Motorway lane rules: Highway Code rules 259 to 274

The short answer

Join from the slip road by matching your speed and giving priority to traffic already on the motorway. Keep to the left lane unless you are overtaking, overtake only on the right, and move back left when it is safe. Missed your exit? Carry on to the next one.

Source: The Highway Code, rules 259 to 268, GOV.UK

Blue start of motorway sign with the white motorway symbol — The start of motorway sign: motorway rules apply from here. Image: Crown copyright, OGL.

Test yourself · 5

Five questions on motorway lane rules

Question 1 of 5

When may a learner car driver drive on a motorway?
- With any full licence holder
- With an approved driving instructor, in a dual-control car showing L plates Right
- Alone, if showing L plates
- Never
The right answer is B: With an approved driving instructor, in a dual-control car showing L plates

WhyProvisional car licence holders must not drive on a motorway unless accompanied by an approved driving instructor (ADI), in a car with dual controls displaying red L plates (or D plates in Wales).

Source: The Highway Code, rule 253

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You are joining a motorway from a slip road. Who has priority?
- You do
- Traffic already on the motorway Right
- Whoever is going faster
- Lorries
The right answer is B: Traffic already on the motorway

WhyGive priority to traffic already on the motorway and match your speed to fit safely into the left-hand lane.

Source: The Highway Code, rule 259

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The motorway is quiet. Which lane should you drive in?
- The left-hand lane Right
- The middle lane
- The right-hand lane
- Any lane you like
The right answer is A: The left-hand lane

WhyKeep in the left lane unless overtaking, and return to it when it is safe after overtaking.

Source: The Highway Code, rule 264

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On a motorway with three or more lanes, which vehicle is normally banned from the right-hand lane?
- A solo car
- A car towing a trailer Right
- A motorcycle over 500 cc
- A car carrying four passengers
The right answer is B: A car towing a trailer

WhyVehicles towing trailers must not use the right-hand lane where there are 3 or more lanes, except in prescribed cases.

Source: The Highway Code, rule 265

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You have missed your exit. What should you do?
- Reverse along the hard shoulder
- Carry on to the next exit Right
- Turn round through the central reservation
- Stop and wait on the hard shoulder
The right answer is B: Carry on to the next exit

WhyYou must not reverse, cross the central reservation or drive against the traffic. If you miss your exit, carry on to the next one.

Source: The Highway Code, rule 263

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The rule in plain words

Joining (rule 259). Traffic already on the motorway has priority. Use the slip road to match your speed to the left-hand lane and slot into a gap. Do not cross solid white lines between lanes or use the hard shoulder. Stay in the left lane for a while to get used to the speed before you think about overtaking.

Lanes (rules 264 and 265). The Highway Code puts it simply: “Keep in the left lane unless overtaking.” After overtaking, move back left when it is safe. On a motorway with three or more lanes, some vehicles must not use the right-hand lane, including any vehicle towing a trailer.

Overtaking (rules 267 and 268). Overtake only on the right. Do not move to a lane on your left to get past someone. In heavy traffic, when all lanes move at similar speeds, keeping up with your own lane is fine even if it means passing cars to your right.

Leaving (rules 273 and 274). Watch for the signs, move to the left-hand lane well before your exit and signal left in good time. Check your speedometer on the slip road: 50 mph may feel like 30 mph after the motorway.

What rules 253 to 274 say

Rule	What it means for you
253	Learner car drivers may use a motorway only with an approved driving instructor, in a car with dual controls and red L plates (D plates in Wales).
259	Give priority to traffic on the motorway, match your speed and stay in the left lane at first.
260 to 261	Keep a safe gap and stay within the limit, including any limit in a red circle.
262	Motorways can make you sleepy. Take breaks at service areas.
263	You must not reverse, cross the central reservation or drive against the traffic. Missed your exit? Go on to the next.
264	Keep in the left lane unless overtaking. Move over for people stopped on the hard shoulder if it is safe.
265	On three or more lanes, vehicles towing a trailer and certain heavy vehicles must not use the right-hand lane.
266	Change lanes well before a junction. Use a lane that leads off only if you want to go that way.
267 to 268	Overtake on the right only, check mirrors and blind spots, do not cut in, do not weave.
272	You must not pick up or drop off anyone, or walk on a motorway, except in an emergency.
273 to 274	Move left early and signal for your exit. Check your speed on the slip road.

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What it means in practice

The slip road is ending and the left lane is busy

The cars on the motorway have priority. Adjust your speed on the slip road to find a gap. If the slip road carries on as an extra lane, stay in it instead of forcing your way across (rule 259).

You have just passed a lorry on a three-lane motorway

When it is safe, move back to the middle lane and then the left lane. Sitting in the middle lane with an empty left lane goes against rule 264.

A passenger asks to get out on the verge

Say no and carry on to a safe place to stop, such as a service area. You must not set anyone down on a motorway except in an emergency (rule 272).

Common mistakes

Expecting traffic to let you in. On a slip road, you give way to traffic already on the motorway.
Staying in the middle lane. Keep left unless you are overtaking.
Undertaking. Do not move to a lane on your left to overtake.
Braking hard or reversing for a missed exit. You must not reverse on a motorway. Carry on to the next exit.
Taking a car with a trailer into the right-hand lane on a motorway with three or more lanes.

Questions about motorway lanes

Can learner drivers go on the motorway?

Yes, but only with an approved driving instructor (ADI), in a car with dual controls and red L plates (or D plates in Wales). Source: rule 253.

Who has priority when joining a motorway?

Traffic already on the motorway. You match your speed and fit into a safe gap in the left-hand lane. Source: rule 259.

Can you stay in the middle lane on a motorway?

Not when you have finished overtaking. The Highway Code says keep in the left lane unless you are overtaking, and return to the left lane when it is safe. Source: rule 264.

Can you overtake on the left on a motorway?

No, do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. In congested traffic, keeping up with your own lane is allowed even if it passes slower traffic on your right. Source: rule 268.

Sources

(2)

The Highway Code: motorways (rules 253 to 274), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.
The Highway Code: lane discipline (rules 264 to 266), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Quotes from The Highway Code and the sign image are Crown copyright. Sources and image credits.

Joining, lanes and leaving: motorway rules 259 to 274