What's the difference between a Motorway and an A-road(M), please?

Question

Is there any difference at all? The speed limits are the same but the signs are different (M-way=blue, A-road(M)=green). Are all the rules of the road the same for each?

:-?

Answer 1

All Motorway roads have blue signage, be they 'M' roads or A--(M).  Major roads 'A1 etc.' have green.

'M' roads e.g M1, M6 etc usually have at least 3 lanes + hard shoulder (there are exceptions).  (M) roads, e.g. A1(M) etc are usually two lanes + hard shoulder, although recent new builds / rebuilds have 3 lanes.

The motoring rules for either are the same.

Answer 2

They are exactly the same, the rules are the same, the signs are the same colour. It has  nothing to do with how many lanes there are (the A3(M) has 3 lanes, the A1(M) has 2). It's only a matter of designation. Here's an example.. The A3(M) is at the bottom of the A3 as an extension of it. You can't call it the M3 because there's already an M3. So you call it the A3(M). Same thing with the A1(M). You can't call it the M1 because there is already an M1.  So you call it the A1(M). They ARE motorways, motorway rules apply.

Answer 3

In Northern Ireland our motorways typically only have 2 lanes. I think the main difference is the national speed limit, which is 70 on a motorway, and 60 on an A road

Answer 4

An A(M) classification (e.g. A1(M)) usually refers to a length of dual carriageway road which has been converted into a motorway.

This method of road classification is the only difference. In all other respects M-class roads and A(M) roads (and their regulations) are exactly the same.

Answer 5

what he said! (i think)

Answer 6

Motorway - hard shoulder, left lane for normal driving, middle lane and right lanes for overtaking.

A-road - no hard shoulder and for turning right e.g. a roundabout, traffic lights

Answer 7

M1 = 3 lanes

A1(M) = 2 lanes

Same rules, same everything