Driving on the highway

The motorway has its own rules that differ from normal roads. Higher speeds give less time to react, and mistakes can have serious consequences.

Basic rules on the motorway

Entering the motorway

• Use the acceleration lane to adjust your speed to the traffic on the motorway.
• Check mirrors and blind spot carefully before merging into the through lane.
• You must give way to traffic already on the motorway.
• Do not stop in the acceleration lane unless absolutely necessary.

Lane usage

• Drive in the right lane as standard.
• The left lane is only used for overtaking.
• Move back to the right lane after overtaking.
• Staying in the left lane without overtaking is a common mistake.

Exiting

• Move to the right lane well before the exit.
• Use the deceleration lane to slow down, do not brake on the motorway.
• Follow direction signs and motorway signs to plan your exit.

Distance and safety

At 100 km/h you travel about 28 meters per second. Keep at least a three-second distance to the car in front. See stopping distance calculation to understand why distance is so important at high speed.

Emergency stop on the motorway

• Move completely onto the emergency stop lane (shoulder).
• Turn on hazard lights immediately.
• Place the warning triangle at least 150 meters behind the car.
• All passengers should stand behind the guardrail, not in or beside the car.

Use warning triangle to alert other road users.

Further reading

• Direction signs and motorway signs
• Overview of prohibitory signs
• Overtaking emergency vehicles
• Speed and weather conditions
• Driving with a trailer