The government has made the day-time overtaking ban for HGVs on an uphill three-mile stretch of the northbound M42, near Tamworth, permanent.
The Highways Agency (HA) says the decision follows a "successful 18-month trial" of the scheme, during which trucks of 7.5 tonnes and over were only able to use the inside lane of the two-lane section between Junction 10 and Junction 11 between 7am and 7pm.
Ivan Beavis, HA area performance manager, believes the permanent overtaking ban will keep the outside lane clear for "faster, lighter traffic" and result in "safer and more reliable journeys".
He adds: "Before the trial, the motorway was often blocked by overtaking lorries going slowly uphill. This caused frustration among other road users caught up in queues."
On average, 29,000 vehicles per day use this part of the motorway, and nearly a quarter of these are HGVs.
The HA says during the trial period, HGV journey times "remained unchanged in the morning peak and improved at other times".
A similar truck overtaking ban become permanent on two stretches of the A14 in Northamptonshire in October 2008.
However, Kate Gibbs, speaking for the Road Haulage Association, says the organisation is "disappointed" over the M42 decision.
She adds: "It could become a nightmare for firms wanting to plan journeys and result in even more parts of the country introducing these unnecessary schemes."
