What is true about using the hard shoulder in this situation?

In this situation, the blue sign with three white arrows above the hard shoulder means that the hard shoulder is temporarily open for regular traffic, just like any normal right-hand lane. This is often done to ease congestion. All drivers may use it as a driving lane, not just trucks and not only in a breakdown. That’s why answer 1 is correct. Remember: when the hard shoulder is opened by this sign, follow the same rules as for any other lane. In normal conditions, the hard shoulder is not for regular driving, only for emergencies or breakdowns, unless opened officially like here.