Route numbers on a blue background show the direction to a motorway.

Brits who mistake open lanes for … MOTORISTS could be slapped with a huge fine and even be disqualified from driving for failing to read smart motorway signs correctly. Traffic signs used, including signs giving orders, warning signs, direction signs, information signs and road works signs.Blue panels indicate that the motorway starts at the junction ahead. Brown panels show the route to tourist attractions.

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If your vehicle has a problem on a motorway with no hard shoulder: Move into the left hand lane and put your hazard lights on. White panels indicate local or non-primary routes leading from the junction ahead. Often there are three signs warning you that you are approaching a junction, so you can plan your approach safely.There are often roadworks and lane closures on motorways.You might find signs and signals warning of an accident, or fog or icy roads.These might occur over the motorway lanes on overhead electric signs or at the side on the dot matrix notice boards.

Motorways shown in brackets can also be reached along the route indicated.

Motorway signals (download ‘Light signals controlling traffic’) are used to warn you of a danger ahead.

Exit at the next junction or services OR; Follow the orange SOS signs to an emergency area and call for help using the free telephone. Smart motorways network Traditional motorway Dynamic hard shoulder running 01 M62 J25-30 02 M6 J5-8 03 M4 J19-20 and M5 J15-17 04 M1 J10-13 05 M42 J3a-7 06 M6 J4-5 07 M6 J8-10a All lane running 08 M25 J5-6/7 09 M25 J23-27 10 M1 J32-35a 11 M1 J28-31 12 M62 J18-20 (part of Manchester smart motorways) 13 M1 J39-42 14 M6 J10a-13 15 M3 J2-4a 16 M4 J3-12 If the red light is over an exit slip then you cannot enter and The most recent new law to come into effect was in June 2019.It applies to people who ignore the red X that appears on the gantry above lanes on a smart motorway.

The name of the junction may be shown at the top of the sign.

Route numbers on a green background show the direction to a primary route.Lane designated for use by high occupancy vehicles (HOV) - see Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. On approach, the motorway signs are coloured blue and white to help distinguish them from other routes. Learner drivers should know their motorway signs and signals before attempting motorway driving...Motorway driving is mostly fast and requires a huge amount of concentration.You have to be aware of and anticipate other vehicle's movements. A symbol may be included to warn of a hazard or restriction along that route.Green panels indicate that the primary route starts at the junction ahead. They may also show a reduced speed limit as in the image below.Start to slow down in good time and be ready to change lanes. In Wales, bilingual versions of some signs are used including Welsh and English versions of place names. Know your motorway signs - leading up to the motorway. Actual motorway signs and signals. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone. 256 Signals situated on the central reservation apply to all lanes. The signs illustrated in The Highway Code are not all drawn to the same scale. The motorway signs may also stand alone and are bordered in white.You should, of course, already know and be familiar with You must know what these mean, so if it has been a while since you travelled on the motorway, or, if this is your first time, then refresh your memory.You could also get some professional assistance from a driving instructor.The signs are bigger than those on the ordinary roads because you have to be able to see them and act on the information in good time.It is important that you plan your movements on the motorway because it takes more time and space to move into the required lane, in order to leave at a junction.Junctions have their own numbers posted on the signs on approach.

This will tell us your location. Motorists could land an instant fine of £100 and 3 penalty points for driving in a lane that's been displayed with a red X.Cameras installed on the gantries are used to spot anyone driving in a lane with a red X and issue the fines and penalty points, so be aware!Finally, if you need to refresh your memory, take a look at our For only £4.99, you'll be able to master all the UK's road signs using the built-in full Highway Code, in addition to everything you could ever need to pass the complete Driving Theory Test 2020.

The motorway signs may also stand alone and are bordered in white.