Special prohibitions and 3 lanes

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Prohibitions specific to motorways and the rules for driving on a three-lane carriageway, including undertaking on the right.

Cover, Special prohibitions and 3 lanes

Lesson objectives

Understand the absolute prohibitions on motorway (U-turn, reverse, stopping) Master the use of three lanes and lane change rules Apply the zipper principle in case of narrowing

Major prohibitions on motorway

Article 21.4 lists five prohibitions specific to motorways. They apply without any sign : it is the fact of being on a motorway that triggers them. 1° using transverse connections , these passages between the two carriageways reserved for services 2° making a U-turn 3° reversing or driving in the opposite direction to the mandatory direction 4° stopping or parking a vehicle, except on parking areas indicated by signal E9a 5° towing a vehicle by means of a makeshift attachment or secondary attachment

On a motorway, no sign is needed

Common mistake: looking for a C33 sign to justify the U-turn prohibition, or an E3 for the stopping prohibition. On a motorway, these prohibitions stem directly from article 21.4 , no signal is required, and their absence proves nothing. The only signal that matters here is the E9a , which indicates parking areas : this is the only exception to the stopping and parking prohibition.

U-turn prohibited

You have missed your motorway exit. You cannot make a U-turn , even on the hard shoulder. You must continue to the next exit, then return by another road.

U-turns and reversing are prohibited on motorways, under any circumstances. This is a serious offence. Driving in the opposite direction (ghost driver) is also prohibited.

Stopping and parking: the only exception

Article 21.4, 4° prohibits stopping or parking a vehicle on a motorway, except on parking areas indicated by signal E9a . The hard shoulder is not a parking area: stopping there is only permitted in case of necessity , breakdown, illness, police order. Reminder of the breakdown regime: the vehicle must be parked like a parked vehicle (art. 51.1); if it can only be parked in a prohibited place, it must be signalled by a warning triangle placed 100 m away on a motorway (art. 51.2); and the driver must wear a reflective vest as soon as he leaves the vehicle (art. 51.4).

What is also prohibited on motorways

Article 21.6 adds a second series of prohibitions, less well-known and regularly tested: prohibited on motorways are convoys, demonstrations and gatherings , advertising parades , sporting events , in particular speed races or competitions, regularity or skill contests, and the sale or offer for sale of any object, except with ministerial authorisation.

Motorway with three lanes of traffic

The three lanes and correct use

The title of this lesson announces "3 lanes": here is the rule the code attaches to it. Article 21.3 provides that when the carriageway of a motorway has three traffic lanes or more in the direction of travel, buses , coaches and other vehicles or vehicle combinations whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 3.5 tonnes may only use one of the two lanes on the right side of the carriageway. Only one exception: comply with the indications of signals F13 and F15 (lane selection arrows above the lanes). In other words, on a three-lane motorway, a truck has no business on the left lane.

Who drives where

General rule : drive as close as possible to the right edge (art. 9.3.1); left lanes are for overtaking, and you must move back as soon as possible without inconvenience (art. 16.6) Three lanes or more : buses, coaches and vehicles over 3.5 t are confined to the two right lanes (art. 21.3) Exception : signals F13 and F15 take precedence, follow the arrow for your direction Speed : over 3.5 t and buses are limited to 90 km/h on motorways; coaches with seatbelts and speed limiter, to 100 km/h (art. 11.2)

Courtesy and safety

If you are overtaking just as you reach an access point, you can stay on the left lane for a few moments to allow vehicles entering the motorway to merge safely. This is a matter of courtesy and safety.

Reduction in the number of lanes and the zip principle

When the number of lanes decreases (roadworks, accident, narrowing), a special system applies: the zip principle . This system only works if traffic is heavily congested .

The zip: the exact text

Article 12bis : "Drivers who, when traffic is heavily congested , are driving on a traffic lane that is ending or on which traffic is interrupted, may merge onto the adjacent free lane only just before the narrowing . " "Drivers driving on this free lane must give way in turn , just before the narrowing, to a driver who is merging. "

The order when both lanes are interrupted

The same article addresses a case that is often overlooked: "if traffic is interrupted both on the left lane and on the right lane , priority must be given to a driver on the right lane , and then to a driver on the left lane". Two mistakes to avoid: merging too early , the text says "only just before the narrowing", and applying the zipper merge in fluid traffic, when it requires heavily congested traffic .

How does the zipper merge work?

During a narrowing: Drivers on the lane that is ending can merge just before the narrowing Drivers on the open lane must yield the right of way in turn You alternate: one vehicle from the closing lane, then one from the open lane It is mandatory in heavily congested traffic

The zipper merge is not a maneuver : article 12.4 expressly excludes from the definition of maneuver the act of changing lanes in application of the zipper merge principle . Practical consequence: the driver merging does not have to yield to everyone, it is instead the drivers on the open lane who yield to him, each in turn. It only applies in heavily congested traffic , and just before the narrowing, not a kilometer before.

Highway narrowing with zipper merge application

Merging onto the highway: important reminder

When you merge onto the highway via an access ramp, you must yield to vehicles already present. The zipper merge system does not apply on access lanes: you must adjust your speed and merge safely.

At the exam, remember well: U-turn = prohibited , stopping = prohibited , reversing = prohibited . These three prohibitions are absolute on highways and constitute serious violations.

Key points to remember

Article 21.4 , five prohibitions without sign: transverse connections, U-turn , reversing and wrong direction, stopping and parking except on areas marked E9a , towing by makeshift attachment Article 21.6 , also prohibited: convoys and gatherings, advertising parades, sporting events, sale of objects Article 21.3 , on three lanes or more , buses, coaches and vehicles over 3.5 t must remain on the two right lanes , except as indicated by signals F13 and F15 Article 21.2 , minimum speed of 70 km/h , unless a lower limit is set by C43 Zipper merge (art. 12bis): heavily congested traffic , merging just before the narrowing, priority yielded in turn ; if both lanes are interrupted, the right lane goes first The zipper merge is not a maneuver (art. 12.4), unlike merging from an acceleration lane Breakdown : triangle at 100 m on highway (art. 51.2) and reflective vest as soon as you exit the vehicle (art. 51.4)

What now?

First take the quiz of this lesson to validate your knowledge, then practice on the exam simulator and the MCQs . You have completed this module. Next module: Breakdown on highway .

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You know the theory; now you need to practice. The simulator is your best ally.