Where possible, traffic may move over to let you in, but don’t force your way into the traffic stream. Traffic could be travelling at high speed, so try to match your speed to filter in without affecting the traffic flow.

National speed limits apply when there are no other speed limits signs that shown otherwise

70mph - motorway and dual carriageway

60mph - on a single carriageway

30mph - Buildup area.

On a motorway, all traffic should use the left-hand lane unless overtaking. When overtaking a number of slower vehicles, move back to the left-hand lane when you’re safely past. If the motorway is clear use the left lane, not the middle.

On the motorway, any vehicle towing a trailer is restricted to 60 mph. It isn’t allowed in the right-hand lane, as it might hold up faster-moving traffic that wishes to overtake in that lane.

On a motorway, it's best to use a roadside emergency telephone so that the emergency services are able to find you easily. If you use a mobile, find out the number on the nearest marker post before you call. This number will let the operator know where you are and in which direction you're traveling.

Signal your intention and build up sufficient speed on the hard shoulder so that you can filter into a safe gap in the traffic. Don't push your way into a small gap or cause other traffic to alter speed or direction.

On a steep gradient, an extra crawler lane may be provided for slow-moving vehicles to allow faster-moving traffic to flow more easily.

The exit from a motorway is indicated by countdown markers. These are positioned 90 metres (100 yards) apart, the first being 270 metres (300 yards) from the start of the slip road. Move into the left-hand lane well before you reach the start of the slip road.

On motorways, reflective studs are fixed on the road.

Red - on the left edge of the road

Green - the edge of the main carriageway at lay-bys and slip roads

Amber - Between the central reservation and the carriageway

White - between the middle lanes

White studs are especially useful in bad weather when visibility is restricted.

Red - on the left edge of the road

Green - the edge of the main carriageway at lay-bys and slip roads

Amber - Between the central reservation and the carriageway

White - between the middle lanes

The studs between the carriageway and the hard shoulder are normally red. These change to green where there's a slip road, helping you to identify slip roads when visibility is poor or when it's dark.

Red - on the left edge of the road

Green - the edge of the main carriageway at lay-bys and slip roads

Amber - Between the central reservation and the carriageway

White - between the middle lanes

Marker posts have a code with a unique reference at every 100m intervals that allows breakdown and emergency services to find you on the side of the road. These will direct you to the nearest emergency telephone.

Try to join the motorway without affecting the progress of the traffic in the left-hand lane and always give way to traffic already on the motorway. 

Traffic is passing you at speed. By facing the oncoming traffic, you can see approaching lorries and so be prepared for their draught. You'll also be in a position to see any other hazards approaching.

Red studs are placed between the edge of the carriageway and the hard shoulder. Where slip roads leave or join the motorway, the studs are green.

Red - on the left edge of the road

Green - the edge of the main carriageway at lay-bys and slip roads

Amber - Between the central reservation and the carriageway

White - between the middle lanes

You should always travel in the left-hand lane unless you’re overtaking, Driving on the third line when the highway is clear might put you at risk as your blind side it is discovered 

At roadworks, and especially where a contraflow system is operating, a speed restriction is likely to be in place. Keep the distance 

The colours of the reflective studs on the motorway and their locations are 

Red - on the left edge of the road

Green - the edge of the main carriageway at lay-bys and slip roads

Amber - Between the central reservation and the carriageway

White - between the middle lanes

Be aware of reduced speed limits at roadworks. Speed limits shown inside a red circle are mandatory and cameras are often used to enforce the reduced limit.

Motorways mustn’t be used by pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles under 50 cc, certain slow-moving vehicles without permission, and powered wheelchairs/mobility scooters.

Traffic on motorways usually travels faster than on other roads. You need to be looking further ahead to give yourself more time to react to any hazard that may develop.

When you've just joined a motorway, stay in the left-hand lane long enough to get used to the higher speeds of motorway traffic before considering overtaking.

The right-hand lane of the motorway is for overtaking.

Don’t use the hard shoulder for stopping unless it's an emergency. If you want to stop for any other reason, go to the next exit or service area.

Move to the left and reduce your speed to 50 mph. There could be queuing traffic or another hazard that you can't see yet.

You must stop if overhead gantry signs show a red cross above every lane on the motorway. If any of the other lanes doesn't show a red cross, you may move into that lane and continue if it's safe to do so.

Plan well ahead when approaching a slip road. If you see traffic joining the motorway, be prepared to adjust your speed or move to another lane if it's safe to do so. This can help the flow of traffic joining the motorway, especially at peak times.

You should normally travel in the left-hand lane unless you're overtaking a slower-moving vehicle. When you've finished overtaking, move back into the left-hand lane, but don’t cut across in front of the vehicle that you’ve overtaken.

Never overtake on the left, unless the traffic is moving in queues and the queue on your right is moving more slowly than the one you're in.

On smart motorways, emergency refuge areas are built at the side of the hard shoulder. If you break down, try to get your vehicle into the refuge, where there's an emergency telephone. The phone connects directly to a control centre. Remember to take care when rejoining the motorway, especially if the hard shoulder is being used as a running lane.

Traffic officers don't have enforcement powers but are able to stop and direct people on motorways and some ‘A’ class roads, especially highways 

Some motorways have been redesigned as smart motorways. At certain times, the hard shoulder will be open as a running lane. However, a red cross above the hard shoulder shows that it isn't open as a running lane and should only be used for emergencies and breakdowns.

A mandatory speed-limit sign above the hard shoulder shows that this part of the road can be used as a running lane between junctions. You must stay within the speed limit. Look out for vehicles that may have broken down and could be blocking the hard shoulder.

When a smart motorway is operating, you must follow the mandatory signs on the gantries above each lane, including the hard shoulder. Variable speed limits help keep the traffic moving and also help to prevent bunching.

Congestion can be reduced by keeping traffic at a constant speed - Variable speed limits. At busy times, maximum speed limits are displayed on overhead gantries. 

You shouldn't normally stop on a motorway, but there may be occasions when you need to do so. If your vehicle breaks down or there's an emergency, stop on the hard shoulder and use the emergency telephones to call for assistance.

The national speed limit for a car or motorcycle on a motorway is 70 mph. Lower speed limits may be in force; for example, at roadworks. Variable speed limits also operate in some areas when the motorway is very busy.

The safest place to wait is away from the carriageway, but near enough to see the emergency services arriving.

A red cross signal above all lanes means you must stop and wait. Don't change lanes and don't try to continue any further along the motorway.

A red cross above the hard shoulder shows that it's closed as a running lane and should only be used for emergencies or breakdowns. On a smart motorway, the hard shoulder may be used as a running lane at busy times. This will be shown by a mandatory speed limit on the gantry above the hard shoulder.

You must obey mandatory speed-limit signs above motorway lanes, including the hard shoulder. In this case, you can use the hard shoulder as a running lane but you should look for any vehicles that may have broken down and may be blocking the hard shoulder.

If you feel tired, stop at the nearest service area. If that's too far away, leave the motorway at the next exit and find a safe place to stop. You mustn't stop on the carriageway or hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency

To rejoin the carriageway from an emergency refuge area, you must use the emergency telephone and follow the operator's advice. A lane may have to be closed so that you can rejoin the carriageway safely.

To rejoin a motorway from the hard shoulder, you first need to build up speed on the hard shoulder. You can then look for a safe gap in the traffic in the left-hand lane. Watch for traffic that may be returning from a lane on the right into the left-hand lane.

If you’re towing a small, light trailer, it won’t reduce your vehicle’s performance by very much and it may not be visible in your mirrors. However, strong winds or buffeting from large vehicles might cause the trailer to snake from side to side. Be aware of your speed and don’t exceed the reduced speed limit imposed on vehicles towing trailers.

You should drive in the left-hand lane whenever possible. Only use the other lanes for overtaking or when directed to do so by signals. Using other lanes when the left-hand lane is empty can frustrate drivers behind you.

Using your hazard warning lights, as well as your brake lights, will give the traffic behind an extra warning of the problem ahead. Only use them for long enough for your warning to be seen.

Park as far to the left as you can and leave the vehicle by the nearside door, walk to an emergency telephone on your side of the road and phone for help. While waiting for help to arrive, stay by your car, keeping well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder.

It's illegal to reverse, cross the central reservation or drive against the traffic flow on a motorway. If you miss your exit, carry on until you reach the next one.

If you can’t get your vehicle onto the hard shoulder, use your hazard warning lights to warn others. Leave your vehicle only when you can safely get clear of the carriageway. Don't try to repair the vehicle or attempt to place any warning device on the carriageway.

Before you start your journey, make sure that your vehicle can cope with the demands of high-speed driving. You should check a number of things; the main ones being fuel, oil, water and tyres. You also need to plan rest stops if you’re making a long journey.

If the vehicle in front shows its hazard warning lights, there may be an incident, stopped traffic or queuing traffic ahead. By keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front, you're able to look beyond it and see any hazards well ahead.

You’ll see the first advance direction sign one mile from a motorway exit. If you’re travelling at 60 mph in the right-hand lane, you’ll only have about 50 seconds before you reach the countdown markers. There'll be another sign at the half-mile point. Don’t cut across lanes of traffic at the last moment – move to the left-hand lane in good time.

You won't be able to drive unaccompanied until you've passed your practical driving test. If you haven't driven on the motorway while you were learning, ask your instructor to take you for a lesson on the motorway when you've passed your test. Alternatively, you could take part in the Pass Plus scheme. This has been created for new drivers and includes motorway driving.

You should use an emergency telephone when you break down on the motorway; only use your mobile if this isn't possible. The emergency services need to know your exact location so they can reach you as quickly as possible. Look for a number on the nearest marker post beside the hard shoulder. Give this number when you call the emergency services.

If you're towing a caravan or trailer, you mustn't use the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes except in certain specified circumstances, such as when lanes are closed.

When approaching a contraflow system, reduce speed in good time and obey all speed limits. You may be travelling in a narrower lane than normal, with no permanent barrier between you and the oncoming traffic. Be aware that the hard shoulder may be used for traffic and the road ahead could be obstructed by slow-moving or broken-down vehicles.