← Road works, level crossings and tramways
Rule 289: Road works on high-speed roads
Legal requirement — says MUST
Additional rules for high-speed roads (rules 289 to 290)
Take special care on motorways and other high-speed dual carriageways.
- Lanes may be closed to traffic and a lower speed limit may apply.
- Works vehicles may be used to close lanes or carriageways for repairs. Where large ‘Keep Left’ or ‘Keep Right’ signs are displayed on the back, you MUST move over and pass the works vehicle on the side indicated and not return to the closed lane until you can see it is safe to do so.
- Where a vehicle displays the sign ‘CONVOY VEHICLE NO OVERTAKING’, you MUST NOT pass the vehicle. A flashing light arrow or red ‘X’ may also be used to make the works vehicle more visible from a distance and give earlier warning to drivers.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36, TSRGD reg 3 and sched 13
Why the capitals matter. The Highway Code writes a rule in capitals — MUST or MUST NOT — when it is backed by law, so breaking it is a criminal offence. The rules that do not use capitals are advice.
5 theory test questions on this rule
From the DVSA revision question bank. These are not the questions asked in the real theory test. Each one shows the answer, the explanation, and our own note on why every other option is not it.