Motorway Driving Rules 1 Flashcards
6 cards from real PCV practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Motorway Driving Rules 1 flashcards as text
On a motorway with three or more lanes, which lanes are PCV drivers permitted to use?
Answer: The left-hand lane (lane 1) and middle lane (lane 2) only
Coaches, buses, and other vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are prohibited from using the right-hand lane on motorways with three or more lanes. This is a legal requirement under the Highway Code (Rule 265) and keeps the outer lane clear for faster-moving traffic.
Under what circumstances may a PCV driver legally stop on the hard shoulder of a conventional motorway?
Answer: Only in a genuine emergency or breakdown
The hard shoulder on a conventional motorway is reserved strictly for genuine emergencies and breakdowns. Stopping for any other reason — including fatigue, navigation, or passenger management — is illegal and extremely dangerous.
On a smart motorway operating in all-lane running mode, what should a PCV driver do if their vehicle breaks down?
Answer: Aim to reach an emergency refuge area (ERA), or move as far left as possible and call for help
All-lane running smart motorways have no permanent hard shoulder. Drivers must try to reach an Emergency Refuge Area (ERA), which appear approximately every 1.5 miles. If unable to reach one, stop as far left as possible, switch on hazard lights, and call 999.
A mandatory variable speed limit of 50 mph is displayed inside a red circle on an overhead gantry above your lane. What must a PCV driver do?
Answer: Not exceed 50 mph — the limit is legally enforceable
A speed limit shown inside a red circle — whether on a fixed roadside sign or a smart motorway overhead gantry — is mandatory and legally enforceable. Exceeding it can result in a fixed penalty or prosecution, the same as any other speed limit offence.
When is it appropriate for a PCV driver to use hazard warning lights on a motorway?
Answer: To warn drivers behind of a sudden hazard or obstruction, especially when stationary or slowing rapidly
Hazard warning lights should be used to alert following traffic to a danger ahead, particularly if you are braking sharply or have come to a stop on a motorway. They must not be used as a substitute for reducing speed or as a general low-speed indicator.
What is the minimum recommended following gap for a PCV driver travelling on a motorway in dry conditions?
Answer: A 2-second gap behind the vehicle in front
The Highway Code recommends at least a 2-second gap in dry conditions for all drivers. Because large vehicles like coaches and buses have significantly longer stopping distances than cars, PCV drivers should ideally maintain a gap well in excess of the 2-second minimum.