UK road signs explained

There are hundreds of UK road signs, but you don't need to memorise them one by one. Signs follow a simple system of shapes and colours. Learn the system and you can work out most signs, even new ones.

The sign system: shapes and colours

Circles give orders

• Red ring = you must NOT. Example: "30" in a red ring means don't go over 30 mph.
• Blue circle = you MUST. Example: a white left arrow in a blue circle means turn left.

Triangles warn

Triangles with a red border warn you to be ready for something ahead. Example: a red triangle showing a T shape warns of a T-junction.

Rectangles inform

Rectangles give information or directions. On direction signs, the colour shows the type of road:

• Blue = motorways. (Elsewhere, blue rectangles give general information.)
• Green = primary routes, the main A roads.
• White = non-primary and local routes.
• Brown = tourist attractions.

Example: a brown sign to a castle.

One picture, three meanings

Same picture, different shape:

• A bicycle in a red ring = no cycling.
• A bicycle in a blue circle = route for bicycles only.
• A bicycle in a red triangle = watch out, cyclists ahead.

The two special shapes

Two important signs break the shape rules so they stand out more:

• STOP is an eight-sided shape (an octagon), red with white letters.
• GIVE WAY is an upside-down triangle with a red border.

25 important signs

Signs that tell you what you must not do (red rings)

1. No entry: A red circle with a white horizontal bar. No vehicles may enter. Example: the "wrong" end of a one-way street.

2. Maximum speed: A red ring with a number inside. Don't go faster than this speed. Example: "20" outside a primary school.

3. National speed limit applies: A white circle with a black diagonal stripe. The national limit applies (for cars, 60 mph on single carriageways, 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways). Example: leaving a village onto an open country road.

4. No overtaking: A red ring with two cars side by side, one black and one red. Don't overtake moving vehicles. Example: a winding road with poor views.

5. No right turn: A red ring with a black arrow turning right, crossed by a red bar. You must not turn right here. Example: a busy junction.

6. No U-turns: A red ring with a U-shaped arrow, crossed by a red bar. You must not turn round in the road. Example: on a busy high street.

7. No motor vehicles: A red ring with a car and a motorbike inside. No motor vehicles allowed. Example: the entrance to a park path.

8. No waiting: A blue circle with a red border and one red diagonal line. You must not wait or park (check plates for the times). Example: outside a row of shops.

9. No stopping (clearway): A blue circle with a red border and a red cross. You must not stop on the main carriageway, even to drop someone off. Example: a fast main road.

10. Entry to 20 mph zone: A white rectangle with a red-ringed "20" and the word ZONE. 20 mph is the limit until a sign shows the zone ends. Example: a housing estate.

The special-shape signs

11. STOP: Red octagon with the word STOP. You must stop at the line, even if the road looks clear. Example: a junction with a poor view of the main road.

12. Give way: Upside-down triangle with a red border and the words GIVE WAY. Let traffic on the main road go first. Example: joining a main road from a side street.

Signs that tell you what you must do (blue circles)

13. Ahead only: Blue circle with a white arrow pointing up. You must go straight on. Example: where turning off would be unsafe.

14. Turn left ahead: Blue circle with a white arrow bending left. You must turn left ahead. Example: before a one-way system.

15. Keep left: Blue circle with a white arrow pointing down to the left. Pass to the left of the island or obstacle. Example: a traffic island.

16. Mini-roundabout: Blue circle with three white arrows going round clockwise. Give way to traffic from your right and go round the painted circle. Example: a small junction in a housing estate.

17. Route for cycles only: Blue circle with a white bicycle. Only bicycles can use this route. Example: a cycle path beside the road.

18. Minimum speed: Blue circle with a white number. You must not go slower than this unless it's unsafe. Example: a route where very slow vehicles would cause danger.

Signs that warn you (red triangles)

19. Crossroads: Red triangle with a cross shape. Roads cross ahead. Example: watch for cars from the left and right.

20. Roundabout: Red triangle with three arrows in a circle. Roundabout ahead. Example: slow down and choose your lane.

21. Road narrows on both sides: Red triangle with two lines getting closer. The road gets narrower ahead. Example: a narrow bridge.

22. Slippery road: Red triangle with a car and wiggly skid marks. The road may be slippery. Example: brake gently and gradually in the rain.

23. Traffic signals ahead: Red triangle with red, amber and green lights. Traffic lights ahead. Example: lights hidden around a bend.

24. Level crossing with barrier or gate: Red triangle with a picture of a gate. A railway crossing with barriers ahead. Example: be ready to stop when the lights flash.

25. Accompanied horses or ponies: Red triangle with a horse and rider. Horse riders may be on the road. Example: slow to no more than 10 mph and pass at least 2 metres away.

Road markings

Lines across the road

• Stop line (solid white): stop behind it at a STOP sign, traffic lights or level crossing.
• Give way line (double broken white): give way to the main road, or to traffic from the right at roundabouts.

White lines along the road

• Short broken centre line: marks the middle of the road. You may cross it to overtake if safe.
• Hazard warning line: longer dashes, shorter gaps. A hazard, like a bend or junction, is ahead. Only cross if the road is clearly safe.
• Double white lines with a broken line on your side: you may cross to overtake if it's safe and you can finish before a solid line on your side.
• Double white lines with a solid line on your side: you must not cross or straddle it, except in a few cases, such as turning into a side road, passing a stationary vehicle, or overtaking a cyclist, horse or road maintenance vehicle going at 10 mph or less.
• Diagonal stripes or chevrons: keep out. With a solid white border, you must not enter except in an emergency.

Example: Solid white line on your side and a slow car in front? Don't overtake. Be patient.

Yellow lines and kerb marks

• Double yellow lines: no waiting at any time.
• Single yellow line: no waiting during the times shown on nearby plates.
• Yellow marks on the kerb: no loading or unloading at the times shown. Passengers can still get in or out.
• Double red lines (red routes): no stopping at any time.

Example: On double yellows you can usually stop briefly to let a friend out, unless signs ban stopping (for example on a red route or clearway).

Zigzag lines

• White zigzags at a crossing: don't park or stop on them, or overtake the vehicle nearest the crossing.
• Yellow zigzags with "SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR": where signs ban stopping, don't stop there, even to drop off or pick up children.

Box junctions

A box junction has yellow criss-cross lines. Don't enter unless your exit is clear. Exception: when turning right, you can wait in the box if only oncoming traffic or other right-turners are stopping you.

Example: Traffic is queuing beyond the junction. Wait before the box, even on green.

Traffic lights

Traffic lights follow the same order every time:

1. Red: stop and wait behind the white stop line.
2. Red and amber together: still stop. Don't go until green shows.
3. Green: go if the way is clear. When turning, give way to people crossing.
4. Amber on its own: stop at the line, unless you've already crossed it or are too close to stop safely.
5. Then back to red.

A green arrow lets you go in that direction only. If lights are not working, treat the junction as unmarked and take great care.

Example: The light turns amber and you can stop safely. Stop. Amber means stop, not speed up.

Signals from police and other officers

• Police officer on foot: arm signals can stop traffic from the front, behind or both, or wave traffic on. The Highway Code shows each one.
• Police car behind you: flashing blue lights, headlights or siren, perhaps with a pointing hand or left indicator. Pull over when safe and switch off your engine.
• DVSA officers and traffic officers: they use flashing amber lights. Traffic officers work on motorways and some A roads in England and Wales. You must obey them.
• School crossing patrol: you must stop when they show their "Stop for children" sign.

Example: If a police officer is directing traffic at broken lights, follow the officer.

Test yourself with our free practice tests, then read about the theory test and driving test.