UK road signs explained

Road and traffic signs is the largest single category in the theory test question bank. Once you can read a sign by its shape and colour you can work out most answers even when you have never seen that exact sign before. Each page below explains what the sign means, what you have to do at the wheel, and how examiners test it.

Browse signs by category

We group signs the same way the DVSA and the Highway Code do, so you can revise one category at a time.

Red-bordered triangle. Heavy exam focus.

Crossroads ahead

This warning sign alerts drivers to an upcoming four-way junction.

Roundabout ahead

This warning sign alerts drivers to an upcoming roundabout junction.

Side winds

Warns drivers of severe crosswinds that can destabilise vehicles, particularly high-sided or light transport.

Road works ahead

Warns drivers of maintenance work, temporary obstacles, and workers on or near the carriageway ahead.

Temporary traffic lights ahead

Warns drivers that portable or temporary traffic signals control road movement ahead.

Road narrows on both sides

This sign warns that the width of the road decreases symmetrically ahead from both directions.

Circle. Heavy exam focus.

Stop sign

The only sign in the UK with eight sides, and the only one where slowing down isn't good enough.

Give way sign

An inverted triangle that asks for judgement, not a guaranteed stop, and that's exactly why it trips learners up.

No entry sign

A solid red circle with a white bar, and one of the few signs where breaking the rule can quickly become dangerous, not just illegal.

No waiting sign

A red X on a blue circle that stops learners more in the DVSA test than any parking-related question deserves to.

No motor vehicles

This sign prohibits all engine-powered vehicles while allowing non-motorised traffic such as bicycles.

No stopping

The clearway sign prohibits drivers from stopping their vehicle at any time on the marked stretch of road.

Circle with red border. Heavy exam focus.

National speed limit sign

A plain white circle with a black diagonal stripe that hides one of the most misunderstood rules in the whole Highway Code.

30 mph speed limit sign

The most common speed limit in built-up Britain, and one the theory test expects you to recognise even without a sign present.

National speed limit applies

This circular sign indicates that the UK national speed limit applies on the stretch of road ahead.

20 mph speed limit

This regulatory sign enforces a maximum speed limit of 20 mph to protect pedestrians and vulnerable road users.

30 mph speed limit

This circular red sign establishes a mandatory maximum speed limit of 30 mph.

40 mph speed limit

This sign sets a maximum speed limit of 40 mph on semi-urban connector roads and suburban bypasses.

Painted on the road. Medium exam focus.

Give way line

Give way lines across a junction show where you must yield priority to traffic on the main road.

Stop line

A solid white stop line requires vehicles to come to a complete halt before crossing.

Double white lines

Double white lines separate traffic lanes and enforce strict overtaking restrictions depending on the line closest to you.

Hatched road markings

Hatched road markings separate traffic lanes, protect turning traffic, or reduce road space for safety.

Box junction

Yellow criss-cross box junctions keep busy intersections clear of queueing traffic.

Waiting restrictions

Single and double yellow lines indicate specific times and locations where vehicle waiting is restricted.

Blue rectangle or circle. Medium exam focus.

Motorway starts

The motorway entrance sign marks the start of a motorway and the beginning of special motorway driving regulations.

Lane closed ahead

Lane closure signs inform motorway drivers that one or more lanes ahead are closed for safety or roadworks.

End of motorway restriction

The end of motorway restriction sign indicates that special motorway regulations no longer apply.

Motorway countdown marker

Blue countdown markers indicate the remaining distance to a motorway exit junction.

Red X motorway signal

A illuminated Red X signal indicates a closed motorway lane that vehicles must not enter or drive in.

Motorway direction sign

Blue advance direction signs tell you which destinations and route numbers each motorway lane or exit serves.

Rectangle. Medium exam focus.

One way traffic sign

A blue rectangle with a white arrow that tells you far more about lane behaviour than most learners realise.

Mini-roundabout sign

A small blue circle with three white arrows that governs a junction far more compact, and often more confusing, than a full-size roundabout.

One-way traffic

The one-way traffic sign indicates that vehicular traffic must travel only in the direction shown by the arrow.

Dual carriageway ends ahead

This sign alerts drivers that the central reservation is ending and two-way traffic will share a single carriageway ahead.

Passing place

A passing place sign marks designated widened areas on narrow single-track roads to allow vehicles to pass or permit overtaking.

Home Zone entry

Home Zone entry signs mark residential areas redesigned to give pedestrians and cyclists priority in low-speed street environments.

Vertical lights. Medium exam focus.

Red traffic light

A solid red light means stop; drivers must remain behind the stop line until a green light appears.

Amber traffic light

An amber light means stop at the stop line unless you have crossed it or are too close to stop safely.

Green traffic light

A green light means you may go straight ahead or turn, provided your exit road is clear and safe.

Red and amber traffic lights together

Red and amber shown together indicate that the signal is about to change to green, but you must not move yet.

Filter arrow left

A green left-filter arrow allows drivers to turn left regardless of main traffic light signals, provided the route is safe.

Filter arrow right

A green right-filter arrow allows drivers to turn right with priority over oncoming traffic.

Triangle or cross. Light exam focus.

Level crossing with barrier or gate ahead

A red-bordered triangle showing a closed gate, warning that a railway crossing with barriers is coming up.

Level crossing without barrier or gate ahead

A triangle showing a steam locomotive, warning of an open railway crossing with no barrier to stop you.

Level crossing countdown markers

Three white boards with red diagonal bars that count down the distance to a level crossing ahead.

Level crossing flashing red light signals

Twin red lamps that flash alternately at a railway crossing, meaning stop and wait for the train.

Level crossing telephone sign

A blue or white plate showing a telephone symbol, marking the emergency line to the railway signaller.

Stop when lights show sign

A rectangular plate at the crossing itself, instructing drivers to stop whenever the red signals are lit.

Yellow rectangle or diamond. Light exam focus.

Loose chippings

A warning triangle showing stones flying from a wheel, used where a surface has been freshly dressed.

Lane closed ahead at road works

A yellow-backed diagram showing which lane is shut and where traffic must move across.

End of road works and any temporary restrictions

A plain sign confirming that the works are behind you and normal rules apply again.

Traffic cones and coned tapers

Red and white cones that mark the boundary of a works area and guide traffic across the carriageway.

Contraflow at road works

A yellow-backed sign warning that traffic will be running on the opposite carriageway through the works.

Slow moving or stationary works vehicle sign

A yellow board with flashing arrows telling drivers which side to pass a works vehicle in the lane.

Rectangle or bay markings. Light exam focus.

Single yellow line

One yellow line along the kerb means waiting is banned during the times shown on the nearby plate.

Double yellow lines

Two yellow lines along the kerb mean no waiting at any time, on any day of the year.

Loading restriction kerb marks

Short yellow bars painted on the kerb that ban loading and unloading, not just waiting.

Controlled parking zone entry sign

A large sign at the entrance to an area where parking is controlled on every street during set hours.

Parking place sign

The blue and white P sign showing an authorised parking area, with conditions on the plate below.

Disabled badge holders parking bay

A bay marked with the wheelchair symbol, reserved for Blue Badge holders only.

Triangle, beacon or stripes. Medium exam focus.

Pelican crossing

Pelican crossings are signal-controlled pedestrian crossings featuring a unique flashing amber signal phase.

Puffin crossing

Puffin crossings use smart electronic sensors to detect pedestrians and do not feature a flashing amber phase.

Toucan crossing

Toucan crossings are shared pedestrian and cycle crossings where cyclists are legally permitted to ride across.

Zebra crossing

Zebra crossings feature black and white road stripes marked by flashing yellow Belisha beacons where drivers must yield to pedestrians.

Equestrian crossing

Equestrian crossings (Pegasus crossings) are designed for horse riders, featuring raised control buttons and horse signal symbols.

Rectangle or circle. Light exam focus.

Pedestrian zone entry sign

A rectangular sign marking the start of an area where vehicle access is restricted in favour of people on foot.

No vehicles except bicycles being pushed

A plain red ring meaning no vehicles at all, with a plate allowing bicycles only if they are pushed.

Pedestrian zone loading hours plate

The plate below a pedestrian zone sign that lists when deliveries may drive in.

Home zone entry sign

A sign marking a residential street designed to be shared between people and vehicles at very low speeds.

End of pedestrian zone

The sign that lifts the pedestrian zone restrictions and returns the street to ordinary traffic rules.

Blue circle or rectangle. Light exam focus.

With-flow bus lane

A blue sign showing a bus and cycle, marking a lane reserved for buses running in the same direction as other traffic.

Contraflow bus lane

A sign warning that buses travel towards you in a lane on the left of a one-way street.

Buses and cycles only

A blue circle showing a bus and a cycle, meaning the road ahead is reserved for those users.

Mandatory cycle lane

A blue circle with a cycle symbol beside a solid white line, marking a lane other vehicles must keep out of.

Cycle route ahead

A warning triangle showing a cycle, telling drivers that a cycle route crosses or joins the road.

No cycling

A red-ringed circle with a cycle symbol, banning cycling on the road or path beyond.

Rectangle. Light exam focus.

Primary route direction sign

A green sign with white lettering and yellow route numbers, used on the main A road network.

Non-primary route direction sign

A white sign with black lettering and a black border, pointing to local and minor roads.

Tourist attraction sign

A brown sign with white lettering, directing visitors to attractions and places of interest.

Advance direction sign

A map-style sign before a junction, showing the layout and which lane leads where.

Route confirmatory sign

A sign after a junction confirming the road you are on and the distances to destinations ahead.

Ring road sign

A direction sign using the ring road symbol to route traffic around a town rather than through it.

Rectangle or square. Light exam focus.

Cycle route direction sign

A blue sign with a cycle symbol and a distance, guiding riders along a signed cycle route.

National Cycle Network route sign

A blue direction sign with a red number panel, marking a numbered National Cycle Network route.

Public footpath sign

A fingerpost marking a right of way for walkers, often where a path meets a rural road.

Bridleway sign

A sign marking a route for horse riders, cyclists and walkers where it meets the road.

Pedestrian direction sign

A small fingerpost or map panel in a town centre, guiding walkers to nearby destinations.

Recommended route for pedal cycles

A blue rectangular sign showing that a recommended cycle route runs ahead on this road.

Triangle or rectangle. Light exam focus.

Low bridge height limit

A red-ringed circle showing a maximum height in feet, inches and metres for the bridge ahead.

Arch bridge ahead

A triangular warning sign showing an arched bridge, where headroom reduces towards the edges.

Hump bridge

A triangular sign showing a humped profile, warning of a short steep bridge that hides the road beyond.

Maximum headroom plate

A yellow-backed plate on a bridge itself, repeating the available headroom in feet and metres.

Low bridge ahead

An advance warning triangle telling drivers of high vehicles that a height restriction is coming up.

Width restriction

A red-ringed circle giving the maximum vehicle width for the road or gap ahead.

Triangle or diamond. Light exam focus.

Trams crossing ahead

A triangular warning sign showing a tram, telling drivers a tramway crosses or joins the road.

Trams only

A sign marking a section of road reserved for trams, which other vehicles must not enter.

Tram signals

White bar signals used to control trams separately from the ordinary traffic lights beside them.

Tram stop ahead

A sign warning of a tram stop where passengers may step into or across the road.

No trams

A red-ringed circle with a tram symbol, prohibiting trams from the route beyond.

Tram lane road markings

Yellow lines and diamond markings that show where a tramway runs within the carriageway.

Overhead signals. Light exam focus.

Tidal flow lane open, green arrow

An overhead green arrow signal showing that a tidal flow lane is open for use in your direction of travel.

Tidal flow lane closed, red cross

An overhead red cross signal showing that a lane is closed to traffic and must not be used.

White diagonal arrow, move left

An overhead white diagonal arrow signal warning drivers that a tidal flow lane is closing and they must move left.

Tidal flow lane ahead

A triangular warning sign advising drivers that a tidal flow lane system operates on the road ahead.

Tidal flow lane control markings

Road markings, often broken white lines with double white lines, used to separate tidal flow lanes from fixed direction traffic.

Triangle or road feature. Light exam focus.

Traffic calming

A warning sign telling drivers that road humps, chicanes or other physical measures lie ahead to slow traffic.

Road humps ahead

A warning triangle showing a rounded hump symbol, telling drivers that speed humps are built into the road surface ahead.

Chicane ahead

A warning sign showing a double bend created by a chicane, used to slow traffic through a series of tight curves.

Give way to oncoming traffic

A circular sign with two facing arrows showing that oncoming vehicles have priority through a narrowed section of road.

20mph zone

A circular sign marking the start of a zone where traffic calming measures support a lower 20mph speed limit.

End of 20mph zone

A circular sign with a diagonal line through the 20 symbol, marking the point where the reduced speed zone finishes.

Framework. Light exam focus.

Circular signs give orders system

Circular signs are used to give orders, either telling drivers what they must do or what they must not do.

Triangular signs warn system

Triangular signs alert drivers to hazards or changes in road conditions ahead, requiring caution rather than a fixed instruction.

Rectangular signs inform system

Rectangular signs provide information such as directions, place names and general guidance rather than orders or warnings.

Blue circles give mandatory instructions system

Blue circular signs tell drivers what they must do, such as follow a specific direction or use a particular lane.

Red ring signs prohibit an action system

Circular signs with a red ring tell drivers what they must not do, such as banning certain vehicles or actions.

Sign colours and backing boards system

The background colour of a sign and any backing board it sits on give extra clues about the road type and urgency of the message.

Various. Light exam focus.

National speed limit plate

A white circular plate with a black diagonal stripe showing that the national speed limit applies on that road.

No through road sign

A rectangular sign showing a T shaped road with a bar across the end, warning that the road ahead does not connect through to another route.

Quiet lane sign

A rectangular sign informing drivers that they are entering a quiet lane where extra care is needed around walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

School crossing patrol sign

A triangular warning sign showing a child and a stop sign held by a patrol, warning drivers of a supervised crossing point near a school.

Hospital sign

A blue rectangular direction sign with an H symbol, guiding drivers towards a hospital, often including accident and emergency facilities.

Ford sign

A triangular warning sign showing a car partly submerged in water, alerting drivers to a stretch of road that crosses a stream or river.