Cheat sheet

Rules of the Road

Speed limits, right of way, lane discipline, overtaking and the Highway Code rules every driver must know.

The facts to remember, in one place. Drill them with mock exams and spaced repetition in Car Theory Test.

UK speed limits

◆ Motorways: 70 mph for cars and motorcycles.
◆ Dual carriageways: 70 mph national speed limit for cars.
◆ Single carriageways: 60 mph national speed limit for cars.
◆ Built-up areas: 30 mph unless another limit is signed.
◆ Many residential and urban streets are now 20 mph zones.
◆ Cars towing a trailer or caravan: 60 mph on motorways and dual carriageways, 50 mph on single carriageways.

◆ The two-year period starts the day you pass your practical driving test.
◆ If you get 6 or more penalty points within those two years, your licence is revoked.
◆ After revocation you must reapply for a provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again.
◆ Experienced drivers are disqualified at 12 points over three years -- the new-driver threshold is lower.
◆ Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is 6 points and a fine -- enough to revoke a new driver’s licence on its own.

◆ Join from the slip road, build up speed and merge into a safe gap in the left lane.
◆ Keep to the left lane unless overtaking, then move back left when clear.
◆ The right-hand lane is for overtaking, not for cruising.
◆ Learner drivers may use motorways only with an approved instructor in a dual-control car.
◆ Pedestrians, cyclists, mopeds, agricultural vehicles and most learner motorcyclists are not allowed.

◆ Only overtake when you can see it is safe and you will not force another driver to slow down.
◆ Never overtake where the road ahead bends, dips or narrows, or near a junction.
◆ Do not overtake where there is a solid white centre line on your side.
◆ Give cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would a car -- 1.5 metres at lower speeds.
◆ Do not overtake at pedestrian crossings or where it would mean crossing into the path of oncoming traffic.

◆ At a roundabout, give way to traffic coming from your immediate right unless signs or markings say otherwise.
◆ At an unmarked crossroads no one has priority, so approach slowly and be ready to give way.
◆ Traffic on the major road has priority over traffic emerging from a minor road.
◆ Give way to oncoming traffic when an obstruction is on your side of the road.
◆ Always give way to pedestrians already crossing a road into which you are turning.

◆ Zebra crossing: black-and-white stripes with flashing yellow beacons; you must give way to anyone on or stepping onto it.
◆ Pelican crossing: signal-controlled, with a flashing amber phase meaning give way to pedestrians on the crossing.
◆ Puffin crossing: like a pelican but with sensors and no flashing amber phase.
◆ Toucan crossing: shared by pedestrians and cyclists, who may ride across.
◆ Equestrian crossing: provided for horse riders, often alongside a toucan crossing.

◆ When towing, the speed limit is 60 mph on motorways and dual carriageways.
◆ When towing, the limit on a single carriageway is 50 mph.
◆ You must not use the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes when towing.
◆ Loads must be secure and spread so the trailer is stable and not nose-heavy or tail-heavy.
◆ If a caravan starts to snake, ease off the accelerator gently and do not brake harshly.

◆ Give way to traffic coming from your immediate right unless signs or markings say otherwise.
◆ To turn left, approach in the left lane, signal left and stay in the left lane.
◆ To go straight ahead, usually approach in the left lane and signal left after the exit before yours.
◆ To turn right or go full circle, approach in the right lane, signal right, then signal left after the exit before yours.
◆ At a mini-roundabout you must still give way to the right and pass round the central marking.

◆ You must not reverse from a side road into a main road -- reverse into the side road instead.
◆ Avoid reversing further than necessary, and never reverse around a corner onto a main road.
◆ Check all round, especially for children, before and while you reverse.
◆ Do not park on the zigzag lines at a pedestrian crossing, or opposite or within 10 metres of a junction.
◆ Do not park where you would block an entrance, a dropped kerb or a cycle lane.

◆ A steady amber light, then twin flashing red lights, mean stop -- a train is coming.
◆ Never move onto a crossing until the road beyond is clear so you do not get stranded.
◆ Never zigzag around half-barriers or stop on the crossing.
◆ If the barrier stays down after a train passes, wait -- another train may be approaching.
◆ If you break down on a crossing, get everyone out, then use the railway phone to alert the signal operator.

◆ Keep to the left lane unless you are overtaking, then return to the left when it is clear.
◆ Do not "hog" the middle or right-hand lane of a dual carriageway or motorway.
◆ Choose your lane in good time and follow the arrows and signs at junctions.
◆ Leave at least a two-second gap to the vehicle in front in good conditions.
◆ On a road with three or more lanes, the right-hand lane is for overtaking, not cruising.

◆ Use Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre on the approach to every junction.
◆ To turn left, keep well to the left and do not swing out or cut the corner.
◆ To turn right, position just left of the centre line and wait for a safe gap.
◆ Give way to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians already crossing the road you are turning into.
◆ At an unmarked crossroads no one has priority, so approach slowly and be ready to stop.