Glossary: Diverging? Pinch Point? Chicane? If you aren’t sure what a word means, look it up in our glossary

Leaving the motorway

The signs below show the distance to the next exit on a motorway. Plan well ahead and use these signs to position yourself in good time so you can get into lane early.

300m to next exit200m to next exit100m to next exit

When you leave the motorway, you will first enter a deceleration lane. If possible, keep up your speed until you enter this lane, but then slow down and check for signs showing a lower speed limit. Use your speedometer to make sure you are obeying the reduced limit. Remember that the slip roads and link roads between motorways may include sharp bends.

If you miss your exit, drive on to the next exit. You must not attempt to cross the ghost island or reverse back up the hard shoulder.

When you leave a motorway, or it comes to an end, you will see the signs below.

Motor way ends 1km aheadMotor way ends 500m aheadEnd of motorway