Shapes and colours
You can understand most UK signs before you read the details. The shape tells you what kind of message it is, and the colour tells you more. Learn these basic rules first and every other sign becomes easier.
| Shape and colour | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Red circle | An order: something you must not do | No right turn |
| Blue circle | An order: something you must do | Turn left ahead |
| Red triangle | A warning of a hazard ahead | Roundabout ahead |
| Rectangle | Information or directions | One-way traffic |
| Red octagon | STOP (the only eight-sided sign) | Stop and give way |
| Upside-down triangle | GIVE WAY (the only sign of this shape) | Give way |
Red circle: you must not Blue circle: you must Triangle: warning Rectangle: information
There are two important exceptions to the shape rules. The STOP sign is an octagon and the GIVE WAY sign is an upside-down triangle. No other signs use these shapes, so you can recognise them even from behind or when they are partly covered.
Plates under signs
A small rectangular plate under a sign adds to its meaning. It may show a distance ("200 yds"), the times a rule applies ("Mon–Sat 8 am–6 pm") or an exception ("Except buses"). Always read the plate, because it can change what you are allowed to do.
Direction sign colours
- Blue backgrounds are used for motorways.
- Green backgrounds are used for primary routes. Route numbers such as A30 are shown in yellow.
- White backgrounds with a black border are used for local and non-primary routes.
- Brown backgrounds point to tourist attractions.
Motorway Primary route Local route
Signs that give orders
Circular signs give orders that you must obey. Most of them have a red ring, which means "you must not". A red bar across a symbol also means the action is banned.
No entry for vehicles No right turn No left turn No U-turns No overtaking No motor vehicles No vehicles except bicycles being pushed No cycling Width limit
The no entry sign is a solid red circle with a white bar. You will often see a pair of them at the exit of a one-way street. The plain red ring with nothing inside means no vehicles, but you may still push a bicycle.
STOP and GIVE WAY
Stop and give way Give way to traffic on the major road
At a STOP sign you must stop at the solid white line every time, even if the road is clear. At a GIVE WAY sign you must let traffic on the major road go first, but you only need to stop if it is not clear. A give way junction has double broken white lines across your side of the road.
Speed limits
A number in a red circle is the maximum speed in miles per hour. A number on a blue circle is a minimum speed. The white disc with a black diagonal stripe means the national speed limit applies. It does not mean there is no limit.
Maximum speed 30 mph Maximum speed 20 mph National speed limit applies Minimum speed 30 mph
| Road type | National speed limit for cars and motorcycles |
|---|---|
| Single carriageway | 60 mph |
| Dual carriageway | 70 mph |
| Motorway | 70 mph |
Lower national limits apply to some vehicles, such as cars towing caravans or trailers, buses and goods vehicles.
Stopping and waiting
No stopping (clearway) No waiting
Signs with a blue background and red ring control stopping and waiting. A red cross means no stopping: on a clearway you must not stop on the main carriageway, not even to drop off a passenger. A single red diagonal means no waiting; plates and yellow lines show the times.
Blue circles: what you must do
Turn left ahead Keep left Ahead only Mini-roundabout Route for pedal cycles only
Blue circles with no red ring give positive orders: turn this way, keep to this side or go straight ahead. At a mini-roundabout, give way to traffic from your right and go round the central marking clockwise.
Narrow roads and bridges
Give way to oncoming vehicles Priority over oncoming vehicles
At a narrow bridge or road, one direction has priority. On the round sign your arrow is red, so you must give way to oncoming traffic. On the square blue sign your white arrow has priority. Even then, never force your way past a vehicle that is already coming through.
Warning signs
Warning signs are red triangles pointing up. They tell you about a hazard ahead so you have time to slow down and get ready. A plate below may give the distance to the hazard.
Junctions
Crossroads T-junction Side road Staggered junction Roundabout
On junction signs the broader line shows the road with priority. On the T-junction sign the wide bar is the road ahead, so you will need to give way. On the side road sign your road is the wide line, but watch for traffic pulling out.
Bends and road layout
Bend to right Double bend, first to left Road narrows on both sides Road narrows on right Two-way traffic ahead Dual carriageway ends Hump bridge Steep hill downwards Uneven road
Bend and narrowing signs can be reversed to show the other side. The steep hill sign shows the gradient as a percentage: 10% means the road drops about 1 metre for every 10 metres. Use a lower gear going down so the engine helps you control your speed.
Other hazards
Traffic signals Slippery road Falling or fallen rocks Quayside or river bank Road works
People and animals
Children going to or from school Zebra crossing Cycle route ahead Wild animals Cattle
At a zebra crossing, give way to people waiting to cross, and you must give way once they have stepped onto it. Near schools, look out for children who may run into the road. If you see animals, slow down and give them plenty of room.
Level crossings
Level crossing with barrier or gate Level crossing without barrier or gate
The gate symbol warns of a level crossing with barriers or gates. The steam train symbol warns of a crossing with no barrier, where you must look and listen for trains yourself.
Information and motorway signs
Rectangular signs give information. Many of them are blue, and some use lane arrows to show which lane is for which traffic.
Start of motorway End of motorway
From the start of motorway sign, motorway rules apply. Pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and some slow vehicles must not use motorways. At the end of motorway sign, expect lower speed limits and other road users.
One-way traffic With-flow bus lane
The tall blue one-way sign is information, while the round blue ahead only sign is an order. A bus lane sign shows which lane is reserved and, on a plate, the times it is in use. Outside those times other traffic may use the lane.
Road signs in the theory test
In Great Britain the car theory test has 50 multiple-choice questions in 57 minutes, and you need 43 correct to pass that part. You must also pass the hazard perception part, with at least 44 out of 75. Road and traffic signs are one of the topics in the multiple-choice part.
- Group signs by shape and colour, then learn the symbols inside each group.
- Pay attention to pairs that look similar, such as no waiting and no stopping.
- Read every word in the question. "What must you do?" is different from "What does this sign mean?".
- Practise until you can name each sign in a few seconds.