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Highway Code · Rule 265

Highway Code Rule 265

Motorways (253 to 274). A legal requirement (MUST / MUST NOT).

  • Motorways
  • Legal requirement
  • OGL v3.0

What the rule says

Law · MUST

Rule 265 (Lane discipline (rules 264 to 266)) The right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes MUST NOT be used (except in prescribed circumstances) if you are driving

  • any vehicle drawing a trailer
  • a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, which is required to be fitted with a speed limiter
  • a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes
  • a passenger vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver
  • a passenger vehicle with a maximum laden weight not exceeding 7.5 tonnes which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver, which is required to be fitted with a speed limiter. Laws MT(E&W)R reg 12, MT(E&W)(A)R, MT(S)R reg 11 & MT(S)(A)R

Rule text reproduced verbatim from the official Highway Code (Crown copyright) under the Open Government Licence v3.0, see the attribution at the foot of this page.

In plain English

Stripped of the formal wording, Rule 265 comes down to one idea: rule 265 (Lane discipline (rules 264 to 266)) The right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes MUST NOT be used (except in prescribed circumstances) if you are driving - any vehicle drawing… Because it is written with “MUST” or “MUST NOT”, it carries the force of law, ignore it and you are committing an offence, not simply driving badly.

It belongs to the motorways part of the Code, the habits a confident, considerate driver builds until they are automatic. The aim is not to memorise the sentence word for word, but to understand the hazard it protects you from, so you apply it without having to think when it counts.

If you are learning, treat this rule as one piece of a connected set rather than an isolated fact. The related rules below sit in the same section and reinforce each other, reading them together is how the motorways part of the Code starts to feel like common sense rather than a list to revise.

Because this is a legal rule, the consequences of ignoring it reach beyond the test: a “MUST” or “MUST NOT” breach can mean a fixed penalty, points on your licence, or in serious cases prosecution. Either way, the safe move is to build the habit early, while a driving instructor can correct it, rather than relearning it under test pressure. That is exactly what the practice routes and coaching in the DriveRoutes app are designed to help with, turning the rules below into the way you naturally drive.

Why rule 265 matters on the road

High-speed roads leave very little margin for error: a late lane change or a misjudged join at 70 mph develops far faster than the same mistake in town. Building disciplined habits here protects you and everyone travelling at speed nearby.

Common faults examiners record

In the motorways part of the Code, the faults most often written on the marking sheet tend to be the same handful. Knowing them in advance is the quickest way to drive them out of your own habits:

  • Joining without matching the traffic speed, forcing other drivers to brake.
  • Hogging the middle lane instead of returning left after overtaking.
  • Leaving too small a following distance at high speed.

On the day

On the day, applying Rule 265 is about doing the safe, deliberate thing slightly earlier than feels necessary: read the situation in good time, observe fully, and act smoothly. The examiner is looking for planned driving, not perfection, and good habits formed in lessons carry you through.

Quick checklist

  • Read the situation early and plan your response.
  • Observe fully before you commit to anything.
  • Keep your speed suitable for the road and conditions.

More from Motorways

Related Highway Code rules

Rule 265, your questions

Rule 265 (Lane discipline (rules 264 to 266)) The right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes MUST NOT be used (except in prescribed circumstances) if you are driving - any vehicle drawing… It is a legal requirement, it uses “MUST” or “MUST NOT”, so breaking it is a criminal offence that can mean a fine, penalty points, or disqualification.

DriveRoutes is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).