LoneTrekker

Common Road Signs in Great Britain

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Most signs in the United Kingdom, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, fall into one of three categories that use the shape of the sign to convey a meaning. In the general, the shapes have the following meaning:

Circular road signs give an order which must be followed to be within the law.

  • Circles with a red border tell you what you must not do (eg. do not make a U-turn).
  • Blue circles give a positive instruction, such as "turn left ahead".

Triangular road signs provide a warning. Triangular signs are designed to warn about the layout of the road or hazards such as sharp bends, that lie ahead. They almost always have a red border.

Rectangular road signs provide information.

  • Blue rectangular signs give information on motorways,
  • green signs direct you on primary roads,
  • white signs give directions on minor roads.
  • Rectangular signs can also indicate bus lanes and congestion charge zones.

Common and Often Mis-Understood Road Signs

national speed limit applies

Meaning: The National Speed Limit applies on the upcoming stretch of road and supercedes any previous speed limit signs, such as passing through temporary roadworks.

Definition of National Speed Limits

  • Built-up area: On a road where street lamps are no more than 200 yards apart, the speed limit is 30mph for all vehicles.
  • Single carriageway: For cars and vans, the speed limit is 60mph or 50mph if towing a trailer or caravan.
  • Dual carriageway and motorway: The speed limit is 70mph for cars and vans, or 60mph if towing a trailer or caravan.
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    clearway sign, no stopping

    Meaning: Clearway - No Stopping

    A red "X" over a blue background indicates a clearway, which means no stopping is allowed, not even to set down or pick up passengers. In some instances, restrictions may only apply at certain times of the day. These signs are often present on major commuter roads.

    This is one of the most commonly misunderstood signs that is often broken by parking or stopping on a clearway.
    No Wating

    Meaning: No Waiting.

    This sign indicates that there should be no stopping and waiting in this section of the road. These signs are often present in towns.
    No Motor Vehicles

    Meaning: No Motor Vehicles.

    This sign means that no vehicles should be driven on the stretch of road where it is displayed. The area it denotes is often reserved for pedestrians and cyclists only.

    This sign, showing a motorbike over a car, is sometimes misunderstood to mean only cars and motorcycles are permitted.
    No Overtaking

    Meaning: No Overtaking

    This sign means no overtaking on the stretch of road on which it is posted. It is often displayed when the road has poor visibility or if it is too narrow for safe overtaking. It also warns you when there is a high risk of vehicles pulling out from parking spaces or driveways that would increase the risk of collisions.
    give way

    Meaning: Give Way to Traffic on Major Road

    One of the most frequently seen signs in on UK roads, provides a warning of a junction ahead. Traffic on the road you will be joining has priority, so you must wait for a safe gap before continuing.

    There are two types of Give Way sign; those with a distance in yards to the junction under the sign, or those with the words written in the middle of the sign.

    The Give Way Sign uses an upside-down triangle compared with other warning signs, so it can still be recognized if it gets defaced such as by snow or vandalism.
    Two Way Traffic Ahead

    Meaning: Two Way Traffic Straight Ahead

    This sign often appears on a stretch of road where a divided highway or dual-carriage way ends and transitions into two-way traffic consisting of single lanes. You should keep to the left-hand side of the road and be aware of oncoming traffic.
    Priority over vehicles from opposite direction

    This sign with a white arrow pointing in the direction you are travelling, and a red arrow point in the opposite direction means you have priority over vehicles travelling from the other way. These signs are often seen when a road or bridge narrows, or as part of traffic calming measures where there is only room for one vehicle to pass.

    If there is already another vehicle travelling towards you in the narrow area, wait for it to pass.

    Note: The textual part of the this sign is not always present, so familiarity with the sign and its meaning is helpful.
    End of Controlled Zone End of Controlled Zone

    This pair of signs generally indicate controlled zones for parking. The first sign provides the information about the controlled zone and the second sign indicates where on the stretch of road the zone ends.

    Signs courtesy of UK Government's Guide to Traffic Signs