Key points
- J3AβJ7 was the UK's first Active Traffic Management pilot.
- At J3A, drivers staying on the M42 must leave the main carriageway.
- A new J5A and the A4545 dual carriageway opened in December 2024.
- Learners can have motorway lessons with an ADI in a dual-control car.
Solihull is wrapped by the M42, and its four junctions shape how everyone in the borough drives. Since 2018, learners can drive on motorways with an approved instructor in a dual-control car β and here's what makes this stretch different.
Hard-shoulder running: the UK's first pilot
From 2005β06 the M42 between junctions 3A and 7 was the UK's first Active Traffic Management pilot: at busy times the hard shoulder opens as a running lane under gantry signals, a red X closes a lane, and emergency refuge areas sit roughly every 500 metres. The rule that matters most: never drive in a lane under a red X, and treat a speed shown in a red circle as the legal limit.
Junction 3A β the M40 interchange
J3A isn't fully free-flowing. Priority goes to the M40βM42 westbound movement, so drivers staying on the M42 have to leave the main carriageway. It catches out new drivers who assume "straight on" means staying in lane. Read the overhead signs early.
Junction 4 β Monkspath
Links the A34 (Shirley, Solihull, Birmingham) and the A3400 (Hockley Heath). It's next to Blythe Valley Park and the A34's average-speed section. See our A34 guide.
Junction 5 β Solihull and Knowle
Connects the A41 north towards the Solihull bypass and the A4141 south to Knowle (the A4141 is the old A41). Variable speed limits apply here.
New junction 5A and the A4545
National Highways' Β£282m M42 junction 6 improvement built a new junction 5A about 1.8km south of J6 β two roundabouts joined by a bridge, with south-facing slips only β and a new 2.4km A4545 dual carriageway to the A45 Clock Interchange, giving direct access to the airport and Birmingham Business Park. The link opened on 18 December 2024. If your sat-nav is old, it may not know it exists.
Junction 6 β airport, NEC and Resorts World
J6 has new free-flow links and changing layouts, and temporary limits around Clock Interchange and the A45 have come and gone with the works. Catherine de Barnes Lane and Bickenhill got new permanent limits in October 2025 β 40mph north of the St Peters Lane roundabout, 50mph south to the B4102, and 20mph on Church Lane and St Peters Lane.
England's worst motorway?
A Transport Focus survey for the year to March 2026 ranked the M42 England's worst-rated motorway, citing roadworks, potholes and reduced limits. All the more reason to have a few lessons on it before driving it alone.
Book M42 motorway lessons.
Checked October 2026 β roadworks and temporary limits change often; always obey the signs on the day.
SQ Driving School is part of DriveSQ
Lessons in Solihull are run by SQ Driving School and DriveSQ together β the same instructors, prices and Student Portal. More from DriveSQ:
- DriveSQ driving school in Solihull β Meet the DriveSQ Solihull team, the Student Portal and how lessons work.
- Solihull driving test pass rates 2026 β Every test centre near Solihull ranked, with what the numbers mean.
- Driving instructor jobs in Solihull β Teach with DriveSQ: pupils matched by postcode, Instructor Portal.
DriveSQ Student Portal
Every SQ Driving School learner β in Solihull as well as Greater Manchester β gets the DriveSQ Student Portal free, so you always know exactly how close you are to test standard.
- 23 driving skills tracked after every lesson
- Theory library and 50-question mock tests
- Test-readiness checklist and instructor messaging
DriveSQ Instructor Portal
DriveSQ is growing in Solihull and taking on more ADIs. New learners are matched to you by postcode, and your whole diary runs in the DriveSQ Instructor Portal.
- New Solihull learners matched by postcode
- Bookings, progress and messaging in one place
- Part of DriveSQ β an established Manchester driving school
Frequently asked questions
What does a red X on the M42 mean?
Where is M42 junction 5A?
Can learners drive on the M42?
Do you teach on this road?
Sources
- Express & Star β M42 hard shoulder running
- Henley-in-Arden PC β M40/M42 interchange update (2023)
- roads.org.uk β M42 junction 4 (Monkspath Interchange)
- roads.org.uk β M42 junction 5
- National Highways β M42 junction 6 improvement
- Highways Magazine β new M42 link opens
- Solihull Council β Catherine de Barnes Lane / Bickenhill speed limits (2025)
- Express & Star β M42 ranked England's worst motorway (Transport Focus)
- GOV.UK β Learner drivers on motorways
Published by SQ Driving School, a brand owned and managed by DriveSQ. Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and test centres change β always confirm on GOV.UK before you book.