UK road signs

Sign categories

• Warning signs

  Signs that warn drivers about hazards ahead.

  Usually a triangle with a red border

• Regulatory signs

  Signs that give restrictions, prohibitions, priorities or mandatory instructions.

  Usually a circle: red ring prohibits, blue circle instructs

• Information signs

  Signs that provide information about roads, places and facilities.

  Usually a rectangle

• Motorway signs

  Signs, signals and information specific to motorways.

  Blue direction signs and overhead signals

• Temporary signs

  Temporary traffic management and roadwork-related signs.

  Often on a yellow background at road works

All signs

Every sign we've published so far, by category. We add signs once each one has been checked against official sources.

Read a sign by its shape

Before you can read the symbol, the shape tells you what kind of message a sign is giving.

• Circles give orders

  Red circles mostly tell you what you must not do. Blue circles mostly tell you what you must do.

• Triangles warn

  Most warning signs are triangles with a red border. They tell you about a hazard ahead.

• Rectangles inform

  Rectangular signs mostly give information or directions, such as routes, places and facilities.

There are exceptions: Stop and Give way have their own shapes, to give them extra prominence. Based on the Highway Code (opens GOV.UK).

Beyond signs

Road markings and traffic lights work together with signs. Learn them alongside each other.

• Road markings
• Traffic lights