Why the Highway Code Matters
The Highway Code is the official set of rules for road users in Great Britain. Your theory test is based on it, and your examiner expects you to follow it on your practical test. Some rules are the law, and breaking them can lead to fines, penalty points or prosecution.
Speed Limits for Cars
These are the national limits in England. Always follow the signs, because many roads in London and other towns have lower limits, such as 20mph. In Wales, the default limit on most roads with street lights is 20mph.
| Type of road | Speed limit |
|---|---|
| Built-up areas with street lights | 30mph (unless signs show otherwise) |
| Single carriageway | 60mph |
| Dual carriageway | 70mph |
| Motorway | 70mph |
Typical Stopping Distances
Stopping distance is your thinking distance plus your braking distance. It is longer on wet roads, so slow down and leave more space.
| Speed | Thinking | Braking | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20mph | 6m | 6m | 12m |
| 30mph | 9m | 14m | 23m |
| 40mph | 12m | 24m | 36m |
| 50mph | 15m | 38m | 53m |
| 60mph | 18m | 55m | 73m |
| 70mph | 21m | 75m | 96m |
Keeping a Safe Distance
Leave at least a 2-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on fast roads. Double it in the wet, and leave much more on icy roads.
Traffic Signs
- Circles give orders. Red circles tell you what you must not do, and blue circles tell you what you must do.
- Triangles warn you of hazards ahead.
- Rectangles give information, such as directions and services.
Road Markings
- Short broken white lines along the middle of the road: mark the centre of the road.
- Long white lines with short gaps: hazard warning lines. Do not cross them unless you can see the road is clear well ahead.
- Double white lines with a solid line on your side: do not cross or straddle them, except to turn into a side road or property, to pass a stationary vehicle, or to overtake a cyclist, horse rider or road maintenance vehicle going at 10mph or less, when it is safe.
- Yellow lines at the edge of the road: parking restrictions apply. Check the nearby signs.
- Zig-zag lines at crossings: no parking, stopping or overtaking.
Hierarchy of Road Users
Road users who can cause the most harm have the most responsibility to reduce the danger they pose to others. In order, from most vulnerable to least:
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
- Horse riders
- Motorcyclists
- Cars and taxis
- Vans and minibuses
- Large passenger vehicles and heavy goods vehicles
When turning into or out of a junction, give way to pedestrians who are crossing or waiting to cross the road you are turning into or out of.
Junctions and Roundabouts
- At a roundabout, give way to traffic coming from your right, unless signs, road markings or traffic lights tell you otherwise, and signal left as you pass the exit before the one you want.
- Use the left lane to turn left, and the right lane to turn right, unless signs or road markings show something different.
- At a mini-roundabout, give way to traffic from your right.
- Always check your mirrors, signal in good time and look carefully before you pull out.
Pedestrian Crossings
- Zebra crossing: give way to pedestrians waiting to cross, and you must give way once someone has stepped onto the crossing.
- Pelican, puffin and toucan crossings: obey the traffic lights. At a pelican crossing, a flashing amber light means you must give way to anyone still on the crossing.
- Do not overtake near a crossing, and do not park on the zig-zag lines.
Motorway Basics
- Stay in the left lane unless you are overtaking.
- Only use the hard shoulder in an emergency, unless signs show it is open as a running lane. Some smart motorways have no hard shoulder, so use an emergency area if you can.
- A red X above a lane means do not drive in that lane.
Driving in Bad Weather and Low Light
- Use dipped headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, and slow down.
- Only use rear fog lights when visibility is seriously reduced (generally less than 100 metres), and switch them off when it improves.
- Leave extra space in rain, ice and snow.
Phones, Alcohol and Seat Belts
- It is illegal to hold and use a phone for any reason while driving, including when you are stopped at traffic lights or in a queue. The penalty is 6 penalty points and a £200 fine, and if you passed your test in the last 2 years you will lose your licence.
- Alcohol affects your driving. The legal limit in England and Wales is 80mg per 100ml of blood (35 micrograms per 100ml of breath). In Scotland it is lower, at 50mg. However, the safest choice is not to drink at all if you are driving.
- Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts. As the driver, you are responsible for making sure children under 14 are wearing one.
Highway Code Quick Questions and Answers
Test yourself. Tap a question to see the answer.
1. What is the national speed limit for a car on a single carriageway road?
60mph, unless signs show a lower limit.
2. What is the normal speed limit on a road with street lights?
30mph, unless signs show a different limit. Many roads in London have a 20mph limit.
3. What does a red circle traffic sign usually mean?
It tells you what you must not do, for example a speed limit or “no entry”.
4. When must you give way at a zebra crossing?
You should give way to people waiting to cross, and you must give way once someone has stepped onto the crossing.
5. What is the minimum legal tyre tread depth for a car?
1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around its whole circumference.
6. What is the minimum time gap you should leave behind the vehicle in front on a fast road?
At least 2 seconds. Double it in wet weather, and leave even more on icy roads.
7. What is the drink-drive limit in England and Wales?
80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The safest choice is not to drink at all if you are driving.
8. Who is most at risk on the road?
Pedestrians, especially children, older people and disabled people, followed by cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists.
Learn the Highway Code With 5 Driving School
We will go through the key rules with you during your lessons, so you understand how to apply them on the road and in your tests.
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Sources and Latest Information
Based on The Highway Code and the DVSA’s car “show me, tell me” vehicle safety questions on GOV.UK. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Rules, limits and fees can change, so always check GOV.UK for the latest information and book tests through GOV.UK.