Regulatory signs
Updated 5 December 2023
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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Regulatory signs other than those for low bridges, railway and tramway level crossings, bus and pedal cycle facilities and road works.
Most regulatory signs are circular. A RED RING or RED CIRCLE indicates a prohibition. A BLUE CIRCLE generally gives a positive (mandatory) instruction or indicates a route for use only by particular classes of vehicle (see sections on tram signs and bus and cycle signs).
Two notable exceptions are:
The ‘STOP’ sign and road markings: you must stop before crossing the transverse line on the road and ensure the way is clear before entering the major road.
The ‘GIVE WAY’ sign and road markings: you must give way to traffic on the major road (the upright sign or both the sign and the triangle on the road might not be used at junctions where there is relatively little traffic).
(alternative in Wales)
No entry for vehicular traffic. Where there is an exception for buses or cycles, the sign may be used with a supplementary plate (shown below).
No vehicles except pedal cycles being pushed by hand.
Alternative plates used with the ‘no vehicles’ sign, indicating times when vehicles are prohibited, except for access.
No motor vehicles.
No motor vehicles except solo motorcycles.
No solo motorcycles.
No towed caravans.
No pedestrians.
No ridden or accompanied horses.
No horse-drawn vehicles.
No articulated vehicles.
No goods vehicles over maximum gross weight shown in tonnes.
End of goods vehicles restriction.
No vehicles carrying explosives.
Vehicles carrying dangerous goods with the restriction code indicated by the sign are prohibited from the tunnel. See table for codes that have been assigned to tunnels in the UK.
| Tunnel | Category |
|---|---|
| Dartford | C |
| Tyne | D |
| Clyde | D |
| Mersey | D |
| Blackwall | E |
| Limehouse | E |
| Rotherhithe | E |
| East India Dock Road | E |
| Heathrow Airport | Between 4 am and 11 pm: Category E |
| At other times: Category C |
No vehicles over maximum width shown (width shown in metric and imperial units).
No vehicles or combinations of vehicles over maximum length shown.
No vehicles over the maximum gross weight shown in tonnes. The bottom plate is used where empty vehicles are exempt.
Plates used to indicate exemptions from prohibition signs
Except for access to premises or land adjacent to the road, where there is no other route. Other exemptions may be shown.
Except for loading and unloading by goods vehicles.
No overtaking.
Where a road or bridge is very narrow, priority must be given to traffic from the other direction (there will usually be a ‘give way’ line indicating where to wait).
Where changes of direction are prohibited, a red bar across the sign is used in addition to the red circle
No U-turn.
No right turn.
No left turn.
A time plate used with a ‘no right turn’ or ‘no left turn’ sign indicates a part-time prohibition.
Vehicles must not go beyond the sign where displayed by a school crossing patrol.
Vehicles must not go beyond the sign where displayed by a police officer or traffic warden.
Specified traffic must not use verge maintained in mown or ornamental condition.
Proceed in direction indicated by the arrow.
Turn left ahead (right if symbol reversed).
Vehicles may pass either side to reach the same destination.
Keep left (right if symbol reversed).
Plates supplementing ‘turn’ signs.
Mini-roundabout (give way to traffic from the immediate right).
One-way traffic.
Vehicles must not go beyond the sign where displayed during a cycle event.
Nature of and distance to a prohibition, restriction or requirement.
Weight restriction ahead (may show a different restriction).
Location of weight restriction ahead with indication of an alternative route (may show a different restriction).