hazard warning lights to alert other drivers and move over to the left when the lane clears.
Exit the car from the left door and instruct all passengers to stand behind the barrier, or as far away from the road as possible. Depending on the nature of the break down, you’ll either want to call a recovery vehicle or the emergency services. If you don’t have access to a mobile phone, follow the arrows at the side of the road and use the orange emergency phones.
The Highway Code recommends taking a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours. It’s important to follow this advice because periods of long motorway driving are known to cause driver fatigue which leads to accidents. So, even if you think you don’t need a break, it’s a good idea to just stop, stretch your legs and get some fresh air.
Check the overhead road signs regularly because these will tell you how far away your exit is and give you time to prepare. Motorway exits are clearly marked with signs that are usually one or a half mile before the exit. When you see the first sign, you should move into the left lane as soon as possible. Indicate to turn left when you see the sign with three white lines, but maintain your speed to help keep the flow of traffic. Only slow down when you turn off the motorway.
