Road sign
Traffic signs or road signs are signs erected at the side of or above roads to give instructions or provide information to road users. The earliest signs were simple wooden or stone milestones. Later, signs with directional arms were introduce ...
s in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
and in its associated
Crown dependencies and
overseas territories conform broadly to European design norms, though a number of signs are unique: direction signs omit
European route number
The international E-road network is a numbering system for roads in Europe developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The network is numbered from E1 up and its roads cross national borders. It also reaches Centr ...
s and road signs generally use the
Imperial System
The imperial system of units, imperial system or imperial units (also known as British Imperial or Exchequer Standards of 1826) is the system of units first defined in the British Weights and Measures Act 1824 and continued to be developed th ...
of units (
miles and
yards
The yard (symbol: yd) is an English unit of length in both the British imperial and US customary systems of measurement equalling 3 feet or 36 inches. Since 1959 it has been by international agreement standardized as exactly ...
), unlike the rest of Europe (
km and
m).
Signs in Wales and
parts of Scotland are
bilingual.
A range of signs are used on British roads such as motorway signs, warning signs, and regulatory signs.
History
![UK warning road sign (old style)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/UK_warning_road_sign_%28old_style%29.jpg)
Modern British road signage can be traced to the development of the
"ordinary" bicycle and the establishment of clubs to further the interests of its riders, notably the
Cyclists' Touring Club
Cycling UK is a trading name of the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC), which is a charitable membership organisation supporting cyclists and promoting bicycle use. Cycling UK is registered at Companies House as "Cyclists’ Touring Club", and is co ...
(CTC), the
National Cyclists' Union (NCU) and the
Scottish Cyclists' Union
Scottish Cycling, legally the Scottish Cyclists' Union (SCU), is the Sport governing body, governing body for cycle sport in Scotland and is part of British Cycling, the national governing body in Britain.
Scottish Cycling is currently locate ...
(SCU). By the early 1880s, all three organisations were erecting their own cast-iron "danger boards". Importantly, these signs warned of hazards, rather than just stating distances or giving direction to places, acknowledging the fact that cyclists, like modern motorists, were unlikely to be familiar with the roads they were travelling along and were moving too fast to take avoiding action without prior warning. In addition, it was the cycling lobby that successfully pressured the government in 1888 into vesting ownership of and responsibility for roads with county councils in previously established
highway district {{short description, Type of district in England and Wales
Highway Districts were areas in England and Wales united for the maintenance and repair of highways. They were first formed in 1862 and consisted of groupings of civil parishes in rural ar ...
s that would be funded from taxation rather than tolls. The districts were active in the erection of semi-standardised directional signs and
mileposts in the latter years of the 19th century.
The rise of motoring after 1896 saw the pattern repeated. The larger motoring clubs, notably
The Automobile Association
AA Limited, trading as The AA (formerly The Automobile Association), is a British motoring association.
Founded in 1905, it provides vehicle insurance, driving lessons, breakdown cover, loans, motoring advice, road maps and other services. T ...
(AA) and the Royal Scottish Automobile Club (RSAC) erected their own, idiosyncratic warning boards and direction signs on a wide scale. Under the
Motor Car Act 1903
The Motor Car Act 1903 (3 Edw.7, c. 36) was an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament that received royal assent on 14 August 1903, which introduced motor vehicle registration, driver licensing and increased the speed limit.
Context
The Act follo ...
four national signs were created which were to be set at least from the ground and from their reference point. These signs were distinguished based on their shape, rather than a symbol or writing on them. These included a white ring meaning speed limited (as marked on a small information plate below it); a white (sometimes red) diamond for a "motor notice" such as a weight restriction (given on a plate below); a red disc for a prohibition; and a red open triangle for a hazard or warning. The latter two could provide more detail by having an information plate below them, but often it was left to the motorist to guess what the sign was referring to, and it was common to have variations between different local areas for what was a prohibition or just a "notice". This format was to develop into the British road sign that was standard from 1934 until 1964. Before this time regulations for traffic signs were published under powers created by the
Road Traffic Act 1930
The Road Traffic Act 1930 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom introduced by the Minister of Transport Herbert Morrison.
Context
The last major legislation on road traffic was the Motor Car Act 1903. Amendments had been discusse ...
and so national road signage specifications were only advisory.
![Old roadsign, Blackawton](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Old_roadsign%2C_Blackawton.jpg)
Following a review of national signage in 1921, a limited number of warning and hazard information plates also used symbols, rather than only text. Such symbols had been developed in continental Europe as early as 1909, but before this had been dismissed by the UK which favoured the use of text. The symbols were simple silhouettes which were easy to recognise at a distance. Some were unusual, such as 'SCHOOL' (and later 'CHILDREN') was depicted by the 'flaming torch of knowledge'. The government made increasing efforts to standardise road signs in the
Road Traffic Act 1930
The Road Traffic Act 1930 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom introduced by the Minister of Transport Herbert Morrison.
Context
The last major legislation on road traffic was the Motor Car Act 1903. Amendments had been discusse ...
(RTA) and regulations of 1933, being finally consolidated with the publication of the 1934 ''Road Traffic Acts and Regulations'' handbook. These saw the end of non-standard permanent signs being erected by motoring clubs, such as the black and yellow vitreous enamel AA signs (although this did not include temporary direction signs). While the RSAC had ceased erecting signs, the
Royal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club is a British private social and athletic club. It has two clubhouses: one in London at 89 Pall Mall, and the other in the countryside at Woodcote Park, near Epsom in Surrey. Both provide accommodation and a range ...
(RAC) had begun to do so to RTA specifications (save for the inclusion of the RAC badge) and was very active in this respect in the late-1930s.
![Motor Sign Posts - Pryke & Palmer - 1930 (cropped)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Motor_Sign_Posts_-_Pryke_%26_Palmer_-_1930_%28cropped%29.jpg)
The 1934 national British signs included: a red disc (for a prohibition), a red open triangle (for a warning or hazard), a red ring (for an order), and a red open triangle in a circle for a new warning with an order (which had the plates 'SLOW - MAJOR ROAD AHEAD' and 'HALT AT MAJOR ROAD AHEAD', the predecessors of 'GIVE WAY' and 'STOP' signs respectively). All signs were to carry information plates mounted below them, which were illustrated with a wide range of prescribed standardised symbols, and only text when no symbol existed. The lettering and symbols were black on a white background, except for orders (like 'TURN LEFT') which were white on blue. New to the UK were the first combination sign, which incorporated information on the sign itself, the 30 miles per hour speed restriction (introduced in 1934), with '30' in black letters on a white disc surrounded by a red ring, to indicate it is an order sign. The 30 mph sign was accompanied by its 'derestriction' sign, a white disc with a diagonal black band bisecting it, which marked the end of the restriction. Neither of these signs required separate information plates. The 1934 RTA&R also clarified direction and distance signage, which remained in that form until 1964. All signs were mounted on posts painted in black and white stripes, and their reverse sides were finished black, green, or more rarely (usually after repainting) white. The 'HALT' plate was unique in being T-shaped; orders were mainly landscape and warnings always portrait. Sizes were strictly prescribed, the warning plate being with the surmounting triangle equal.
![Post-wat AA sign](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Post-wat_AA_sign.jpg)
As part of its
anti-invasion preparations during World War II, the British government instructed all navigational signposts and
railway station signs to be removed, so as not to aid potential enemy ground movements. After the war ended, larger motoring associations embarked upon a programme to erect temporary road signs. These temporary signs, which were not required to conform to the standardisation laid down by the government, usually displayed the motoring association’s logo and colour-scheme.
![Old-style School Road Sign Glastonbury](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Old-style_School_Road_Sign_Glastonbury.jpg)
Some road signs were subject to minor modification, mainly in the early post-
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
years. For instance, 'SCHOOL' became a schoolboy and girl marching off a kerb, 'CHILDREN' a boy and girl playing handball on a kerb's edge. A train 'CROSSING NO GATES' was given a more toy-like locomotive. Meanwhile, the triangle was inverted for 'HALT' and 'SLOW', while 'NO ENTRY' became a combination sign - a red disc bisected by a horizontal white rectangle bearing the lettering. Orders were now black on white, save for 'NO WAITING', which was black on yellow in a red ring. Some of these changes were part of an attempt to reflect European standards.
Early road signs were usually
cast iron
Cast iron is a class of iron– carbon alloys with a carbon content more than 2%. Its usefulness derives from its relatively low melting temperature. The alloy constituents affect its color when fractured: white cast iron has carbide impur ...
, but this was increasingly displaced by cast
aluminium
Aluminium (aluminum in American and Canadian English) is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately one third that of steel. I ...
in the 1930s. Cast signs were designed to be maintained by being repainted with the raised lettering and symbol easily picked out by an untrained hand. This sort of sign was sometimes given an element of night use by the inclusion of glass reflectors. An alternative to casting and painting was
vitreous enamel
Vitreous enamel, also called porcelain enamel, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between . The powder melts, flows, and then hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating. The word comes from the Lati ...
led sheet iron or
steel. In the 1950s cast signs were quickly displaced by sheet metal (usually aluminium) coated with adhesive plastics; these could be made reflective, famously by
Scotchlite. Such signs had become almost universal by the reforms of the early 1960s.
The major reform of UK road signage to better reflect European practice happened in two stages. The first was associated with the first motorway construction project and the development of a signage system for it by the Anderson Committee of 1957. Although it was additional to the existing signage, it set several benchmarks that were developed under the
Worboys Committee
The Worboys Committee was formed by the British government to review signage on all British roads. In its July 1963 report ''Traffic signs: report of the committee on traffic signs for all-purpose roads'', it found existing road signs to be ob ...
of 1963 that was largely responsible for the road signage system effected from 1964, which is still current. Until Worboys, the most notable differences between European and UK signs was the use of symbols without text wherever possible, thereby increasing the internationalism of their meaning, and with their combined nature, such as warning signs having the symbol inside the triangle instead of on a separate information plate, on the continent. The Worboys Committee recommended that such practices were adopted in the UK and the 'New Traffic Signs' of 1964 were part of the most comprehensive reformation of the UK streetscape ever. Unlike previous government efforts to regulate signage, which tended to be cumulative, Worboys argued a modernist position of starting from a clean slate, with all previous signs being deemed obsolete, illegal even, therefore subject to total and systematic replacement. As a result, local authorities were charged with massive resignage programmes. Order and Prohibition signs were almost all replaced within a couple of years, with the warning and direction signs taking a longer amount of time. Few pre-1964 warning signs survived more than about ten years and while direction signs were similarly replaced more have survived as they were not deemed as essential.
The system currently in use was mainly developed in the late 1950s and the early 1960s, with additional colour-coding introduced in the mid-1980s. There were three major steps in the development of the system.
* The Anderson Committee established the
motorway
A controlled-access highway is a type of highway that has been designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow—ingress and egress—regulated. Common English terms are freeway, motorway and expressway. Other similar terms i ...
signing system.
* The Worboys Committee reformed signing for existing all-purpose roads.
* The Guildford Rules introduced features to indicate different categories of route.
Anderson Committee
In 1957, a government committee was formed to design signs for the new motorway network. A system was needed that could be easily read at high speed.
Colin Anderson, chairman of
P&O, was appointed chairman; T. G. Usborne, of the
Ministry of Transport
A ministry of transport or transportation is a ministry responsible for transportation within a country. It usually is administered by the ''minister for transport''. The term is also sometimes applied to the departments or other government ag ...
, had charge of proceedings. Two graphic designers were commissioned to design the system of signage:
Jock Kinneir
Richard "Jock" Kinneir (11 February 1917 – 23 August 1994) was a British typographer and graphic designer who, with his colleague Margaret Calvert, designed many of the road signs used throughout the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies, an ...
and his assistant (and later business partner)
Margaret Calvert
Margaret Vivienne Calvert (born 1936) is a British typographer and graphic designer who, with colleague Jock Kinneir, designed many of the road signs used throughout the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies, and British Overseas Territories, as w ...
. The new signs were first used on the
Preston bypass in 1958.
Worboys Committee
The UK government formed another committee in 1963 to review signage on all British roads. It was chaired by Sir Walter Worboys of
Imperial Chemical Industries.
The result was a document that defined traffic signing in Britain, the ''
Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (commonly abbreviated to TSRGD) is the law that sets out the design and conditions of use of official traffic signs that can be lawfully placed on or near roads in Great Britain (England, Sc ...
'' (TSRGD). It was first introduced on 1 January 1965 but has been updated many times since. It is comparable with the
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
The ''Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways'' (usually referred to as the ''Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices'', abbreviated MUTCD) is a document issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the Unit ...
in the United States. The TSRGD is a Statutory Instrument that prescribes the sign faces and permitted variants that may be used on UK roads.
The TSRGD is supported by the Traffic Signs Manual (TSM), which consists of eight separately-published chapters which provide "the codes to be followed in the use, siting, and illumination of signs both on all-purpose roads and motorways. It also covers temporary signs for use in connection with road works, in an emergency by the police, and temporary route signing by motoring organisations and highway authorities."
Guildford Rules
To eliminate sign clutter in the mid-1980s, a colour-coding system was developed to indicate different route types on a single sign. The system, also adopted in the
Republic of Ireland
Ireland ( ga, Éire ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (), is a country in north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 Counties of Ireland, counties of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city is Dublin, on the eastern ...
, became known as ''Guildford Rules'', after trials in
Guildford,
Surrey.
Design
Detailed guidelines govern road signs in the United Kingdom. The basic units of measurement used by sign designers and typographers are the '
x-height
upright 2.0, alt=A diagram showing the line terms used in typography
In typography, the x-height, or corpus size, is the distance between the baseline and the mean line of lowercase letters in a typeface. Typically, this is the height of the le ...
' (the height of the lower case letter 'x') and the 'stroke width' (sw) (4 sw = 1 x-height). The sizes of borders, symbols and arrows and the spacing and layout of the sign face are expressed in sw, so that all the elements remain in proportion. The x-height of a sign is dictated mainly by the speed of traffic approaching it; hence x-heights are common on motorways, whereas parking signs are mostly at or x-height.
Shape
Almost all signs have rounded corners. This is partly for aesthetic reasons. It is also safer for anyone coming into contact with a sign, and it makes the sign more durable, as rain and snow are less likely to corrode the corners.
File:Traffic-signs-manual-chapter-3-diagram 602 (2008).svg,
File:Traffic signs manual-chapter-4-diagram 557 (2008).svg,
File:Traffic signs manual-chapter-4-diagram 557x1 (2008).svg,
File:Traffic-signs-manual-chapter-3-diagram 601-1 (2008).svg,
File:Traffic-signs-manual-chapter-3-diagram 608 (2008).svg,
Units of measurement
The United Kingdom uses mostly
imperial units
The imperial system of units, imperial system or imperial units (also known as British Imperial or Exchequer Standards of 1826) is the system of units first defined in the British Weights and Measures Act 1824 and continued to be developed th ...
on road signs for distance measurements and speed limits.
Vehicle weight limits are signed only in metric (TSRGD 1981) but older signs with height, width and length restrictions may show metric units in addition to imperial. For distances only miles and yards are used. From March 2015, all new height, width and length restrictions must have dual metric-imperial units.
Colours
Three colour combinations are used on Worboys direction signs depending upon the category of the route. All roads are categorised as either
motorways
A controlled-access highway is a type of highway that has been designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow—ingress and egress—regulated. Common English terms are freeway, motorway and expressway. Other similar terms i ...
(white on blue), primary routes (white on dark green with yellow route numbers), or non-primary routes (black on white).
TSRGD 1994 also prescribed a system of white-on-brown direction signs for tourist and recreational attractions. TSRGD 2002 updated this and introduced a system of black-on-yellow signs for
roadworks
Roadworks (called road work or road construction in the United States) occur when part of the road, or in rare cases, the entire road, has to be occupied for work relating to the road, most often in the case of road surface repairs. In the ...
. TSRGD 2016 is the current version in force.
On Advance Direction Signs, as introduced under the Guildford Rules, the background colour indicates the category of route on which it is located.
On all directional signs, destination names are placed on the colour appropriate to the category of route used from that junction.
A panel of one colour on a different colour of background, therefore, indicates a change of route status.
A smaller area of colour, called a patch, surrounds a bracketed route number (but not its associated destination) to indicate a higher status route that is joined some distance away.
A patch may only be coloured blue or green.
![Ministry of Defence Road Sign](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Ministry_of_Defence_Road_Sign.jpg)
Signs indicating a temporary change, such as roadworks or route diversions, are denoted with a yellow background. Usually, these signs use a simple black on yellow colour code, more complex signage use the conventional signs superimposed onto a yellow background.
In some areas, such as the
Dartmoor National Park
Dartmoor is an upland area in southern Devon, England. The moorland and surrounding land has been protected by National Park status since 1951. Dartmoor National Park covers .
The granite which forms the uplands dates from the Carboniferous P ...
, additional signs and colours are used to distinguish road conditions. In addition to the national colour schemes, the park also uses white signs with a light blue border and text to denote routes suitable for medium-sized vehicles and white signs with a brown border and text for routes suitable for cars and small vehicles only. The park also uses
fingerpost
A fingerpost (sometimes referred to as a guide post) is a traditional type of sign post primarily used in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, consisting of a post with one or more arms, known as fingers, pointing in the directio ...
signs for routes suitable for local traffic only. These routes are publicised in park leaflets and other media.
For ease of reference, the main colour-coding rules may be summarised as below:
The colour-coding for panels on signs may be summarised as below:
Typefaces
Two
typeface
A typeface (or font family) is the design of lettering that can include variations in size, weight (e.g. bold), slope (e.g. italic), width (e.g. condensed), and so on. Each of these variations of the typeface is a font.
There are thousands o ...
s are specified for British road signs:
Transport
Transport (in British English), or transportation (in American English), is the intentional movement of humans, animals, and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, land ( rail and road), water, cable, pipelin ...
and
Motorway
A controlled-access highway is a type of highway that has been designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow—ingress and egress—regulated. Common English terms are freeway, motorway and expressway. Other similar terms i ...
.
Transport is a mixed-case font and is used for all text on fixed permanent signs except route numbers on motorway signs.
It is used in two weights: Transport Medium (for light text on dark backgrounds) and Transport Heavy (for dark text on light backgrounds).
Motorway has a limited character set consisting of just numbers and a few letters and symbols needed to show route numbers; it has elongated characters and is designed to add emphasis to route numbers on motorways.
Motorway is used to sign all route numbers on motorways themselves, and may also be used on non-motorway roads to sign directions in which motorway regulations apply immediately (such as motorway slip roads). Motorway Permanent is light characters on a dark background; Motorway Temporary is dark on light.
Transport Medium and Motorway Permanent were developed for the Anderson Committee and appeared on the first motorway signs. The other two typefaces are similar but have additional stroke width in the letters to compensate for light backgrounds. These typefaces are the only ones permitted on road signs in the UK. Although signs containing other typefaces do appear occasionally in some places, they are explicitly forbidden in government guidelines and are technically illegal.
Language
![Drive-on-the-left-kent-1b](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Drive-on-the-left-kent-1b.jpg)
Bilingual signs are used in Wales. Welsh highway authorities, until 2016, could choose whether the signs in their area were "English-priority" or "Welsh-priority", and the language having priority in each highway authority's area appeared first on signs. Most of south Wales used English-priority while western, mid, and most of northern Wales were Welsh-priority. New regulations that came into force in 2016 mandate all signs to be in Welsh first, with the existing "English-priority" signage being replaced only when they otherwise would. Bilingual signs were permitted by special authorisation after 1965, and in 1972 the Bowen Committee recommended that they should be provided systematically throughout Wales.
A small number of multilingual signs exist in the UK on major roads that leave major ports (such as the
Port of Dover). They give the UK standard speed limits and remind drivers to
drive on the left, in English, French, and German. Multilingual 'no stopping' signs exist in several locations on the
M25.
In the
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands ( sco, the Hielands; gd, a’ Ghàidhealtachd , 'the place of the Gaels') is a historical region of Scotland. Culturally, the Highlands and the Lowlands diverged from the Late Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland S ...
and Islands, many
road signs have Scottish Gaelic in green, in addition to English in black. This is part of the Gaelic language revival encouraged by many, including the
Scottish Government and
Bòrd na Gàidhlig
(, ) is the executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government with responsibility for Gaelic.[retroreflective
A retroreflector (sometimes called a retroflector or cataphote) is a device or surface that reflects radiation (usually light) back to its source with minimum scattering. This works at a wide range of angle of incidence, unlike a planar mirror, ...]
in order for drivers to read them at night.
There are three commonly used grades of materials used:
*Class 1 (engineering grade) is a low-performance glass bead product, it was the first reflective material used on the UK network and invented by 3M. Today in the UK it is used only for street nameplates and parking signs.
*Class 2 (high-intensity) is generally a microprismatic product which uses truncated cube corners to return light to the driver. It is commonly used for directional signs or less important regulatory signs. There are also high-intensity glass bead products that meet this class.
*Class 3 (diamond grade) is a high end microprismatic product for important signs, those on high-speed roads and in areas of ambient lighting where a driver may be distracted by the light clutter. Class 3 can be divided into two divisions; 3A for long distance and 3B for short distance. Currently, the only product that performs to these levels is
Diamond Grade DG3.
Categorisation
Road signs, markings and signals in the United Kingdom are formally categorised into sets, identifiable by the design number:
* Warning signs (5xx)
* Regulatory signs (6xx)
* Level crossing signs (7xx)
* Information signs (8xx)
* Bus, tram & cycle signs (9xx)
* Road markings (1xxx)
* Direction signs (2xxx)
* Traffic signals (3xxx)
* Signals for crossing facilities (4xxx)
* Lane control signs (5xxx)
* Road works signs (7xxx)
For clarity, signs are more commonly grouped together below
Warning signs
The importance of a
warning sign
A warning sign is a type of sign which indicates a potential hazard, obstacle, or condition requiring special attention. Some are traffic signs that indicate hazards on roads that may not be readily apparent to a driver.
While warning traffi ...
is emphasised by the red border around its edge and the triangular shape. Some warning signs do not have a red border like sharp deviation. The priority of traffic through the junction is indicated by the broader line. Examples below exclude low bridges, railway and tramway level crossings, bus and pedal cycle facilities,
traffic calming
Traffic calming uses physical design and other measures to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. It has become a tool to combat speeding and other unsafe behaviours of drivers in the neighbourhoods. It aims to encourage safe ...
and road works.
File:UK traffic sign 501.svg, STOP
Stop may refer to:
Places
* Stop, Kentucky, an unincorporated community in the United States
* Stop (Rogatica), a village in Rogatica, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Facilities
* Bus stop
* Truck stop, a type of rest stop for truck d ...
or GIVE WAY ahead
File:UK traffic sign 502.svg, Plate use with "STOP" triangle to give the distance to STOP line
File:UK traffic sign 503.svg, Plate used with "GIVE WAY" triangle to give the distance to GIVE WAY line
File:UK traffic sign 543.svg, Traffic signals ahead
File:UK traffic sign 543 + 543.1.svg, Part time traffic signals ahead
File:UK traffic sign 504.1.svg, Crossroads
File:UK traffic sign 505.1.svg, T-junction
File:UK traffic sign 506.1.svg, Side road
File:UK traffic sign 507.1.svg, Staggered junction
File:UK traffic sign 508.1.svg, Traffic merges from the left
File:UK traffic sign 509.1.svg, Traffic merges onto the main carriageway
File:UK traffic sign 510.svg, Roundabout
File:UK traffic sign 512.svg, Bend to right (left if symbol reversed)
File:UK traffic sign 513.svg, Double bend first to the left (right if symbol reversed)
File:UK traffic sign 512.1.svg, Junction on a bend (symbols may be reversed)
File:UK traffic sign 512.2.svg, Junction on a bend (symbols may be reversed)
File:UK traffic sign 513.1.svg, Plate used with "roundabout" or "bend" signs
File:UK traffic sign 515.svg, Sharp deviation of route to the left (right if chevrons reversed)
File:UK traffic sign 511.svg, Plate used with warning signs where a reduction in speed is necessary
File:UK traffic sign 513.2.svg, Advisory speed limit in miles per hour
File:UK traffic sign 516.svg, Road narrows on both sides
File:UK traffic sign 517.svg, Road narrows on the right (left if symbols reversed)
File:UK traffic sign 575.svg, Oncoming traffic will be in the middle of the road
File:UK traffic sign 518.svg, Single file traffic in each direction
File:UK traffic sign 519.svg, Road wide enough for only one line of vehicles
File:UK traffic sign 520.svg, End of dual carriageway
File:UK traffic sign 521.svg, Two-way traffic
File:UK traffic sign 522.svg, Two-way traffic on route crossing ahead
File:UK traffic sign 554.svg, Worded warning ("Ford
Ford commonly refers to:
* Ford Motor Company, an automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford
* Ford (crossing), a shallow crossing on a river
Ford may also refer to:
Ford Motor Company
* Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company
* Ford F ...
" may be varied to "Flood", "Gate", "Gates" or "No smoking")
File:UK traffic sign 554.1.svg, Try brakes after crossing a ford or before descending a steep hill
File:UK traffic sign 523.1.svg, Steep descent
File:UK traffic sign 524.1.svg, Steep ascent
File:UK traffic sign 527.svg, Plates used with "steep hill" signs
File:UK traffic sign 525.svg, Plates used with "steep hill" signs
File:UK traffic sign 526.svg, Plates used with "steep hill" signs
File:UK traffic sign 529.svg, Opening or swing bridge
File:UK traffic sign 555.svg, Riverbank or quayside
File:UK traffic sign 555.1.svg, Water course alongside road
File:UK traffic sign 556.1.svg, Soft verges
File:UK traffic sign 556.2.svg, Plate used with "soft verges" for distance shown
File:UK traffic sign 529.1.svg, Tunnel
File:UK traffic sign 528.svg, Hump bridge
File:UK traffic sign 556.svg, Uneven road
File:UK traffic sign 557.svg, Slippery road
File:UK traffic sign 581.svg, Side winds
File:UK traffic sign 572.svg, Distance to hazard
File:UK traffic sign 573.svg, Distance and direction to hazard
File:UK traffic sign 570.svg, Distance over which hazard extends
File:UK traffic sign 558.svg, Low-flying aircraft or sudden aircraft noise
File:UK traffic sign 558.2.svg, Gliders likely
File:UK traffic sign 558.1.svg, Low-flying helicopters or sudden helicopter noise
File:UK traffic sign 559.svg, Falling or fallen rocks
File:UK traffic sign 584.svg, Traffic queues likely ahead
File:UK traffic sign 584.1.svg, Traffic queues likely ahead
File:UK traffic sign 582.svg, Slow-moving military vehicles likely to be in or crossing the road
File:UK traffic sign 583.svg, Slow-moving vehicles
File:UK traffic sign 583.1.svg, Plate for "slow-moving vehicles" to show distance over which slow lorries extends
File:UK traffic sign 554.2.svg, Ice or Snowdrifts
File:UK traffic sign 554.3.svg, Plate used with "ice". may be varied to "snowdrifts"
File:UK traffic sign 562.svg, Other dangers (plate must be used to indicate the hazard)
File:UK traffic sign 563.1.svg, Fire station ahead, STOP when lights show. "FIRE" may be varied to "AMBULANCE"
File:UK traffic sign 563V9.svg, Plate indicates nature of the hazard
File:UK traffic sign 544.svg, Zebra crossing
File:UK traffic sign 544.1.svg, Pedestrians ahead
File:UK traffic sign 547.3.svg, Pedestrians in road for distance shown
File:UK traffic sign 544.2.svg, Frail pedestrians likely to cross
File:UK traffic sign 547.4.svg, Disabled pedestrians. "Disabled" may be varied to "Blind"
File:UK traffic sign 545.svg, Children going to or from school
File:UK traffic sign 546.svg, "School" plate used with the children sign
File:UK traffic sign 547.2.svg, "Playground" plate used with the children sign
File:UK traffic sign 547.1.svg, "School patrol" plate used with the children sign
File:UK traffic sign 547.7.svg, "Disabled children" plate used with the children sign
File:UK traffic sign 550.2.svg, Horse-drawn vehicles likely to be in the road
File:UK traffic sign 550.1.svg, Accompanied horses or ponies likely to be in or crossing the road
File:UK traffic sign 550.svg, Wild horse
The wild horse (''Equus ferus'') is a species of the genus ''Equus'', which includes as subspecies the modern domesticated horse (''Equus ferus caballus'') as well as the endangered Przewalski's horse (''Equus ferus przewalskii''). The Europea ...
s or ponies
File:UK traffic sign 551.svg, Wild animals
File:UK traffic sign 551.2.svg, Wildfowl
The Anatidae are the biological family of water birds that includes ducks, geese, and swans. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on all the world's continents except Antarctica. These birds are adapted for swimming, floating on ...
File:UK traffic sign 551.1.svg, Migratory toad crossing
File:UK traffic sign 549.svg, Sheep
File:UK traffic sign 553.1.svg, Agricultural vehicles
A tractor is an engineering vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort (or torque) at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery such as that used in agriculture, mining or construction. Most common ...
File:UK traffic sign 553.2.svg, “Farm traffic” plate
File:UK traffic sign 574.svg, Area infected by animal disease
File:UK traffic sign 552.svg, Cattle grid
File:UK traffic sign 553.svg, Plate used with "cattle grid" for indication of bypass for horse-drawn vehicles and animals
File:UK traffic sign 548.svg, Cattle
Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, cloven-hooved, herbivores. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus ''Bos''. Adult females are referred to as cows and adult ma ...
File:UK traffic sign 548.1.svg, Plate used with "cattle" to indicate supervised cattle crossing ahead
File:UK traffic sign 772.svg, Tramway
Regulatory signs
Signs in circular red borders are prohibitive, whether or not they also have a diagonal red line. Circular blue signs mainly give a positive (mandatory) instruction. Such circular signs may be accompanied by, or placed on, a rectangular plate (information) that provides details of the prohibition or instruction; for example, waiting and loading plates and zone entry signs.
'Stop' signs (octagonal) and
'give way' signs (inverted triangle) are the two notable exceptions, the distinctive shapes being recognisable even if the face is obscured by dirt or snow.
File:UK traffic sign 601.1.svg, Stop before crossing the transverse line on the road and ensure the way is clear before entering a major road
File:UK traffic sign 602.svg, Give way to traffic on the major road (English Language Only)
File:UK traffic sign 602 (Wales).svg, Give way to traffic on the major road (English and Welsh Language)
File:UK traffic sign 616.svg, No Entry
One-way traffic (or uni-directional traffic) is traffic that moves in a single direction. A one-way street is a street either facilitating only one-way traffic, or designed to direct vehicles to move in one direction. One-way streets typical ...
for vehicular traffic.
File:UK traffic sign 617.svg, All vehicles prohibited.
File:UK traffic sign 618.1B.svg, Plate for "vehicles prohibited", during the time indicated except for access
File:UK traffic sign 618.svg, Plate for "vehicles prohibited", all vehicles prohibited from 'Play Street' during the period indicated except for access
File:UK traffic sign 619.svg, Motor vehicles prohibited (that is: excluding non-mechanically propelled vehicles being pushed by pedestrians). This sign may additionally display an exception plate (for example: 'Except Buses')
File:UK traffic sign 619.1.svg, Motor vehicles except solo motorcycles prohibited. This sign may additionally display an exception plate (for example: 'Except for access')
File:UK traffic sign 619.2.svg, Solo motorcycles prohibited. This sign may additionally display an exception plate (for example: 'Except for access')
File:UK traffic sign 622.7.svg, Towed caravans prohibited
File:UK traffic sign 625.1.svg, Pedestrians prohibited
File:UK traffic sign 622.6.svg, Ridden or accompanied horses prohibited
File:UK traffic sign 622.5.svg, Horse-drawn vehicles prohibited. This sign may additionally display an exception plate (for example: 'Except for access')
File:UK traffic sign 622.4.svg, Articulated vehicles prohibited
File:UK traffic sign 622.1A.svg, Goods vehicles exceeding an ''unladen'' weight of 7.5 t prohibited. This sign may additionally display an exception plate (for example: 'Except for access').
File:UK traffic sign 622.2.svg, End of prohibition of goods vehicles exceeding the maximum unladen weight indicated in a previous sign
File:UK traffic sign 629.1M.svg, Vehicles exceeding length indicated prohibited (metric). This sign may additionally display an exception plate (for example: 'Except for access')
File:UK traffic sign 629.1.svg, Vehicles exceeding length indicated prohibited (imperial). This sign may additionally display an exception plate (for example: 'Except for access')
File:UK traffic sign 622.8.svg, Vehicles carrying explosives (such as fireworks) prohibited. This sign is not actually in the regulations but separately approved by the DfT.
File:UK traffic sign 622.9.svg, Additional plate required on "prohibited: vehicles carrying explosives" sign because the sign is not included in the TSRGD
File:UK traffic sign 629A.svg, Vehicles exceeding width indicated prohibited (imperial and metric) This sign may additionally display an exception plate (for example: 'Except Buses')
File:UK traffic sign 629.2A.svg, Vehicles exceeding height indicated prohibited (imperial and metric)
File:UK traffic sign 626.2AV6+627.1 (2011).svg, Vehicles exceeding a gross weight of 33 t prohibited from crossing the bridge or structure. The exception plate is optional, but this is the only exception permitted.
File:UK traffic sign 620.svg, Exception plate for use only with specified regulation signs giving exception for access to premises or land adjacent to the road, where there is no other route. Other exceptions may be shown
File:UK traffic sign 620.1.svg, Except for loading and unloading by goods vehicles
File:UK traffic sign 632.svg, No overtaking
Overtaking or passing is the act of one vehicle going past another slower moving vehicle, travelling in the same direction, on a road. The lane used for overtaking another vehicle is often a passing lane farther from the road shoulder which i ...
File:UK traffic sign 615.svg, Priority must be given to vehicles from the opposite direction
File:UK traffic sign 615.1.svg, Priority must be given to vehicles from the opposite direction (supplementary panel)
File:UK traffic sign 614.svg, No U-turns for vehicular traffic
File:UK traffic sign 612.svg, No right turn for vehicular traffic
File:UK traffic sign 613.svg, No left turn for vehicular traffic
File:UK traffic sign 605.2.svg, Stop, children crossing ahead (This sign can only be displayed by a person at a patrolled crossing).
File:UK traffic sign 633.svg, Stop before crossing, Police ahead
File:UK traffic sign 651.svg, Combines the three prohibitions shown, specifies to where it applies and adds the additional prohibition of animals. The word 'animals' and/or the prohibited pedestrians sign may be omitted
File:UK traffic sign 606.svg, Vehicular traffic must turn left (right if symbol reversed)
File:UK traffic sign 609.svg, Vehicular traffic must turn ahead in the direction indicated by the arrow
File:UK traffic sign 610.svg, Vehicular traffic passing the sign must keep to the left of the sign (right if symbol reversed)
File:UK traffic sign 608.svg, Dual carriageway Plate
File:UK traffic sign 607.svg, One-way plate
File:UK traffic sign 611.1.svg, Mini-roundabout (give way to traffic from the immediate right)
File:UK traffic sign 636.svg, No Waiting or No Parking
File:UK traffic sign 642.svg, Clearway, no stopping
File:UK traffic sign 652.svg, One-way traffic
File:UK traffic sign 663.svg, Controlled Parking Zone
A Controlled Parking Zone or CPZ is a specific type of parking restriction used in the United Kingdom that may be applied to a group of roads within the zone. The intended purpose of a CPZ is to reduce the clutter that can arise from erecting sev ...
File:UK traffic sign 664.svg, End of controlled or voucher parking zone
Speed limit signs
The
United Kingdom national speed limit for cars and motorcycles is 70
miles per hour
Miles per hour (mph, m.p.h., MPH, or mi/h) is a British imperial and United States customary unit of speed expressing the number of miles travelled in one hour. It is used in the United Kingdom, the United States, and a number of smaller cou ...
on a motorway and dual carriageway, and 60 miles per hour on a single carriageway road. In urban areas where there is electric street lighting the speed limit is 30 miles per hour unless otherwise signed.
File:UK traffic sign 671.svg, National speed limit applies
File:UK traffic sign 674.svg, Entrance to a 20 miles per hour speed limit zone
File:UK traffic sign 675.svg, End of 20 miles per hour zone
File:UK traffic sign 672.svg, Minimum speed limit of 30 miles per hour
File:UK traffic sign 673.svg, End of 30 miles per hour minimum speed limit
File:UK traffic sign 880.svg, Speed camera ahead with reminder of 30 miles per hour speed limit
File:UK traffic sign 878.svg, Area in which cameras are used to enforce the speed limit regulations
File:UK traffic sign 879.svg, Speed Camera
File:UK traffic sign 878.1 (v2).svg, Average speed check
File:National-speed-limit-sign-uk.svg, National speed limits
File:Northern Ireland mph speed limits.svg, Speed limits are in miles per hour (Northern Ireland Only)
File:UK traffic sign 670V10.svg, alt=, Maximum speed (10)
File:UK traffic sign 670V20.svg, alt=, Maximum speed (20)
File:UK traffic sign 670V30.svg, alt=, Maximum speed (30)
File:UK traffic sign 670V40.svg, alt=, Maximum speed (40)
File:UK traffic sign 670V50.svg, alt=, Maximum speed (50)
File:UK traffic sign 670V60.svg, alt=, Maximum speed (60)
Low bridge signs
Bridges with a clearance of less than are normally signed. Signs were formerly only in feet and inches, but from 2015 new or replacement signs must contain both imperial and metric measurements. The signs used at a low bridge depend on the type above the road. If a beam bridge with a horizontal clearance, the roundel is used and the limit is a prohibition. However if the bridge is an arch over the road, warning signs are used as the height varies across the width of the carriageway. Bridges particularly at risk from strikes may have a variable message sign that is activated by high vehicles passing through an infra-red beam. When the sign is activated four amber lamps flash, the top pair alternating with the bottom pair.
File:UK traffic sign 530A.svg, Warning of maximum headroom of arch bridge/overhanging structure some distance ahead (sign also used at the bridge itself)
File:UK traffic sign 530.1.svg, Supplementary plate informing height limit warning is of an overhanging building
File:UK traffic sign 531.1M.svg, Warning of maximum headroom of arch bridge directly ahead (metric)
File:UK traffic sign 531.1.svg, Warning of maximum headroom of arch bridge directly ahead (imperial)
File:UK traffic sign 531.2.svg, Supplementary plate used with arch bridge warning signs
File:UK_traffic_sign_629.2A.svg, Height restriction (metric and imperial)
Level crossing Signs
Some level crossings in the United Kingdom do not have gates or barriers. These crossings will have several signs posted on approach and at the crossing.
File:UK traffic sign 770.svg, Level crossing with gate or barrier ahead
File:UK traffic sign 771.svg, Railway level crossing without gate or barrier ahead
File:UK traffic sign 773.svg, Warning of light signals at a level crossing ahead (the sign may also be used at a lifting bridge or airfield)
File:UK traffic sign 779.svg, Electrified overhead cable ahead
File:UK traffic sign 780A.svg, Supplementary plate informing height of overhead cables at level crossing ahead
File:UK traffic sign 782.svg, Risk of grounding at level crossing ahead
File:UK traffic sign 783.svg, Information sign for large vehicles informing to phone at automatic level crossing
File:UK traffic sign 784.1.svg, Information sign for very large vehicles to phone before crossing railway
File:UK traffic sign 788.svg, Direction to telephone at level crossing
File:UK traffic sign 787.svg, Telephone at level crossing
File:UK traffic sign 789.svg, Countdown marker to level crossing (3)
File:UK traffic sign 789.1.svg, Countdown marker to level crossing (2)
File:UK traffic sign 789.2.svg, Countdown marker to level crossing (1)
File:UK traffic sign 775.svg, Supplementary plate warning drivers to not block the level crossing
File:UK traffic sign 777.svg, Supplementary plate at multiple track automatic level crossings warning of a second train
File:UK traffic sign 774.svg, Ungated level crossing
Bus and cycle signs
Some roads and pavements are shared with cyclists and buses. The word "local" on the bus symbol means the only buses that may use the lane are those running a local service. Where the word "local" is not shown, the lane may be used by any vehicle designed to carry more than eight passengers, excluding the driver, and local buses. Solo motorcycles may use the lane where the motorcycle symbol is shown on the signs. Other vehicles may enter and stop in a bus lane to load and unload unless signs alongside the lane indicate otherwise.
File:UK traffic sign 952.svg, Buses prohibited. This sign may additionally display an exception plate (for example: 'Except for access')
File:UK traffic sign 951.svg, Riding of pedal cycles prohibited. Schedule 5 of the traffic signs regulations specifically states that the use of this sign is not backed by any legislation
File:UK traffic sign 956.svg, (Undivided) shared path
A shared-use path, mixed-use path or multi-use pathway is a path which is 'designed to accommodate the movement of pedestrians and cyclists'. Examples of shared-use paths include sidewalks designated as shared-use, bridleways and rail trails. ...
route for cyclists and pedestrians only
File:UK traffic sign 957.svg, Divided track for cyclists and pedestrians only
File:UK traffic sign 955.svg, Route for use by pedal cycles only
File:UK traffic sign 953.1.svg, Route for use by tramcars only
File:UK traffic sign 953.1V.svg, Route for use by buses and tramcars only
File:UK traffic sign 960.svg, Contra-flow bus lane
File:UK traffic sign 967.svg, Route recommended for pedal cycles on the main carriageway of a road
File:UK traffic sign 964.svg, End of bus lane
File:UK traffic sign 2603.svg, Junction ahead leading to a parking place for pedal cycles
File:UK traffic sign 959.1.svg, With flow cycle lane
File:UK traffic sign 963T.svg, Bus lane with traffic proceeding from both ways (reminder for pedestrians)
File:UK traffic sign 958.1.svg, With-flow cycle lane ahead
File:UK traffic sign 661.1VB.svg, Parking place for buses only during the times shown
File:UK traffic sign 963.2.svg, Contra-flow bus lane which pedal cycles may also use with traffic approaching from the right (reminder for pedestrians)
Pedestrian zone signs
Areas such as high streets and shopping areas may be signed as "pedestrian zones". Restrictions are detailed on zone entry signs and repeater plates. The entry signs may indicate that buses, taxis, disabled badge holders or permit holders may enter the zone. Examples of zone entry signs include:
File:UK traffic sign 618.3.svg, Entry to and waiting in pedestrian zone restricted except for loading during the period
File:UK traffic sign 618.4.svg, End of restrictions associated with a pedestrian zone
File:UK traffic sign 637.2V.svg, Waiting restriction repeater signs within the pedestrian zone
File:Traffic-signs-manual-chapter-3-diagram 618-3A-1 (2008).png, No vehicles allowed in pedestrian zone except for lorries during the period with no waiting at any time
File:Traffic-signs-manual-chapter-3-diagram 618-2-2 (2008).svg, No vehicles allowed between 7am & 11am and between 4pm and 8pm on Mondays to Saturdays only in pedestrian zone except for loading from lorries
Loading bays and Parking signs
Both signs and road markings indicate waiting restrictions. On-street parking places may be designated for a particular class of vehicle (e.g. solo motorcycles or car) or a specific type of user (e.g. permit holders or disabled badge holders). Parking may be free or paid for (e.g. "pay and display" or parking meters).
There may be a time limit on the period of stay and a minimum time before returning to a particular parking place. Where a plate does not indicate the days of the week, the restrictions apply at the same times on every day, including Sunday. Where the time of day is not shown, the controls apply for 24 hours. If a bank holiday falls on a day when the controls are in operation, the controls apply in the normal way unless the plate states that they do not. Special restrictions may apply on days when a large event is being held.
File:UK traffic sign 639.svg, Waiting prohibited except for loading and unloading during the period indicated
File:UK traffic sign 639R.svg, Waiting prohibited except for loading and unloading during the period and in the direction indicated
File:UK traffic sign 640.4.svg, Waiting prohibited in designated off-highway loading area during the period indicated
File:UK traffic sign 638.svg, Continuous prohibition on loading and unloading
File:UK traffic sign 660.4.svg, Bay reserved for loading and unloading only
File:UK traffic sign 640 directions.svg, Waiting prohibited in the direction indicated (upper panel), and loading and unloading prohibited in the direction indicated (lower panel)
File:UK traffic sign 801.svg, Parking place
File:UK traffic sign 661A.svg, Parking place reserved for disabled badge holders only
File:UK traffic sign 661.1.svg, Parking for all vehicles, with restrictions on length of waiting time and return period (not necessarily free, though the sign must state if not free)
File:UK traffic sign 660.5.svg, Parking place reserved for voucher parking during the period indicated
File:UK traffic sign 2507.svg, Direction to a parking place available only on the day specified
File:UK traffic sign 667.svg, Vehicles may be parked partially on the verge or footway
File:UK traffic sign 668.svg, Vehicles may be parked wholly on the verge or footway
File:UK traffic sign 667.2.svg, End of an area where vehicles may be parked partially on the verge or footway
Motorway signs
For use on busy motorways and other wide roads where verge mounted signs would be frequently obstructed by other traffic.
An advance direction sign (ADS)
generally has blue, green or white as its background colour to indicate the status of a road (motorway, primary or non-primary) on which it is placed. Except on the main carriageway of a motorway, coloured panels are used to indicate routes from the junction being signed that have a different status. A direction sign (DS)
should always be a single colour indicating the status of the road to be joined, although there are a few rare exceptions to this rule.
The Heavy and Medium typefaces were designed to compensate for the optical illusion that makes dark lines on pale backgrounds appear narrower than pale lines on dark backgrounds. Hence destinations are written in mixed case white Transport Medium on green and blue backgrounds, and in black Transport Heavy on white backgrounds. Route numbers are coloured yellow when placed directly on a green background. Some signs logically show the closest destination on the route first (i.e., on top), while others show the most distant settlement first. On a roundabout DS, the route locations are usually listed with the closest destination at the bottom and the furthest away at the top when going straight ahead, and likewise going left and right. However, many left-right signs more logically indicate the closest destination at the top with further afield destinations listed in descending order.
Destinations and roads which cannot be directly accessed on a driver's current actual route, but can be accessed via an artery route of that carriageway, are displayed in brackets.
All types of ADS (but not DS) may optionally have the junction name at the top of the sign in capital letters in a separate panel.
A route confirmatory sign is placed either after a junction where distances were not shown on the ADS or DS or is placed on an overhead information sign but does not show distances to the destinations along that route.
File:UK traffic sign 2930.svg, End of motorway regulations, including the national speed limit in 1 mile
File:UK traffic sign 2901.svg, Start of motorway regulations, including the national speed limit
File:UK traffic sign 2910.svg, Number of route reached from a motorway exit road
File:UK traffic sign 2918.svg, 10 miles to the next motorway service area
File:UK traffic sign 2912.svg, Junction ahead with another motorway
File:UK traffic sign 2932.svg, Entrance to motorway service area, or similar facility within the length of a motorway where motorway regulations cease to apply
File:UK traffic sign 2903.svg, Motorway junction ahead, displaying the route number and destination reached by taking this route
File:UK traffic sign 2911.svg, Route number of the motorway with destinations and distances to places along or reached from that route
File:UK traffic sign 2902.svg, Direction to a motorway at the junction shown, indicating route number and destination reached
File:UK traffic sign 2921.svg, Entrance to a motorway service area
File:UK traffic sign 2917V.svg, Availability of motorway service areas ahead with distances
File:UK traffic sign 2917.svg, Availability of motorway service areas ahead with distances and names of operators
File:UK traffic sign 2906.svg, Leave the Motorway for A38 to Mansfield and Matlock (via. A615). Continue for the North, Leeds
Leeds () is a city and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds district in West Yorkshire, England. It is built around the River Aire and is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. It is also the third-largest settlement (by popula ...
and Sheffield
Sheffield is a city in South Yorkshire, England, whose name derives from the River Sheaf which runs through it. The city serves as the administrative centre of the City of Sheffield. It is historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire a ...
.
File:UK traffic sign 868M.svg, Additional traffic lane joining from the left ahead (right if reversed)
Motorway Signals
Motorway conditions
File:UK_traffic_sign_6003.jpg, Leave motorway at next exit
File:UK traffic sign 6006.9.jpg, Risk of Fog ahead. Proceed with caution
File:UK traffic sign 6006.8.jpg, Risk of Ice
Ice is water frozen into a solid state, typically forming at or below temperatures of 0 degrees Celsius or Depending on the presence of impurities such as particles of soil or bubbles of air, it can appear transparent or a more or less opaqu ...
ahead. Proceed with caution
File:UK traffic sign 6006.10.jpg, End of temporary restrictions
Temporary Speed Advisories
File:UK_traffic_sign_6001.jpg, Temporary Speed advised of 50 mph due to prevailing traffic or weather conditions.
Lane Restrictions
File:UK traffic sign 6006.5.jpg, Lane 2 is closed ahead. Use lane 1 and proceed with caution.
File:UK traffic sign 6006.1.jpg, Lane 2 and 3 closed ahead. Use lane 1 and proceed with caution.
File:UK traffic sign 6006.7.jpg, Lane 1 closed. Use lanes 2, 3 and 4, Proceed with caution
Motorway Closed
File:UK traffic sign 6031.1.jpg, Do not enter the traffic lane directly below
File:UK traffic sign 6006.4.jpg, Both lanes closed. Do not enter the motorway when the red lamps are flashing in pairs from side to side
File:UK traffic sign 6006.2.jpg, All 3 lanes closed Do not enter the motorway when the red lamps are flashing in pairs from side to side
File:UK traffic sign 6006.6.jpg, All 4 lanes closed. Do not enter the motorway when the red lamps are flashing in pairs from side to side
Directional road signs
The term "directional sign" covers both Advance Direction Signs (ADS), placed on the approach to a junction,
and Direction Signs (DS) at the junction itself, showing where to turn.
A DS has a chevron (pointed) end, and this type is also referred to as a flag-type sign.
File:UK traffic sign 823-G-L.svg, 300 yards to a roundabout or the next point at which traffic may leave a primary route
File:UK traffic sign 824-G-L.svg, 200 yards to a roundabout or the next point at which traffic may leave a primary route
File:UK traffic sign 825-G-L.svg, 100 yards to a roundabout or the next point at which traffic may leave a primary route
File:UK traffic sign 2025.svg, Junction ahead of a primary route with a non-primary route through a town or village that has been by-passed
File:UK traffic sign 874P.svg, Additional traffic lanes joining from the right ahead. Traffic in the right-hand lane joins the main carriageway. Traffic on the main carriageway has priority over joining traffic (primary route)
File:UK traffic sign 873+876P.svg, Additional traffic lane joining from the left in 200 yards. Traffic on the main carriageway had priority over joining traffic from the right-hand lane of the slip road (primary routes)
Tourist Destinations
File:UK traffic sign 2205.svg, Tourist information
File:UK traffic sign 2301.svg, Camping and caravan site 300 yards ahead
File:UK traffic sign 2201.svg, Steam railway tourist attraction 300 yards ahead
File:UK traffic sign 2305.svg, Picnic area 150 yards ahead
File:UK traffic sign 2208.svg, Direction to tourist attraction indicated by a symbol
File:UK traffic sign 2212.svg, Direction along a route passing through places of interest recognised by a regional tourist
File:UK traffic sign 2306.svg, Direction and distance to a picnic area
File:UK traffic sign 2204.svg, Direction and distance to a Tourist Information point or centre
File:UK traffic sign 2926.svg, Junction ahead from a motorway exit slip road to the tourist attractions shown
File:UK traffic sign 2608.svg, Direction of the route to a tourist attraction for pedestrians
File:UK traffic sign 2202.svg, Junction ahead leading to a tourist attraction
File:UK traffic sign 2304.svg, Youth hostel 200 yards in the direction indicated
File:UK traffic sign 2924.svg, Junction ahead from a motorway exit slip road to the tourist attractions shown
File:UK traffic sign 2209.svg, Historic castle tourist attraction 10 miles ahead
File:UK traffic sign 2925.svg, Tourist information
File:UK traffic sign 972.svg, Stopping place for buses used for carrying tourists to allow passengers to take photographs
File:UK traffic sign 2927.svg, Motorway junction ahead leading to a town or geographical area containing several tourist attractions and a Tourist Information Point or Centre
File:UK traffic sign 2307.svg, Distance ahead to a parking place with a Tourist Information Point, picnic site, public telephone, public toilets and viewpoint
Diversion routes
Diversion routes are marked with black symbols on a yellow patch (square, triangle, circle, or diamond). These mark diversionary routes in the event that the road ahead is closed for any reasons. Motorists can navigate following the symbol and can find their way back to the original road at a junction above the closure. The four symbols may be a solid shape or just outlines. They are most commonly placed on directional signs, following the route number (e.g. A 25) but may be free standing.
Motorway exits have trigger signs that are normally covered. In the event of a closure, the sign is uncovered and will say, for instance, "''To rejoin M6 follow (symbol)''". Following the symbol will allow rejoining at a later junction.
On minor roads a simple black on yellow sign with an arrow and the word Diversion is used, as here.
File:EDR Symbol - Solid Circle.svg, Solid circle - Emergency diversion route for motorway and other main road traffic
File:EDR Symbol - Solid Triangle.svg, Solid triangle - Emergency diversion route for motorway and other main road traffic
File:EDR Symbol - Hollow Square.svg, Hollow square - Emergency diversion route for motorway and other main road traffic
File:EDR Symbol - Hollow Diamond.svg, Hollow diamond - Emergency diversion route for motorway and other main road traffic
File:UK traffic sign 2716.svg, Diversion trigger sign - Main road closed, follow diversion to arrive at the same location
File:UK traffic sign 2704V.svg, For triangle diversion, turn right
File:UK traffic sign 2702L.svg, Diversion sign on minor roads or for road works starting to left.
Information signs
Informational signs are usually rectangular and generally blue with white text.
File:UK traffic sign 810-L.svg, One-way traffic
File:UK traffic sign 611.svg, Pass either side to reach the same destination (often incorrectly used to mean pass either side regardless of destination)
File:UK traffic sign 811.svg, Traffic has priority over vehicles coming from the opposite direction
File:UK traffic sign 816.svg, No through road
File:UK traffic sign 820V2.svg, Unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles
File:UK traffic sign 820V4.svg, Unsuitable for long vehicles
File:UK traffic sign 820.1.svg, No hard shoulder for 400 yards
File:UK traffic sign 818.4.svg, Location of weight restriction ahead with indication of an alternative route (may show a different restriction or that the restriction is gross weight rather than unladen weight)
File:UK traffic sign 822.svg, Passing place on a narrow road
"Narrow Road" is a song by American rapper NLE Choppa, released as the fifth single from his debut studio album '' Top Shotta'' (2020). The song features American rapper Lil Baby and was produced by Quay Global.
Composition
In the song, both ra ...
Roadworks and temporary signs
Roadworks
Roadworks (called road work or road construction in the United States) occur when part of the road, or in rare cases, the entire road, has to be occupied for work relating to the road, most often in the case of road surface repairs. In the ...
are normally signalled with a triangular, red-bordered warning format is used to indicate that there are works ahead. The graphic is of a man digging. Within the roadworks, diversions and other instructions to drivers are normally given on yellow signs with black script.
File:UK traffic sign 7001.svg, Road works
File:UK traffic sign 7009.svg, Loose chippings
File:UK traffic sign 7221.svg, Lanes bend ahead
File:UK traffic sign 7292.svg, Restrictions apply. No vehicles over width shown
File:UK traffic sign 2706.svg, Diversion for motorists travelling to destination
File:UK traffic sign 7294.svg, Temporary Advisory speed limit in miles per hour
File:UK traffic sign 832.6.svg, Get in Lane. HGV use left lane, all other vehicles use right lane
File:UK traffic sign 829.2.svg, Police accident
Street name signs
Legally street name signs are not defined as traffic signs in the United Kingdom; this therefore gives authorities flexibility on the design and placement of them. They can be fixed to a signpost, wall, lamp column, or building. The text can be in many different fonts but normally either the Transport typeface used on road signs or the
serif font designed by
David Kindersley
David Guy Barnabas Kindersley MBE (11 June 1915 – 2 February 1995) was a British stone letter-carver and typeface designer, and the founder of the Kindersley Workshop (later the Cardozo Kindersley Workshop). His carved plaques and inscription ...
. In many areas, the sign will also show the name of the local authority, its
coat of arms
A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design on an escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the latter two being outer garments). The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement, which in its ...
, or part of the street’s postcode.
Location identifiers
Numbered
location markers of one type or another are used to identify specific locations along a road. Historically,
milestone
A milestone is a numbered marker placed on a route such as a road, railway line, canal or boundary. They can indicate the distance to towns, cities, and other places or landmarks; or they can give their position on the route relative to so ...
s were used, but since the early 20th century they fell into disuse. However, for administrative and maintenance purposes, distance marker posts and
driver location signs
Driver location signs are signs placed every along each side of English motorways, and some other major English roads, to provide information that will allow motorists to know their precise location. , roads in England, but not Scotland, Wale ...
have been erected on motorways and certain dual carriageways.
The numbers on distance marker posts are embedded into emergency roadside telephone numbers and are used by the emergency services to pinpoint incidents.
The advent of the mobile phone meant that drivers were not accessing location information embedded into motorway emergency telephone systems, and since 2007 driver location signs have been erected on many motorways. These contain important information about the location and carriageway direction.
Traffic lights
File:UK traffic signal.png, Standard
File:UK traffic signal with no right turn.png, Standard with no right turn
File:UK Level Crossing Signal.svg, Level crossing
Icon
File:UK traffic sign symbol S15 (1).svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S15 (2).svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S4.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S13.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S8.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S67.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S17.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S10.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S9.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S12.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S5.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S7.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S18.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S16.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S14.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S11.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S3.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S2.svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S19 (1).svg
File:UK traffic sign symbol S19 (2).svg
File:Uk roadsign ferry.svg
Obsolete
Post-Worboys
File:UK traffic sign 504 (1965–1975).svg, Crossroads ahead (1965–1975)
File:UK traffic sign 505 (1965–1975).svg, T-junction ahead (1965–1975)
File:UK traffic sign 506-R (1965–1975).svg, Side road ahead (1965–1975)
File:UK traffic sign 507-L-R (1965–1975).svg, Staggered crossroads ahead (1965–1975)
File:UK traffic sign 508-L (1965–1994).svg, Traffic merges from the left (1965–1994)
File:UK traffic sign 509-L (1965–1994).svg, Traffic merges onto the main carriageway (1965–1994)
File:UK traffic sign 514 (1965–1975).svg, Series of bends ahead (1965–1975). This sign is rarely still used today (for sharp/dangerous bends)
File:Hong Kong road sign 219 (1 in 5).svg, Steep hill upwards ahead (1965–1975, replaced with % gradient)
File:Hong Kong road sign 218 (1 in 5).svg, Steep hill downwards ahead (1965–1975, replaced with % gradient)
File:UK traffic sign 545 (1965–2016).svg, Children (1965–2016)
File:UK traffic sign 601 (1965–1975).svg, Stop (1965–1975)
File:UK traffic sign 605.1.svg, Stop - children crossing (1965–1994)
File:UK traffic sign 622 (1965–1975).svg, Lorries prohibited (1965–1975)
File:UK traffic sign 629.svg, Vehicles exceeding width indicated prohibited (1965–2016, defunct imperial only sign, new signs must show both metric and imperial)
File:UK traffic sign 952 (1965–1975).svg, Buses and coaches prohibited (1965–1975)
File:UK traffic sign 554-Fog (1975–1994).svg, Foggy conditions may exist (1975–1994)
File:UK traffic sign 554-Ice (1975–1994).svg, Icy conditions may exist (1975–1994)
File:UK traffic sign 554-Snowdrifts (1975–1994).svg, Snowdrifts may exist (1975–1994)
File:Mauritius Road Signs - Warning Sign - Right-hand lane of a 2-lane 1-way road closed.svg, Right-hand lane of a 2 lane dual carriageway closed ahead (1975–1981)
File:UK traffic sign 564.5 (1975-1994).svg, Change of carriageway ahead (1975–1994)
File:UK traffic sign 629.2.svg, Vehicles exceeding height indicated prohibited (1975–2016, defunct imperial only sign, new signs must show both metric and imperial)
File:UK traffic sign 626 (1965–1981).svg, Vehicles and loads exceeding weight in tons indicated prohibited (1965–1981)
File:UK traffic sign 626.1 (1981–1994).svg, Vehicles and loads exceeding weight in tonnes indicated prohibited (1981–1994)
File:UK traffic sign 622.1A (1994–2011).svg, Vehicles exceeding the indicated unladen weight in tonnes prohibited (1994–2011, replaced with lower-case t)
File:UK traffic sign 626.2AV2.svg, Vehicles exceeding an indicated gross weight prohibited from crossing bridge (1994–2011, replaced with lower-case t)
Pre-Worboys
File:Pre-Worboy - No Entry - 1955.svg, No Entry
File:Pre-Worboys - No Right Turn - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, No Right Turn
File:Pre-Worboys - Cross Roads - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, Cross Roads
File:Pre-Worboys - Turn Left - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, Turn Left
File:Pre-Worboys - Keep Left - 1944.svg, Keep Left
File:Pre-Worboys - Road Works Ahead - 1944.svg, Road Works Ahead
File:Pre-Worboys - Ford - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, Ford
File:Pre-Worboys - Approach Direction Sign (Diagram 78) - 1944.svg, Approach Direction Sign
File:Pre-Worboys - Direction Sign at Junction (Diagram 93) - 1944.svg, Junction Direction Sign
File:Pre-Worboy - No Waiting - 1944.svg, No Waiting
File:Pre-Worboys - No Entry - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, No Entry
File:Pre-Worboy - No Cycling - 1955.svg, No Cycling
File:Pre-Worboy - Speed Limit - 1944.svg, Speed Limit
File:Pre-Worboy - National Speed Limit Applies - 1944.svg, National Speed Limit Applies
File:Pre-Worboys - Parking - 1944.svg, Parking
File:Pre-Worboys - Cross Roads - Complete Assembly - 1955.svg, Cross Roads
File:Pre-Worboys - Speed Limit - Non Built Up Areas - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, Speed Limit except Built-up Areas
File:Pre-Worboys - Turn Right - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, Turn Right
File:Pre-Worboys - Roundabout - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, Roundabout
File:Pre-Worboys - No Left Turn - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, No Left Turn
File:Pre-Worboys - Signals Ahead - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, Signals Ahead
File:Pre-Worboys - Two Way Traffic - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, Two Way Traffic
File:Pre-Worboys - Crossing No Gates - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, Level Crossing with No Gates
File:Pre-Worboy - Halt at Major Road Ahead - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, Halt at major road ahead
File:Pre-Worboys -Slow Major Road Ahead - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, Slow, major road ahead
File:Pre-Worboys - Prohibited to All Motor Vehicles - Complete Assembly - 1944.svg, Motor vehicles prohibited
Northern Ireland
![Roundabout sign, Belfast - geograph](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Roundabout_sign%2C_Belfast_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1439648.jpg)
The designs of road signs in
Great Britain
Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of continental Europe. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the largest European island and the ninth-largest island in the world. It i ...
as prescribed in the ''
Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (commonly abbreviated to TSRGD) is the law that sets out the design and conditions of use of official traffic signs that can be lawfully placed on or near roads in Great Britain (England, Sc ...
'' (TSRGD) apply specifically to
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
,
Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...
and
Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
. These regulations do not extend to
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...
. Traffic signs in Northern Ireland are prescribed by ''The Traffic Signs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997'' and are administered by the
Northern Ireland Assembly.
Northern Ireland signs are broadly the same as those in Great Britain, although changes made in Great Britain are often not made in Northern Ireland at the same time. One example is the ''series of bends ahead'' sign, which was removed from TSRGD in 1975 but only removed from the Northern Ireland regulations in 1979.
Crown dependencies
![Beaumont Jersey](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Beaumont_Jersey.jpg)
The designs of road signs as prescribed in the ''Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions'' (TSRGD) do not extend to other territories that come under the jurisdiction of
the Crown
The Crown is the state in all its aspects within the jurisprudence of the Commonwealth realms and their subdivisions (such as the Crown Dependencies, overseas territories, provinces, or states). Legally ill-defined, the term has different ...
. Road signs in the
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands ( nrf, Îles d'la Manche; french: îles Anglo-Normandes or ''îles de la Manche'') are an archipelago in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two Crown Dependencies: the Bailiwick of Jersey, ...
and the
Isle of Man
)
, anthem = "O Land of Our Birth"
, image = Isle of Man by Sentinel-2.jpg
, image_map = Europe-Isle_of_Man.svg
, mapsize =
, map_alt = Location of the Isle of Man in Europe
, map_caption = Location of the Isle of Man (green)
in Europe ...
are under the jurisdiction of their local legislatures. Although the policy in these territories is to align their road signs with those prescribed in the TSRGD, small variations may be seen.
Isle of Man
The
Tynwald
Tynwald ( gv, Tinvaal), or more formally, the High Court of Tynwald ( gv, Ard-whaiyl Tinvaal) or Tynwald Court, is the legislature of the Isle of Man. It consists of two chambers, known as the branches of Tynwald: the directly elected House of ...
(Isle of Man Parliament), through its ''Traffic Signs (Application) Regulations 2003'', explicitly included Part I of the TSRGD into Manx law, but not the other parts of that legislation. One of the consequences of this partial incorporation is that while in
England and Wales
England and Wales () is one of the three legal jurisdictions of the United Kingdom. It covers the constituent countries England and Wales and was formed by the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542. The substantive law of the jurisdiction is Eng ...
speed limit signs had to appear on both sides of a carriageway until 2016, this was not necessary for the Isle of Man. Likewise, an
all-way stop
An all-way stop – also known as a four-way stop (or three-way stop etc. as appropriate) – is a traffic management system which requires vehicles on all the approaches to a road intersection to stop at the intersection before proceeding throu ...
is permissible in the Isle of Man, whilst it has been prohibited in Great Britain since 2002.
The use of the ''derestricted'' sign differs according to jurisdiction, in the Isle of Man it means no speed limit applies, whereas in Jersey it denotes a 40 mph speed limit, which is the highest permitted speed on the island.
Channel Islands
The Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey have a unique sign "Filter in turn", which is a give way without priority. It is similar to the
all-way stop
An all-way stop – also known as a four-way stop (or three-way stop etc. as appropriate) – is a traffic management system which requires vehicles on all the approaches to a road intersection to stop at the intersection before proceeding throu ...
s found elsewhere in the world, although there is no requirement to halt.
Jersey
In Jersey, roads signs and markings are regulated by the Traffic Signs (Jersey) Order 1968.
The standard bus stop road marking (Diagram 1025) is painted white on Jersey roads, and a unique smaller bus stop marking is found at most stops, which lacks the stop cage.
By Article 18, the Minister for Infrastructure may cause a yellow line to be placed transverse across a minor road. This indicates a 'give way' rule, as normally indicated by double white dashed lines elsewhere. The standard give way triangle (Diagram 1023) is painted yellow, even at approaches to white give way lines at roundabouts.
Parking signage is considerably different. Unloading bays (Diagram 1018J) allow loading and unloading of goods and are painted yellow with yellow upright signs. Otherwise parking signs indicate 'paycard' or 'Disc' limit restrictions. A single yellow line (Diagram 1017) indicates a 24-hour waiting restriction.
At the end of all one-way roads, the marking 'NO ENTRY' is placed to ban entry for vehicles.
The Z-bend sign (Diagram 514) is prescribed and still used. The end of a cycle track can be indicated by a blue cycle track sign with a red stripe.
In Jersey, traffic signals follow the French pattern, omitting the red-amber phase.
In Jersey, there are less onerous requirements for the signage of speed limits than the UK. Repeater signs are never used for 40 mph, and are sometimes used for 30 mph where there are street lights (which would not be necessary in the UK). Furthermore, there is no requirement that speed limit signs appear on both sides of the carriageway (consequently they often only appear on one).
Guernsey
![Road signs on Alderney](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Road_signs_on_Alderney.png)
Weight restriction signs in Guernsey use
hundredweight
The hundredweight (abbreviation: cwt), formerly also known as the centum weight or quintal, is a British imperial and US customary unit of weight or mass. Its value differs between the US and British imperial systems. The two values are distingu ...
("cwt") as a unit rather than the
tonne
The tonne ( or ; symbol: t) is a unit of mass equal to 1000 kilograms. It is a non-SI unit accepted for use with SI. It is also referred to as a metric ton to distinguish it from the non-metric units of the short ton ( United State ...
, although one cwt was redefined as exactly 50.8023 kg in 1991.
Guernsey devolves road markings and signs to
Alderney and
Sark
Sark (french: link=no, Sercq, ; Sercquiais: or ) is a part of the Channel Islands in the southwestern English Channel, off the coast of Normandy, France. It is a royal fief, which forms part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, with its own set of ...
. Sark does not permit road transport, aside from cycles and farm vehicles. Alderney has some different road markings, but the signs are broadly the same as Guernsey.
Overseas territories
The Overseas territories have much more autonomy regarding their use of signs and these can vary quite significantly from those used in Great Britain.
Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Road signs in
Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Akrotiri and Dhekelia, officially the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (SBA),, ''Periochés Kyríarchon Váseon Akrotiríou ke Dekélias''; tr, Ağrotur ve Dikelya İngiliz Egemen Üs Bölgeleri is a British Overseas Territory o ...
, on
Cyprus
Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is ge ...
, are controlled by the
Ministry of Defence and maintain the same designs as the Republic of Cyprus.
Speeds are in kilometres per hour, distances are in kilometres. Some signs are in Turkish as well as English and Greek.
Anguilla
Anguilla
Anguilla ( ) is a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin. The terr ...
mostly uses the same road signs as the United Kingdom with minor differences. Anguilla's roads occasionally cross large ''dish drains'' requiring a vehicle to slow down to cross. Because of this, the territory has its own unique dip sign.
Ascension Island
Ascension Island mainly uses signs similar to the UK's, but the yellow diagonal signs common to the US are also found on the island.
Bermuda
Bermuda
)
, anthem = "God Save the King"
, song_type = National song
, song = "Hail to Bermuda"
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, image_map2 =
, mapsize2 =
, map_caption2 =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name =
, es ...
mostly uses the same style as the United Kingdom, with some exceptions. Speed limit signs are in kilometres per hour and occasionally miles per hour, and all limit signs have this marked. Longer distances are typically in kilometeres, however shorter distances are signed in yards. Height and width sign restrictions are in both imperial units and metric. No entry signs have "NO ENTRY" written in black down the centre as was often used in the UK prior to 1965. Goods vehicles are prohibited by class rather than weight: a list of prohibited vehicle classes will usually accompany a generic "no lorries" sign. Bermuda still uses the Z-bend sign, phased out in the UK since 1975.
British Indian Ocean Territory
The
British Indian Ocean Territory's road signs are modelled on those of the US's ''
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
The ''Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways'' (usually referred to as the ''Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices'', abbreviated MUTCD) is a document issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the Unit ...
''.
Cayman Islands
The road signs of the
Cayman Islands are similar to the UK's; the only main difference is some signs have allowable alternatives from the US's ''
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
The ''Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways'' (usually referred to as the ''Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices'', abbreviated MUTCD) is a document issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the Unit ...
'', mainly for parking restriction signs. The warning sign for
dead ends is one of the only signs to follow the US standard in the Road Code, although other US-influenced signs are listed for use near schools.
In practice, the
Transport typeface is not used and signs are written in
all caps
In typography, all caps (short for "all capitals") refers to text or a font in which all letters are capital letters, for example: "THIS TEXT IS IN ALL CAPS". All caps may be used for emphasis (for a word or phrase). They are commonly seen in l ...
.
Pedestrian crossings
A pedestrian crossing (or crosswalk in American English) is a place designated for pedestrians to cross a road, street or avenue. The term "pedestrian crossing" is also used in the Vienna and Geneva Conventions, both of which pertain to road si ...
are often marked with a US-style sign instead of a
Belisha beacon
A Belisha beacon is an amber-coloured globe lamp atop a tall black and white striped pole, marking pedestrian crossings of roads in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and in other countries historically influenced by Britain such as Hong Kong, Malta ...
.
Falkland Islands
![Vägskylt vid vägen mellan Stanley och Mount Pleasant](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/V%C3%A4gskylt_vid_v%C3%A4gen_mellan_Stanley_och_Mount_Pleasant.jpg)
The
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands (; es, Islas Malvinas, link=no ) is an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about east of South America's southern Patagonian coast and about from Cape Dubouze ...
' road signs are similar to the UK. There is an additional road sign used in the Falklands to denote a minefield.
Gibraltar
The road signs of
Gibraltar
)
, anthem = " God Save the King"
, song = " Gibraltar Anthem"
, image_map = Gibraltar location in Europe.svg
, map_alt = Location of Gibraltar in Europe
, map_caption = United Kingdom shown in pale green
, mapsize =
, image_map2 = Gib ...
are similar to the UK, with some signs being reversed to reflect driving on the opposite side of the road. There are some warning signs specific to Gibraltar, mainly to do with the unique wildlife of the territory. Speed limits and distances are in metric, in keeping with the rest of the
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula (),
**
* Aragonese and Occitan: ''Peninsula Iberica''
**
**
* french: Péninsule Ibérique
* mwl, Península Eibérica
* eu, Iberiar penintsula also known as Iberia, is a peninsula in southwestern Europe, def ...
. However, height and width clearance warning and regulatory signs are both in imperial and metric.
Montserrat
The road signs of
Montserrat are similar to those of the UK. No entry signs have "NO ENTRY" written in red down the centre, similar to the design used in the Bahamas.
Pitcairn Island
Road transport in
Pitcairn
The Pitcairn Islands (; Pitkern: '), officially the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, is a group of four volcanic islands in the southern Pacific Ocean that form the sole British Overseas Territory in the Pacific Ocean. The four is ...
is primarily by quad bike. Signs are modelled on
those of New Zealand, although they are not kept in step with New Zealand updates. Pitcairn's uses a unique ''slow down'' sign seen in neither the UK nor New Zealand – a red octagon with "SLOW DOWN" in white.
Saint Helena
The road signs on
Saint Helena are similar to the UK's.
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
)
, anthem = "God Save the King"
, song_type =
, song =
, image_map = South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in United Kingdom.svg
, map_caption = Location of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in the southern Atlantic Oce ...
inherited the traffic regulations of the
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands (; es, Islas Malvinas, link=no ) is an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about east of South America's southern Patagonian coast and about from Cape Dubouze ...
when it was made a separate territory in 1985. There are very few roads on the island and they are all gravel and unmarked.
Turks and Caicos Islands
The lack of road signs and official street names in the
Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands (abbreviated TCI; and ) are a British Overseas Territory consisting of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands, two groups of tropical islands in the Lucayan Archipelago of the Atlantic Ocean and n ...
was blamed for emergency vehicles not reaching their destination promptly, the government has since embarked on a programme of labelling roads and installing signs.
Roads are labelled in a similar way to the US and Canada. Road signs are similar to those of the UK, although older MUTCD-influenced signs, including US-style speed limit signs, have not been actively replaced and are still seen.
Brown signs are sometimes erroneously used instead of green to denote primary routes. Officially, green is used for primary routes and white for local routes, as in the UK. There are no traffic lights in the Turks and Caicos Islands, most intersections are roundabouts.
Virgin Islands
The road signs of the
Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands ( es, Islas Vírgenes) are an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. They are geologically and biogeographically the easternmost part of the Greater Antilles, the northern islands belonging to the Puerto Rico Trench and St. Cro ...
are similar to those of the US. The BVI drivers manual lists British-influenced signage with occasional differences, but in reality, all signs installed follow the ''
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
The ''Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways'' (usually referred to as the ''Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices'', abbreviated MUTCD) is a document issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the Unit ...
''.
In 2018, new legislation was introduced in the Virgin Islands requiring that speed limits be labelled in both mph and km/h.
See also
*
Highway Code
''The Highway Code'' is a set of information, advice, guides and mandatory rules for road users in the United Kingdom. Its objective is to promote road safety. The ''Highway Code'' applies to all road users including pedestrians, horse riders ...
*
Gaelic road signs in Scotland
*
Road signs in Ireland
Road signs in Ireland do not differ greatly from those used elsewhere in Europe, but there are some differences between those used in the Republic of Ireland and those used in Northern Ireland, including different systems of units used in each ...
*
Road signs in Wales
*
Off-Network Tactical Diversion Route
*
Signage
Signage is the design or use of signs and symbols to communicate a message. A signage also means signs ''collectively'' or being considered as a group. The term ''signage'' is documented to have been popularized in 1975 to 1980.
Signs are any ...
*
Hong Kong
Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta i ...
References
* This article contains quotations from United Kingdom traffic regulations and handbooks, available under th
Open Government Licence v3.0 ©
Crown copyright.
External links
;Official government websites
Department for Transport traffic signs and signals index page''The Highway Code'' - Traffic signs section''Know Your Traffic Signs''- A
Department for Transport publication detailing common road signs and their meanings.
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016
;History
''War to Worboys''— a Roads.org.uk article about the Worboys Committee.
;Other resources
''Traffic signs: report of the committee on traffic signs for all-purpose roads''– The 'Worboys report', a 1963 report, at the
Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is an American digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It provides free public access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, software applications/games, music, ...
''Motorway Signs: Final Report of Advisory Committee for Traffic Signs on Motorways''- The 'Anderson Report', a 1962 report for
motorway
A controlled-access highway is a type of highway that has been designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow—ingress and egress—regulated. Common English terms are freeway, motorway and expressway. Other similar terms i ...
signs, at the Internet Archive
Institute of Highway Engineers sign design technical gatewayBritish Road Design Project curated by
Patrick Murphy, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the British Road Sign at the
Design Museum, London
Traffic Signs and Signals UK
{{United Kingdom roads
Driving in the United Kingdom
History of transport in the United Kingdom
History of transport in the Isle of Man