The motorway

A motorway is a public road identified by this blue road sign. It is a priority road and you will never encounter traffic lights on it.

Only motor vehicles may use a motorway, with the exception of:

• agricultural vehicles
• four-wheeled motor vehicles without a passenger compartment, such as quad bikes
• mopeds

It is prohibited to use the central reservation, make a U-turn, reverse or drive against the direction of traffic.

The maximum speed limit on a motorway is 120 km/h.

There is also a minimum speed: you must drive at least 70 km/h, unless road signs impose a lower speed limit or the traffic conditions make this impossible.

A lower maximum speed may be imposed by an additional road sign. This may be a fixed sign, in which case the indicated speed limit always applies.

Beyond this sign, you may drive at no more than 90 km/h in this example.

A lower speed limit may also be shown on an electronic road sign. In that case, the displayed speed limit only applies when the sign is lit.

Beyond this sign, you may drive at no more than 90 km/h in this example.

On some exit ramps, you will see a speed limit sign with an arrow underneath. This means that the speed limit only applies to the exit ramp.

In this example, the maximum speed on the exit ramp is 70 km/h.

When air quality becomes too poor, a smog alert may be declared. In that case, the maximum speed limit on many sections of the motorway is reduced to 90 km/h.

This may be indicated by fixed signs like this one, or by electronic signs.

A rush-hour lane is an extra lane that is not always open to traffic. You can recognise it by the longer white road markings.

Whether you may use it is shown by electronic lane control signals above the lanes. These signs can also display the maximum speed limit, as you saw earlier.

If a green arrow is displayed, you must use the rush-hour lane. If a red cross is shown, as in this example, or if the sign is completely switched off, you must not use the rush-hour lane.

To avoid having to change lanes suddenly, a closed rush-hour lane is usually indicated in advance by an orange arrow. This lets you know that the rush-hour lane will be closed further ahead, giving you enough time to change lanes safely.

The same electronic lane control signals can also be used to close other lanes, for example when an accident is blocking the road.

You enter a motorway via an entry ramp. It includes an acceleration lane, where you can build up enough speed before merging safely onto the motorway. You do not have to drive all the way to the end of the acceleration lane if you can merge safely sooner.

A motorway is a priority road. When you merge onto it, you must therefore give way to traffic already on the motorway. The zipper merge rule does not apply when entering a motorway.

You leave a motorway via an exit ramp. It includes a deceleration lane, which allows you to slow down safely after leaving the motorway.

Move onto the exit ramp as soon as it begins and only start slowing down once you are on the ramp itself.

In addition to entry and exit ramps, you may also come across a motorway interchange. This is where two motorways connect, allowing you to travel from one motorway to the other.

In this example, the interchange is 1600 metres ahead.

The breakdown lane is located to the right of the carriageway, beyond the continuous road marking.

You must not drive on it, stop on it or park on it. You may only use the breakdown lane in the event of a breakdown or an accident.

In an emergency, call the European emergency number 112. It is important that you know this number.

If there is breakdown lane, for example because there is a rush-hour lane, try to reach an emergency refuge area. These are short stopping areas to the right of the rush-hour lane.

If you cannot reach an emergency refuge area, stop your car as far to the right as possible on the rush-hour lane, switch on your hazard warning lights and, if possible, leave the car on the passenger side.

Once you are safely behind the crash barrier, call 112 so that the rush-hour lane can be closed.

If you break down or have an accident on the motorway, place your warning triangle as soon as possible, at least 100 metres behind your car.

It must be visible to approaching traffic from at least 50 metres away.

If you get out of the car, you must wear a high-visibility vest, so you are required to have one with you. Passengers are not required to wear one, but it is strongly recommended for their safety.

For your own safety, always stand behind the crash barrier. Staying inside the car is extremely dangerous.

If your car can no longer be driven and you and your passengers are in a safe place, call 112 as soon as possible. They will arrange for a recovery vehicle to come to the scene.

It is not allowed to call a friend and try to tow the car yourself using an emergency or auxiliary coupling on the motorway.

If there are two lanes, drivers in the left-hand lane move as far to the left as possible, while drivers in the right-hand lane move as far to the right as possible.

If there are more than two lanes, drivers in the left-hand lane move as far to the left as possible, while drivers in all other lanes move as far to the right as possible.

If there are two lanes and one of them ends, the driver in the ending lane goes first, followed by the driver in the other lane.

If two lanes end, drivers merge in turn in this order: first the right-hand lane, then the left-hand lane, and finally the middle lane.