Stopping on Motorways
When to Stop on a Motorway
You should only stop on a motorway if:
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Red lights, signs, or signals instruct you to stop.
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You’re told to stop by police, traffic officers, or DVSA officers.
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It’s an emergency or to prevent an incident.
Never stop to pick up or drop off passengers, including on slip roads or in emergency areas.
Rejoining the Motorway
When leaving the hard shoulder or an emergency area:
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Build up speed before merging.
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Signal early and wait for a safe gap in traffic.
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Watch out for debris or stationary vehicles on the shoulder.
Emergency Areas
Found on smart motorways (with no permanent hard shoulder), emergency areas are marked by:
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Blue signs with an orange SOS symbol.
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Orange road surfacing.
They must only be used in emergencies.
Always use the SOS telephone inside and follow the operator’s instructions before rejoining. Traffic may need to be stopped temporarily for your safety.
The Hard Shoulder
You must not use the hard shoulder except:
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In an emergency, or
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When directed by police, traffic officers, or official signs.
If traffic slows or stops suddenly, use your hazard warning lights to warn drivers behind—turn them off once the situation is clear.
Parking at Service Areas
Motorway service areas are the only safe and legal places to park on motorway routes.
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Follow exit procedures as you would for any motorway junction.
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After leaving the motorway, adjust to the lower speed—your sense of speed may be distorted.
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Be alert for tight turns and slower traffic in the car park.
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Once parked, lock your vehicle and keep children and pets under control.
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Don’t leave valuables on display.
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When rejoining the motorway, follow the normal joining procedure.