LGV Motorway Rules for LGVs 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the safe driving technique for an LGV on a motorway in heavy spray conditions?
- Increase following distance significantly, use headlights, and reduce speed proportionally to visibility (Correct answer)
- Maintain normal speed — spray only affects visibility, not stopping distance
- Switch to fog lights at all times in spray
- Use hazard lights to warn following vehicles
Correct answer: Increase following distance significantly, use headlights, and reduce speed proportionally to visibility
Heavy spray dramatically reduces visibility and can obscure the road surface. LGV drivers should increase following distances (already larger than for cars), use headlights, reduce speed to match visibility, and avoid fog lights unless visibility falls below 100 metres.
Question 2: When is it legal to use the hard shoulder as a driving lane on a motorway?
- Only on smart motorways where the hard shoulder is opened with a speed limit sign above it (Correct answer)
- At any time in heavy traffic
- When directed by a police officer only
- Never — hard shoulders are always for emergencies only
Correct answer: Only on smart motorways where the hard shoulder is opened with a speed limit sign above it
On smart motorways running in ATM mode, the hard shoulder may be opened as an additional lane when indicated by a speed limit sign on the overhead gantry above it. Without such a sign, the hard shoulder must not be used as a running lane.
Question 3: What does a motorway sign with the distance '100 yds' above a diagonal arrow pointing left mean?
- Leave the motorway or move left — the junction or service area is 100 yards ahead (Correct answer)
- Merge right in 100 yards
- Construction zone begins in 100 yards
- Hard shoulder closes in 100 yards
Correct answer: Leave the motorway or move left — the junction or service area is 100 yards ahead
Countdown markers with distances (usually 300, 200, 100 yards) before a motorway exit show how far it is to the slip road. Drivers should be in lane 1 well before the exit and use these to position correctly.
Question 4: What is the correct response when a driver sees a signal showing '50' on a motorway matrix above a lane?
- Reduce speed to 50 mph — it is a mandatory speed limit (Correct answer)
- Treat it as advisory and maintain current speed if safe
- Reduce speed only if there is visible congestion
- 50 means emergency — move to the hard shoulder
Correct answer: Reduce speed to 50 mph — it is a mandatory speed limit
A speed limit shown on a motorway overhead sign (matrix) is a mandatory limit when accompanied by a red ring (or on a smart motorway). LGV drivers must comply even if the road appears clear, as the limit may be due to an unseen hazard.
Question 5: What does a white rectangular sign reading 'END' on a motorway overhead gantry mean?
- The variable speed limit or motorway restriction ends at that point (Correct answer)
- The motorway ends ahead
- End of the overtaking restriction for LGVs
- End of smart motorway zone
Correct answer: The variable speed limit or motorway restriction ends at that point
An 'END' sign on a motorway gantry indicates that a variable speed restriction or mandatory requirement (such as a reduced speed limit in a roadwork zone) has ended. Normal motorway rules and limits resume.
Question 6: What is the purpose of red studs on a motorway?
- They mark the left edge of the carriageway (near the hard shoulder boundary) (Correct answer)
- They mark the central reservation
- They indicate a hazard ahead
- They are visibility markers for fog
Correct answer: They mark the left edge of the carriageway (near the hard shoulder boundary)
Red reflective studs (cat's eyes) mark the left edge of the carriageway, adjacent to the hard shoulder. White studs mark lane divisions, amber studs mark the central reservation boundary, and green studs mark slip road entries and exits.
LGV Motorway Rules for LGVs 4
What is the safe driving technique for an LGV on a motorway in heavy spray conditions?