You shouldn’t normally travel on the hard shoulder of a motorway. When can you use it?

Explanation: Normally, you should only use the hard shoulder for emergencies and breakdowns, and at roadworks when signs direct you to do so. Smart motorways use active traffic management to ease congestion. In these areas, the hard shoulder may be used as a running lane when speed-limit signs are shown directly above.

Category: Motorway rules

References: The Official DVSA Guide to Driving: Section 18, Highway Code: Rule 269