Riding on a motorway is a different kettle of fish to navigating other roads. It’s faster, often busier, and it’s easy to get lost among the crowd of other vehicles. That’s why there are specific motorway rules for motorcycles, mopeds and scooters.

All UK road rules are there to keep riders and drivers safe, traffic flowing, and reduce mishaps. That includes specific rules for more vulnerable road users like motorbike riders, cyclists and pedestrians. To prepare for your licence training, you’ll have read through The Highway Code. But you may not have navigated motorways on a motorcycle before.

You might be wondering if you’re allowed to navigate these faster roads on your motorbike. Like most UK motorcycle rules, the answer is “It depends.” That’s because motorway rules for motorcycles recognise the different capabilities of different bikes. Smaller bikes may struggle on motorways, and that impacts your safety on these faster roads.

So if you’ve been wondering if you can use the motorways on your motorcycle, whether or not you should get a little training before you rev your engine on a slip road, or simply want to satisfy your motorway curiosity, this blog is for you. Jump on and we’ll merge into motorway rules for motorcycles.

Getting your full motorcycle licence – are motorways covered?

Riding on motorways generally isn’t part of all of your licence testing days. Getting your motorcycle licence is a nerve-wracking experience for most. There’s a LOT to remember. Safe-riding protocols, difficult manoeuvres, and tricky turns are all part and parcel of your Mod 1 and Mod 2 tests. It can feel like that’s more than enough to grapple with.

While you might sigh with relief at the slight reprieve on your testing days, many riders feel a little lacking when they approach their first motorway slip road. Timing, speed, and machine control are essential skills for safe merging into fast traffic. Get it wrong and it could be curtains. Get it right and you’ll extend your freedom to the whole of the British Isles and all it has to offer.

Taking a short motorway riding course when you’ve mastered a big-enough-for-motorways motorcycle is a great way to allay any fast-road fears you might have.

Which UK motorcycle licence lets you use motorways?

If you have an A1, A2, or A, you’ve got a licence to ride on motorways. If you have a provisional driving licence and CBT certificate, you need to stay away from motorways. 

A1, A2, and A licence holders also need a motorcycle, moped or scooter with enough oomph to join motorway traffic. That’s because lower-powered machines aren’t allowed on motorways. That includes motorcycles and mopeds under 50 cc, cyclists, horse riders and mobility scooters (among others).

Slower vehicles can’t keep up with the faster traffic. That makes them a hazard to other motorway users as well as themselves. It’s far safer for them and motorway users if they stick to A and B roads instead.

Is it illegal to ride a motorbike on the motorway?

Sometimes it is illegal to ride a motorbike on the motorway. The biggest factor to keep in mind is how powerful the motorcycle is, and therefore how fast it can accelerate, as well as how well it can maintain motorway speeds of up to 70 mph.

Motorcycles, mopeds and scooters below 50 cc aren’t allowed on motorways in the UK. They’re too slow, making them dangerous for their riders and the other traffic too.

Generally, most motorway traffic will be cruising at speeds around 70 mph. It’s important that you can accelerate your machine to a comparable speed as you merge into traffic from the slip road. Some slip roads are as short as 100 yards, while others can be as long as half a mile.

If your motorcycle is powerful enough to match motorway speeds and maintain safe cruising speeds, you’ll be allowed to ride on motorways. If it can’t, you shouldn’t. It’s not so much a matter of motorway rules as one of safety.

What does the Highway Code say about motorway speeds and motorcycles?

There is no blanket minimum speed for motorways in the UK. However, the Highway Code does say you should “match your speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane”. It also states that riders and drivers need to maintain a “steady cruising speed which you and your vehicle can handle safely and is within the speed limit”.

And you should never exceed the speed limit. Not when overtaking, not when you have great riding conditions, not for any reason. Speed cameras and police enforce speed limits on motorways, just as they do on other roads. You could end up with a fine and points on your licence – or worse.

Which motorcycles and mopeds are allowed on motorways?

Technically, any motorcycle, moped or scooter with an engine size of more than 50 cc is allowed on motorways. But practically, motorbikes should be at least 125 cc to ride on motorways. That typically means they’ll have enough get-up-and-go to safely join motorways and ride at safe cruising speeds.

Any of the motorcycles ridden with A2 and A licences are powerful enough to navigate the faster traffic found on motorways safely. 50-cc motorcycles are able to accelerate quickly and comfortably maintain faster speeds up over 100 mph.

Safety should always be your top priority when it comes to riding on public roads, whether they’re smaller A and B roads or motorways.

Does the Highway Code have a section for motorcycle rules?

There’s no specific section of the Highway Code covering just motorcycles. Instead, it’s broken into categories of road and road signal types with specific rules for different road users from pedestrians to heavy goods vehicles. As you’d expect, there are plenty of rules that apply to all of us, and a few that need to be more specific to motorcycles, mopeds and scooters.

Prohibited vehicles for motorways

Rule 253 of the Highway Code states provisional licence holders and riders of motorcycles under 50 cc aren’t allowed to use motorways.

General rules for motorcycles

Rules 83 to 88 of the Highway Code supplement the general rules for all motorists with some motorcyclist-specific guidance. These rules cover details like protective gear, carrying pillion passengers, and riding in different lighting conditions.

These are topics you’ll have to cover in your Compulsory Basic Training course and revisit in any further licence training you take. Reading the Highway Code before any motorcycle licence training is recommended.

Motorway rules for motorcyclists and other drivers

The Highway Code’s 20 rules between rule 253 and 273 cover everything from who can use motorways, to joining motorway traffic, using these faster roads and leaving motorways as a motorcyclist or driver. It’s a good idea to read this section of the Highway Code before you take your first ride down a slip road.

Knowledge is power, so getting to grips with the Highway Code will help you prepare for the faster traffic and shorter reaction times. You’ll know exactly what’s expected of you and other road users.

Keep faster roads safe for all

Riding on motorways takes a slightly different mindset, preparation and style from using slower A and B roads to get around. Knowing the rules for two wheels along with the rules for other motorway users is important for keeping safe on these roads.

Most motorway rules for motorcyclists are common sense: stay visible, keep up with the flow of traffic, and remember to go through your rider routines a little earlier than usual. Things move faster on motorways, so it’s important to create a little more time for yourself when changing lanes or making other manoeuvres. A little practice with a knowledgeable motorcycle instructor before you go it alone can make a world of difference to your confidence. Book a short motorways course to help you get ahead on fast roads.