Part 2 of 9 in Driving on the motorway
Block markings
Block markings on the motorway: recognise the blocks on the road and know where they separate an entry or exit lane from the main carriageway.
Written by Chris Prosman Reviewed by Dirk van Zuijlen
Updated Reviewed on 2 min read
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Block markings are wide white blocks on the road. You see them next to slip roads, exit lanes and where the motorway splits. Are you driving to the right of the block markings? Then you may overtake the traffic to the left of them on the right.
What are block markings?
Block markings are a line of wide white blocks with short gaps in between. People also search for them as square white blocks on the road. The blocks show that a lane leaves the main carriageway or joins it.
For the exam they tell you two things:
- Which lane goes where. Also look at the blue signs above the road.
- That you may overtake on the right here, if you are to the right of the blocks.
Block markings on the motorway
On the motorway you find block markings in three places:
- between the slip road and the main carriageway;
- between the main carriageway and the exit lane;
- where the motorway splits, for example at a junction.
From the block markings on, the two parts of the road really go their own way.
 |  |  |
| Slip road: the blocks lie between the slip road and the main carriageway. | Exit lane: the blocks lie between the main carriageway and the exit lane. | Split: the blocks lie between the lanes that go left and right. |
Can you drive over block markings?
Yes. You may change lanes across block markings, just like across a broken line. Changing lanes is a special manoeuvre, though. So you let other traffic go first. Check your mirrors, indicate and only change lanes when it is safe.
Can you overtake on the right at block markings?
Yes. Are you to the right of the block markings and the other driver to the left of them? Then you may overtake on the right. This applies, for example, on the slip road and the exit lane. Even if the traffic on your left is slower.
This is one of the five situations in which overtaking on the right is allowed. The other four are on the overtaking rules: when may you overtake on the right? Note: is there an ordinary broken line between you? Then this exception does not apply. You see this, for example, on an exit with two lanes. Then you are both to the right of the block markings.
Practise like the exam
Example questions like in the CBR exam
Real questions from the Theorio app. You can expect similar questions in your CBR exam.
Question 1 of 6
On- and off-ramps are lanes that allow you to enter or exit the motorway.
What do these road markings indicate?
Tap the answer you think is right.
Are you allowed to overtake the red car here on the right?
Tap the answer you think is right.
Are you allowed to overtake on the right here if there is no block marking between the vehicles?
Tap the answer you think is right.
Are you allowed to overtake on the right here?
Tap the answer you think is right.
You took the wrong exit. Are you allowed to return to the main carriageway?
Tap the answer you think is right.
You took the wrong exit. Are you allowed to return to the main carriageway?
Tap the answer you think is right.
Answers and explanations for the example questions
Question 1: What do these road markings indicate?
Correct answer: Block marking
Block markings indicate on- and off-ramps, so you can easily see where you can merge or exit. Block markings help you merge more easily. 🚗
Question 2: Are you allowed to overtake the red car here on the right?
Correct answer: Yes
At block marking you may also overtake on the right if the situation is safe. Overtaking on the right is possible here. 🚗
Question 3: Are you allowed to overtake on the right here if there is no block marking between the vehicles?
Correct answer: No
Without block marking, the standard overtaking rules apply. Only overtake from the left according to normal rules. 🚫
Question 4: Are you allowed to overtake on the right here?
Correct answer: No
Because the block marking is not between you and the other driver, you are not allowed to overtake on the right. 🚧❌
Question 5: You took the wrong exit. Are you allowed to return to the main carriageway?
Correct answer: No
No, you are not allowed. Drivers on an exit lane are required to follow the direction indicated by the arrows on the road surface. Since the arrows indicate the exit, you are not allowed to return to the main road. 🚫
Question 6: You took the wrong exit. Are you allowed to return to the main carriageway?
Correct answer: Yes
Drivers following an exit lane must follow the direction of the arrows in that lane. However, if there are no arrows on the road surface and the marking allows it (for example, a block marking that has not yet started). Here there are no arrows, so it is allowed. ✅
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to questions that often come up on this subject.
May you change lanes across block markings?
You may cross the block markings themselves if the manoeuvre is safe and otherwise permitted. Check arrows, lane signals and any other markings. When merging, leaving or changing lanes, let all other traffic go first, check mirrors and your blind spot and indicate.
May you overtake on the right at block markings?
Yes, if the block markings are between you and the other vehicle. If you drive to the right of the block markings, for example on the deceleration lane, and the other vehicle is to the left of them, you may overtake it on the right.
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