---
title: "Local direction sign Meaning | UK Road Signs | Fast Track"
url: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory/road-signs/local-direction-sign
description: "What blue-bordered local direction signs mean and how they differ from route signs in the DVSA theory test."
lang: en
---

# Local direction sign — UK road sign

A white sign with a blue border, pointing to local facilities and destinations within a town.

Image: Local direction sign — white and blue rectangle UK road sign (https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/signs/local-direction-sign.svg)

Local direction signs are white with a blue border. They point to destinations within a town such as industrial estates, hospitals, schools and leisure centres rather than to other towns.

The blue border is the detail that separates them from non-primary route signs, which have a black border.

## What this sign means

The destinations shown are local facilities reached over short distances on local roads.

These signs are placed by the local highway authority rather than as part of the national route network.

## What to do when you see it

Use them for the last part of a journey once you have left the main route.

- Look for the blue border to identify local signing.
- Expect short distances between signs.
- Watch for pedestrians and parked vehicles on local roads.
- Follow hospital signing carefully, as accident and emergency may be signed separately.

## How this sign is tested

Questions test the border colour distinction between local and non-primary route signing.

Hospital signing appears in questions about emergency destinations.

## Common mistakes

Mistaking a blue-bordered local sign for a motorway sign because of the blue.

Following general hospital signs when accident and emergency has its own route.

## Test yourself on this one

Road and traffic signs is the biggest category in the question bank with 102 questions, and signs turn up inside other categories too. Work through them free, no sign-up needed.

Practise road sign questions (https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory/practice)

## Frequently asked questions

What does a blue border on a white sign mean?

It is a local direction sign for destinations within the area.

Is it the same as a motorway sign?

No. Motorway signs have a full blue background.

Are hospitals signed this way?

Often yes, with separate signing for accident and emergency departments.

## Passed your theory? Get the practical booked

Your theory certificate lasts two years. Most learners who use it quickly do it with an intensive course — a block of hours with a DVSA approved instructor and a practical test at the end, instead of one lesson a week for months.

Intensive course prices: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/pricing
All courses: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/courses
Crash courses: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/crash-courses
Automatic lessons: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/driving-lessons/automatic
Areas we cover: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/driving-lessons-in
Driving test centres: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/driving-test-centres
How it works: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/how-it-works
Test pass guarantee: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/test-pass-guarantee

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