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Highway Code · Rule 288

Highway Code Rule 288

Road works, level crossings and tramways (288 to 307). A legal requirement (MUST / MUST NOT).

  • Road works, level crossings and tramways
  • Legal requirement
  • OGL v3.0

What the rule says

Law · MUST

Rule 288 (Road works (rule 288)) When the ‘Road Works Ahead’ sign is displayed, take extra care and look for additional signs providing more specific instructions. Observe all signs – they are there for your safety and the safety of road workers.

  • You MUST NOT exceed any temporary maximum speed limit.
  • Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front (see Rule 126).
  • Use your mirrors and get into the correct lane for your vehicle in good time and as signs direct.
  • Do not switch lanes to overtake queuing traffic.
  • Take extra care near cyclists and motorcyclists as they are vulnerable to skidding on grit, mud or other debris at road works.
  • Where lanes are restricted due to road works, merge in turn (see Rule 134).
  • Do not drive through an area marked off by traffic cones.
  • Watch out for vehicles entering or leaving the works area. Where vehicles are travelling in the road and are displaying amber warning lights, leave extra space and expect them to slow or turn into a works area.
  • Concentrate on the road ahead, not the road works.
  • Bear in mind that the road ahead may be obstructed by the works or by slow-moving or stationary traffic. Law RTRA sect 16

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 288 comes down to one idea: rule 288 (Road works (rule 288)) When the ‘Road Works Ahead’ sign is displayed, take extra care and look for additional signs providing more specific instructions. 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 road works, level crossings and tramways 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 road works, level crossings and tramways 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 288 matters on the road

Temporary layouts remove the cues drivers rely on, so the risk of a wrong-lane decision or a late stop climbs. Reading the signs early and committing to the correct lane keeps you and the road workers safe.

Common faults examiners record

In the road works, level crossings and tramways 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:

  • Choosing the wrong lane because the temporary signs were read too late.
  • Braking harshly at a crossing or signal that should have been anticipated.
  • Stopping over a marking or in a box junction when the exit is not clear.

On the day

On the day, applying Rule 288 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 Road works, level crossings and tramways

Related Highway Code rules

Rule 288, your questions

Rule 288 (Road works (rule 288)) When the ‘Road Works Ahead’ sign is displayed, take extra care and look for additional signs providing more specific instructions. 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).