--- title: "When going through a contraflow system on a m… | Theory Test" description: "When going through a contraflow system on a motorway, what should you do? The correct answer is “Keep a good distance from the vehicle ahead”. Read the instru" lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#organization", "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons", "url": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/", "email": "info@fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk", "areaServed": "GB", "description": "Intensive driving courses and driving lessons across the UK with DVSA-approved instructors." }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#website", "url": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/", "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons", "publisher": { "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#organization" }, "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "QAPage", "mainEntity": { "@type": "Question", "name": "When going through a contraflow system on a motorway, what should you do?", "text": "When going through a contraflow system on a motorway, what should you do?", "answerCount": 1, "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Keep a good distance from the vehicle ahead. In a contraflow system, lanes are usually narrower and temporary speed limits apply. Keeping a good distance from the vehicle ahead gives you enough time to react and stop safely if traffic slows down unexpectedly. As outlined in the Highway Code, you must get into the correct lane early and avoid switching lanes unnecessarily or tailgating, as restricted space increases collision risks." }, "suggestedAnswer": [ { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Use your dipped headlights" }, { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Switch lanes regularly" }, { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Remain close to the vehicle ahead" } ] } } ] --- Get an exclusive 15% off - Offer ends next week! [![Fast Track Driving Lessons](/__l5e/assets-v1/7414b5e8-6448-43a5-87bf-63be1eb22dca/fasttrack-logo.png)](/) [Log in](/theory/account)[Get me driving](/course-recommender)Menu [Our Courses & Prices](/courses) [Driving Lessons](/driving-lessons) [Areas We Cover](/driving-lessons-in) [Learner Hub](/learn) [Theory Test](/theory) - [Theory hub](/theory) - [Book your test](/theory/book-theory-test) - [Cancellations](/theory/theory-test-cancellations) - [Free practice](/theory/practice) - [Mock tests](/theory/mock-test) - [Hazard perception](/theory/hazard-perception) - [Road signs](/theory/road-signs) - [Highway Code](/theory/highway-code) - [Motorcycle](/theory/motorcycle) - [Pricing](/theory/pricing) [Theory test](/theory)/ [Question bank](/theory/questions)/ Motorway Rules # When going through a contraflow system on a motorway, what should you do? DVSA-style practice question · Motorway Rules ## The answer options - Use your dipped headlights - Switch lanes regularly - Remain close to the vehicle ahead - Keep a good distance from the vehicle ahead**Correct** ## Why that is the answer In a contraflow system, lanes are usually narrower and temporary speed limits apply. Keeping a good distance from the vehicle ahead gives you enough time to react and stop safely if traffic slows down unexpectedly. As outlined in the Highway Code, you must get into the correct lane early and avoid switching lanes unnecessarily or tailgating, as restricted space increases collision risks. ## How this comes up in the real test Questions from motorway rules appear throughout the 50-question multiple-choice section, and the wording changes between versions. Learn the rule rather than the sentence: the DVSA can ask the same point from the opposite direction, and a memorised answer falls over the moment the phrasing moves. The pass mark is 43 out of 50, so seven wrong answers is your entire margin. If a whole category is shaky, run the topic practice below until you are getting every question right for the right reason, then go back to full mocks under the clock. [Practise Motorway Rules](/theory/quiz/motorway-rules)[Sit a full mock test](/theory/mock-test) ## More motorway rules questions - [Before making a journey on the motorway it is important to check your vehicle fully. Why is this?](/theory/questions/before-making-a-journey-on-the-motorway-it-is-important-to-check-your-vehicle-fully-why-is) - [Following a breakdown on the hard shoulder, how should you rejoin the motorway?](/theory/questions/following-a-breakdown-on-the-hard-shoulder-how-should-you-rejoin-the-motorway) - [How do smart motorways avoid traffic clustering?](/theory/questions/how-do-smart-motorways-avoid-traffic-clustering) - [How should you deal with traffic already on the motorway when joining from a slip road?](/theory/questions/how-should-you-deal-with-traffic-already-on-the-motorway-when-joining-from-a-slip-road) - [In England and Wales, traffic officers work on motorways as well as some secondary routes. What powers do they have?](/theory/questions/in-england-and-wales-traffic-officers-work-on-motorways-as-well-as-some-secondary-routes-w) - [On a motorway, how are the lanes to be used?](/theory/questions/on-a-motorway-how-are-the-lanes-to-be-used) ## Ready to book the real thing? Full Membership is £49 and covers your DVSA booking, one resit with no minimum mark, cancellation checking on theory and practical tests, and the Learning Hub. [Book my theory test](/theory/signup) ## Passed your theory? Get the practical booked Your theory certificate lasts two years. Most learners who use it quickly do it with an intensive course — a block of hours with a DVSA approved instructor and a practical test at the end, instead of one lesson a week for months. [Intensive course prices](/pricing)[All courses](/courses)[Crash courses](/crash-courses)[Automatic lessons](/driving-lessons/automatic)[Areas we cover](/driving-lessons-in)[Driving test centres](/driving-test-centres)[How it works](/how-it-works)[Test pass guarantee](/test-pass-guarantee) ### Book and manage - [Book your theory test](/theory/book-theory-test) - [Theory test cancellations](/theory/theory-test-cancellations) - [Theory test books](/theory/theory-test-books) - [Free resits](/theory/free-resits) - [Change your theory test](/theory/change-theory-test) - [Cancel your theory test](/theory/cancel-theory-test) - [Pricing](/theory/pricing) ### Free revision - [Practice by topic](/theory/practice) - [Mock theory test](/theory/mock-test) - [Question bank](/theory/questions) - [Road signs A–Z](/theory/road-signs) - [Hazard perception](/theory/hazard-perception) - [Highway Code hub](/theory/highway-code) - [Revision plan](/theory/theory-test-revision-plan) - [Your progress](/theory/account) ### Common questions - [Theory test pass mark](/theory/theory-test-pass-mark) - [How much is a theory test?](/theory/how-much-is-a-theory-test) - [When can I take it?](/theory/when-can-you-take-your-theory-test) - [How long is it valid?](/theory/how-long-is-a-theory-test-valid) - [What to take with you](/theory/what-to-take-to-your-theory-test) - [Waiting times](/theory/theory-test-waiting-times) ### Motorcycle and more - [Motorcycle theory test](/theory/motorcycle) - [CBT explained](/theory/motorcycle/cbt-explained) - [Module 1 and 2](/theory/motorcycle/module-1-and-module-2) - [Driving lessons](/driving-lessons) - [Intensive courses](/courses) - [Crash courses](/crash-courses) - [Learner Hub](/learn) © 2026 Fast Track Driving Lessons. Theory tests are set and marked by the DVSA; we handle booking, cancellation checking and revision. [Edit with ](https://lovable.dev/projects/lovp_0c9k10m8tb8fqrn77d2jpgxg8j?utm_source=lovable-badge) ## Cookies on this site We use essential cookies to make the site work. We would also like to set optional analytics cookies to see which guides help learners most. Nothing optional runs until you agree. See our [cookie policy](/cookie-policy). Accept allReject optionalManage cookies