Category: Great Britain

Photo: Michał Robak / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

For cars in Great Britain, the national speed limits are 60 mph on single carriageways and 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways. In built-up areas with street lights, the limit is generally 30 mph in England and Scotland, and 20 mph in Wales since 17 September 2023. This explainer is for learner and new drivers. It sets out the full Rule 124 table, what the national speed limit sign means on each road type, the lower limits for towing, and why the limit is a maximum, not a target.

Key facts: UK speed limits for cars

• Built-up areas: 30 mph (48 km/h) in England and Scotland, 20 mph (32 km/h) in Wales, on roads with street lights unless signs show otherwise. GOV.UK gives 30 mph for Northern Ireland too.
• Single carriageway: 60 mph (96 km/h).
• Dual carriageway: 70 mph (112 km/h).
• Motorway: 70 mph (112 km/h).
• Towing a caravan or trailer: 50 mph on single carriageways, 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.
• Learners in Great Britain follow the same limits as full licence holders.

The national speed limit table (Rule 124)

Rule 124 of the Highway Code says you MUST NOT exceed the maximum speed limit for the road and for your vehicle. This is the table for the vehicles most learner and new drivers will use.

Vehicle	Built-up areas (England, Scotland)	Built-up areas (Wales)	Single carriageways	Dual carriageways	Motorways
Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans up to 2 tonnes	30 mph	20 mph	60 mph	70 mph	70 mph
Cars towing caravans or trailers	30 mph	20 mph	50 mph	60 mph	60 mph
Motorhomes up to 3.05 tonnes unladen	30 mph	20 mph	60 mph	70 mph	70 mph
Motorhomes over 3.05 tonnes unladen	30 mph	20 mph	50 mph	60 mph	70 mph
Goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes	30 mph	20 mph	50 mph	60 mph	70 mph (60 mph if articulated or towing)

Buses, coaches, minibuses and heavier goods vehicles have their own lower limits, set out in the same Rule 124 table. GOV.UK notes that most vans have lower limits than cars and follow the goods vehicle limits for their weight, unless they are car-derived vans up to 2 tonnes laden.

What does the national speed limit sign mean?

The national speed limit sign (captioned “National speed limit applies” in the Highway Code) does not mean one fixed number. It means the limit from the table above for that road and your vehicle. In a car:

• on a single carriageway, it means 60 mph
• on a dual carriageway, it means 70 mph
• on a motorway, it means 70 mph

Towing a trailer changes the number: 50 mph on a single carriageway and 60 mph on a dual carriageway. Speed limit signs in a red circle give a maximum speed. Blue circular signs give a minimum speed. Our guides to regulatory signs and speed limit and less common signs show them.

Built-up areas and street lights

Rule 124 says the 30 mph limit (20 mph in Wales) usually applies to all roads with street lighting, except motorways, unless signs show otherwise. Councils can set different local limits, which must be clearly signed. Rule 124 gives examples: 20 mph in some built-up areas of England and Scotland, 30 mph on some roads in Welsh built-up areas, and 50 mph on single carriageways with known hazards. GOV.UK also mentions 20 mph zones near schools.

Wales’ 20 mph default limit

The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022 cut the default limit on restricted roads in Wales from 30 mph to 20 mph from 17 September 2023. The Highway Code was updated the same day. The Welsh Government describes restricted roads as usually residential and built-up streets, often with street lights no more than 200 yards apart.

Welsh highway authorities can return particular roads to 30 mph using a traffic regulation order, following guidance issued in July 2024. So on a Welsh street with street lights, expect 20 mph unless signs show 30 mph.

Variable and temporary limits

Some motorways and dual carriageways have variable speed limit signs that change the maximum. Road works often have temporary limits. See smart motorways and red X signals and road works and temporary speed limits.

The limit is a maximum, not a target (Rule 125)

Rule 125 says the speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed in all conditions. It tells you to slow down for:

• bends and other hazards in the road layout or surface
• vulnerable road users, such as children, older or disabled people, cyclists, horse riders, horse-drawn vehicles and motorcyclists
• bad weather
• night driving, when other road users are harder to see

Rule 152 adds that some residential areas have a 20 mph limit and asks you to drive slowly where pedestrians, cyclists and parked cars are likely. Rule 154 asks you to slow down where country roads enter villages. Annex 8, the safety code for new drivers, says to keep your speed down because many serious collisions happen when drivers lose control, particularly on bends. Learn how speed affects stopping in stopping distances and the two second rule.

Speed limits for learners and in Northern Ireland

GOV.UK confirms that learners in England, Scotland and Wales have the same speed limits as full licence holders. In Northern Ireland, older rules set a 45 mph limit for L-plated cars, and drivers who pass under the pre-GDL system before 1 April 2027 keep a 45 mph limit for a year. Under Graduated Driver Licensing, nidirect says the 45 mph restriction is removed. Read Learning to Drive in Northern Ireland for details.

Scenario: leaving a town

You drive out of a town on a lit 30 mph road. The street lights stop and you pass a national speed limit sign. The road is a single carriageway with one lane each way.

• The national limit for your car is now 60 mph.
• That does not mean you should drive at 60 mph. With a bend ahead and a farm entrance, Rule 125 says choose a speed that fits the conditions.
• If you are towing a small trailer, your limit is 50 mph.

Common questions

What is the national speed limit for a car on a single carriageway?

60 mph (96 km/h). On dual carriageways and motorways it is 70 mph (112 km/h).

Is the speed limit 30 mph wherever there are street lights?

Generally yes in England and Scotland, and 20 mph in Wales, unless signs show a different limit. Motorways are the exception.

When did Wales change to 20 mph?

On 17 September 2023, for restricted roads (usually residential streets with street lights). Some roads have since been returned to 30 mph, so follow the signs.

Can learner drivers drive at 70 mph?

In Great Britain, yes, where the limit allows and conditions are suitable. Learners have the same limits as other drivers. Learners can only drive on motorways with an approved driving instructor in a dual-controlled car. See learners and motorways.

What is the speed limit when towing a trailer?

50 mph on single carriageways and 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways, plus the normal built-up area limits. See towing a trailer on a car licence.

What happens if I speed as a new driver?

Speeding can lead to penalty points. If you reach 6 points within 2 years of passing, your licence is cancelled. See the New Drivers Act.

Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Traffic signs” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Updates” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Annex 8. Safety code for new drivers” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “Know your traffic signs” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Speed limits” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Driving lessons and learning to drive” (gov.uk)
• Welsh Government, “Introducing default 20mph speed limits” (gov.wales)
• Welsh Government, “The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022” (legislation.gov.uk)
• nidirect, “What Graduated Driver Licensing means for learner drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)

Photo: Mike Bird / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

A red X above a motorway lane in Great Britain means that lane is closed and you must not drive in it. Ignoring one can bring a fixed penalty of up to £100 and three points, and cameras can detect it. This guide covers red X signals, variable speed limits, the hard shoulder used as a lane, and what to do if you have to stop on a motorway with no hard shoulder.

Key facts

• Red X (with flashing red lights): lane closed. You MUST NOT drive in it (Highway Code Rule 258).
• Penalty: fixed penalty of up to £100 and three points, or court in some cases (National Highways).
• Cameras: since a law change in June 2019, cameras can automatically detect drivers ignoring a red X so police can act.
• Speed limit in a red circle: mandatory (Rule 261). Without a red circle, it is advisory.
• Emergency areas: blue signs with an orange SOS phone symbol, often orange surfacing. For emergencies only (Rule 270).

What does a red X on the motorway mean?

A red X with red lights flashing in pairs means “do not proceed in the lane directly below”. It is used when there are people, stopped vehicles or other hazards in the lane, and to keep it clear for emergency services.

1. Follow the earlier signs, such as an arrow, to move into an open lane in good time.
2. Do not drive in the closed lane, even after you pass the obvious hazard. There may be more danger further on.
3. If the lane next to you is about to close, leave gaps so others can merge.
4. The lane is open again only when a sign shows a speed limit, the national speed limit sign or “END”. A blank sign does not cancel a red X.

If red lights and closures are shown for every lane, the road is closed. You MUST NOT go past the sign in any lane or use the hard shoulder to get round it unless a police or traffic officer tells you to.

Variable speed limits

What you see	Meaning
Speed in a red circle, over a lane or at the side	Mandatory limit. Enforcement cameras may be in use.
Speed with no red circle	Maximum speed advised for the conditions
Amber lights flashing with a message (fog, queue)	Warning of a hazard ahead
National speed limit sign or “END”	End of the temporary restriction

A message may appear with no obvious cause. There may be an incident ahead you cannot see yet, so obey it. More signals: motorway signs and signals.

Types of smart motorway

Type	Hard shoulder
Controlled motorway	Permanent hard shoulder, with variable speed limits
Dynamic hard shoulder	Opened as a lane at busy times. It is open only when the sign above it shows a speed limit (60 mph or lower).
All lane running	No hard shoulder. The old hard shoulder is a permanent lane, with emergency areas at intervals.

When can you drive on the hard shoulder? (Rule 269)

• Only in an emergency, when police or traffic officers direct you, or when a sign shows a speed limit above it.
• A red X or a blank sign above the hard shoulder means do not use it except in an emergency.
• Misusing it can lead to a warning letter, or a fine and points.

Emergency areas: what they are and how to use them

Emergency areas sit beside motorways with no hard shoulder, or where the hard shoulder is used as a lane. They are set back from the carriageway and have an emergency telephone linked to a National Highways control centre.

• How to spot one: blue sign with an orange SOS telephone symbol, giving the distance to the next one, and often orange surfacing.
• Use: emergencies only (Rule 270). Not for phone calls, rest stops or checking a route.
• Leaving: you MUST use the emergency telephone and follow the operator’s advice. A lane may be closed for you to rejoin safely (Rule 278).

Breaking down on a motorway with no hard shoulder

1. Leave at the next exit or service area if you can.
2. If not, signal left, move into the left lane and pull into an emergency area, or onto a hard shoulder if there is one.
3. Switch on hazard warning lights (and sidelights in the dark or poor visibility).
4. If you can get out safely, leave by the left-hand side, keep passengers with you and wait behind the barrier if there is one.
5. If you stop in a live lane and cannot get out safely, stay in the car with seat belts on and hazards on, and call 999 (or press the SOS button if fitted).
6. Do not put out a warning triangle on the motorway.
7. Once you are out and behind the barrier, do not go back to the car, even if it is raining or cold. Do not try repairs.
8. If a disability means you cannot follow these steps, stay in the car with your seat belt on and hazards on, and call 999 or press SOS (Rule 279).

Rejoining the motorway (Rule 278)

• From an emergency area: you MUST use the emergency telephone first and follow the operator’s advice, even if the engine has restarted. The operator may close a lane so you can pull out safely. A restart also does not prove the fault is fixed.
• From a hard shoulder: build up speed on the hard shoulder, signal, and wait for a safe gap. Watch for stopped vehicles and debris ahead of you. Your indicator does not give you priority.

When you call, have ready the motorway, direction of travel, the number on the nearest marker post or driver location sign, whether you are in a lane, an emergency area or on the hard shoulder, and who is with you. Read it from a safe place, not by walking along the road.

Full checklists, including how to tell services where you are: what to do if your car breaks down.

Common questions

How many points for driving under a red X?

Three points and a fixed penalty of up to £100. Some cases go to court, where higher penalties are possible.

Can a camera catch me in a red X lane?

Yes. Since June 2019, cameras can automatically detect vehicles that ignore a red X, and the police then take enforcement action.

Are smart motorway speed limits enforced?

Yes, when the limit is shown in a red circle. Limits without a red circle are advice.

Can I stop in an emergency area to take a phone call?

No. Emergency areas are for emergencies only, and Rule 271 says do not stop on a motorway to make or take calls.

Can learners drive on smart motorways?

Learners in Great Britain can drive on motorways only with an approved driving instructor in a dual-controlled car. See learners and motorways.

Related: your first motorway drive, Highway Code light signals and road works and contraflows. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Motorways (253 to 274)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Breakdowns and incidents (275 to 287)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “Know your traffic signs” (gov.uk), section: Motorway signs, signals and road markings
• National Highways, “Red X” (nationalhighways.co.uk)
• National Highways, “The hard shoulder” (nationalhighways.co.uk)
• National Highways, “Ambulance crews urge drivers to respect the Red X” (gov.uk)

Photo: Tony Zohari / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

In Great Britain you MUST obey signals from police officers, traffic officers, DVSA officers, traffic wardens and school crossing patrols (Highway Code Rule 105). This explainer covers who can stop you, how each one signals, what you must do, and the school crossing patrol “Stop for children” sign under Rule 210.

Who can stop or direct you?

Who	How they signal	What you must do	Where
Police	From behind: flashing blue lights, headlights, siren or horn, or by pointing and/or using the left indicator. On foot: arm signals to stop or beckon you on	Pull over and stop as soon as it is safe, then switch off your engine (Rule 106)	Anywhere
DVSA officers	Flashing amber lights, from the front (follow them) or from behind (pull over)	Obey their signals. Not complying is an offence (Rule 107)	Any road vehicle, anywhere
Traffic officers (uniformed)	Flashing amber lights, usually from behind, then pointing and/or the left indicator to direct you to the side of the road	Pull over and stop when safe, switch off your engine. Not complying is an offence (Rule 108)	Most motorways and some A roads in England and Wales
Traffic wardens	Directions and signs	Obey them (Rule 105)	Anywhere they are directing traffic
School crossing patrols	“Stop for children” sign	Stop (Rule 210)	Near schools

Traffic officers usually stop vehicles for safety reasons, for example an insecure load (Rule 108).

Police signals on foot

The Highway Code shows police officers signalling three ways to stop traffic: traffic approaching from the front, from both front and behind, and from behind. There is also a signal to beckon traffic on from the side, front or behind. In Wales, bilingual markings appear on emergency service vehicles and clothing.

If an officer is controlling a junction, follow their signal even if the traffic light says otherwise. Watch their hands, and if you are unsure, wait.

Arm signals you give to the person controlling traffic

The Highway Code also shows arm signals a driver can give to a police officer or other person controlling traffic, to show you intend to:

• go straight ahead
• turn left (either hand)
• turn right

These are separate from the arm signals you give to other road users. See signalling with indicators, arm signals and headlights.

School crossing patrols: the four signals

1. Not ready: the patrol is not yet ready for pedestrians to cross.
2. Barrier: the sign is held out to stop pedestrians crossing.
3. Ready to cross: pedestrians are ready, so vehicles must be prepared to stop.
4. All vehicles stop: you must stop.

Rule 210 makes stopping a legal MUST when the patrol shows the “Stop for children” sign. Rule 208 adds: near schools, drive slowly, and where a flashing amber signal sits under a “School” warning sign, children may be crossing ahead.

Scenario: blue lights behind you on a dual carriageway

A police car behind you flashes its headlights and points to the left. Signal left, find a safe place (a lay-by or hard verge, not a bend or a junction), stop, and switch off the engine. If the police car simply wants to get past, see letting emergency vehicles pass.

Common questions

Can a traffic officer pull me over?

Yes, on most motorways and some A roads in England and Wales. You must stop when safe. Not complying is an offence (Rule 108).

How do I know it is a DVSA officer?

DVSA officers use flashing amber lights. They may drive in front and ask you to follow, or signal from behind to pull over (Rule 107).

Do I have to stop for a lollipop person?

Yes. When a school crossing patrol shows the “Stop for children” sign, you MUST stop (Rule 210).

What if a police officer waves me through a red light?

Follow the officer. Rule 105 requires you to obey police signals, and they override the lights.

Should I switch my engine off when stopped by police?

Yes. Rules 106 and 108 both say stop as soon as it is safe and then switch off your engine.

Related: road users requiring extra care, regulatory signs and Highway Code light signals. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Signals by authorised persons” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)” (gov.uk)

Photo: Thomas Fuhrmann / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Driving through road works in Great Britain comes down to Highway Code Rules 288 to 290: obey the temporary speed limit, which is mandatory, get into the right lane early, merge in turn where lanes close, and never drive into a coned-off area. This guide covers what each road works sign means, contraflows, convoys, temporary traffic lights and what to do if you break down inside the works.

Key facts

• You MUST NOT exceed a temporary maximum speed limit (Rule 288).
• Average speed cameras are often used in road works. A sign shows the length of road where two cameras measure your average speed.
• Where lanes close, merge in turn. Do not switch lanes to overtake queuing traffic.
• You MUST pass a works vehicle on the side its “Keep Left” or “Keep Right” sign shows (Rule 289).
• You MUST NOT pass a vehicle showing “CONVOY VEHICLE NO OVERTAKING” (Rule 289).

The road works rules (Rule 288)

• When you see the “Road Works Ahead” sign, take extra care and look for signs with more detailed instructions.
• Keep to the temporary limit and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
• Use your mirrors and get into the correct lane in good time, as the signs direct.
• Do not drive through an area marked off by cones.
• Watch for works vehicles entering or leaving the site, especially those showing amber lights, and leave extra space.
• Give cyclists and motorcyclists room: grit, mud or debris can make them skid.
• Concentrate on the road ahead, not the works. Traffic may be stopped round the next bend.

Temporary speed limits: are they enforceable?

Yes. A limit in a red circle at road works is mandatory, and the “end of road works” sign ends it, along with all other temporary restrictions. If the permanent limit after the works is different from the one before, a speed limit sign is always added. A speed on a rectangular sign (“max speed advised”) is advice, not a legal limit.

Know Your Traffic Signs also shows signs for areas where speed cameras are in use, and for a length of road where two cameras measure your average speed between two points. Braking hard at one camera does not help: it is your average over the whole stretch that counts.

Contraflows and narrow lanes (Rule 290)

In a contraflow, traffic going one way uses part of the other carriageway. You may be in a narrower lane, often separated from oncoming traffic only by traffic cylinders, with no permanent barrier.

1. Slow down and increase your following distance at the start and end of the contraflow. Changes in road camber here can affect your car’s stability.
2. Keep well inside your lane, where you can clearly see its edges (studs or temporary markings).
3. Watch the lane signs. A lane with a car symbol and a width figure is restricted to narrower vehicles.
4. If the hard shoulder is in use as a lane, look out for signs telling you it is ending and traffic is moving back onto the main carriageway.

Road works on motorways and dual carriageways (Rule 289)

• Lanes may be closed and a lower speed limit may apply.
• A flashing light arrow or a red X may give early warning of a closed lane.
• Mobile works (line painting, minor repairs) are protected by vehicles with flashing amber lights and a large arrow. Pass on the side shown and do not return to the closed lane until it is safe.
• Rolling road blocks: convoy vehicles with a large red cross and red lights flashing in vertical pairs hold all traffic back while works are done ahead. Do not overtake them.

Convoys, stop/go boards and temporary lights

Situation	What to do
Convoy working (not motorways)	Wait where shown for the convoy vehicle, which takes traffic through at around 10 mph. On a single carriageway you must not overtake it. On a dual carriageway you may pass it only after the works, once signs show a higher limit, and if safe.
STOP/GO boards	Used for short shuttle-working sites where only one direction can pass at a time. Obey the board held by the operative.
Temporary traffic lights	Same meaning as normal signals. There is usually no stop line, so a sign shows where to stop. The red may last longer than normal.
Temporary lights at a junction (“3-way” or “4-way”)	Each arm goes through separately, so expect a long red.

If you break down in road works

Follow the normal breakdown rules (Rules 275, 277 and 278). Where available, move to a signed road works refuge. Some sites have signs telling you to wait for a free recovery service. Steps in full: what to do if your car breaks down.

On the driving test

If your test route meets road works, the examiner wants to see you obey the temporary limit, read the signs early, plan your lane, merge in turn safely and respond correctly to temporary lights and stop/go boards. Treat them as you would any other signs and signals: see how faults are marked.

Common questions

Is a temporary limit in motorway road works the law?

If it is in a red circle, yes. Temporary limits are mandatory and often enforced by average speed cameras.

When does the temporary limit end?

At the “end of road works” sign, which also ends all other temporary restrictions. A speed limit sign may follow it to show the permanent limit.

Should I merge early or late when a lane closes?

The Highway Code says merge in turn where lanes are restricted, and do not switch lanes to overtake queuing traffic. Rule 134 recommends merging in turn at very low speeds, such as when approaching road works.

Can I overtake a convoy vehicle?

Not on a single carriageway, and never one showing “CONVOY VEHICLE NO OVERTAKING”. On a dual carriageway you may pass after the works, once the speed limit has gone up, if it is safe.

Can I drive through a coned-off lane if no one is working?

No. Do not drive through an area marked off by cones, whatever you see inside it.

Related: red X signals and smart motorways, UK speed limits, lane discipline and less common UK road signs. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road works, level crossings and tramways (288 to 307)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Breakdowns and incidents (275 to 287)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “Know your traffic signs” (gov.uk), sections: Speed limit signs; Signs for road works and temporary situations

Photo: Airam Dato-on / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Great Britain has six main types of pedestrian crossing: zebra, parallel, pelican, puffin, toucan and equestrian. The one difference drivers most often get wrong is that only pelican crossings have a flashing amber light, which means give way to anyone on the crossing and go only if it is clear. At every crossing you MUST NOT park on the crossing or its zig-zag lines, and you MUST NOT overtake the vehicle nearest the crossing. This guide covers Highway Code Rules 191 to 199 for drivers in England, Scotland and Wales, plus what the pedestrian rules (18 to 30) mean for you behind the wheel.

The six crossings compared

Crossing	Who uses it	How you spot it	Lights for drivers	What you must do
Zebra	Pedestrians	Black and white stripes, flashing beacons	None	MUST give way once a pedestrian has moved onto the crossing; should give way to people waiting
Parallel	Pedestrians and cyclists	Zebra stripes with a cycle route alongside	None	MUST give way once a pedestrian or cyclist has moved onto the crossing
Pelican	Pedestrians	Push button operated by pedestrians	Red, then flashing amber, then green	MUST stop on red; on flashing amber MUST give way to anyone on the crossing
Puffin	Pedestrians	Red and green figures above the control box on the pedestrian’s side	Same sequence as traffic lights, no flashing amber	Treat as traffic lights
Toucan	Pedestrians and cyclists together	Push button; pedestrians and cyclists get the green signal together	Same as traffic lights, no flashing amber	Treat as traffic lights; cyclists may ride across
Equestrian	Horse riders	Pavement barriers, wider space, horse and rider figures, a higher control panel	Same as traffic lights, no flashing amber	Treat as traffic lights

A handy way to remember: toucans are for two (people and bikes), puffins have the signals on the pedestrian’s side, and pelicans are the only crossing with a flashing amber light.

Rules for every crossing

• Zig-zag lines (Rule 191): you MUST NOT park on a crossing or in the area covered by the zig-zag lines. Rule 240 repeats this ban on stopping or parking.
• No overtaking (Rule 191): you MUST NOT overtake the moving vehicle nearest the crossing, or the vehicle nearest the crossing that has stopped to let pedestrians cross. A stopped vehicle can hide the very person stepping out in front of it, even if the lane beside it looks empty.
• Keep it clear (Rule 192): in queuing traffic, do not move onto a crossing unless you can clear it completely, and do not block advanced stop lines for cycles.
• Blocked views (Rule 193): take extra care when queuing traffic or badly parked vehicles hide the crossing. People may be crossing between stopped vehicles.
• No pressure (Rule 194): give people plenty of time and do not rev your engine or edge forward.
• After the lights change (Rule 198): give way to anyone still crossing after your signal turns green. This applies at all crossings.

Zebra crossings (Rule 195)

Zebra crossings have black and white stripes and flashing beacons. As you approach:

1. Look out for people waiting to cross, and be ready to slow down or stop.
2. You should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross.
3. You MUST give way when a pedestrian has moved onto the crossing.
4. Allow more stopping time on wet or icy roads.
5. Do not wave, flash your lights or sound your horn to invite people across. Another vehicle may be coming.
6. Watch for people approaching from the side of the crossing.

A zebra crossing with a central island counts as two separate crossings. Once a pedestrian has reached the island, the half on your side may be clear for you to go, but watch for them stepping onto your half.

Parallel crossings

Parallel crossings look like a zebra with a cycle route running beside the stripes. The same rules apply, but for cyclists as well as pedestrians: you should give way to anyone waiting, and you MUST give way once a pedestrian or cyclist has moved onto the crossing. Expect cyclists to arrive faster than walkers.

Pelican crossings and the flashing amber (Rules 196 and 197)

Pelican crossings are signal-controlled crossings where a flashing amber light follows the red “Stop” light.

Light	What it means for you
Steady red	You MUST stop
Flashing amber	You MUST give way to any pedestrians on the crossing. If nobody is on it, you may go with caution
Green	Go if it is safe, but still give way to anyone still crossing (Rule 198)

A pelican crossing that goes straight across the road is one crossing, even if it has a central island. You MUST wait for pedestrians crossing from the other side of the island. A pedestrian on the far half still has priority over you.

From the pedestrian side, Rule 22 says that when the green figure starts flashing, people should not start to cross, but anyone already crossing should have time to finish.

Puffin, toucan and equestrian crossings (Rule 199)

These work like pelican crossings but have no flashing amber phase. The light sequence for drivers is the same as at ordinary traffic lights. If the crossing is not working, go with extreme caution. Do not enter the crossing unless you can clear it completely, so you do not block pedestrians, cyclists or horse riders.

• Puffin (Rule 23): the red and green figures are above the control box on the pedestrian’s side, and there is no flashing green figure.
• Toucan (Rule 25): pedestrians and cyclists see the green signal together, and cyclists are allowed to ride across.
• Equestrian (Rule 27): for horse riders, with pavement barriers, wider crossing spaces, horse and rider figures, and either two sets of controls (one higher) or just one higher control panel.

Staggered crossings

Rule 28 explains that where the two halves of a pelican or puffin crossing are not in line across a central refuge, they are two separate crossings. Pedestrians press the button again on the island. As a driver, your lights only control your half.

What pedestrians are told, and why it matters to you

Knowing the pedestrian rules helps you predict what people will do:

• Rule 19 tells pedestrians that traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto a zebra crossing, and to keep looking in case a driver overtakes a stopped vehicle. That is exactly why overtaking near a crossing is banned.
• Rule 18 tells pedestrians to check that traffic has stopped before they step out, to cross between the studs or over the stripes rather than at the side or on the zig-zag lines, and says they MUST NOT loiter on any crossing. Some still cross at the edges, so watch them.
• Rule 26 says some crossings bleep or speak, and may have a tactile signal, for blind, partially sighted and deafblind people. Someone using these may need more time.
• Rule 29 says pedestrians should only cross where a police officer, traffic warden or school crossing patrol signals them to. See signals by police and crossing patrols.

For more on pedestrians, read Highway Code rules for pedestrians and the hierarchy of road users.

Penalties for crossing offences

Parking on zig-zags, overtaking at a crossing or failing to give way are breaches of the pedestrian crossing regulations. GOV.UK lists three endorsement codes, each carrying 3 penalty points:

Code	Offence	Points
PC10	Undefined contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations	3
PC20	Contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations with a moving vehicle	3
PC30	Contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations with a stationary vehicle	3

For a new driver, two crossing offences reach 6 points, which means losing your licence within 2 years of passing. See the New Drivers Act.

Common questions

Do I have to stop for someone waiting at a zebra crossing?

Rule 195 says you should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross, and you MUST give way once they have moved onto the crossing.

What does flashing amber mean at a pelican crossing?

You MUST give way to anyone on the crossing. If it is empty, you may go with caution.

Which crossings have no flashing amber?

Puffin, toucan and equestrian crossings. Their lights follow the normal traffic light sequence.

Can I park on zig-zag lines to drop someone off?

No. Rules 191 and 240 say you MUST NOT stop or park on a crossing or in the area marked by the zig-zag lines.

Should I wave pedestrians across?

No. Rule 195 says do not wave, flash your lights or sound your horn to invite people across, because another vehicle may be approaching.

Is a crossing with a central island one crossing or two?

A zebra with an island is two crossings. A pelican that goes straight across is one crossing, even with an island. Staggered pelican or puffin crossings are two.

Related: traffic lights and signals. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Using the road (159 to 203)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Rules for pedestrians (1 to 35)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Waiting and parking (238 to 252)” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Penalty points (endorsements): Endorsement codes and penalty points” (gov.uk)

Photo: Jan Wright / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

A level crossing is where a road crosses a railway or tramway line. In Great Britain, the rule at every type of crossing is the same: never drive on until the road is clear on the other side, never stop on it, and always stop when red lights flash. This guide explains each type of crossing you will meet as a learner or new driver: full barrier, half barrier, open, and user-operated gates. It also covers the signs on the approach and what to do if you break down on the tracks. It is based on Highway Code Rules 291 to 299 and the Department for Transport’s Know Your Traffic Signs.

Key rules at any level crossing

• Never drive onto a crossing until the road is clear on the other side, and don’t get too close to the car in front (Rule 291).
• Never stop or park on, or near, a crossing.
• You MUST obey flashing red stop lights and stop behind the white line (Rule 293).
• Never reverse onto or over a controlled crossing.
• If a train passes and the red lights keep flashing, wait. Another train is coming.
• Do not enter a yellow box at a crossing if traffic ahead could leave you stopped with any part of your car inside it.

Types of level crossing in Great Britain

Type	What you see	What you do
Full barrier (controlled)	Steady amber, then twin flashing red lights, alarm, barriers across the whole road	Stop at the white line. Cross only when the lights go off and the barriers are fully up.
Automatic half barrier	Amber lights and alarm, then flashing red lights, then half barriers lower	You MUST stop. Never zig-zag around the barriers: they lower automatically because a train is approaching.
Automatic open (no barriers)	Flashing red lights and alarm, St Andrew’s cross sign	A train is approaching whenever the lights show. Stop and wait until they go off.
Gates or barriers without traffic lights	Gates or barriers, sometimes worked by an attendant	Stop and wait when the barrier or gate begins to close. Don’t cross until it opens (Rule 295).
User-operated, with miniature lights	‘Stop’ sign, small red and green lights, gates you open yourself	You MUST NOT cross on red. Cross only on green (Rule 296).
User-operated, no lights	Gates or barriers, often a railway telephone	Stop, look both ways and listen. If there’s a phone, always ring the signal operator first and again when clear (Rule 297).
Open crossing	No gates, barriers, attendant or lights. A ‘Give Way’ sign over a train symbol	Look both ways, listen and make sure no train is coming before you cross (Rule 298).

How do the lights at a level crossing work?

1. Steady amber: means stop, as at normal traffic lights, unless it is unsafe to do so. If you have already crossed the white line when the amber comes on, keep going.
2. Twin flashing red: means STOP. This applies to pedestrians too.
3. Lights still flashing after a train passes: another train is coming. At automatic half-barrier crossings the barriers stay down and the alarm sound may change.
4. Barriers rising: don’t move until the lights go out.

Know Your Traffic Signs says to phone the signal operator if the red lights flash for more than three minutes without a train arriving (except at full-barrier crossings), or if a barrier lowers without the lights flashing.

More on signals: Highway Code light signals.

How to use a user-operated gated crossing

These crossings have gates or barriers but no attendant. With miniature red and green lights, which are worked by an approaching train:

1. Stop. You must stop even if the gates have been left open.
2. Check the light. Red means a train is coming: don’t cross.
3. On green, open the gates or barriers on both sides.
4. Check the green light is still on, then cross quickly.
5. Close the gates or barriers once you are clear.

If there are no lights, follow the same steps, but stop, look both ways and listen before crossing. If there is a railway telephone, use it before you cross and again when you are clear.

Signs on the approach to a level crossing

• Warning triangle (gate or barrier): level crossing with a gate or barrier ahead.
• Warning triangle (no gate or barrier): level crossing without a gate or barrier ahead.
• Plate showing lights: advance warning of light signals at the crossing.
• Countdown markers: three, two and one sloping bars on the approach. They divide the distance from the warning sign to the stop line into three equal parts. Each bar is not necessarily 100 yards.
• St Andrew’s cross: used at crossings with no gates or barriers.
• Overhead cable sign with a safe height: electrified lines ahead. Bells may hang over the road to warn vehicles that are too tall.
• Yellow box markings: part of the road that must be kept clear.
• Name and phone number board: for contacting the railway operator at crossings without a dedicated phone.

See UK warning signs for the sign shapes.

Overhead electric lines and railway telephones

• It is dangerous to touch overhead electric lines. You MUST obey safe-height signs. Don’t go on if your vehicle touches a height barrier or bells. The usual clearance is 5 metres (16 feet 6 inches), but it may be lower (Rule 292).
• Drivers of large or slow vehicles, long low vehicles that could ground, or anyone herding animals MUST obey signs telling them to phone for permission before crossing. They must phone again when clear if asked to (Rule 294).

What to do if you break down on a level crossing

Rule 299:

1. Get everyone out of the car and clear of the crossing immediately.
2. Use the railway telephone, if there is one, to tell the signal operator. Follow their instructions.
3. Move the car clear only if there is time before a train arrives.
4. If the alarm sounds or the amber light comes on, leave the car and get clear at once.

Full breakdown routine: what to do if your car breaks down.

Level crossings with trams

Where a tramway crosses the road with no barriers, gates or traffic lights, drivers must give way to trams. Sometimes only a ‘Give Way’ sign and a tram plate are used. See driving alongside trams.

Common questions

Can I go if the barriers are up but the lights are still flashing?

No. Wait until the lights go out, even after the barriers rise. Lights that keep flashing after a train has passed mean another train is coming.

Is it ever OK to drive around half barriers?

Never. They come down automatically because a train is approaching.

What if the amber light comes on as I reach the crossing?

Stop at the white line unless stopping would be unsafe. If you have already crossed the white line, keep going.

Traffic is queuing over the crossing. Should I follow?

No. Only drive on when the road is clear on the other side, and keep out of the yellow box if you could end up stopped in it.

Do learners get level crossings on the driving test?

Test routes are not published. If your route has a crossing, the examiner will expect you to follow these rules. Level crossings also come up in the theory test under rules of the road.

What does an open crossing look like?

It has no gates, barriers, attendant or lights, just a ‘Give Way’ sign. You must look both ways and listen for trains yourself.

Related: road works and contraflows (Rules 288 to 290) and learning to drive on rural roads. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road works, level crossings and tramways (288 to 307)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “Know Your Traffic Signs: Level crossing signs and signals” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “Know Your Traffic Signs: Tram signs, signals and road markings” (gov.uk)

Photo: Mike Bird / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Some UK road signs turn up rarely but still appear in the theory test and on real roads: speed limit repeaters, low bridge height signs, weight and width limits, pedestrian zones, tidal flow lanes and clean air zones. This guide explains what each one means for a car driver in Great Britain, using the Department for Transport’s Know Your Traffic Signs.

Speed limit signs you might misread

Sign	Meaning
White circle with a black diagonal stripe	National speed limit for the type of road and vehicle applies. See UK speed limits.
Small speed limit repeater	Reminder of the limit you are in
Speed in a red circle at a town or village name sign	Start of the limit at the boundary
Speed in a blue circle	Minimum speed. A red diagonal line through it marks the end.
Speed on a rectangular plate under a bend warning	Advised maximum speed for the bend, not a legal limit
Speed limit sign with a camera symbol	Start of a variable speed limit with enforcement cameras
Camera symbol on its own	Speed cameras in use in the area
Camera sign with “average speed”	Two cameras measure your average speed between two points
20 mph zone entry sign	Entrance to a 20 mph zone, where you may meet traffic-calming measures

Repeater rules: why you will not see 30 mph repeaters under street lights

• On a road with street lights (other than a motorway), the limit is 30 mph unless signs say otherwise. In Wales it is 20 mph.
• So 30 mph repeater signs are used only on roads without street lighting.
• National speed limit repeaters are used only on roads with street lighting (other than motorways).
• A camera sign on a lit road with no repeaters tells you the limit is 30 mph. On an unlit road with no repeaters, the national limit applies.

Low bridge signs

Bridges with a clearance under 16 feet 6 inches (about 5 metres) are normally signed. These matter if you drive a van, tow a caravan or carry a roof box.

Sign	Type	Meaning
Red circle with a height in metric and imperial	Mandatory	No vehicle over that height may pass. It is unlawful for an overheight vehicle to go past it.
Red triangle with a height	Warning	Maximum headroom under the bridge or structure ahead. A plate may give the distance.
Arch bridge with two heights	Warning	Headroom differs across the arch. Road markings guide tall vehicles through the highest point.
Four amber lights flashing in pairs	Warning	A high vehicle has triggered a sensor on the approach to a bridge at risk of strikes

At an arch bridge, give way to an oncoming tall vehicle using the middle of the road. Cars may keep left and cross the markings if that lets everyone pass safely.

Weight, width and length limits

Sign	Meaning	Does it affect a car?
Red circle with a weight in tonnes (for example 7.5T)	No vehicles over that maximum gross weight	Rarely. Most cars are well under. Check if you tow.
Red circle with a lorry and a weight	No goods vehicles over that weight	No
Red circle with a width (metric and imperial)	No vehicles over that width	Possibly, for wide vans or with towing mirrors
Red circle with a length	No vehicles or combinations over that length	Possibly, if towing
“Except for access” plate	Exempts vehicles going to premises on that road with no other route	Read it with the sign above

For towing weights and sizes, see towing on a car licence.

Pedestrian zone signs

• A zone entry sign with a red-ringed prohibition roundel marks the start of a pedestrian zone. It may show hours (for a part-time zone) and exemptions in a lower panel.
• Yellow panels on the sign mean there are waiting restrictions inside the zone.
• The zone may have no kerbs or yellow lines, so the sign is all you get. Check the times before you enter.
• A variable message sign may change the exemptions through the day.
• A “zone ends” sign has a grey version of the roundel.

Some zones use rising bollards. A red signal means the bollard is up and you must not go on. Do not follow an authorised vehicle through.

Tidal flow lanes

On some busy roads, overhead lane signals change how many lanes run each way.

Signal above the lane	Meaning
Green arrow	Lane open to you
White diagonal arrow	Lane closes ahead. Move to the next lane on the left.
Red cross	Lane closed to traffic facing the signal

Direction signs for cyclists and pedestrians

• Blue with a white cycle: cycle route direction. A red patch with a number is a National Cycle Network route; a blue patch is a regional route.
• Blue with a walking figure: pedestrian direction sign.
• Green: public footpath. A yellow waymarker is also a footpath; a blue arrow is a bridleway.

Expect cyclists and walkers crossing or joining the road near these signs.

Miscellaneous signs worth knowing

Sign	Meaning for drivers
“2+” or “3+” car symbol	HOV lane. Only vehicles with that many occupants (and others shown) during its hours.
White “C” on red	Road charging, congestion charge or toll
White cloud on green with a letter A to D	Clean air zone. Class D can include cars; non-compliant vehicles may have to pay.
London ULEZ entry sign	Cars not meeting the emission standard pay a daily charge
“LEZ” road marking or sign in Scotland	Low emission zone. Non-compliant vehicles must not be driven in it unless exempt.
Driver location sign (motorways and some other roads)	Exact location reference to give in an emergency

Common questions

Why are there no 30 mph repeater signs?

Because street lights already tell you the limit is 30 mph (20 mph in Wales) unless signs say otherwise. Repeaters for 30 mph are only used on unlit roads.

Is the speed on a bend warning plate a legal limit?

No. A speed on a rectangular plate is the advised maximum. Only a speed in a red circle is a legal limit.

Does a 7.5 tonne weight limit apply to my car?

The sign applies to vehicles over the maximum gross weight shown. Ordinary cars are far lighter, but check the plate: some signs apply only to goods vehicles or exempt access.

What does a blue circle with a number mean?

A minimum speed. You must not go slower unless it is impracticable or unsafe.

Are UK low bridge signs in feet or metres?

Newer signs show both. Some older height restriction signs show imperial only and are replaced when they reach the end of their life.

Related sign guides: regulatory signs, warning signs, direction and information signs, traffic calming and road works signs. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “Know your traffic signs” (gov.uk), sections: Regulatory signs; Speed limit signs; Low bridge signs; Pedestrian zone signs; Direction signs for cyclists and pedestrians; Tidal flow lane control signs and signals; Miscellaneous signs

Photo: Max W / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

In Great Britain you must not drive in a bus lane during its hours of operation unless the sign allows your vehicle. If the sign shows no times, the lane operates 24 hours a day. Bus lanes are usually enforced by camera, and fines are set by the local authority: £160 in London (£80 if paid early) and often £70 elsewhere in England, with no penalty points. This guide explains bus lane and cycle lane signs, when you can enter, and what the penalties are.

Key facts

• No times on the blue sign: the bus lane operates at all times.
• Bank holidays: restrictions apply as normal on days they are in force.
• You may enter a bus lane to stop, load or unload where this is not prohibited (Rule 141).
• Solid white line cycle lane: you MUST NOT drive or park in it during its hours (Rule 140).
• Advance stop line (bike box): when the light is red, you must wait behind the first stop line.

How to read a bus lane sign

The blue sign shows who may use the lane and when. Anyone not shown must keep out during the times on the sign.

Sign shows	Who may use the lane
Bus symbol only	Local buses and any vehicle designed to carry 10 or more people including the driver
Bus symbol marked “local”	Only buses running a local service
Cycle symbol	Pedal cycles as well
Motorcycle symbol	Solo motorcycles as well
“Taxi”	Taxis as well (check local rules on private hire cars)
Times shown	Restriction applies only at those times. Outside them, anyone may drive in it.
No times shown	Lane operates at all times

Bus lane road markings on the carriageway show where the lane starts. A Blue Badge does not let you drive in a bus lane.

Other bus signs and markings

• Break in the bus lane at a junction: other traffic may use the left-hand lane there to turn left only.
• Contraflow bus lane: buses travel against the flow in a one-way street. Never enter it.
• Bus gate: a short length of bus-only street, often camera-enforced.
• Bus stop with a broad yellow line: other vehicles must not stop there.
• Turning left across a bus lane: give way to vehicles using it, from either direction (Rule 183).

Cycle lanes: solid line or broken line?

Lane	Marking	Rule for drivers
Mandatory cycle lane	Solid white line, with a blue sign that may show hours	You MUST NOT drive or park in it during its hours of operation.
Advisory cycle lane	Broken white line	Do not drive or park in it unless it is unavoidable.
Any cycle lane	Either	You MUST NOT park in it while waiting restrictions apply. Give way to cyclists in it, including those coming up behind you.
Contraflow cycling in a one-way street	Sign showing cycles allowed both ways, with or without a line	Expect cyclists coming towards you.

Cyclists do not have to use cycle lanes or tracks, so expect them on the main road too.

Advance stop lines (bike boxes)

At some traffic lights there is a second stop line with a cycle symbol between the two. When the lights are red, drivers must wait behind the first line. Allow cyclists time and space to move off when the lights go green.

HOV lanes

High occupancy vehicle lanes work like bus lanes but also admit cars with enough people inside. A “2+” sign means the driver plus at least one passenger; “3+” means at least two passengers. You MUST NOT use one during its hours unless your vehicle qualifies (Rule 142).

Rule 142 also says designated lanes may or may not admit cycles, buses, taxis, licensed private hire vehicles, motorcycles or HGVs, so a vehicle allowed in one lane may be barred from the next. Following a taxi into a lane tells you nothing about whether your car is allowed. If you cannot read the sign in time, stay in the ordinary lane rather than swerving, and remember that qualifying for the lane does not remove the need for a safe gap to move into it.

Bus lane fines: how much?

Councils (and Transport for London on its own roads) enforce bus lanes, mainly with cameras, and send a penalty charge notice (PCN) to the registered keeper. Councils such as Newcastle and Birmingham state that a bus lane PCN carries no penalty points.

Area	Penalty (as of November 2026)	If paid early
London (TfL roads and boroughs)	£160	£80 within the discount period on the notice
Many English councils outside London (for example Lancashire, Manchester, Nottinghamshire)	£70	£35, usually within 14 or 21 days

Amounts and deadlines vary by council, and in Scotland and Wales. Check the notice and the council’s website. You can challenge a PCN with the council, then appeal to the independent tribunal named on the notice.

Common questions

Can I drive in a bus lane on a Sunday?

Only if the sign’s times exclude Sunday. If the sign shows no days, the times apply every day. If it shows no times at all, the lane is in force 24 hours.

Can I use a bus lane to turn left?

Where the bus lane has a break at a junction, you may use the left-hand lane there to turn left. Otherwise, stay out during its hours.

Can I pull into a bus lane to let an emergency vehicle pass?

Not during its hours. The Highway Code says let emergency vehicles pass while still complying with traffic signs, so do not drive into a bus lane just to get out of the way. See emergency vehicles behind you.

Do I get points for driving in a bus lane?

Councils that issue bus lane PCNs, such as Newcastle and Birmingham, say they carry no points. You pay the penalty charge only.

Can I park in a cycle lane?

Not in a mandatory (solid line) cycle lane during its hours, and not in any cycle lane while waiting restrictions apply.

Can taxis use bus lanes?

Only where the sign includes “taxi”.

Related: lane discipline, Highway Code rules for cyclists, yellow lines and red routes and driving alongside trams. Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “Know your traffic signs” (gov.uk), sections: Bus and cycle signs and road markings; Miscellaneous signs
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: General rules, techniques and advice for all drivers and riders (103 to 158)” (gov.uk)
• Transport for London, “Pay a Penalty Charge Notice” and bus lane FOI response (tfl.gov.uk)
• London Councils, “London boroughs raise parking and traffic PCN levels for first time since 2011” (londoncouncils.gov.uk)
• Lancashire County Council, “Bus lane enforcement” (lancashire.gov.uk)
• Manchester City Council, “Bus lane rules: penalty charge notice” (manchester.gov.uk)
• Nottinghamshire County Council, “Bus lane fines” (nottinghamshire.gov.uk)
• Birmingham City Council, “Bus Lane Guidance and Information” (birmingham.gov.uk)
• Newcastle City Council, “Bus Lane Enforcement” (newcastle.gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road users requiring extra care (204 to 225)” (gov.uk)

Photo: Gawon Lee / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

Annex 4 of the Highway Code, “The road user and the law”, explains which rules are legal requirements in Great Britain and which laws sit behind them. This guide is for new and learner drivers who want to know what the MUST rules mean, where the law applies, which Acts matter most, and what careless and dangerous driving actually look like, with the maximum penalties from Annex 5.

Key facts

• MUST or MUST NOT in a Highway Code rule means a legal requirement. Breaking it is a criminal offence.
• Should, should not, do, do not rules are advice. Breaking one is not an offence by itself, but the Highway Code can be used in court to establish liability.
• “Road” in law usually includes footpaths, bridleways, cycle tracks and many private driveways and car parks. Some serious offences, including drink-driving, apply in all public places.
• Careless driving: below the standard of a competent and careful driver. Dangerous driving: far below it, where the danger would be obvious.
• 12 points in 3 years means a minimum 6-month ban. In your first two years after passing, 6 points cancels your licence.

MUST rules vs should rules: why it matters

Every rule in the Highway Code that says MUST or MUST NOT has a short legal reference underneath, such as “Law RTA 1988 sect 36”. That reference names the Act or regulation that makes it an offence. Penalties can include fines, penalty points, disqualification and, for the most serious offences, prison.

Advisory rules carry no reference. You will not be prosecuted just for ignoring one, but after a crash a court or insurer can point to the Highway Code to decide who was at fault. In practice, both kinds matter.

What counts as a “road”?

In England and Wales a road is any highway and any other road the public can access, including bridges. Scotland has a similar definition that also covers ways the public has a right to pass along. So road traffic law can apply in places a new driver might not expect:

• supermarket and retail car parks
• private roads and driveways the public uses
• footpaths, bridleways and cycle tracks

Some of the most serious offences, such as drink-driving, apply in any public place, not only on roads. Annex 4 is a guide, not a full statement of the law: the exact wording is in the Acts themselves, published free on legislation.gov.uk.

The laws you will see referenced most

Annex 4 lists the abbreviations used throughout the Code. These are the ones a car driver meets most often:

Abbreviation	Law	Typical rules it covers
RTA	Road Traffic Act 1984, 1988 or 1991 (as indicated)	Careless and dangerous driving, drink-driving, obeying signs and signals, insurance
RTRA	Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984	Speed limits, traffic orders, parking restrictions
RTOA	Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988	Penalties, points and fixed penalties
RT(ND)A	Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995	The 6-point rule for new drivers
CUR	Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986	Vehicle condition, tyres, mobile phones
RVLR	Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989	Lights and when to use them
MV(WSB)R	Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1993	Seat belts
MV(DL)R	Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999	Provisional licences, L plates, supervision
TSRGD	Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 and 2016	What signs, lines and signals mean
VERA	Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994	Vehicle tax and registration
MT(E&W)R / MT(S)R	Motorways Traffic Regulations (England and Wales 1982; Scotland 1995)	Motorway rules, hard shoulder, closed lanes
RR(20)O	Restricted Roads (20mph Speed Limit) Order 2022	20mph default limits on restricted roads
SA	Sentencing Act 2020	Sentencing powers

The “typical rules” column is a guide to where each law appears in the Code, not a legal summary.

Careless, inconsiderate and dangerous driving: where the line is

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) guidance for prosecutors in England and Wales sets out the test and typical examples. The court decides each case on its facts.

Careless driving (without due care and attention)

Driving that falls below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver. Typical examples:

• driving too close to the vehicle in front
• briefly changing lanes without warning
• overtaking on the inside where it is inappropriate but not obviously dangerous
• a short lapse of attention, for example adjusting the radio, reading a map or talking to passengers
• accidentally going through a red light, or pulling out of a side road without enough care

Inconsiderate driving (without reasonable consideration)

Driving that inconveniences other road users. Typical examples:

• flashing headlights to force other drivers to give way
• using a lane, including a cycle lane, to jump a queue
• sitting in an overtaking lane when you do not need to
• driving unnecessarily slowly or braking for no good reason
• dazzling others with full beam
• splashing pedestrians through puddles

Dangerous driving

Driving that falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver, where it would be obvious to such a driver that it is dangerous. Driving a vehicle in a dangerous state can also count. Typical examples:

• racing or competitive driving
• aggressive driving such as cutting in, cutting across lanes or tailgating
• speeding in conditions that make it clearly unsuitable
• deliberately ignoring traffic lights or road signs
• overtaking when it cannot be done safely
• driving knowing you are too tired, unfit through a medical condition, or in a vehicle you know is defective or dangerously loaded
• using a hand-held phone in a way that dangerously distracts you, or being distracted for more than a moment
• a brief but serious misjudgement, such as failing to stop at a give way line or pressing the accelerator instead of the brake

Notice the overlap: tailgating, red lights and phone use appear in more than one list. How bad it was, and the circumstances, decide which offence is charged.

Maximum penalties for common offences (Annex 5)

Parliament sets the maximum; courts decide the actual sentence. Figures below are from Annex 5 of the Highway Code as of November 2026.

Offence	Maximum prison	Maximum fine	Disqualification	Points
Causing death by dangerous driving	Life	Unlimited	Obligatory, minimum 5 years	3 to 11 (if exceptionally not disqualified)
Dangerous driving	2 years	Unlimited	Obligatory	3 to 11
Careless and inconsiderate driving	None	Unlimited	Discretionary	3 to 9
Drink or drug driving	6 months	Unlimited	Obligatory	3 to 11
Failing to stop after or report an accident	6 months	Unlimited	Discretionary	5 to 10
Driving while disqualified	6 months (12 in Scotland)	Unlimited	Discretionary	6
Driving without insurance	None	Unlimited	Discretionary	6 to 8
Using a hand-held mobile phone	None	£1,000	Discretionary	6
Failure to have proper control or a full view of the road	None	£1,000	Discretionary	3
Speeding	None	£1,000 (£2,500 on a motorway)	Discretionary	3 to 6, or 3 as a fixed penalty
Traffic light offences	None	£1,000	Discretionary	3
Failing to identify the driver	None	£1,000	Discretionary	6

Higher fines (£2,500) apply to some offences in buses and goods vehicles. No MOT, not wearing a seat belt and several cycling offences carry fines but no points. Endorsement codes such as CD10 (careless driving) and DD40 (dangerous driving) are listed in driving penalties and endorsement codes.

How bans work

• 12 or more points within 3 years means you MUST be disqualified for at least 6 months, longer for a repeat.
• Dangerous driving and drink-driving carry an obligatory ban of at least 12 months. A second drink-driving offence within 10 years means at least 3 years.
• For most other points offences the court can choose to disqualify, usually for a week to a few months.
• After some serious offences the court must order an extended retest before you can drive again unsupervised.

Extra rules for new drivers

For two years after passing your first test, reaching 6 or more points cancels (revokes) your licence automatically. You go back to a provisional licence and must pass the theory and practical tests again. This applies even if the points came from a fixed penalty, and unexpired points from your provisional licence carry over. The full detail is in the New Drivers Act guide.

In practice that means one hand-held phone offence (6 points), or two speeding fixed penalties (3 each), is enough.

Other consequences of a conviction

• A vehicle used for an offence that can be punished with prison may be taken away (confiscated).
• Insurance costs are likely to rise after a serious conviction.
• Drivers banned for drink-driving twice within 10 years, or once at more than 2.5 times the limit, or for refusing to give a specimen, must satisfy the DVLA’s medical branch that they do not have an alcohol problem before getting their licence back.

Common questions

Can I be prosecuted for breaking a “should” rule?

Not for that alone. But the same behaviour might amount to careless or inconsiderate driving, and the Highway Code can be used as evidence of what a careful driver does.

Does road traffic law apply in a supermarket car park?

Often, yes. The legal definition of a road usually includes car parks the public can use, and drink-driving applies in any public place.

Is tailgating careless or dangerous driving?

Either, depending on how bad it is. CPS guidance lists driving too close as careless and aggressive tailgating as dangerous. See tailgating and road rage.

Can learner drivers get penalty points?

Yes. Points go on your provisional licence and count towards the new driver 6-point limit for two years after you pass.

How many points for using a phone while driving?

6 points and a fine of up to £1,000. For a new driver that alone means losing the licence. See mobile phones and sat navs.

What happens if I drive without insurance?

6 to 8 points, an unlimited fine and a possible ban. Check what you need in car documents explained.

What are my legal duties if I have a crash?

You must stop, and in some cases report it to the police. Failing to is 5 to 10 points. See after a car accident.

Related: drink and drug driving limits and the documents theory test topic. Northern Ireland has its own Highway Code and legislation: see NI vs GB differences.

Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Annex 4. The road user and the law” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Annex 5. Penalties” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Introduction” (gov.uk)
• Crown Prosecution Service, “Road Traffic: Fatal Offences and Bad Driving” (cps.gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Penalty points (endorsements): Endorsement codes and penalty points” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Penalty points (endorsements): New drivers” (gov.uk)

Photo: Josh Withers / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.

This guide is for learner drivers in Great Britain who want the Highway Code’s “Light signals controlling traffic” section in one place: what each traffic light means, where flashing red lights are used, how motorway signals work and what lane control signals tell you. Steady lights tell you when to stop and go; flashing red means you MUST stop; a red X over a lane means you MUST NOT drive in it.

Key facts

• Red, and red with amber: stop. Do not go until green shows.
• Amber on its own: stop at the stop line unless you have already crossed it or are too close to stop safely.
• Alternating flashing red lights: you MUST stop. They are used at level crossings, lifting bridges, airfields, fire stations and similar places.
• Red X (motorway or lane control signal): you MUST NOT carry on in that lane.
• Penalty: failing to comply with traffic light signals is endorsement code TS10, 3 penalty points.

Traffic light sequence: what each light means

In Great Britain the sequence runs red, red and amber, green, amber, then red again.

Light	Meaning	What you do
Red	Stop	Wait behind the stop line on the carriageway.
Red and amber	Stop	Do not pass through or start until green shows.
Green	You may go if the way is clear	Take special care if you are turning left or right, and give way to pedestrians who are crossing.
Amber	Stop at the stop line	Go on only if amber appears after you have crossed the stop line, or you are too close to stop safely.
Green arrow (with the full green)	Filter	You may go in the direction of the arrow if the way is clear, whatever other lights are showing.

White light signals at some junctions are for trams only. Rule 300 says they give instructions to tram drivers, not to you. More on that in driving alongside trams.

The MUST rules at traffic light junctions (Rules 175 to 178)

• Rule 175: you MUST stop behind the white stop line unless the light is green.
• Rule 176: you MUST NOT move forward over the white line while red shows. On green, only go if there is room to clear the junction safely or you are turning right. If the lights are not working, treat it as an unmarked junction and go with great care.
• Rule 177: a green filter arrow controls a filter lane only. Do not enter that lane unless you are going the way the arrow points, and give cyclists in particular time and room to get into the right lane. The arrow releases only that lane and direction: if it lets the left-turning car beside you go while your ahead signal is still red, stay behind your line.
• Rule 178 (advanced stop lines): when the lights are amber or red you MUST stop at the first white line. If you have already crossed the first line when the light turns red, you MUST stop at the second line. Do not block the cyclists’ box at other times. When the lights go green, give cyclists ahead of or beside you time and room to move off before you turn.

The legal references for these rules are the Road Traffic Act 1988 section 36 and the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions. For turning right and box junctions at lights, see road junctions explained.

Worked example: amber as you approach

The light changes from green to amber as you approach. You are not yet over the line and can pull up with normal, firm braking, so you stop. If amber had appeared as your front wheels crossed the line, or stopping would have needed harsh braking with a car close behind, you would continue. Planning ahead (a light that has been green for a while may change) makes this decision easier. Being late or impatient is not part of the exception, and speeding up to beat the change is exactly what the rule is meant to stop.

Flashing red lights: level crossings, fire stations and bridges

Alternating flashing red lights mean you MUST stop. Apart from level crossings, you will see them at lifting bridges, airfields and fire stations, where they stop traffic so emergency vehicles can get out.

At a controlled level crossing (Rule 293):

1. A steady amber light comes on first. Keep going if you have already crossed the white line when it appears; otherwise stop.
2. When the red lights flash you MUST stop behind the white line.
3. If the red lights keep flashing after a train has passed, you MUST wait, because another train is coming.

Barriers, user-worked gates and what to do if you break down on the tracks are covered in level crossings explained.

Flashing amber: pelican crossings

A flashing amber light after red at a pelican crossing means you MUST give way to pedestrians still on the crossing. If it is clear, you may go with caution (Rule 196). Puffin, toucan and equestrian crossings have no flashing amber phase and work like normal traffic lights (Rule 199). See pedestrian crossings for the full set.

Motorway signals: what each one tells you

These signals are also used on some other high-speed roads, not just motorways.

Signal	Meaning
Red X	Do not go further in this lane.
Diagonal arrow	Change lane.
Reduced visibility ahead	Slow down and be ready for fog or similar.
Lane ahead closed	Move out of the lane shown as closed.
Advisory speed	Temporary maximum speed advised, sometimes with an information message.
Speed limit in a red circle	Temporary mandatory maximum speed limit. It may come with a message such as do not enter or proceed in the left lane.
End	End of the restriction.

Flashing amber and flashing red on motorways (Rules 257 and 258)

• Flashing amber: a hazard ahead. Slow down, be ready for it, and only speed up again once you pass a signal that is not flashing, a national speed limit sign or “END”, and it is safe.
• Flashing red with a red X: a closed lane, with people, stopped vehicles or another hazard in it. You MUST follow the signs to move to an open lane and MUST NOT drive in the closed lane. The lane is open again when a sign shows a speed limit or “END”.
• All lanes closed: red flashing lights over every lane with a closure sign means the road is closed. You MUST NOT go past the sign in any lane, or use the hard shoulder, unless a police or traffic officer tells you to.
• A speed limit shown inside a red circle is mandatory: you MUST NOT exceed it (Rule 261).

Red X enforcement and emergency areas on smart motorways: see smart motorways and red X signals. All the signs are illustrated on our motorway signs guide.

Lane control signals

Lane control signals sit above individual lanes and apply only to traffic facing them.

Signal	Meaning
Green arrow	The lane is open to traffic facing the sign.
Red X	The lane is closed to traffic facing the sign.
White diagonal arrow	Change lanes in the direction the arrow points.

Rule 256 explains the difference between a single sign covering all lanes and lane-specific signals: read the one above your lane.

Common questions

Can I go through on amber?

Only if amber appeared after you crossed the stop line, or you were too close to stop safely. Otherwise amber means stop.

What happens if I go through a red light?

It is endorsement code TS10, 3 penalty points, and Annex 5 of the Highway Code lists a maximum fine of £1,000 with discretionary disqualification. Within two years of passing, 6 points cancels your licence under the New Drivers Act.

The lights are stuck on red or not working. What do I do?

If they are not working at all, treat the junction as unmarked and go with great care (Rule 176). The Highway Code does not give permission to go through a red light because it seems stuck, so wait for green or for a police or traffic officer’s direction.

Do I have to stop for flashing red lights at a fire station if nothing is coming out?

Yes. Alternating flashing red lights mean you MUST stop, whether or not you can see a fire engine.

Is a speed on a motorway gantry a legal limit?

If the number is inside a red circle, yes, it is mandatory. A number without the red circle is advisory.

Can I drive in a lane with a red X if it looks empty?

No. You MUST NOT drive in a closed lane, even if you cannot see why it is closed. The hazard may be out of sight, and emergency services use closed lanes to reach incidents.

Practise these for your theory test in the road and traffic signs topic, and see the basics with pictures in traffic lights and signals. In Northern Ireland, check the NI Highway Code (see NI vs GB differences).

Back to the main guide: Learning to Drive in Great Britain.

Sources

• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Light signals controlling traffic” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Using the road (159 to 203)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Motorways (253 to 274)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Road works, level crossings and tramways (288 to 307)” (gov.uk)
• Department for Transport, “The Highway Code: Annex 5. Penalties” (gov.uk)
• GOV.UK, “Penalty points (endorsements): Endorsement codes and penalty points” (gov.uk)