A circular blue sign with a red border and a diagonal red cross indicates a clearway, meaning stopping is strictly prohibited. Unlike standard no-waiting zones where picking up passengers or loading might be permitted, a clearway forbids setting down passengers, parking, or picking up items.
Understanding this prohibition is crucial for both passing your DVSA theory test and avoiding fixed penalty notices while driving on UK routes.
What this sign means
The 'No Stopping' sign—often referred to as a clearway sign—indicates that drivers must not stop their vehicle on the main carriageway under any circumstances during its operating hours.
When displayed as a standalone circular sign, it applies 24 hours a day unless accompanied by a supplementary plate detailing specific times or conditions.
- Red ring with a red cross on a blue background.
- Prohibits stopping to set down or pick up passengers.
- Applies to all motor vehicles unless an emergency arises.
What to do when you see it
Keep driving through the designated zone without pulling over or coming to a halt unless traffic flow or an emergency requires you to do so.
If you need to make a telephone call, read a map, or drop off a passenger, locate a designated lay-by or side road outside the clearway area.
- Maintain progress safely through the clearway.
- Do not park on carriageways or verges.
- Look for designated parking areas off the main route.
How this sign is tested
In the DVSA theory test, multiple-choice questions often ask you to differentiate between 'No Stopping' and 'No Waiting' signs.
You may also be presented with hazard perception or photographic scenarios showing urban or rural clearways where stopping would be unsafe and illegal.
Common mistakes
Learners frequently confuse the 'No Stopping' sign (red cross on blue) with the 'No Waiting' sign (single diagonal red bar on blue).
Another common mistake is assuming that setting down a passenger for just a few seconds is permitted; on a clearway, stopping for any non-emergency reason is strictly illegal.
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Practise road sign questionsFrequently asked questions
Can I stop on a clearway to drop off a passenger?
No, setting down or picking up passengers is not permitted on a clearway.
Does the no stopping rule apply to hard shoulders or lay-bys?
No, designated lay-bys and emergency refuge areas allow you to stop safely clear of the main carriageway.
What is the difference between no waiting and no stopping?
No waiting permits brief stops to load or set down passengers, whereas no stopping forbids halting your vehicle entirely.