You have stopped in an emergency area. What must you do before you rejoin the carriageway?

You have stopped in an emergency area. What must you do before you rejoin the carriageway?

If you’ve stopped in an emergency area (the orange-surfaced bays you see on smart motorways), before you rejoin the carriageway you must:

  1. Use the SOS telephone (or your mobile if advised) to contact National Highways control room and let them know you need to rejoin.
  2. Wait for instructions — the control centre may close a lane with a red “X” sign to give you a safe gap to merge back in.
  3. Check it is safe — look carefully for a safe gap in the traffic before you move off.
  4. Signal clearly — use your indicators so other drivers know you’re rejoining.

On the theory test, the key answer is:
“Use the emergency telephone to obtain help before rejoining the carriageway.”

In real-life driving, I tell pupils: “Don’t just pull straight out — treat it like the most important mirror–signal–manoeuvre you’ll ever do, because traffic on a motorway could be flying past at 70mph.”

  • Rejoining the Carriageway from an Emergency Area: Drivers must contact the control room via the SOS telephone or mobile before rejoining, wait for instructions if a lane closure is indicated, ensure it is safe, and signal clearly to other drivers.
  • Important Step Before Rejoining on a Smart Motorway: The key theory test answer emphasizes using the emergency telephone to seek assistance before rejoining the main carriageway.
  • Safe Rejoining Procedure: Drivers should treat rejoining like a crucial mirror–signal–manoeuvre, carefully checking for high-speed traffic and signaling their intent.
  • Role of the Control Centre: The control centre may close lanes with a red ‘X’ to give a safe gap, and drivers need to wait for these instructions before merging.
  • Driver Advice for Rejoining Safety: Always consider other traffic flying past at high speeds and approach rejoining with caution, thorough checking, and clear signaling.

What is the key advice for drivers when rejoining the motorway from an emergency area?

The key advice is to treat rejoining like a crucial manoeuvre, conduct thorough checks, signal clearly, and approach with caution due to high-speed traffic.

What does the red ‘X’ sign indicate on a smart motorway, and what should I do if I see it while trying to rejoin the carriageway?

A red ‘X’ sign indicates a lane closure. If you see it while trying to rejoin, you should wait until the lane is reopened and you have instructions from the control centre to proceed.

How should I approach rejoining the motorway from an emergency area to ensure safety?

Approach rejoining as if it were the most critical mirror–signal–manoeuvre, carefully checking for high-speed traffic, signaling your intention clearly, and merging safely into a gap.

Why is it important to contact the control centre before rejoining the main carriageway from an emergency area?

It is important to contact the control centre to receive guidance and ensure that lane closures do not pose a danger, thus helping you merge safely back into traffic.

What steps should I take before rejoining the carriageway from an emergency area on a smart motorway?

Before rejoining the carriageway from an emergency area, you should contact the National Highways control room using the SOS telephone or your mobile if advised, wait for instructions, check that it is safe to rejoin by looking for a safe gap in traffic, and signal clearly to other drivers.