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Even for experienced drivers, motorways can be daunting as they come with their own set of rules. Increase your confidence now with these motorway driving tips. 

If you follow the rules, motorways are still one of the safest places to drive. Brush up your knowledge of speed limits, hard shoulders and more with our motorway driving tips. 

Motorway driving

With around 2,300 miles of motorways across Great Britain, they&rsquo;re the busiest of all the roads.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In 2020, <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1028165/road-traffic-estimates-in-great-britain-2020.pdf" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 })(event)"
 >Data from the Department of Transport </a>showed that we collectively drove 52.7 billion miles on motorways. Covid restrictions meant that figure was down by 25% on the 2019 total (when we racked up an astonishing 70.5 billion miles).&nbsp;

&nbsp;

But despite the high volume of traffic on motorways, they still remain one of the safest roads to drive on.&nbsp;

It can be hard to keep up with driving laws in the UK but understanding them is part and parcel of being a safe, responsible driver. Here’s our overview of car rules in the UK. 

What are the rules for driving on the motorway?  

Essentially, there are sections of the motorway where technology is used to regulate traffic. The aim is to increase capacity and reduce congestion.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The three main types of smart motorway are:&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Controlled: With a permanent hard shoulder, they use variable speed limits (and other technology) to adjust traffic flows.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Dynamic: The hard shoulder can be used as an extra lane, at which point the speed limit is reduced to 60mph.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

All-lane running: The hard shoulder has been removed to create an extra lane. Emergency refuge areas are provided at regular intervals.&nbsp;

As they do not need a clutch or gears to power the vehicle, the vast majority of electric cars are automatic. In fact, most electric cars are single-speed, delivering constant and instant power. This means you’ll only ever have two pedals in an electric car; the brake and the accelerator.  

Learner drivers are allowed to drive on motorways, as long as they are with a qualified driving instructor in a vehicle with dual controls. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Only after passing your test can you drive unaccompanied on the motorway (as long as you&rsquo;ve taken out <a href="/car-insurance/young-driver-insurance" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 application_domain: 'https://www.hastingsdirect.com',
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 page_name: 'Motorway driving'
 });
 })(event)"
 >young driver insurance</a>). &nbsp;

All information is correct at the time of publication. Hastings Direct cannot be held responsible for any misinformation displayed.

Many newly qualified drivers find motorway driving particularly stressful. So, the best advice is to remember the motorway driving tips you&rsquo;ve learned:&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Don&rsquo;t hesitate: Whether you&rsquo;re joining the motorway or overtaking, make a decision and stick with it. Hesitation can be very dangerous.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Adjust your speed for slip roads: Slip roads are there to let you match your speed to that of vehicles travelling in the left-hand lane. Wait for a gap and merge safely. When exiting the motorway, indicate in plenty of time, slow down gradually and try not to brake until you&rsquo;re on the slip road.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Watch your speed: The speed limit on motorways is 70mph, but roadworks can mean it might drop to 50mph in places. Keep an eye out for signs.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Check out our other handy <a href="/car-insurance/guides" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 application_domain: 'https://www.hastingsdirect.com',
 page_path: window.location.pathname,
 page_name: 'Motorway driving'
 });
 })(event)"
 >guides</a> to help you stay safe on the roads.&nbsp;

Driving on the motorway for the first time 

Passing your test doesn&rsquo;t mean you know everything. You should still check <a href="/hastings-direct/car-insurance/guides/do-you-know-your-basic-highway-code" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 application_domain: 'https://www.hastingsdirect.com',
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 page_name: 'Motorway driving'
 });
 })(event)"
 >the Highway Code</a> regularly and could take an advanced driving course like the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/pass-plus" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 page_name: 'Motorway driving'
 });
 })(event)"
 >Pass Plus scheme</a>. This might even reduce the cost of your insurance! &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Driving laws are updated regularly, so you must make sure to keep up to date. For example, driving with a mobile phone used to be legal, but it&rsquo;s now an offence and the penalties have been increased over time. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Driving laws are just one part of being a responsible driver - check out our other handy <a href="/hastings-direct/car-insurance/guides" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 application_name: 'brochureware',
 application_domain: 'https://www.hastingsdirect.com',
 page_path: window.location.pathname,
 page_name: 'Motorway driving'
 });
 })(event)"
 >motoring guides </a>to help you stay safe on the road.&nbsp;

The hard shoulder is located to the left of the left-hand lane and is separated from the driving lanes by a white line.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Most motorists understand that driving on the hard shoulder is illegal (unless directed by road signs or the police). But can you stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway? That&rsquo;s where some of the confusion lies.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Stopping on the hard shoulder is extremely dangerous and can cause death or serious injury. So if you do need to stop, you should try and make it to the next junction or service station. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

The only reason you would stop on the hard shoulder is in an emergency, such as your car breaking down or a medical emergency. If you do stop on the hard shoulder and it&rsquo;s not an emergency, you could be fined &pound;100 and get three penalty points on your licence.

In September 2021, new rules to make motorways safer came into force. With 22 rules that were changed and two new rules, this was a major update to the Highway Code.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The update includes clearer advice on:&nbsp;

&nbsp;

1. Where to stop in an emergency.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

2. The importance of not driving in a lane closed by a red X.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

3. How variable speed limits are used to keep traffic flowing.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

From 2022, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/any-use-of-hand-held-mobile-phone-while-driving-to-become-illegal" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 application_domain: 'https://www.hastingsdirect.com',
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 })(event)"
 >information on GOV.UK</a> also advises that drivers are banned from taking photos or videos, scrolling through playlists or playing games on their phones while driving &ndash; this also includes while in motorway traffic jams.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

You can read more on the Department for Transport&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/updates" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 page_name: 'Motorway driving'
 });
 })(event)"
 >Highway Code</a> 2021 Updates web page.&nbsp;

Knowing how to drive on a motorway safely means following the rules. Here are just a few:&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Keep to the speed limit: If you&rsquo;re travelling over 70mph on the motorway, you&rsquo;re breaking the law. In bad weather, you should try and stick to a slower, safer speed.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Keep left: If the road ahead of you is clear, you should stay in the left-hand lane. If you need to overtake, use the middle and right-hand lane, before pulling back into the left lane again.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Leave a safe gap: Always keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. That&rsquo;s two seconds in normal conditions, four seconds on wet roads, and even more if the roads are icy.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Drive the right type of vehicle: Cars, vans and motorbikes are all allowed on motorways. But motorbikes under 50cc, tractors, bicycles, mobility scooters, pedestrians and horses are not.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Using the hard shoulder: It&rsquo;s illegal to use the hard shoulder except in an emergency (for example, if your <a href="/car-insurance/guides/breakdown-advice" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 page_name: 'Motorway driving'
 });
 })(event)"
 >car breaks down</a>). And it&rsquo;s definitely not for making a quick call or checking your sat nav.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

There are plenty of benefits to driving with a bit more care and attention &ndash; from increased safety to reduced car insurance premiums (when you take out <a href="/car-insurance/telematics-insurance" 
 onClick="(function(e){
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 application_domain: 'https://www.hastingsdirect.com',
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 page_name: 'Motorway driving'
 });
 })(event)"
 >telematics car insurance</a>).&nbsp;

Car insurance isn't the only cost associated with driving. Not only are there things you must obtain for your car to be legal on the road, but there are also the running costs to consider. So, what else do you have to budget for?

Get the most out your policy

Whether you&#39;re doing the towing or are the one being towed, here&#39;s what you need to know.

How to tow a car

What to do if you have problems on the road &ndash; and how to avoid breaking down in the first place.

Car breakdown advice

Don&#39;t panic! Read this guide on what to do if you&#39;re unlucky enough to be involved in a crash.

Car accident advice

It&#39;s a common mistake that anyone can make, so here&#39;s what to do if you use the wrong fuel.

Motorway driving

How busy are our motorways?

What are the rules for driving on the motorway?

New Highway Code motorway rules

What is a hard shoulder on a motorway?

What is a smart motorway?

Can learners drive on the motorway?

Driving on the motorway for the first time

Get the most out your policy

How to tow a car

Car breakdown advice

Car accident advice

Wrong fuel in your car?