Changes to the Highway Code

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency sent this bulletin at 14-09-2021 11:32 AM BST

Changes to the Highway Code: rules on using motorways 

For those that drive professionally, it’s vital to stay up to date with the Highway Code. 

From today there are changes to the rules on using motorways, so it’s as important as ever that you and your colleagues “check the Code” – and continue to do so on a regular basis. 

Most recent changes 

The changes made as of today refer to guidance on smart motorways. A total of 33 existing rules will be amended and two new rules introduced, with a number of amendments made to the additional information annexes. 

 These include:  

  • clearer advice on where to stop in an emergency 
  • the importance of not driving in a lane closed by a Red X 
  • the use of variable speed limits to manage congestion 
  • updated guidance on key factors that contribute to safety-related incidents, including unroadworthy vehicles, tailgating and driving in roadworks 

How to stay updated 

It’s easy to keep up to date with the Highway Code, and any other future changes, online. 

GOV.UK includes a list of the latest updates that have been made, so it’s quick and easy to see what has changed. You can also sign up for email alerts whenever the Highway Code is updated.  

The Highway Code on GOV.UK allows you to: 

  • search for key words and phrases within The Highway Code 
  • quickly move between related rules 
  • follow links to the original laws that the rules are based on 
  • print sections more easily 

There’s also an official Highway Code app.  

We’ll also post on social media about the most recent changes to the code. Follow the The Official Highway Code on Facebook to see the latest.

Help spread the word 

If you can, please share our social media posts and the webpages listed above with your colleagues and employees. 

Future changes and print editions 

Over the coming months we anticipate some further changes to the Highway Code; we will keep you informed of these by email, on GOV.UK and on social media.  

We will write to you again with further details about the next, new printed edition of The Official Highway Code in 2022.  

Thank you for your support, 

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency 

More information 

Check GOV.UK for the latest about: