Home / Road signs
UK road signs and their meanings
Signs follow a simple code: circles give orders, triangles warn, rectangles inform. Learn the shapes first and most signs become easy to read.
Prohibitory signs (red ring)
No entryNo entry for vehicular traffic
StopStop and give way
Give wayGive way to traffic on the major road
20 mph limitMaximum speed limit 20 mph
30 mph limitMaximum speed limit 30 mph
40 mph limitMaximum speed limit 40 mph
50 mph limitMaximum speed limit 50 mph
60 mph limitMaximum speed limit 60 mph
National speed limitNational speed limit applies
No overtakingNo overtaking
No vehiclesNo vehicles allowed
No cyclingNo cycling
No pedestriansNo pedestrians
No left turnNo left turn
No U-turnNo U-turns
No waitingNo waiting
No stopping (clearway)No stopping
Weight limitMaximum weight limit of 7.5 tonnes
Mandatory signs (blue circle)
Turn leftTurn left ahead
Ahead onlyAhead only
Keep leftKeep left
Mini-roundaboutMini-roundabout: give way to traffic from the right
Cycle trackCycle track. Cyclists only
Warning signs (red triangle)
CrossroadsCrossroads ahead
T-junctionT-junction ahead
RoundaboutRoundabout ahead
Traffic lightsTraffic signals ahead
Pedestrian crossingPedestrian crossing ahead
ChildrenChildren crossing or going to or from school
Slippery roadSlippery road ahead
Steep hill downwardsSteep hill downwards
Bend to rightBend to the right ahead
Double bendDouble bend, first to the left
Road narrowsRoad narrows on both sides
Uneven roadUneven road surface
Level crossing with barrierLevel crossing with barrier or gate ahead
Level crossing without barrierLevel crossing without a gate or barrier ahead
Road worksRoad works ahead
Falling rocksRisk of falling or fallen rocks
CyclistsCyclists likely to be in the road
Two-way trafficTwo-way traffic straight ahead
Information signs
ParkingParking place
HospitalHospital ahead
No through roadNo through road for vehicles
Road markings
Double solid white linesDouble solid white lines: do not cross to overtake
Single broken centre lineNormal centre line: you may cross it when it is safe
Hazard warning lineHazard warning line: a hazard ahead, so do not cross unless the road is clear
Hatched areaHatched markings: do not enter unless necessary and safe
Yellow box junctionYellow box junction: do not enter unless your exit is clear
Zigzag lines at a crossingZigzag lines: no parking or overtaking near the crossing
Single yellow lineSingle yellow line: waiting restrictions at the times shown on signs
Double yellow linesDouble yellow lines: no waiting at any time
Give way lineBroken line across the road at a junction: give way
Stop lineSolid line across the road: stop line
Red route linesDouble red lines: no stopping at any time
Cycle laneCycle lane with a solid white line: keep out while it applies
School keep clearSchool keep clear zigzag: no stopping, even briefly, at the times shown
Test yourself
The app has a road signs quiz that picks signs you have not mastered yet.
Get the app