Signs and markings

Traffic signs

Traffic signs used, including signs giving orders, warning signs, direction signs, information signs and road works signs.

Although The Highway Code shows many of the signs commonly in use, a comprehensive explanation of our signing system is given in the Department’s booklet Know Your Traffic Signs, which is on sale at booksellers. The booklet also illustrates and explains the vast majority of signs the road user is likely to encounter.

The signs illustrated in The Highway Code are not all drawn to the same scale. In Wales, bilingual versions of some signs are used including Welsh and English versions of place names. Some older designs of signs may still be seen on the roads.

Signs giving orders

Signs with red circles are mostly prohibitive. Plates below signs qualify their message.

*Manually operated temporary STOP and GO signs*

*No vehicles except bicycles being pushed*

*No vehicle or combination of vehicles over length shown*

*Give priority to vehicles from opposite direction*

*No goods vehicles over maximum gross weight shown (in tonnes) except for loading and unloading*

*No vehicles over maximum gross weight shown (in tonnes)*

*No stopping during period indicated except for buses*

*No stopping during times shown except for as long as necessary to set down or pick up passengers*

Signs with blue circles but no red border mostly give positive instruction.

*Turn left ahead (right if symbol reversed)*

*Vehicles may pass either side to reach same destination*

*Mini-roundabout (roundabout circulation – give way to vehicles from the immediate right)*

*Segregated pedal cycle and pedestrian route*

*Pedestrian crossing point over tramway*

*One-way traffic (note: compare circular ‘Ahead only’ sign)*

Warning signs

Mostly triangular

*Road narrows on right (left if symbol reversed)*

T-junction with priority over vehicles from the right

The priority through route is indicated by the broader line.

*Double bend first to left (symbol may be reversed)*

*Bend to right (or left if symbol reversed)*

*Low-flying aircraft or sudden aircraft noise*

Gradients may be shown as a ratio i.e. 20% = 1:5

*Level crossing with barrier or gate ahead*

*Level crossing without barrier or gate ahead*

*School crossing patrol ahead (some signs have amber lights which flash when crossings are in use)*

*Frail (or blind or disabled if shown) pedestrians likely to cross road ahead*

*Overhead electric cable; plate indicates maximum height of vehicles which can pass safely*

*Sharp deviation of route to left (or right if chevrons reversed)*

*Light signals ahead at level crossing, airfield or bridge*

*Miniature warning lights at level crossings*

*Other danger; plate indicates nature of danger*

Direction signs

Mostly rectangular

Signs on motorways – blue backgrounds

*At a junction leading directly into a motorway (junction number may be shown on a black background)*

*On approaches to junctions (junction number on black background)*

*Route confirmatory sign after junction*

*Downward pointing arrows mean ‘Get in lane’ The left-hand lane leads to a different destination from the other lanes.*

Signs on primary routes – green backgrounds

Blue panels indicate that the motorway starts at the junction ahead. Motorways shown in brackets can also be reached along the route indicated. White panels indicate local or non-primary routes leading from the junction ahead. Brown panels show the route to tourist attractions. The name of the junction may be shown at the top of the sign. The aircraft symbol indicates the route to an airport. A symbol may be included to warn of a hazard or restriction along that route.

*On approach to a junction in Wales (bilingual)*

*Primary route forming part of a ring road*

Signs on non-primary and local routes – black borders

Green panels indicate that the primary route starts at the junction ahead. Route numbers on a blue background show the direction to a motorway. Route numbers on a green background show the direction to a primary route.

*Direction to toilets with access for the disabled*

Other direction signs

*Ancient monument in the care of English Heritage*

*Route for pedal cycles forming part of a network*

*Recommended route for pedal cycles to place shown*

*Symbols showing emergency diversion route for motorway and other main road traffic*

Information signs

All rectangular

*Advance warning of restriction or prohibition ahead*

*With-flow bus lane ahead which pedal cycles and taxis may also use*

*Lane designated for use by high occupancy vehicles (HOV) – see rule 142*

*Vehicles permitted to use an HOV lane ahead*

*Start of motorway and point from which motorway regulations apply*

*Appropriate traffic lanes at junction ahead*

*Traffic on the main carriageway coming from right has priority over joining traffic*

*Additional traffic joining from left ahead. Traffic on main carriageway has priority over joining traffic from right hand lane of slip road*

*Traffic in right hand lane of slip road joining the main carriageway has priority over left hand lane*

*Variable speed limit with camera enforcement sign.*

‘Countdown’ markers at exit from motorway (each bar represents 100 yards to the exit). Green-backed markers may be used on primary routes and white-backed markers with black bars on other routes. At approaches to concealed level crossings white-backed markers with red bars may be used. Although these will be erected at equal distances the bars do not represent 100 yard intervals.

*Motorway service area sign showing the operator’s name*

*Traffic has priority over oncoming vehicles*

*Hospital ahead with Accident and Emergency facilities*

*Area in which cameras are used to enforce traffic regulations*

Road work signs

*Temporary lane closure (the number and position of arrows and red bars may be varied according to lanes open and closed)*

*Slow-moving or stationary works vehicle blocking a traffic lane. Pass in the direction shown by the arrow.*

*End of road works and any temporary restrictions including speed limits*

*Signs used on the back of slow-moving or stationary vehicles warning of a lane closed ahead by a works vehicle. There are no cones on the road.*

*One lane crossover at contraflow road works*

Road markings

Road markings used, including those across the carriageway, along the carriageway, along the edge of the carriageway, on the kerb or at the edge of the carriageway and other road markings.

Across the carriageway

*Stop line at signals or police control*

*Stop line for pedestrians at a level crossing*

*Give way to traffic on major road (can also be used at mini roundabouts)*

*Give way to traffic from the right at a roundabout*

*Give way to traffic from the right at a mini-roundabout*

Along the carriageway

*Double white lines – See Rules 128 and 129*

*Areas of white diagonal stripes – See Rule 130*

Along the edge of the carriageway

Waiting restrictions

Waiting restrictions indicated by yellow lines apply to the carriageway, pavement and verge. You may stop to load or unload (unless there are also loading restrictions as described below) or while passengers board or alight. Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time, unless there are signs that specifically indicate seasonal restrictions. The times at which the restrictions apply for other road markings are shown on nearby plates or on entry signs to controlled parking zones. If no days are shown on the signs, the restrictions are in force every day including Sundays and Bank Holidays. White bay markings and upright signs (see below) indicate where parking is allowed.

*Waiting is limited to the duration specified during the days and times shown*

Red Route stopping controls

Red lines are used on some roads instead of yellow lines. The double and single red lines used on Red Routes indicate that stopping to park, load/unload or to board and alight from a vehicle (except for a licensed taxi or if you hold a Blue Badge) is prohibited. The red lines apply to the carriageway, pavement and verge. The times that the red line prohibitions apply are shown on nearby signs, but the double red line ALWAYS means no stopping at any time. On Red Routes you may stop to park, load/unload in specially marked boxes and adjacent signs specify the times and purposes and duration allowed. A box MARKED IN RED indicates that it may only be available for the purpose specified for part of the day (eg between busy peak periods). A box MARKED IN WHITE means that it is available throughout the day.

Red and single yellow lines can only give a guide to the restrictions and controls in force and signs, nearby or at a zone entry, must be consulted.

*No stopping during times shown on sign*

*Parking is limited to the duration specified during the days and times shown*

*Only loading may take place at the times shown for up to a maximum duration of 20 mins*

On the kerb or at the edge of the carriageway

Loading restrictions on roads other than Red Routes

Yellow marks on the kerb or at the edge of the carriageway indicate that loading or unloading is prohibited at the times shown on the nearby black and white plates. You may stop while passengers board or alight. If no days are indicated on the signs the restrictions are in force every day including Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Always check the times shown on the plates.

Lengths of road reserved for vehicles loading and unloading are indicated by a white ‘bay’ marking with the words ‘Loading Only’ and a sign with the white on blue ‘trolley’ symbol. This sign also shows whether loading and unloading is restricted to goods vehicles and the times at which the bay can be used. If no times or days are shown it may be used at any time. Vehicles may not park here if they are not loading or unloading.

*No loading or unloading at the times shown*

Other road markings

*Keep entrance clear of stationary vehicles, even if picking up or setting down children*

Parking space reserved for vehicles named

*Do not block that part of the carriageway indicated*

Vehicle markings

Vehicle markings used, including large goods vehicle rear markings, hazard warning plates, projection markers and other markings.

Large goods vehicle rear markings

Motor vehicles over 7500 kilograms maximum gross weight and trailers over 3500 kilograms maximum gross weight

The vertical markings are also required to be fitted to builders’ skips placed in the road, commercial vehicles or combinations longer than 13 metres (optional on combinations between 11 and 13 metres)