Rules of the road

Rules of the road covers the everyday legal rules that apply on every journey — speed limits by road type, give-way and stop signs, roundabouts, parking, level crossings, and the difference in Wales (20 mph residential default since 2023).

What’s tested

• National speed limits by road type and vehicle class
• The “streetlights = 30 mph” rule in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Roundabout priority — give way to the right
• Stop sign vs give-way sign — what you must actually do
• Pelican, puffin, toucan, Pegasus and parallel crossings

Key Highway Code rules

• Rule 124
• Rule 170
• Rule 184
• Rule 186
• Rule 187
• Rule 191
• Rule 243

Try a real DVSA question

Practice question

From the DVSA question bank

There are no speed-limit signs on the road. In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland how is a 30 mph limit generally indicated?

• A By hazard warning lines
• B By street lighting
• C By pedestrian islands
• D By double or single yellow lines

Show explanation

The correct answer is B.

In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, there's a 30 mph speed limit where there are street lights unless signs show another limit. In Wales street lights indicate the limit is 20 mph unless signs show otherwise.

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Common mistakes

• Rolling through a STOP sign instead of stopping completely
• Assuming the 30 mph default applies in Wales (it is 20 mph in restricted residential roads since September 2023)
• Taking a roundabout exit from the wrong lane
• Parking within 10 m of a junction

Keep going

• Search the full Highway Code →
• Browse all UK road signs →
• Read the full FAQ (51 questions) →

All 14 topics

• Alertness Staying focused: mirrors, observation, scanning the road, avoiding fatigue and distraction.
• Attitude Considerate driving: patience, following distance, behaviour at crossings and roundabouts.
• Safety and your vehicle Roadworthiness: brakes, tyres, lights, fluids, warning lights and securing the car.
• Safety margins Stopping distances, weather, road surface, and the space you need to react safely.
• Hazard awareness Anticipating risk: spotting clues, planning ahead, reading other road users’ behaviour.
• Vulnerable road users Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, horse riders, children, older and disabled people.
• Other types of vehicle Sharing the road with lorries, buses, motorcycles, trams and emergency vehicles.
• Vehicle handling Driving in rain, fog, snow, dark and strong wind — how conditions change the car.
• Motorway rules Joining, lane discipline, speed, breakdowns and smart-motorway running lanes.
• Road and traffic signs The visual language of UK roads — shape, colour and meaning of every sign and signal.
• Documents Licence, insurance, MOT, V5C log book and SORN — the paperwork to be legally on the road.
• Incidents, accidents and emergencies First aid, CPR, AED, RTC procedure, breakdowns and tunnel safety.
• Vehicle loading Carrying passengers, luggage, roof loads and towing — and how each changes the car.