Merging onto and exiting the motorway

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Joining and leaving a motorway: acceleration lane, priority, merging speed and the mistakes penalised at the exam.

Coverage, Merging onto and exiting the motorway

Lesson objectives

Master the rules for merging onto the motorway via the acceleration lane Understand exit rules and the use of the deceleration lane Know the signalling and priority obligations when performing these manoeuvres

Merging onto the motorway: the acceleration lane

The acceleration lane is the transition lane that allows you to move from the access ramp to the motorway. It is a critical zone where you must adapt your speed and position to join the main traffic safely.

Acceleration lane

Transition lane between the access ramp and the motorway, allowing the driver to increase speed and gradually merge into the main traffic.

The golden rule: give way

Merging means changing lanes , and article 12.4 classifies lane changing among manoeuvres : the driver performing it must give way to all other road users . Article 12.5 adds that they may only proceed if they can do so without risk of accident , taking into account the position of other road users, their speed and the distance at which they are located. You are not required to go all the way to the end of the acceleration lane: as soon as you have the speed and space, you can merge. But the obligation to give way is not negotiable.

The zipper rule does not apply here. Article 12bis concerns the driver travelling on a lane that is ending or on which traffic is interrupted , in heavily congested traffic . An acceleration lane is not that: it is designed to bring you up to traffic speed, and article 12.4 requires you to give way. No mandatory alternation, therefore.

Use your left indicator as soon as you leave the acceleration lane to join the main lane. This informs drivers of your intention to change lanes. Check your mirrors and blind spot before merging.

Merging onto motorway from access ramp

Courtesy on the motorway: facilitating merging

Drivers travelling on the right lane may, if they wish and without inconveniencing other road users, move towards the left to facilitate the merging of vehicles entering the motorway. Similarly, a driver completing an overtaking manoeuvre near an access point may remain on the left lane for a few moments to allow safe merging.

Exiting the motorway: the deceleration lane

To exit the motorway, you must use the deceleration lane (exit ramp). Only begin braking once you are on this lane , not on the main lane. Braking on the main lane surprises drivers behind you and creates a hazard.

Deceleration lane

Transition lane between the motorway and the exit ramp, allowing the driver to gradually reduce speed before leaving the motorway.

Identify the exit in advance using advance warning signs. Position yourself on the right lane before the exit. Use your right indicator to signal your intention to leave the motorway. Engage on the deceleration lane and brake gradually.

Exiting the motorway via the deceleration lane

Positioning on the motorway for exits

If you are already travelling on the right lane, you are perfectly positioned to use the deceleration lane as soon as it appears. This allows you to perform your exit manoeuvre smoothly and without inconveniencing other road users.

F5

F5, Beginning of a motorway . Beyond this sign, the rules of article 21 apply. The maximum speed is 120 km/h (art. 11.2) and, unless a lower limit is imposed by a C43 sign, no driver may travel at less than 70 km/h , this minimum speed applies on the entire motorway, not just on one lane (art. 21.2). Access is prohibited to pedestrians, bicycles, mopeds and animal drivers , as well as to vehicles unable to reach 70 km/h on level ground, agricultural vehicles , motor quadricycles without an enclosed cabin and vehicles towing by means of an improvised coupling.

F7

F7, End of motorway. You are leaving the motorway. The specific motorway rules, such as the speed limit of 120 kilometres per hour and restricted access, no longer apply. Adapt your speed to the new road and remain alert to the type of road you are joining.

F25

The F25 sign is an advance warning sign. It announces in advance the available destinations and directions at the next junction, with the distance in kilometres. It allows you to choose the correct lane without rushing.

F29

The F29 sign is a direction sign. At the junction, it precisely indicates the direction to take for each displayed destination. You must follow the arrow that corresponds to your route.

Minimum speed, maximum speed: what article 21.2 says

Article 21.2 is short and often misquoted: "except for a lower limit imposed by signal C43, no driver may travel on a motorway at a speed lower than 70 km per hour ". Two consequences. First, the 70 km/h minimum applies to the entire roadway , the idea that it only concerns the left lane is false. Second, it ceases to apply as soon as a C43 signal imposes less: under a C43 "50", you drive at 50, and the 70 km/h minimum no longer applies. The same article reminds us that speed remains subject to article 10.1 : in fog or rain, you slow down, the 70 km/h minimum can never serve as an excuse to drive too fast for the conditions.

What applies where

Situation Speed Applicable rule Acceleration lane increase towards traffic speed Yield right of way, this is a maneuver (art. 12.4 and 12.5) Motorway, roadway 70 km/h minimum , 120 km/h maximum Art. 21.2 and 11.2; over 3.5 t and buses: 90 km/h Deceleration lane slow down gradually Brake only once engaged on the lane Access and exit , Only at specially equipped locations (art. 21.1, last paragraph)

Common mistakes to avoid

Braking on the main lane before engaging on the deceleration lane: this creates a danger for vehicles following you Not using the turn signal when merging or exiting: it is mandatory and informs other users Merging without checking your mirrors and blind spot: always check before changing lanes Driving too slowly on the acceleration lane: you must reach a speed compatible with traffic speed Forgetting that you do not have priority : vehicles on the motorway always have priority over those merging

Merging = maneuver (art. 12.4): yield right of way to all, and proceed only without risk of accident (art. 12.5) The zipper rule does not apply on an acceleration lane: it targets a lane that ends , in heavily slowed traffic (art. 12bis) Minimum speed 70 km/h on the entire motorway, except lower limit by C43; maximum 120 km/h (art. 21.2 and 11.2) You access the motorway and exit only at specially equipped locations (art. 21.1) Turn signal before any lateral movement, and turned off once completed (art. 13) Exit : position yourself to the right, engage on the deceleration lane, then brake Access prohibited to pedestrians, bicycles, mopeds, animals , to vehicles unable to reach 70 km/h on level ground , to agricultural vehicles and to quadricycles without an enclosed cabin (art. 21.1)

What now?

First take the quiz for this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and MCQs . Next lesson: Special prohibitions and 3 lanes .

BelgianLicenses

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