Theory test topic
Motorway driving
Motorways have their own rules on who may use them, lanes and the hard shoulder.
40 questions on this topic in our bank
The rules in brief
- 1
Who may not use it
Learner drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and small mopeds are not allowed on motorways.
Source: RSA, Rules of the Road
- 2
120 km/h maximum
The default motorway limit is 120 km/h unless signs show a lower one.
Source: RSA, Rules of the Road
- 3
Keep left
Drive in the left lane. Use the other lanes only to overtake.
Source: RSA, Rules of the Road
- 4
Hard shoulder
Use the hard shoulder only in an emergency or breakdown.
Source: RSA, Rules of the Road
Try 8 sample questions
Tap an answer to see if you are right and read the explanation.
Score: 0/8
Question 1 of 8
Is a driver permitted to pick up or set down a passenger on a motorway?
Explanation: Motorways are designed so that traffic can move faster and more freely. It is illegal and dangerous to stop a vehicle on any part of a motorway except in an emergency or when signalled to do so by a Garda.
Question 2 of 8
Which of the following statements is true in relation to tyre pressure and driving on a motorway?
Explanation: The driver should ensure that the tyre pressure of their vehicle is correct at all times. Correct tyre pressure is especially important when travelling long distances, on motorways and at speed.
Question 3 of 8
In normal driving conditions on a motorway, which lane should the driver occupy?
Explanation: The normal keep left rules apply when you are driving on a motorway : a driver should stay in the nearside (left hand) lane unless they are overtaking.
Question 4 of 8
What should a driver do when entering a slip road after leaving a motorway?
Explanation: When a driver is leaving a motorway, they should enter the deceleration lane and reduce their speed. They should comply with the speed limit of the road they are entering.
Question 5 of 8
When is it permitted to force oncoming traffic onto the hard shoulder on the opposite side of the road while overtaking?
Explanation: Overtaking in the manner described here is dangerous. You should overtake another vehicle only when it is safe to do so, both for you and for all other traffic. Before you overtake, make sure the road ahead is clear and that you have enough room to complete the overtaking manoeuvre and return to your own side of the road without forcing any other road user to alter speed or course.
Question 6 of 8
On a motorway, when should a driver use the hazard warning lights?
Explanation: Use the hazard warning lights to warn other road users of a danger ahead. For example, if you have to slow down sharply because of a build-up of traffic ahead, you can use the hazard warning lights to warn following vehicles that they need to slow down.
Question 7 of 8
Is tailgating allowed on a motorway or dual carriageway?
Explanation: If you drive too close to the vehicle in front and it brakes suddenly, you will not have enough time to react. For that reason you should always keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. One way of calculating a safe distance in dry weather is the two-second rule: allow at least two seconds to elapse between the vehicle in front and your own vehicle passing a fixed point such as a lamp post or sign post.
Question 8 of 8
When meeting oncoming traffic on a national road, is it permitted to move into the hard shoulder to allow following traffic to overtake?
Explanation: On national roads, the hard shoulder is normally for the use of pedestrians and cyclists only. If you want to allow a vehicle behind to overtake, you may pull into the hard shoulder briefly as long as no pedestrians or cyclists are using it and there are no junctions or entrances nearby. In the case of motorways, however, you must not drive on the hard shoulder, except in an emergency.
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- Insurance, NCT and motor tax14
- Collisions and emergencies81
- Learner permit rules66
- Sharing the road with cyclists63
- Pedestrians and crossings87
- Overtaking50
- Parking rules49
- Speed limits32
- Alcohol, drugs and fatigue33
- Roundabouts and junctions84
- Tyres, brakes and ABS91