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DrivingLingo

Tema 4: direction of travel, lanes and shoulders in the DGT exam

You drive on the right, and which lane you may use depends on whether you are in town or outside it. That split decides nearly every question here.

Reviewed on 11 October 2026 · sources: BOE and DGT

The exam asks where you drive: the right, lanes and the shoulder (arcén). It all depends on whether you are in town or outside it.

  • You drive on the right and as close as possible to the edge of the carriageway (calzada), with enough lateral clearance.
  • On a two-way road with three lanes (carriles) you use the one on your right and never the one furthest to your left.
  • Outside a built-up area, with several lanes your way, you normally use the rightmost one.
  • The right-hand shoulder is for cycles, mopeds, animal-drawn vehicles and mobility vehicles, when it is usable and wide enough.
  • In squares and roundabouts you keep the centre of the square on your left.

Watch out: 'As close as possible to the edge' does not mean using the shoulder. The shoulder is not a running lane for cars.

In DrivingLingo: practise with the regulatory signs, review the overtaking topic and the motorways and dual carriageways one, and do .

Source: RGC arts. 29, 30.1.b), 31.1 and 31.2, 36.1, 36.2 and 36.3, 43.

Key rules of topic 4

On the right

You drive on the right and as close as possible to the edge of the carriageway, with enough lateral clearance.

  • On blind crests and bends you leave the opposite half completely clear.
  • Driving on the left against the established direction is a very serious offence.

Source: RGC art. 29

Three-lane two-way road

On a two-way road with three lanes you use the one on your right and never the one furthest to your left.

  • The centre lane is used only to overtake or to turn left.

Source: RGC art. 30.1.b); RGC art. 84.1

Outside town, keep right

Outside town, with several lanes your way, you normally use the rightmost one.

  • You may use the others when traffic or the road make it sensible, without hindering whoever follows.
  • With three or more lanes per direction, lorries and vans over 3,500 kg, special vehicles and combinations over 7 m use the right lane and, at most, the next one.

Source: RGC art. 31.1 y 31.2; RGC art. 33

Who uses the shoulder

The right-hand shoulder is for cycles, mopeds, animal-drawn vehicles and mobility vehicles, when it is usable and wide enough.

  • If it is not, they use the minimum necessary part of the carriageway.
  • Bicycles may ride two abreast; single file on blind stretches, when they affect traffic flow, and at night or in poor visibility. Mopeds may not ride in pairs.
  • Motorcycles may use the right-hand shoulder only on signed stretches, with the lanes stopped by congestion, at 30 km/h at most and in single file.

Source: RGC art. 36.1, 36.2 y 36.3

Islands and refuges

At a refuge, island or guidance device you pass on the part of the carriageway to its right.

  • Except on one-way roads, where you may pass on either side.
  • In squares and roundabouts you keep the centre of the square on your left.

Source: RGC art. 43

Learn the rule, then practise it

Study topic 4 step by step: the rule, its citation and exam-style questions.

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