Using lanes properly
It is very important that you understand the purpose of each lane on a motorway. To help explain how and when to move from one lane to another, each lane is given a number. The picture below shows that Lane 1 is the lane nearest the auxiliary lane or hard shoulder. This is also known as the ‘inside lane’. On a two-lane motorway, the lane nearest the central median is Lane 2 (also called the ‘outside lane’). On a three-lane motorway, this lane is Lane 3.
Lane 1
The normal ‘keep left’ rule applies. Stay in this lane unless you are overtaking.
Lane 2
On a two-lane motorway, use this for overtaking only and move back into Lane 1 when you have finished. You may also use this lane to accommodate traffic merging from the left.
On a three-lane motorway, you may stay in this centre lane while there is slower moving traffic in Lane 1.
Lane 3
If you are travelling on a three-lane motorway, you must use this lane only if traffic in lanes 1 and 2 is moving in queues and you need to overtake or accommodate merging traffic. Once you’ve finished overtaking, move back to your left and allow faster traffic coming from behind to pass by.