Traffic Signs
Signs giving orders
Signs with red circles are mostly prohibitive.
Plates below signs qualify their messages
National speed limit applies
Give way to traffic on major road
Manually operated temporary
No entry for vehicular traffic
No vehicles except bicycles being pushed
No buses (over 8 passenger seats)
No vehicles carrying explosives
No vehicle or combination of vehicles over length shown
No vehicles over height shown
No vehicles over width shown
Give priority to vehicles from opposite direction
No goods vehicles over maximum gross weight shown (in tonnes) except for loading and unloading
No vehicles over maximum gross weight shown (in tonnes)
Parking restricted to permit holders
No waiting
No stopping during period indicated except for buses
No stopping (Clearway)
No stopping during times shown except for as long as necessary to set down or pick up passengers
Signs with blue circles but no red border mostly give positive instruction.
Turn left ahead (right if symbol reversed)
Turn left (right if symbol reversed)
Keep left (right if symbol reversed)
Vehicles may pass either side to reach same destination
Mini-roundabout (roundabout circulation - give way to vehicles from the immediate right)
Route to be used by pedal cycles only
Segregated pedal cycle and pedestrian route
Pedestrian crossing point over tramway
With-flow bus and cycle lane
With-flow pedal cycle lane
Warning Signs
Mostly triangular
Distance to 'STOP' line ahead
Road narrows on right (left if symbol reversed)
Road narrows on both sides
Distance to 'Give Way' line ahead
T-junction with priority over vehicles from the right
Traffic merging from left ahead
The priority through route is indicated by the broader line
Double bend first to left (symbol may be reversed)
Bend to right (or left if symbol reversed)
Two-way traffic crosses one-way road
Two-way traffic straight ahead
Opening or swing bridge ahead
Low-flying aircraft or sudden aircraft noise
Traffic signals not in use
Level crossing with barrier or gate ahead
Level crossing without barrier or gate ahead
Level crossing without barrier
School crossing patrol ahead (some signs have amber lights which flash when children are crossing)
Frail (or blind or disabled if shown) pedestrians likely to cross road ahead
Pedestrians in road ahead
Overhead electric cable; plate indicates maximum height of vehicles which can pass safely
Available width of headroom indicated
Sharp deviation of route to left (or right if chevrons reversed)
Light signals ahead at level crossing, airfield or bridge
Miniature warning lights at level crossings
Accompanied horses or ponies
Traffic queues likely ahead
Distance over which road humps extend
Other danger; plate indicates nature of danger
Direction signs
Mostly rectangular
Signs on motorways - blue backgrounds
At a junction leading directly into a motorway (junction number may be shown on a black background)
On approaches to junctions (junction number on black background)
Route confirmatory sign after junction
Downward pointing arrows mean 'Get in lane'. The left-hand lane leads to a different destination from the other lanes.
The panel with the inclined arrow indicates the destinations which can be reached by leaving the motorway at the next junction
Signs on primary routes - green backgrounds
On approaches to junctions
At the junction
Route confirmatory sign after junction
On approaches to junctions
Primary route forming part of a ring road
On approach to a junction in Wales (bilingual)
Signs on non-primary and local routes - black borders
On approaches to junctions
Direction to toilets with access for the disabled
Other direction signs
Ancient monument in the care of English Heritage
Direction to camping and caravan site
Advisory route for lorries
Route for pedal cycles forming part of a network
Recommended route for pedal cycles to place shown
Symbols showing emergency diversion route for motorway and other main road traffic
Information Signs
All rectangular
Entrance to controlled parking zone
Entrance to congestion charging zone
End of controlled parking zone
Advance warning of restriction or prohibition ahead
Parking place for solo motorcycles
With-flow bus lane ahead which pedal cycles and taxis may also use
Lane designated for use by high occupancy vehicles (HOV) - see rule 142
Vehicles permitted to use an HOV lane ahead
Start of motorway and point from which motorway regulations apply
Appropriate traffic lanes at junction ahead
Traffic on the main carriageway coming from right has priority over joining traffic
Additional traffic joining from left ahead. Traffic on main carriageway has priority over joining traffic from right hand lane of slip road.
Traffic in right hand lane of slip road joining the main carriageway has priority over left hand lane.
'Countdown' markers at exit from motorway
Motorway service area sign showing the operator's name
Traffic has priority over oncoming vehicles
Hospital ahead with Accident and Emergency facilities
Tourist information point
No through road for vehicles
Recommended route for pedal cycles
Area in which cameras are used to enforce traffic regulations
Bus lane on road at junction ahead
Road works signs
Temporary hazard at road works
Temporary lane closure (the number and position of arrows and red bars may be varied according to lanes open and closed)
Slow moving or stationary works vehicle blocking traffic lane. Pass in the direction shown by the arrow
Mandatory speed limit ahead
End of road works and any temporary restrictions
Signs used on the back of slow-moving or stationary vehicles warning of a lane closed ahead by a works vehicle. There are no cones on the road
Lane restrictions at road works ahead
One lane crossover at contraflow road works
