The Highway Code covers various aspects of road usage, including many road signs.
You need to familiarise yourself with road signs and understand their meanings to stay safe and responsible on UK roads.
Page Contents
What Do UK Road Signs Mean?
There are plenty of road signs to remember as part of The Highway Code.
This infographic covers just some of the UK road signs you need to know about.
What Is the Signing System?
In the UK, there are 3 main types of traffic signs:
- Signs that give orders
- Signs that warn
- Signs that give information
These signs each take a different shape, as shown in the following infographic.
Circular Road Signs
Circular road signs give orders which you must follow by law and are sometimes referred to as ‘regulatory road signs’.
Circles with red borders tell you what you must not do, whilst blue circles normally give you a positive instruction of what to do.
All circular signs are mandatory and must be followed.
Sometimes they will also have a diagonal red line striking through the symbol.
Some examples of red circular road signs include the no U-turns allowed and no entry signs.
Examples of blue circular road signs include the left turn ahead only and proceed right only road signs.
Triangular Road Signs
Triangular warning road signs are there to warn you about something, for instant the layout of the road or a hazard up ahead.
They have a red border to suggest danger.
Rectangular Road Signs
Rectangular road signs can inform you, and many are direction signs.
Blue signs give information on motorways, and can provide information about the nature of other roads.
Green signs can direct you on primary roads, such as A roads
White signs can direct you on minor roads or direct you towards parking opportunities.
Some white rectangular road signs may sit underneath a triangular or circular sign to specific a speed limit, for instance.
White rectangular road signs are also sometimes the base for signs that provide more information than usual, which may contain a mix of text and triangular or circular traffic signs.
Rectangular road signs can also indicate bus lanes and congestion charge zones.
Brown rectangular road signs are used to direct road users to tourist attractions and facilities.
Yellow rectangular road signs usually relate to traffic routes during roadworks.
What Are Warning Signs?
The following infographic highlights just some of the main warning signs you could see on UK roads.
What Are Speed Limit Signs?
The following infographic lays out some of the main speed limit signs you might see on UK roads.
Other than on motorways, in areas of street lighting a speed limit of 30mph applies unless signs state otherwise – in Wales, this limit is 20mph.
What Are Regulatory Signs?
Most regulatory signs are circular, with a red ring or red circle indicating a prohibition.
A blue circle usually gives a positive (mandatory) instruction, or indicates that only certain classes of vehicle should use this route.
There are also regulatory and warning signs for low bridges.
How Do I Study The Highway Code?
You can purchase a copy of The Official Highway Code from the Department of Transport online or at many high street bookshops.
You can take a free mock theory test online which will run through a lot of questions relating to The Highway Code.
It's a good idea to write out aspects of The Highway Code on flashcards so that you can have a friend or family member test you in advance of an upcoming test.
Who Is Responsible for Traffic Signs in the UK?
Responsibility for the road network in the UK is shared by the following administrations:
- National Highways in England
- The Scottish Government in Scotland
- The Welsh Government in Wales
- The Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland
- Local or Regional Highway Authorities
