Red X signs and smart motorways: rules 258 to 270

Test yourself · 5

Five questions on red X signals and smart motorways

Question 1 of 5

1. A red X lights up above your lane. What must you do?

   • A Drive on if the lane looks clear
   • B Move safely into an open lane Right
   • C Stop under the sign
   • D Move onto the hard shoulder

   The right answer is B: Move safely into an open lane

   WhyA red X identifies a closed lane. You must follow the signs to move safely to an open lane, and you must not drive in a closed lane.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 258

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2. A sign on a motorway shows red flashing lights and the closure of all lanes. What must you do?

   • A Drive past slowly in the left-hand lane
   • B Stop and not go beyond the sign in any lane Right
   • C Use the hard shoulder to get past the closure
   • D Turn around and drive back along the motorway

   The right answer is B: Stop and not go beyond the sign in any lane

   WhyDo not pass an all-lanes closure sign or use the hard shoulder unless a police or traffic officer directs you.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 258

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3. You see a motorway overhead signal showing 60 inside a red circle. What does this mean?

   • A 60 mph is advised but not compulsory
   • B The limit applies only to goods vehicles
   • C You must not exceed 60 mph Right
   • D You must drive at least 60 mph

   The right answer is C: You must not exceed 60 mph

   WhyA speed limit shown inside a red circle is mandatory, so you must not exceed it.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 261, Know Your Traffic Signs: Motorway signals and variable signs

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4. On a motorway where the hard shoulder is sometimes used as a lane, when may you drive on it?

   • A When traffic is slow
   • B When a speed limit is shown above it Right
   • C When a red X is shown above it
   • D At night

   The right answer is B: When a speed limit is shown above it

   WhyYou can only use the hard shoulder as an extra lane when a speed limit is shown above it. A red X or blank sign means emergencies only.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 269

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5. You have stopped in an emergency area on a motorway. How should you rejoin the carriageway?

   • A Use the emergency telephone and follow the operator's advice Right
   • B Build up speed and pull straight out when clear
   • C Signal and join as soon as you see a small gap
   • D Drive along the hard shoulder until traffic clears

   The right answer is A: Use the emergency telephone and follow the operator's advice

   WhyFrom an emergency area you must use the emergency telephone and follow the operator's advice to rejoin.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule 278

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The rule in plain words

On some motorways there is no hard shoulder. On others the hard shoulder opens as an extra lane at busy times, which National Highways calls a dynamic hard shoulder. People often call both kinds smart motorways. They use signs above each lane to close lanes and set speed limits.

A red X means the lane is closed. There may be people, broken-down vehicles or other hazards in it, and the emergency services use closed lanes to reach a crash. Follow the signs to move to an open lane in good time. You must not drive in a closed lane until a sign shows a speed limit or the word END (rule 258). In the Highway Code’s words: “Lane and road closures indicated by red flashing lights are enforced by the police.”

A number in a red circle is a legal limit, not advice (rule 261).

The hard shoulder as a lane: you may drive on it only when a speed limit is shown above it. A red X or a blank sign above it means you must not use it except in an emergency (rule 269).

What rules 257 to 270 say

What it means in practice

A red X appears over your lane ahead

Check your mirrors, signal and move into an open lane when it is safe. Do not wait until the last moment. If the left lane is closed at an exit slip road, that exit cannot be used (rule 258).

Your car develops a problem

Leave at the next exit or a service area if you can. If not, move left and stop in an emergency area or on the hard shoulder if you can reach one (rule 277). Our breakdowns page covers what to do next.

Leaving an emergency area

You must use the emergency telephone and follow the operator’s advice. A lane may need to be closed so you can rejoin safely (rule 278).

Common mistakes

• Driving on in a red X lane because it looks empty. The hazard may be out of sight, and emergency vehicles may be using the lane.
• Treating the overhead number as a suggestion. In a red circle it is the legal limit.
• Using the hard shoulder because others do. Only when a speed limit is shown above it.
• Pulling out of an emergency area without calling. You must use the emergency telephone first.
• Stopping in an emergency area for a rest or a phone call. It is for emergencies only. Take a break at a service area instead (rules 91 and 262).

Questions about red X signs and smart motorways

What does a red X mean on a motorway?

The lane below it is closed. You must move to an open lane and must not drive in the closed one until a sign shows a speed limit or END. Source: rule 258.

Is driving under a red X illegal?

Yes. The Highway Code says you must not drive in a closed lane, and lane and road closures shown by red flashing lights are enforced by the police. Source: rule 258.

When can you drive on the hard shoulder?

Only in an emergency, when the police, traffic officers or a sign tell you to, or on motorways where the hard shoulder is used as a lane and a speed limit is shown above it. Source: rule 269.

What is an emergency area?

A place to stop in an emergency on motorways with no hard shoulder, or where the hard shoulder is used as a lane. It has blue signs with an orange SOS telephone symbol. Source: rule 270.

Read next

• Motorway rules quiz
• Motorway rules theory test questions
• Joining, lanes and leaving: rules 259 to 274
• Breakdowns on the motorway: rules 275 to 280

Sources

(5)

1. The Highway Code: motorway signals (rules 255 to 258), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.
2. The Highway Code, rule 261 (speed limits), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.
3. The Highway Code, rules 269 to 271 (hard shoulder, emergency areas, stopping), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.
4. The Highway Code, rules 277 and 278 (motorway breakdowns), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.
5. Dynamic hard shoulder enhancements, National Highways. Checked 4 November 2026.

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