The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982

Restriction on use of right hand or off side lane E+W

[F1 12.— (1) This Regulation applies to—

[F2 (a) a goods vehicle having a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes,]

[F3 (aa) a goods vehicle—

(i) having a maximum laden weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, and

(ii) to which regulation 36B of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 applies or would apply but for paragraph (14)(a) or (b) of that regulation;]

[F4 (b) a passenger vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver the maximum laden weight of which exceeds 7.5 tonnes;]

[F5 (bb) a passenger vehicle—

(i) which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver the maximum laden weight of which does not exceed 7.5 tonnes, and

(ii) to which regulation 36A of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (Speed limiters) applies or would apply but for paragraph (13)(a) or (b) of that regulation;]

(c) a motor vehicle drawing a trailer, and

[F6 (d) a vehicle which is a motor tractor, a light locomotive or a heavy locomotive.]

(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) below, no vehicle to which this Regulation applies shall be driven or moved or stop or remain at rest on the right hand or offside lane of a length of carriage way which has three or more traffic lanes at any place where all the lanes are open for use by traffic proceeding in the same direction.

(3) The prohibition contained in paragraph (2) above shall not apply to a vehicle while it is being driven on any right hand or offside lane such as is mentioned in that paragraph in so far as it is necessary for the vehicle to be driven to enable it to pass another vehicle which is carrying or drawing a load of exceptional width.

[F7 (4) Nothing in this regulation shall have effect so as to require a vehicle to change lane during a period when it would not be reasonably practicable for it to do so without involving danger of injury to any person or inconvenience to other traffic.

[F8 (5) In this Regulation “goods vehicle”, “passenger vehicle” and “maximum laden weight” have the same meanings as in Schedule 6 to the 1984 Act.]]]

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 12 substituted (16.4.1983) by The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 1983 (S.I. 1983/374), regs. 1, 3

F2 Reg. 12(1)(a) substituted (1.7.1992) by Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/1364), regs. 1, 4(2)(a)

F3 Reg. 12(1)(aa) inserted (1.1.2005) by The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3258), regs. 1, 4(2)(a)

F4 Reg. 12(1)(b) substituted (1.1.1996) by The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/158), regs. 1, 2(2)

F5 Reg. 12(1)(bb) inserted (1.1.2005) by The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3258), regs. 1, 4(2)(b)

F6 Reg. 12(1)(d) substituted (1.7.1992) by Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/1364), regs. 1, 4(2)(b)

F7 Reg. 12(4)(5) substituted for reg. 12(4) (1.7.1992) by Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/1364), regs. 1, 4(3)

F8 Reg. 12(5) substituted (1.1.1996) by The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/158), regs. 1, 2(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Reg. 12 excluded (17.5.1999) by The Motorways Traffic (M621 Motorway) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/1077), regs. 1, 3

C2 Reg. 12 excluded (1.12.2023) by The M621 Motorway (Off Side Lane Prohibition Disapplication) (No. 2) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/840), regs. 1(3), 4

C3 Reg. 12(2) excluded (1.12.2023) by The M621 Motorway (Off Side Lane Prohibition Disapplication) (No. 3) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1111), regs. 1(3), 3