DVSA Motorway Driving 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should you do if you miss your intended motorway exit?
- Reverse on the hard shoulder to go back
- Continue to the next exit and find an alternative route (Correct answer)
- Stop on the hard shoulder and check your map
- Do a U-turn at the next gap in the central reservation
Correct answer: Continue to the next exit and find an alternative route
If you miss your exit, you must continue to the next junction. Never reverse on the motorway, hard shoulder, or slip road. Never attempt a U-turn. The next exit may add time to your journey, but these are extremely dangerous and illegal manoeuvres.
Question 2: On a smart motorway, what does a red 'X' above a lane mean?
- The lane has a speed restriction
- The lane is closed — you must not drive in it (Correct answer)
- Caution — hazard in the lane ahead
- The lane is open only to emergency vehicles
Correct answer: The lane is closed — you must not drive in it
A red 'X' means the lane is closed. You must not drive in a lane showing a red 'X' — this is now enforced automatically by cameras. The lane may be closed due to a breakdown, accident, or debris. Move safely to an open lane as soon as possible.
Question 3: What should you do if your vehicle breaks down on a motorway?
- Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on
- Pull onto the hard shoulder, switch on hazard lights, exit via the left-side doors, and move behind the barrier (Correct answer)
- Attempt to repair the vehicle immediately
- Walk to the nearest exit
Correct answer: Pull onto the hard shoulder, switch on hazard lights, exit via the left-side doors, and move behind the barrier
If possible, pull onto the hard shoulder or an emergency refuge area. Switch on hazard lights, turn wheels to the left, exit from the left side of the vehicle, and stand behind the safety barrier well away from the carriageway. Use the emergency telephone (they connect directly to Highways England) rather than your mobile if possible.
Question 4: What is the speed limit for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on a motorway?
- 50 mph
- 60 mph (Correct answer)
- 70 mph
- There is no specific limit for goods vehicles
Correct answer: 60 mph
Goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight are limited to 60 mph on motorways (and 50 mph on single carriageways). This lower limit reflects their longer stopping distances and the greater severity of collisions involving heavy vehicles.
Question 5: When driving in fog on a motorway, what should you do?
- Use full beam headlights and maintain normal speed
- Use dipped headlights and fog lights, reduce speed, and increase following distance significantly (Correct answer)
- Pull onto the hard shoulder until the fog clears
- Follow the vehicle ahead closely so you can see their tail lights
Correct answer: Use dipped headlights and fog lights, reduce speed, and increase following distance significantly
In fog, use dipped headlights and fog lights if visibility is below 100 metres. Reduce speed so you can stop within the distance you can see. Increase your following distance dramatically. Do not follow tail lights closely — this creates a false sense of security and the risk of a pile-up.
Question 6: What is a contraflow system on a motorway?
- A system where traffic drives the wrong way permanently
- A temporary arrangement where traffic uses lanes on the opposite carriageway, often during roadworks (Correct answer)
- A one-way system through a town
- A traffic light system on a motorway
Correct answer: A temporary arrangement where traffic uses lanes on the opposite carriageway, often during roadworks
In a contraflow, traffic from both directions uses one carriageway, with temporary barriers separating the flows. This is typically used during motorway roadworks. Lanes are narrower, speed limits are reduced, and you must stay in your lane. There is no central reservation, so extra caution is needed.
DVSA Motorway Driving 2
What should you do if you miss your intended motorway exit?