Road signs

By the end of this topic you can

• You can tell order, warning and information signs apart by their shape.
• You can explain what red circles, blue circles and different coloured direction signs mean.
• You can spot and act on signs early enough to adjust speed and position.
• You can follow direction signs to a destination without a sat nav.

What you need to know and understand

• Circles give orders. Triangles warn. Rectangles give information.
• Signs with red circles are mostly prohibitive, telling you what you must not do.
• Blue circles without a red border mostly give a positive instruction, such as turn left or ahead only.
• The Stop sign is eight-sided and the Give Way sign is an upside-down triangle, so they can be recognised even when covered in snow or dirt.
• Direction signs: blue backgrounds for motorways, green for primary routes, white with a black border for local routes, and brown for tourist attractions.
• You MUST obey traffic signs giving orders, including temporary ones (Highway Code rule 109).
• Plates below signs add detail, such as distances, times or exceptions.
• In Wales, many signs are bilingual in Welsh and English.

Three shapes to remember

Most signs follow a simple pattern. If you remember the shapes, you will know whether a sign is telling you, warning you or informing you.

• Circles give orders. A red circle means do not, for example no entry, no right turn or a maximum speed. A blue circle means do, for example keep left or mini-roundabout.
• Triangles warn. A red-edged triangle points up and shows a hazard ahead, such as a bend, a junction, children or a slippery road.
• Rectangles inform. They give directions, distances and other information, such as a no through road or a hospital ahead.

The two signs with special shapes

The Stop sign is the only eight-sided sign. You must stop at the solid line, even if the road looks clear, and only go when it is safe. The Give Way sign is the only upside-down triangle. You must give way to traffic on the major road but do not have to stop if it is clear.

Their unusual shapes mean drivers can still recognise them if they are covered in snow or seen from behind.

Colours on direction signs

Blue signs lead to and along motorways. Green signs mark primary routes, the main A roads between towns. White signs with a black border show local and non-primary routes. Brown signs show tourist attractions. A panel of a different colour on a sign tells you the type of road you will reach from that junction.

On motorways and big junctions, downward-pointing arrows over lanes mean get in lane for the destination shown.

Reading signs early

Signs only help if you see them in time. Scan for them as part of your normal look ahead and read them in one quick glance. Act on them smoothly: if a warning sign shows a sharp bend, check your mirrors and slow down before the bend, not on it.

Some signs are electronic, such as variable speed limits and warnings on motorways. A speed limit shown in a red circle on these signs is mandatory.

Common mistakes

• Rolling over the line at a Stop sign. Stop completely, even if the road is empty.
• Seeing a warning sign but not changing anything. Ask yourself what the sign means for your speed and position.
• Mixing up blue circles and blue rectangles. A blue circle is an order; a blue rectangle is information.
• Missing signs because your eyes are close to the bonnet. Look further ahead.

Test yourself: Road signs

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Less Common UK Road Signs
• Vehicle Markings