This sign is placed at the entrance to a road so drivers know in advance that it leads nowhere else and ends in a dead end.
It saves drivers from wasting time and helps prevent large vehicles from becoming trapped in roads too narrow to turn round in.
What this sign means
The sign shows a simple diagram of a road shaped like a T, with a solid bar drawn across the top to represent the closed end. It is white with black symbols and a black border.
It warns that the road you are about to enter does not lead through to any other road. You will eventually have to turn round and come back the way you went in.
What to do when you see it
Use the information to plan your route before committing to the road.
- Avoid entering if you need a through route to your destination
- Consider whether your vehicle can turn round safely further along
- Use it as a cue that the road may be quieter, with fewer through vehicles
- Check for additional plates giving exceptions, such as for cyclists or pedestrians
How this sign is tested
Theory test questions ask candidates to identify this sign by its shape and meaning, distinguishing it from other warning signs with similar dead end symbols.
You may also be asked about typical situations where the sign is used, such as housing estates or narrow lanes.
Common mistakes
Candidates sometimes confuse this with signs warning of a bend or a junction, missing the specific dead end meaning shown by the bar across the top of the T.
Drivers occasionally assume the sign bans all traffic, when in fact many no through roads remain open to pedestrians and cyclists even though vehicles cannot pass through.
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 questionsFrequently asked questions
Can I still drive down a no through road?
Yes, the sign is informational rather than a ban. It simply warns that the road does not connect through, so you will need to turn back.
What does the symbol on the sign look like?
It shows a T shaped road layout with a bar across the top, representing the dead end.
Why is this sign useful for large vehicles?
It helps drivers of long vehicles avoid entering roads where they may struggle to turn round safely.