Updated Rule 253
If you are a holder of provisional car licence, you must not drive on the motorway, unless you are accompanied by an approved driving instructor, and the vehicle has red L plates (or D plates in Wales) displayed with dual controls.
Updated Rule 257
This rule was updated to include an image and ensure that drivers understand that amber flashing lights indicate that there’s a hazard ahead. You should thereof reduce speed and be prepared for the hazard. You can increase the speed once you pass a signal that is not flashing, or a sign displaying a national speed limit, or the word ‘END’, and only when you are sure it’s safe to do so.
Updated Rule 258
The display of red flashing light signals and a red ‘X’ on a sign identify a closed lane in which people, stopped vehicles and other hazards may be present.
You must follow the instructions in advance of a closed line and move safety to an open lane, and must not drive in closed lanes. You should be aware that closed lanes are used by emergency services and traffic authorities to reach incidents and help people in need. Also, if the left lane is closed at an exit slip road, the exit cannot be used.
Where red flashing light signals and closure of all lanes are shown on a sign, the road is closed, and you must not go beyond the sign in any line or use the hard shoulder to avoid the road closure (unless instructed to do so by a police/traffic officer).
Updated Rule 261
You must not exceed the speed limit displayed on a sign, as well as the maximum speed limit of your vehicle and the road type.
Updated Rule 263
You must not reverse along any part of a motorway, including slip roads, hard shoulders and emergency areas.
Updated Rule 264
You should drive in the left lane unless overtaking, and should return to the left lane as soon as it’s safe to do so.
If driving in the left lane, you should move over (if safe to do so), when approaching people and vehicles stopped on the hard shoulder or in an emergency area, to create more space for the people and stopped vehicles.
Updated Rule 266
You must not use the hard shoulder, except in an emergency or if instructed to do so by a police/traffic officer or a traffic sign.
The hard shoulder can become an extra lane during periods of congestion on some motorways. If this is the case, there will be signs to inform you to do so. When a speed limit is displayed, the hard shoulder can be used as an extra lane. In this situation, emergency areas exist for use in the event of an emergency.
NEW Rule 270
You must only use emergency areas for emergency use only. Emergency areas are located along motorways without hard shoulders or where the hard shoulder is used some of the time as an extra lane.
Updated Rule 271
You must not stop on any carriageway, emergency area, hard shoulder, slip road, central reservation or verge except in an emergency, or when told to do so by the police, traffic officers, an emergency sign or by red flashing light signals.
You must not stop on any part of a motorway to receive or make phone calls, except in an emergency.