DVSA - UK Driving Theory Motorway Rules and Regulations Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are driving a car towing a small trailer on a UK motorway. What is the maximum speed at which you are legally permitted to travel?
- 50 mph
- 70 mph
- 60 mph (Correct answer)
- The same as cars, but you must stay in the left-hand lane
Correct answer: 60 mph
The national speed limit for a car towing a trailer or caravan on a motorway is 60 mph. This is lower than the 70 mph limit for cars, motorcycles, and car-derived vans not towing a trailer.
Question 2: You are driving on a 'smart motorway' and see a red 'X' displayed on the overhead gantry above your lane. What does this mean?
- The national speed limit applies to this lane.
- You should move into another open lane as soon as it is safe to do so. (Correct answer)
- A temporary speed limit is in force for this lane.
- You should stop and wait for further instructions.
Correct answer: You should move into another open lane as soon as it is safe to do so.
A red 'X' shown on an overhead gantry on a motorway indicates that the lane is closed. You MUST NOT drive in a lane that is closed by a red 'X'. You should move into an open lane safely and promptly. Ignoring this sign is dangerous and illegal.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT permitted to use a UK motorway?
- A learner driver accompanied by an approved driving instructor in a dual-control car.
- A motorcycle with a 150cc engine.
- A double-decker bus.
- A cyclist. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A cyclist.
Motorways MUST NOT be used by certain classes of road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, and riders of motorcycles under 50 cc. Since June 2018, learner drivers can drive on motorways if accompanied by an approved instructor in a suitable car.
Question 4: You are joining a motorway from a slip road. What is the correct procedure?
- Stop at the end of the slip road and wait for a large gap in the traffic.
- Match your speed to the traffic in the left-hand lane and filter in when safe. (Correct answer)
- Force your way into the traffic as vehicles on the motorway must give way to you.
- Drive along the hard shoulder until you find a safe gap.
Correct answer: Match your speed to the traffic in the left-hand lane and filter in when safe.
When joining a motorway, you should use the slip road to adjust your speed to match the traffic already on the motorway. You must give priority to traffic on the main carriageway and join when there is a safe gap in the left-hand lane.
Question 5: Your car breaks down on a motorway with a hard shoulder. After pulling over to the hard shoulder, what is the first thing you should do?
- Attempt to carry out simple repairs on your vehicle.
- Place a warning triangle 45 metres behind your vehicle.
- Switch on your hazard warning lights. (Correct answer)
- Get out of your vehicle and stand in front of it to warn oncoming traffic.
Correct answer: Switch on your hazard warning lights.
If you break down on a motorway, the first priority is to warn other drivers. You should switch on your hazard warning lights immediately. You should not use a warning triangle on a motorway. Exit the vehicle from the left-hand side and wait behind the safety barrier.
Question 6: What is the general rule for lane discipline on a three-lane motorway in the UK?
- You should always stay in the left-hand lane unless you are overtaking. (Correct answer)
- The left-hand lane is for slow-moving vehicles only.
- You can use any lane as long as you are travelling at the speed limit.
- The middle lane is for cruising, and the right-hand lane is for fast traffic.
Correct answer: You should always stay in the left-hand lane unless you are overtaking.
The Highway Code (Rule 264) states that you should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. The centre and right-hand lanes should only be used for overtaking. After overtaking, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as it is safe to do so.
DVSA - UK Driving Theory Motorway Rules and Regulations Questions and Answers
You are driving a car towing a small trailer on a UK motorway.
What is the maximum speed at which you are legally permitted to travel?