Driving on the Motorway

Joining The Motorway

You join a motorway by using a slip road, the procedure for which is the same as for when joining a dual carriageway.  The main points to remember are:

• adjust your speed to match that of the traffic already on the motorway
• indicate to show your intention to join the motorway
• give priority to traffic already on the motorway
• join where there's a suitable gap in the left-hand lane
• use the MSM/PSL routine
• don't force your way into the traffic stream
• don't drive along the hard shoulder.

You may need to look over your right shoulder to verify the position of other vehicles. Try to avoid stopping at the end of the slip road unless queuing to join other slow-moving traffic.
Once on the motorway, keep to the left-hand lane until you've had time to assess and adjust to the speed of the traffic already on the motorway.


Some slip roads continue as a dedicated lane, so you will not have to join the motorway as described above. Signs and road markings will indicate if this is the case.

Driving On The Motorway

Motorways can have two, three or even four lanes.
A two-lane motorway - keep to the left-hand lane for normal driving. Use the right-hand lane for overtaking. Once you have finished overtaking you should move back to the left-hand lane as soon as it is safe to do so. Large goods vehicles are permitted to use either lane.

Three-lane motorway - you should stay in the left-hand lane unless you need to overtake slower moving traffic. To do this you should use the middle lane. If you need to overtake several vehicles then stay in the middle lane. There is no need to weave in and out of the left-hand lane as you overtake individual vehicles.
You should only use the outer lane to overtake slower moving vehicles when the left-hand and middle lanes are occupied with slower moving traffic.
When in either the middle or outer lanes, you must be prepared to move over, to the left or middle lanes, to let faster moving vehicles pass.

Large and heavy vehicles including buses, coaches, lorries and cars towing caravans or trailers are not permitted to use the outer lane so if such a vehicle approaches you from behind whilst you're in the middle lane make sure you pull into the left-hand lane, when safe to do so, so that you don't block the vehicles progress.

Changing Lanes and Overtaking on a Motorway:

• use the MSM/PSL routine well before you intend to change lanes
• look and, if necessary, signal in good time
• be aware that vehicles might come up behind you very quickly
• a quick sideways glance into the blind area may be necessary
• when safe to do so move steadily into the lane.

When Other Vehicles Join

When driving on the motorway you will often approach entrances where other vehicles can join. When doing so:

• if several vehicles are joining the motorway be prepared to adjust your speed
• if it is safe to do so, move out of the left-hand lane to make it easier for joining traffic to merge.

Motorway Interchanges

These are where motorways merge or separate. They may requite you to change lanes, sometimes more than once. Overhead direction signs will give you all the information you need to take the right direction.

Leaving A Motorway

 You exit a motorway using a junction. These junctions are clearly marked with signs at one mile, then again at half a mile, and then countdown markers (right) at 300, 200 and 100 yards before the slip road to the exit begins.

Always try and be in the left-hand lane at around the half-mile sign. As on a dual carriage signal left as you pass the 300-yard countdown marker.

To leave the motorway:

• use the MSM/PSL routine in good time
• get into the correct lane early, unless you're already in the left-hand lane.

If you miss your intended junction the drive to the next junction, leave the motorway and rejoin in the opposite direction then continue to the required junction. Never try and reverse up the motorway to the slip road.

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