Main non-urban roads: what are they?

The main non-urban roads I am main road more similar to highways and perhaps this is also the reason why there is confusion, which carries with it the risk of a fine or failure to pass the theory test. You are about to take your driving test and still have doubts about what are the main and secondary non-urban roads, Do not worry. Here we explain everything you need to know about limits, permitted vehicles, and differences between major roads compared to freeways.

Updated December 28, 2023: new, more up-to-date, and more useful content for readers

COUNTRY ROADS AND HIGHWAYS: MISTAKES NOT TO MAKE IN YOUR EXAM

Confusion often occurs about differences between main country roads, secondary roads, and motorways. Simply because they share most of the characteristics and requirements set out in the Highway Code. Before we look at them in detail, let’s start with The most common mistakes in driver’s license quizzes on main non-urban roads:

• The main and secondary non-urban roads are not marked green (that’s for highways);
• It is already clear from the previous point The same speed limits do not apply to maximum freeways;
• In addition to mistaking them for motorways, a recurring mistake also concerns interchanges the importance of main and secondary non-urban roads. If the roadway has at least or only one lane in each direction (unseparated), it may be a major non-urban road;

MAIN EXTRA-URBAN ROADS AND DIFFERENCES WITH SECONDARY EXTRA-URBAN ROADS

In order not to make mistakes during the driver’s license test, just remember the characteristics of the main non-urban roads according to Article 2 of the Road Traffic Act:

• Major non-urban roads must have separate or separated lanes from the traffic island;
• Every road has at least 2 lanes and a paved platform on the right without level crossings;
• They must be equipped with special service areas for parking vehicles’ deceleration and acceleration lanes;
• They can be recognized by the vertical rectangular marks with pictograms and white lettering on a blue background which also reports the rules to be followed;

SPEED LIMITS ON MAIN AND SECONDARY EXTRA-URBAN ROADS

Now that you know what the main roads outside the city are, it is clear that the speed limit is lower than the 130 km/h valid on the highway. In general, the same limits apply to vehicles allowed to move on main non-urban roads also shown on rectangular signs with a blue background at the start of the road:

• Maximum permitted speed 110 km/h;
• No passing for bicycles and mopeds, motorcycles displacement less than 150 cc, and motor vehicles with a displacement of less than 250 cc;

When there is no rectangular billboard with a blue background and a white inscription, it is not a main extra-urban road, but a minor extra-urban road. Regarding engine volume limit for scooters on highways and major non-urban roads, a bill is in the works to allow you to use the highway and circuit with 125cc scooters as well, but under these exact conditions.

The speed limit on secondary non-urban roads if there are no other signs that the driver is obliged to respect, the following applies:

• 90 km/h for motorcycles, cars with and without a trailer, motorhomes, and trucks up to 3.5 t;
• 70 km/h for cars with trailers for transporting goods or ships, and trucks.