The lane discipline of a motorway
Driving on a motorway is not something you will be able to do until you pass your test, and therefore it is important to understand as much about motorway driving as you can before your first motorway journey.
You will need to know particularly what the different lanes are for. Most motorway stretches will have three lanes, and a hard shoulder. Here is what they are each for:
The hard shoulder is there for emergency use only, and you should never use it for anything like overtaking! Occasionally if other lanes of the motorway are closed the hard shoulder will be used as a temporary lane, but in virtually all road conditions you should never use the hard shoulder.
The left hand lane is the one that you should be in most of the time. Although many people appear to hog the middle lane, it is the left hand one you should drive in most of the time.
The middle lane is used for overtaking traffic in the left hand lane; if there are several slower moving vehicles in a row you can stay in this lane to stop having to dart in and out, but once you pass those vehicles then you should move back into the left hand lane.
The outer most right hand lane is there for overtaking traffic that's in the middle lane. There are several road vehicles that are not allowed in this lane. These include large goods vehicles, and those that are towing a trailer, and also vehicles with weight above 7.5 tonnes.
So in summary, drive in the left hand lane apart from for overtaking, and once you've overtaken then move back into the left hand lane unless there are a stream of slower moving cars you need to pass in which case you should move back in to the left lane once you've passed them. Never undertake or use the hard shoulder, which is only there for emergencies.
Related Articles...
What to check on your car daily
A car is a sophisticated piece of machinery, although it is commonplace and therefore taken for granted by many there are considerable elements working together to make it work.
And if one...
Pass Plus Explained
There is an old saying of driving instructors which they state once you've passed your test, and that is that now you really learn to drive. The idea is that you are about to start driving...
Theory test case studies
One of the relatively new elements added to the driving theory test is what is called the case study element. This was introduced on 28th September 2009, and there is one case study in the theory...
Your ignition system explained
The ignition system is of course an essential part of the technology that allows cars to function, and without it you would not get very far. But what does it do? Well the system provides the...
What causes accidents: overtaking
When you overtake a vehicle, there are often many things to consider.
First of all you need to ensure that it is, as far as you are aware, safe to do so. Therefore don't overtake close to...
Driving and Eyesight Requirements
If you require glasses in order to meet the requirements for driving legally, then you must ensure that you wear them whilst you drive (or corrective lenses).
There are some conditions that...
Online Driving Theory
Why use an online driving theory website when there are also some books in publication that will help you study for your theory test? Well, there are several advantages to online driving theory,...
More on Motorway Driving
Signs that let you know there is a motorway ahead are rectangular, and they have a green background. This shows that they are information signs on a primary road.
The part with the reference...
Types of brakes and braking system
The brakes on your car are one of the most important elements of the car, and when you learn the ABC of accelerator, brake and clutch you realise if you hadn't already how to standardly operate the...
Vulnerable road users - pedestrians
Pedestrians whether old or young are all potentially vulnerable. Any impact at all on a pedestrian is potentially fatal, and that goes for a pedestrian of any age.
Of course within the class...
Back to home page of driving theory test questions
