Yield
Give way
Give way to traffic on the major road.
What to do: Slow down and let traffic on the main road pass before you go.
Priority and junctions
Stop
Stop and give way.
What to do: Stop completely at the line, then give way to traffic on the major road.
No entry
No entry for vehicles.
What to do: Don't drive into this road.
Mini-roundabout
Mini-roundabout ahead. Give way to vehicles from the immediate right.
What to do: Give way to traffic from your right and drive round the central marking, not over it.
Roundabout ahead
Roundabout
Roundabout ahead.
What to do: Slow down, choose your lane and give way to traffic from the right.
Oncoming traffic has priority
Give way to oncoming vehicles
Oncoming traffic has priority through the narrow section ahead.
What to do: Wait for oncoming vehicles to pass before you go.
You have priority over oncoming traffic
Priority over oncoming vehicles
You have priority through the narrow section ahead.
What to do: Go ahead with care, but be ready for drivers who don't give way.
One-way street
One-way traffic
Traffic on this road goes one way only.
What to do: Drive only in the direction of the arrow.
Speed and cameras
National speed limit
National speed limit applies
The national speed limit applies: for cars, 60 mph on a single carriageway and 70 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway.
What to do: Drive at no more than 60 mph on a single carriageway or 70 mph on a dual carriageway. Lower limits apply when towing.
Speed limit
Maximum speed
The maximum speed in miles per hour until another speed limit sign.
What to do: Keep to the speed shown, in mph.
Speed camera
Cameras enforce speed limits or other traffic rules on this road.
What to do: Check your speed against the limit sign shown nearby.
Variable speed limit with camera enforcement
Variable speed limit
Speed limits on this road change and are shown on electronic signs. Cameras enforce them.
What to do: Obey any limit shown in a red circle on the overhead signs.
Average speed cameras
Average speed check
Average speed cameras measure your speed between two or more points.
What to do: Keep to the limit for the whole stretch, not just past each camera.
Entry to 20 mph zone
20 mph zone
A 20 mph limit applies throughout the zone.
What to do: Keep to 20 mph until a sign shows the zone has ended.
End of 20 mph zone
The 20 mph zone ends and the limit shown begins.
What to do: Keep to the new limit shown.
Motorways and overtaking
Motorway begins
Start of motorway
Motorway regulations apply from this point.
What to do: Expect the 70 mph national limit for cars, and keep in the left lane unless overtaking.
Motorway ends
End of motorway
Motorway regulations end.
What to do: Watch for the new speed limit and for junctions, pedestrians and slower traffic.
No overtaking
Overtaking is not allowed.
What to do: Stay behind the vehicle in front until the restriction ends.
Warnings
Railway crossing with barriers
Level crossing with barrier or gate ahead
A railway level crossing with a barrier or gate is ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop when the lights show.
Zones and parking
Congestion charge zone entrance
Congestion charging zone
You are entering the London Congestion Charge zone.
What to do: If you drive in during charging hours, pay the daily charge online by midnight on the third day after.
Bus lane
A lane ahead, running with the traffic, reserved for buses and cycles during its hours of operation.
What to do: Don't drive in the lane during its hours of operation. Check the nearby signs for the times.
No stopping
No stopping (clearway)
No stopping on the main carriageway.
What to do: Don't stop, even to drop off or pick up passengers.
Bus lane in the road ahead
Bus lane on road at junction ahead
The road you are about to turn into has a bus lane.
What to do: Check the bus lane's hours before you turn into it.
No waiting
No waiting during the times shown on the plate or nearby.
What to do: Don't park here during the restricted times.
Urban clearway
No stopping during the times shown, except as long as needed to set down or pick up passengers.
What to do: Don't stop or park here during the times shown.
Other signs
Yellow box junction (road marking)
Box junction
You must not enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear.
What to do: Wait before the box until you can drive straight through it. You may wait inside it to turn right if only oncoming traffic stops you.
Lane closed
Red X
The lane is closed.
What to do: Move out of the lane in good time. Driving in it is an offence caught by cameras.
Red route: no stopping
Red route
On this red route, stopping is banned at the times shown.
What to do: Don't stop on red lines. Use marked bays only when signs allow.
Divided road ends
Dual carriageway ends
The dual carriageway ends and two-way traffic follows.
What to do: Expect oncoming traffic on the same road and a lower national limit of 60 mph.
Words on the signs
| On the sign | Means |
|---|---|
| Give way | Yield |
| Dual carriageway | Divided highway with a central reservation between the two directions The national limit for cars is 70 mph. |
| Single carriageway | Road with no central reservation between the two directions The national limit for cars is 60 mph. |
| National speed limit | The default limit for the road type: 60 mph on single carriageways, 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways Shown by a white disc with a black diagonal band. |
| Roundabout | Traffic circle Traffic goes clockwise and gives way to the right. |
| Mini-roundabout | Small roundabout with a marked central circle Drive round the central marking, not over it. |
| Box junction | Junction marked with criss-cross yellow lines Don't enter until your exit is clear. |
| Filter arrow | Green arrow light for one lane Lets traffic in that lane go in the arrow's direction. |
| Zebra crossing | Pedestrian crossing with black and white stripes Give way once a pedestrian has stepped onto it. |
| Pelican crossing | Pedestrian crossing with traffic lights and a flashing amber phase On flashing amber, give way to anyone still crossing. |
| Puffin and toucan crossings | Pedestrian (and cycle) crossings with traffic lights and no flashing amber phase |
Drawings follow the official designs described by the United Kingdom's road authorities. Real signs vary a little in size and lettering. The full guide to driving in the United Kingdom