Unless you're going to the end of the motorway, you'll leave by moving left from the left-hand lane into the slip road. Position yourself in the left-hand lane in plenty of time.

Plan well ahead, particularly on motorways with three of four lanes.

Road signs
Use the road signs and markers to help you time your exit and use your mirrors and indicators appropriately.
You'll have plenty of time to observe the signs and markers so there's no need to rush.

One mile before the exit - A junction sign with road numbers, unless there are exits very close together.
Half a mile before the exit - A sign with the names of places accessible from that exit.
Countdown markers - These are positioned at 270 metres (300 yards), 180 metres (200 yards) and 90 metres (100 yards) before the start of the slip road.

Where a lane splits off from the motorway as a dedicated lane, countdown markers are not provided.

To leave a motorway
Use your mirrors and signal in good time. Remember MSM/PSL.
Get into lane early, unless you're already in the left-hand lane.
On a motorway with three or four lanes, this could mean changing lanes more than once, you must follow the MSM routine for each lane.
Remember, use your mirrors and signal left in good time to move into the left-hand lane.

Don't

• Cut straight across into the slip road
• Move to the left more than one lane at a time
• Cut across at the last moment, especially from the second lane of a three or four lane motorway.

The hard shoulder is NOT an exit road, and you must avoid queuing on it.

Occasionally, where motorways merge, there may be an exit just prior to the one you intend to take. In these cases, or where there are service areas near to exits, look well ahead for the advance warning signs.

If you miss your exit, carry on to the next one.

End of motorway
There will be 'End of motorway' signs at all exits. These mean that the road you're joining may have different rules.

Remember to watch for any signs telling you what these are, particularly

• Speed limits
• Dual carriageway
• Two way traffic
• Clearway
• Motorway link road
• Part time traffic lights.

Speed when leaving a Motorway
After driving at motorway speeds for some time, your judgement of speed will almost certainly be affected; 40 or 45 mph (60 or 72 km/h) will seem more like 20 mph (32 km/h). Stay aware of your speed.

• Adjust your driving to suit the new conditions.
• Check your speedometer. It will give you the accurate speed.

Remember, even if you do not have to reduce your speed because the road you are joining is a dual carriageway, drivers of some other vehicles have to conform to a lower speed limit. Be aware, therefore, that they may reduce their speed.

Reduce speed at first
For the sake of safety, reduce your speed until you're accustomed to the change of conditions. It could take you time to adjust.

Motorway slip roads and link roads often have sharp curves which should be taken at much lower speeds.

Look ahead for traffic queuing at a roundabout or traffic signals.