Can HGVs use lanes 3 or 4 on A roads?

[slipknotted]

As a relatively new HGV driver I've been going over the HWC and the bit that says I can't use L3 is in the motorway section, I assume this means I can overtake the dodders on the QE2 bridge in L4 and have all the slow feckers on the A12 and A406?

Only asking as some of the guys at my DC aren't so sure (dodder type) and I'm not planning on introducing myself to the police by overtaking someone.

[anyoldcardave]

As an HGV driver and a regular user of those roads I feel your pain lol,

I have often found myself in lane 3 on those roads where there is 3, and on the QE2, but as far as I am aware lane 4 is a no go and there is a 50 mph limit anyway.

An aside to that and a note how distracting a phone can be, rabbiting hands free I have ended up in Kent when I should have been staying in Essex, several times.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

As the QE2 bridge is an A road, your assumption is correct. The rule is that vehicles greater than 7.5t cannot drive in the outside lane of a motorway which has 3 or more lanes with exception of scenarios such as a lane closure, heavy traffic, avoiding a collision etc.

A roads such as the A12, A13, A406 etc. are fine to overtake in the outside lane, although the standard of driving on those roads is absolutely abysmal from every type of driver. The 2 lane section of the M11 is fine too if you can get away with an overtake of a slower lorry uphill or something.

Edited by Koyaanisqatsi on Monday 27th October 09:14

[R0G]

slipknotted said:

As a relatively new HGV driver I've been going over the HWC and the bit that says I can't use L3 is in the motorway section, I assume this means I can overtake the dodders on the QE2 bridge in L4 and have all the slow feckers on the A12 and A406?

Only asking as some of the guys at my DC aren't so sure (dodder type) and I'm not planning on introducing myself to the police by overtaking someone.

Yes you can use L4 as it is an A road