A driving instructor has highlighted a widespread misconception held by many drivers regarding dual carriageways, stemming from a misunderstanding of how these roads differ from motorways. With over 40 million drivers in the UK, all required to follow numerous Highway Code rules, it is not uncommon for some to be puzzled about certain road classifications.
Richard Fanders, a driving instructor from Conquer Driving, regularly shares informative content on social media to assist both learner and experienced drivers in comprehending road regulations and ensuring safety. In one of his YouTube videos, he addressed a popular but incorrect belief about dual carriageways.
According to Fanders, many people think the principal difference between dual carriageways and motorways lies in the number of lanes each has. He explained that there is a common assumption that dual carriageways only have two lanes, whereas motorways have three or more.
READ MORE: Plans for New Cafe in Bibury Denied Over Road Safety Concerns
READ MORE: Police Hunt Suspect Following Afternoon Threat in Gloucester Alleyway
However, Fanders clarified that the number of lanes does not determine a road’s motorway status. “A motorway is a road with motorway status, and the number of lanes in each carriageway does not decide whether a road is classified as a motorway,” he said.
He went on to explain the terminology, noting that “dual” means two, but “carriageway” refers to the part of the road designated for traffic moving in a single direction, not to lanes. This distinction is often where confusion arises.
The key defining characteristic of a dual carriageway in the UK is the presence of a central reservation that separates two carriageways, each dedicated to one direction of travel. The number of lanes on either side can vary; a dual carriageway can have one or several lanes in each direction.
Fanders illustrated this by describing how, on a typical dual carriageway, vehicles travelling in opposite directions pass on the left within their respective carriageways, which are separated by a physical barrier, kerb, or even just a grass verge.
He emphasised that this physical separation, rather than lane count, defines a dual carriageway. “There can be one lane or many lanes in each carriageway; there is no upper limit to the number of lanes,” he said.
Furthermore, Fanders highlighted the main difference between dual carriageways and motorways lies in access control and permitted vehicles. Dual carriageways allow a broader range of vehicles, including cyclists and slower-moving traffic, while motorways restrict access more strictly.
Motorways are marked with blue signage, contrasting with the green signs used for dual carriageways, providing visual cues to drivers about the road type.
The video received positive responses from viewers, many appreciating the clarification. One commented, “Useful stuff, thanks. I think I knew all the points raised, but I’ve been driving for many years now.” Another shared, “Thank you for clearing this up for people. I was once on a single lane dual carriageway country road and got stuck behind someone who was only going 60mph when they should’ve been going at 70mph.” A further comment read, “Brilliant explanation. Thank you.”