--- title: "School Crossing Patrol Sign Meaning | UK Road Signs" url: https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/theory/road-signs/school-crossing-patrol description: "Understand the school crossing patrol sign, when to stop, and how the DVSA theory test covers safety near schools and crossing patrols." lang: en --- # School crossing patrol sign — UK road 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. Image: School crossing patrol — red, white and black triangle UK road sign (https://fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk/signs/school-crossing-patrol.svg) This warning sign is placed near schools where a patrol, sometimes called a lollipop person, helps children and other pedestrians cross the road safely. It gives advance warning so drivers can be ready to stop well before reaching the crossing point. ## What this sign means The sign is a red bordered triangle showing a silhouette of an adult holding a Stop sign for children, alongside a child figure. It warns that a school crossing patrol operates ahead. When the patrol steps into the road and displays the Stop Children sign, all traffic must stop, by law, until the patrol withdraws it and it is safe to move again. ## What to do when you see it Prepare to slow down and stop well before you reach the crossing area. - Reduce speed on approach, especially at school opening and closing times - Watch for children who may appear suddenly near parked cars - Stop completely if the patrol shows the Stop sign, and wait until it is lowered - Avoid overtaking near the crossing point ## How this sign is tested The theory test includes this sign in the warning signs category and may ask what action is required when a patrol displays their sign, testing knowledge that stopping is compulsory. Hazard perception clips may also feature school crossing patrols to assess how quickly you identify and respond to the hazard. ## Common mistakes Some drivers slow down but do not fully stop when the patrol displays the sign, not realising it is a legal requirement rather than a suggestion. Others fail to reduce speed early enough on the approach, leaving too little distance to stop safely if the patrol steps out. ## 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 Must I stop for a school crossing patrol? Yes, by law you must stop when the patrol displays the Stop Children sign, and you must not move off until it is withdrawn. What does the warning sign look like? It is a red triangle showing a person holding a Stop sign next to a child, warning of a patrol ahead. When are school crossing patrols usually out? Typically around school start and finish times, though times can vary between schools. ## 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": "School crossing patrol sign — UK road sign" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Must I stop for a school crossing patrol?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, by law you must stop when the patrol displays the Stop Children sign, and you must not move off until it is withdrawn." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What does the warning sign look like?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It is a red triangle showing a person holding a Stop sign next to a child, warning of a patrol ahead." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When are school crossing patrols usually out?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Typically around school start and finish times, though times can vary between schools." } } ] } ] } ] ```