---
title: "Loose chippings sign Meaning | UK Road Signs | Fast Track"
url: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory/road-signs/loose-chippings
description: "What the loose chippings sign means, the speed limit that usually goes with it, and how it is tested in the theory test."
lang: en
---

# Loose chippings — UK road sign

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

Image: Loose chippings — red, white and black triangle UK road sign (https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/signs/loose-chippings.svg)

This triangle shows a car wheel throwing up stones and warns that the road surface is covered in loose chippings, normally after surface dressing work.

It is nearly always accompanied by a temporary speed limit of 20 mph and a plate warning of the risk to windscreens.

## What this sign means

The surface has loose stone on it. Grip is reduced, braking distances are longer and stones can be flung up by your own tyres and by other vehicles.

The surface will be swept and settled over the following days, but until then the hazard remains.

## What to do when you see it

Reduce your speed and increase the gap to the vehicle in front.

- Obey the temporary limit, usually 20 mph.
- Drop well back so stones thrown up do not reach your windscreen.
- Avoid heavy braking, sharp steering and hard acceleration.
- Take extra care on bends where the loose surface reduces cornering grip.

## How this sign is tested

Questions ask what the sign warns of and why you should keep well back, with damage to windscreens and reduced grip being the expected reasons.

It also appears in questions about stopping distances on poor surfaces.

## Common mistakes

Assuming the low temporary limit is over cautious and driving at the normal limit.

Following closely behind a lorry, which is the most likely source of flying stone damage.

## 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

Why is there a 20 mph limit with loose chippings?

Low speeds stop tyres flinging stone and give you room to stop on a surface with less grip.

How long do loose chippings last?

Usually a few days, until traffic has bedded the stone into the binder and the excess has been swept.

Who pays for a stone chipped windscreen?

Normally your own insurance, so keeping your distance is the practical protection.

## 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

## Structured data

```json
[
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
      {
        "@type": "Organization",
        "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#organization",
        "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons",
        "url": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/",
        "email": "info@fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk",
        "areaServed": "GB",
        "description": "Intensive driving courses and driving lessons across the UK with DVSA-approved instructors."
      },
      {
        "@type": "WebSite",
        "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#website",
        "url": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/",
        "name": "Fast Track Driving Lessons",
        "publisher": {
          "@id": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/#organization"
        },
        "potentialAction": {
          "@type": "SearchAction",
          "target": {
            "@type": "EntryPoint",
            "urlTemplate": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}"
          },
          "query-input": "required name=search_term_string"
        }
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
      {
        "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
        "itemListElement": [
          {
            "@type": "ListItem",
            "position": 1,
            "name": "Home",
            "item": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/"
          },
          {
            "@type": "ListItem",
            "position": 2,
            "name": "Theory test",
            "item": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory"
          },
          {
            "@type": "ListItem",
            "position": 3,
            "name": "Road signs",
            "item": "https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory/road-signs"
          },
          {
            "@type": "ListItem",
            "position": 4,
            "name": "Loose chippings — UK road sign"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "@type": "FAQPage",
        "mainEntity": [
          {
            "@type": "Question",
            "name": "Why is there a 20 mph limit with loose chippings?",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
              "@type": "Answer",
              "text": "Low speeds stop tyres flinging stone and give you room to stop on a surface with less grip."
            }
          },
          {
            "@type": "Question",
            "name": "How long do loose chippings last?",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
              "@type": "Answer",
              "text": "Usually a few days, until traffic has bedded the stone into the binder and the excess has been swept."
            }
          },
          {
            "@type": "Question",
            "name": "Who pays for a stone chipped windscreen?",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
              "@type": "Answer",
              "text": "Normally your own insurance, so keeping your distance is the practical protection."
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
]
```