Road signs giving orders
Signs with red circles are mostly prohibitive. Plates below signs qualify their message.
Entry to 20 mph zone
End of 20 mph zone
Maximum speed
National speed limit applies
School crossing patrol
Stop and give way
Give way to traffic on major road
Manually operated temporary STOP and GO signs
Manually operated temporary STOP and GO signs
No entry for vehicular traffic
No vehicles except bicycles being pushed
No cycling
No motor vehicles
No buses (over 8 passenger seats)
No overtaking
No towed caravans
No vehicles carrying explosives
No vehicle or combination of vehicles over length shown
No vehicles over height shown
No vehicles over width shown
Give priority to vehicles from opposite direction
No right turn
No left turn
No U-turns
No goods vehicles over maximum gross weight shown (in tonnes) except for loading and unloading
No vehicles over maximum gross weight shown (in tonnes)
Parking restricted to permit holders
No stopping during period indicated except for buses
No stopping during times shown except for as long as necessary to set down or pick up passengers
No waiting
No stopping (Clearway)
Signs with blue circles but no red border mostly give positive instruction.
Ahead only
Turn left ahead (right if symbol reversed)
Turn left (right if symbol reversed)
Keep left (right if symbol reversed)
Vehicles may pass either side to reach same destination
Mini-roundabout (roundabout circulation - give way to vehicles from the immediate right)
Route to be used by pedal cycles only
Segregated pedal cycle and pedestrian route
Minimum speed
End of minimum speed
Buses and cycles only
Trams only
Pedestrian crossing point over tramway
One-way traffic (note: compare circular ‘Ahead only’ sign)
With-flow bus and cycle lane
Contra-flow bus lane
With-flow pedal cycle lane
Road Signs Giving Orders: What You Need to Know for the Theory Test
The key to these signs is recognising the difference between prohibitions, mandatory instructions and signs that give priority or control access.
Red circles usually mean ‘do not’
Most signs with a red circle prohibit an action, vehicle or movement. Read the symbol carefully and check any plate below the sign.
Blue circles usually tell you what to do
Blue circular signs generally give a mandatory instruction, such as following a direction or using a particular route or lane.
Know what the sign controls
A maximum speed sign sets the applicable limit for that road. A national speed limit sign means the relevant national speed limit applies to the vehicle and road.
Stop means stop
A STOP sign requires you to stop at the appropriate stop line and give way. A GIVE WAY sign requires you to give priority as indicated by the sign and road markings.
STOP and GO signs are instructions
At road works or other temporary situations, manually operated STOP and GO signs control traffic. Obey the instruction being shown and proceed only when permitted.
No entry is not the same as one-way
A no-entry sign prohibits vehicular entry from that direction. Do not confuse it with a one-way traffic sign, which gives information about the permitted direction of travel.
Check exactly what movement is prohibited
No right turn, no left turn, no U-turn and no overtaking signs each control a specific manoeuvre. Do not treat them as a general ban on all movement.
Read the restriction shown
Height, width, length and weight restriction signs apply according to the value or class shown. Check whether an exception, such as loading or unloading, is stated.
No waiting is different from no stopping
No waiting restrictions control waiting or parking, while no-stopping signs are stricter. Always read any times, vehicle exceptions or additional conditions.
Follow the route shown
Signs such as AHEAD ONLY, KEEP LEFT, cycle-only routes and segregated routes give positive instructions. Follow the direction, lane or route shown by the symbol.
Look for who has priority
A priority sign can tell you to give priority to traffic from the opposite direction or indicate which traffic has priority. Read the arrows and road layout carefully.
Do not rely on colour alone
The Theory Test may show similar-looking signs together. Identify the shape, colour, symbol and any plate before deciding what action is required.
Remember Before the Theory Test
Don't Mix These Up on the Theory Test
Many order signs look similar at first glance. The key is to identify exactly what the sign prohibits, requires or controls.
Road Signs Giving Orders: Theory Test FAQ
What do red circle road signs mean?
Red circles generally indicate a prohibition. They may restrict a movement, vehicle type, speed, overtaking, stopping, waiting or another activity. Always check the symbol and any plate below the sign.
What do blue circle road signs mean?
Blue circles generally give a mandatory instruction. Examples include following a direction, keeping to a particular side or using a route reserved for certain road users.
What is the difference between a STOP sign and a GIVE WAY sign?
A STOP sign requires you to stop at the appropriate stop line before proceeding. A GIVE WAY sign requires you to give priority as indicated by the sign and road markings, but the action required depends on the traffic situation.
What does a no-entry sign mean?
It means vehicular traffic must not enter the road from that direction. It should not be confused with a one-way traffic sign, which indicates the direction in which traffic travels.
What is the difference between no waiting and no stopping?
No waiting restricts waiting or parking, while no stopping is a stricter restriction. Where a sign or plate gives times or exceptions, those details must also be followed.
What does a national speed limit sign mean?
It means the applicable national speed limit rules apply. The actual limit depends on the road, vehicle and circumstances, so do not memorise one number for every situation.
What should I do when I see a maximum speed sign?
Treat the displayed speed as the maximum legal limit for that section, subject to the applicable rules. Remember that the limit is not automatically the safest speed for every road or condition.
What is the difference between ‘Ahead only’ and ‘One-way traffic’?
‘Ahead only’ is a mandatory instruction telling traffic to continue ahead at the point shown. ‘One-way traffic’ describes the direction of traffic on the road and is an information sign.
What do vehicle restriction signs for height, width, length or weight mean?
They restrict vehicles that exceed the value or category shown on the sign. For Theory Test questions, read the displayed restriction carefully and check whether an exception is stated.
What do temporary STOP and GO signs mean?
They are used to control traffic temporarily, commonly around road works or other temporary hazards. Stop when STOP is displayed and proceed only when GO is displayed.
What is the difference between a no-overtaking sign and a no-vehicles sign?
A no-overtaking sign prohibits the overtaking manoeuvre covered by the restriction. A no-vehicles sign prohibits the specified vehicles from using the road. The symbols must be read carefully.