Motorway signs, signals and road markings
Updated 5 December 2023
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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Most motorway signs have a blue background with white lettering, numbers and borders, although tourist destination signs, as on other roads, have brown backgrounds.
Special traffic regulations govern the use of motorways. These include no stopping (except, in an emergency, on the hard shoulder or verge), no U-turns and no reversing. Goods vehicles and buses (where a bus is a vehicle constructed to carry more than 8 seated passengers) with a maximum laden weight of more than 7.5 tonnes, vehicles drawing trailers, and vehicles required to be fitted with a speed limiter, must not use the right-hand lane of a motorway that has 3 or more lanes. Motorways must not be used by certain classes of traffic: invalid carriages of less than 254 kg unladen weight, pedal cycles, motorcycles under 50 cc capacity, agricultural vehicles and vehicles incapable of attaining a speed of 25 mph on the level when unladen and not drawing a trailer. Pedestrians and animals are also prohibited.
Start of motorway regulations.
To ensure that direction signs are absolutely clear to drivers travelling at motorway speeds, it is necessary to limit the number of destinations shown. Your destination might not appear on the motorway signs: when planning a journey, it is advisable before setting off to check the junction number of the exit you require. Junctions can be identified by the number shown on a black background in the bottom left-hand or top left-hand corner of motorway signs (or, in the case of overhead signs, in a separate panel also indicating the distance to the junction). Junction numbers are usually shown on road maps, so it is easy to check these before starting your journey. On the motorway, these numbers can be used as a guide to your location. However, not all junctions have an exit in both directions, so numbers may not be consecutive. Where new junctions have been constructed, the number may be followed by a letter (e.g. junction 23A).
A road other than a motorway is called an ‘all-purpose road’. At the point where you join a motorway, a special symbol is used to indicate the start of motorway regulations. A direction sign on an all-purpose road will normally use this symbol to indicate a motorway slip road or the beginning of a motorway. Where a sign shows a motorway route number on a blue background without the symbol, the route indicated will normally be an all-purpose road that you should follow to reach the motorway.
Blue direction signs, with the motorway symbol and large route numbers, indicate that a motorway or motorway slip road leads directly from a junction with an all-purpose road. The motorway junction number, shown on the black background, may not always be included.
On the approach to a junction with a motorway, a direction sign on an all-purpose road has blue panels that include the motorway symbol. The panels may include the junction number on a black background. The name in capital letters is a regional destination.
This sign, with the motorway number in brackets on a blue background, but without the motorway symbol, indicates the route to take from a junction ahead in order to reach the motorway. The motorway is not accessed directly from this junction.
Signs for junctions on the motorway
On the approach to a junction, direction signs are usually located 1 mile and ½ mile in advance, and at the exit point. Where junctions are close together, these distances may be reduced, normally to ⅔ mile and ⅓ mile respectively. The signs may be mounted at the side of the road or overhead.
Signs located at the side of the motorway. These are used where there is a deceleration lane. The number of lanes through the junction remains the same
The first 2 signs on the approach to a junction show the destination and the route number for the exit only. The distance shown (usually 1 mile or ½ mile) is the distance to the exit (start of the deceleration lane). The junction number is shown on the black background.
This sign is located at the start of the deceleration lane and includes destinations reached by staying on the motorway.
A final route direction sign is usually located where the exit slip road separates from the main carriageway.
Countdown markers indicate the distance to the start of the deceleration lane. Each bar represents about 100 yards.
Overhead sign for junctions with deceleration lanes, where the number of lanes through the junction remains the same
This sign is used on the approach to the junction (usually 1 mile and ½ mile in advance) and at the start of the deceleration lane. Destinations and route numbers are shown for both the exit and the motorway ahead. Countdown markers are normally provided for the deceleration lane.
Signs located at the side of the motorway where one or more lanes leave the main carriageway to become the exit slip road. This type of junction is known as a lane drop
This sign is normally located 1 mile and ½ mile before the junction and shows the appropriate lanes to use for various destinations. In this example, the left-hand lane leads directly to the exit slip road; the centre and right-hand lanes continue through the junction.
This sign, with the inclined arrow, is normally located just before the left-hand lane leaves the main carriageway.
Overhead signs for a lane-drop junction
This sign is used both in advance and at the junction.
A confirmatory sign may be provided just after the point where the slip road has separated from the main carriageway. It is used where signs on the approach to the junction are either overhead or located at the side of the motorway.
Lane-drop junctions do not use the countdown markers, as there is no deceleration lane for drivers to move into. A special road marking is used at lane drops between the main carriageway and the lane that leads to the exit slip road. This marking usually commences at the ½ mile advance sign.
Some junction layouts may be more complex and designed to allow a heavier flow of traffic to leave the motorway. A traffic lane may be shared by traffic both continuing ahead and leaving the motorway. This shared lane has a deceleration lane separated from a lane drop by chevron road markings. In the example, the left-hand lane is used for the exit slip road only, the centre lane is the shared lane, and the right-hand lane is for ahead traffic only. A sign mounted at the side of the motorway shows the road layout. An overhead sign shows the appropriate lanes to use for each destination.
The central reservation is on the right-hand side.
A sign mounted at the side of the motorway shows the arrangement of traffic lanes.
Overhead sign showing appropriate lanes for the different destinations.
Other types of sign in advance of junctions
Where the junction ahead is with another motorway, additional signs may be provided prior to the 1 mile advance sign.
Where 2 junctions are very close, they may both be shown on the same sign, together with the distances and junction numbers. The sign that is located where the deceleration lane starts for the first exit will normally show the second exit place names and route number with the ahead destinations.
This overhead sign indicates a junction that has 2 exits. The first exit has a deceleration lane and is indicated by the upper part of the sign. The second exit is a lane drop. Traffic continuing along the motorway should use the centre and right-hand lanes.
Signs showing lanes that join the main carriageway at junctions
Sign for drivers on slip road.
Sign for drivers on main carriageway.
The slip road joins the main carriageway as a lane gain to increase the number of lanes from 2 to 3. A distance panel may be added.
Sign for drivers on slip road.
Sign for drivers on main carriageway.
The right-hand lane of the slip road joins the main carriageway as a merge with an acceleration lane. This is followed by the left-hand lane which joins the main carriageway as a lane gain. Chevron road markings normally separate the 2 lanes on the slip road. The distance may be omitted.
Direction signs on exit slip roads (the green panels indicate a primary route; the white panels indicate a non-primary route)
Directions from junction ahead, usually controlled by traffic signals or a ‘give way’ sign.
Directions from a roundabout ahead.
Motorway-to-motorway junction with a roundabout (motorway regulations continue to apply).
Appropriate lanes to use on the approach to the junction (sign located at the side of the slip road.
Appropriate lanes to use on the approach to the junction (overhead sign over the slip road).
Appropriate lanes for turning movements at junction ahead.
Direction signs where the main carriageway of a motorway ends at a roundabout
Motorway ends at a junction with an all-purpose road.
Motorway ends at a junction with another motorway.
Signs for tourist destinations
Tourist destinations are shown on signs with brown backgrounds. On the main carriageway of a motorway, these are separate from the main direction signs and are usually sited ¾ mile and ¼ mile from the junction (although they do not show the distance to the junction). On exit slip roads and where the motorway ends at a roundabout, the main direction signs may show tourist destinations on a brown panel, in the same way that they show other destinations on green and white panels. However, separate brown signs are likely to be used at these locations to avoid putting too much information on a single sign.
Sign on exit slip road indicating directions to tourist attractions from a junction ahead.
Sign at the side of the main carriageway. There will usually be 2 of these in advance of the junction.
Sign indicating a place with several tourist attractions. It is located at the side of the main carriageway on the approach to a junction.
Sign on exit slip road indicating directions to tourist attractions from a roundabout ahead.
Where it is not practicable to provide tourist destination signs within 1 mile of a junction or there are more destinations than can be accommodated on the signs, this sign may be used in advance of the main 1 mile direction sign for the junction. It may also be used when the junction layout is complex; ‘leave at Junction 24’ is then varied to ‘follow’ plus a destination.
Signs for motorway service areas
On most motorways, service areas are provided at intervals of not more than 30 miles, half an hour at normal motorway driving speeds. These service areas are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and provide fuel, free parking (up to 2 hours), refreshments, toilets and disabled access. Other facilities, including telephones, motels and tourist information, may also be provided. Some motorway service areas are accessed directly from the main carriageway, others via junctions with other roads, where they will also be available to non-motorway traffic.
After each junction, a sign may show the distance to the next motorway service area.
This sign may be used when there is a junction with another motorway before the next service area.
About 1 mile in advance of a service area, a sign may inform drivers of the availability of services ahead, including the names of the operators. It will normally show the next 2 services, and include services on other motorways if the junctions with those motorways are reached before the second service area. Where the first services are located at a junction, this sign is likely to be used about 2 miles in advance; the word ‘Services’ may be added to the junction direction.
About ½ mile before the service the junction direction area (further if the services are at a junction), a sign informs drivers of the facilities available, and may include both the name of the operator and the geographical name. The price of fuel, if shown, is usually for a litre of unleaded petrol, indicated by the green pump symbol. The ‘vehicle and plug’ symbol means that facilities for recharging electric vehicles are available; the ‘i’ symbol refers to an information point; the bed symbol indicates overnight accommodation.
Sign located at start of the deceleration lane for a service area with direct access from the motorway.
Motorway service area signs may display placeholders that contain the corporate identifier of a franchise operating on the site.
Sign indicating a motorway truckstop where parking, refreshments, toilets and fuel are available 24 hours a day throughout the year.
Alternative signs indicating the entrance to a service area accessed directly from a motorway. May be used to indicate the direction to a motorway service area located on an all-purpose road.
Where a motorway service area is situated on an all-purpose road, the sign off the motorway indicating the services should have a blue background. The geographical name of the services may be shown on this sign. The word ‘Services’ may be incorporated into other direction signs, including the sign on the exit slip road from the motorway.
Motorway service area ahead on an all-purpose road (sign located off the motorway).
Direction or entrance to a motorway service area located on an all-purpose road (alternative signs).
Rest areas are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, provide free parking (up to 2 hours) and toilets, and are accessible to disabled people. Other facilities, including fuel, refreshments, telephones, motels and tourist information, may also be provided but are not mandatory.
Signs may be provided to indicate that services are not available on the motorway.
Sign on motorway indicating that no services are available ahead. Drivers should leave the motorway if service facilities are required.
Sign on all-purpose road indicating that no services are available on motorway ahead. The motorway number may include a compass point (e.g. ‘M 41(N)’) if services are available in one direction but not the other.
Other signs on motorways
A route confirmatory sign is provided after most junctions. This shows the motorway number and the distances to the main destinations ahead.
Where there are more destinations than can be accommodated on the direction signs at a junction, a sign such as this may be used in advance of the 1 mile direction sign. It advises drivers of the route to be followed (or junction to leave at) for destinations that cannot be accommodated on the main junction sign.
This sign indicates a slip road that leads to a maintenance compound and is not available to the general public.
Where a motorway has been widened but the original bridges retained, there may be no hard shoulder under or over the bridge. Where this occurs, signs will indicate the distance over which this applies. There will be hatched markings on the hard shoulder at the point where it comes to an end.
Observation platforms are sometimes provided at the back of the hard shoulder. These are reserved for authorised vehicles, such as National Highways traffic officers, maintenance vehicles or the police.
County boundary sign (may be varied to show the name of a river).
Marker posts, located at the back of the hard shoulder at approximately 100-metre intervals, show the direction to the nearest emergency telephone (housed in an orange box). You can use the telephone to contact the control centre in case of an emergency or breakdown.
Some motorways may have special chevron markings in the centre of the traffic lanes. These are spaced 40 metres apart, and keeping 2 marks between your vehicle and the one in front will provide a safe driving distance at 70 mph. There will be signs advising you to check your distance, keep 2 chevrons apart and keep your distance.
Direction signs for drivers of goods vehicles
Direction of route recommended for goods vehicles.
This sign is located before the 1 mile advance sign for a junction ahead. It is used where it is not practicable to sign a goods vehicle route at the junction itself.
Signs indicating the end of motorway regulations
Sign located at the entrance to a service area accessed directly from the motorway, or a maintenance compound.
Sign located on main carriageway to indicate the distance to the end of the motorway.
Sign located where the motorway ends on either the main carriageway or exit slip road.
Motorway signals and variable signs
These advise of abnormal traffic conditions ahead (e.g. lane closures or fog) and may indicate a speed limit or provide journey time information. Where variable speed limit signs are mounted over individual lanes or at the side of the motorway and the speed limit is shown in a red circle, the limit is mandatory. Speed limits that are not shown in a red circle are the maximum speeds advised for the prevailing conditions.
Signals and variable message signs may apply to individual lanes when mounted overhead or, when located on the central reservation or at the side of the motorway, to the whole carriageway. They are normally blank but, when they indicate a restriction, the reason may not always be obvious. There may have been an accident ahead, so take no chances and obey the signals. When red lights are flashing above your lane, you must stop unless you can move safely to a lane where red signals are not showing.
Red lights flashing from side to side in pairs, together with a red cross, mean ‘do not proceed in the traffic lane directly below’. These signals are mounted above the carriageway: there is a signal for each traffic lane. A previous signal may direct you into an adjacent lane. More than one lane may be closed to traffic.
Red lights flashing from side to side in pairs, together with a red cross displayed on a sign at the side of the motorway, mean ‘do not proceed in the lane to which the sign relates’. A previous signal may direct you into an adjacent lane (see below). More than one lane may be closed to traffic.
Where red flashing light signals and closure of all lanes are shown on a sign, the road is closed. You must not go beyond the sign in any lane or use the hard shoulder to avoid the road closure unless directed to do so by a police or traffic officer.
Signals and variable signs above each lane of the motorway
Each lane has its own signal; each signal has 2 pairs of amber lights that flash from top to bottom. You should obey the signal for your lane.
Temporary maximum speed advised for prevailing traffic conditions.
Move to adjacent lane (arrow may point downwards to the right).
Leave motorway at next exit.
Risk of fog ahead.
Risk of ice ahead.
End of temporary restrictions.
Lane-specific signs and signals can display advice, restrictions and warnings that apply to individual lanes.
60 mph speed limit signs displayed.
Move to right-hand lane arrow displayed.
Red flashing light signals and a red ‘X’ on a sign identify a closed lane. You must follow the instructions on signs in advance of a closed lane to move safely to an open lane. You must not drive in a closed lane. A sign will inform you when the lane is no longer closed by displaying a speed limit or the word ‘END’.
National speed limit applies after the incident.
Signals and variable signs at the side of the motorway
These apply to the carriageway as a whole and are either located on the central reservation or mounted above the hard shoulder in combination with variable signs that display information about road works, congestion and diversions ahead. The amber lights flash in pairs from top to bottom.
Various lane closures (signs for carriageways with 4, 3 or 2 lanes).
Temporary maximum speed advised.
Leave motorway at next exit.
Risk of fog ahead.
Risk of ice ahead.
End of temporary restrictions.
A single sign or signal can display advice, restrictions and warnings for all lanes.
60 mph speed limit with warning of a lane closure ahead.
You should move out of the left lane and must not exceed 50 mph.
Red flashing light signals and a red ‘X’ on a sign identify a closed lane. You must not drive in a closed lane. You must not exceed 40 mph in advance of the incident.
End of lane closure and speed limit after incident.
Signals and variable signs at the entrance to a motorway
All lanes closed (signs for carriageways with 4, 3 or 2 lanes). Do not enter the motorway when the red lights are flashing in pairs from side to side.
Older type of motorway signal
On some motorways, particularly in Scotland, you may encounter this type of signal mounted at the side of the carriageway. Flashing amber lights indicate that there is a hazard ahead. You should not exceed a speed of 30 mph until you have passed this hazard motorway signs, signals and road markings.
Stopping on a motorway
If you need to stop in an emergency on a motorway with no hard shoulder, you should use the emergency area whenever possible. These are spaced regularly and are painted orange. Blue signs featuring an SOS telephone symbol indicate the distance to the next emergency area.
Emergency area.
Sign indicating distance to next emergency area.
If you need to stop in an emergency on a motorway with a hard shoulder, pull into an emergency area or move left onto a hard shoulder and try to stop near an emergency telephone.
Keep well away from your vehicle and moving traffic.
To rejoin the carriageway after stopping from:
- an emergency area, you must use the emergency telephone provided and follow the operator’s advice for exiting the emergency area. A lane may need to be closed so that you can rejoin the carriageway safely
- a hard shoulder, build up speed, indicate and watch for a safe gap in the traffic.
Emergency area information sign.