Give way sign

What it means

At the junction ahead, traffic on the major road has priority. You must let it pass before you pull out, but you don't have to stop if the way is clear.

The upside-down triangle is one of a few exceptions to the usual shape rules, used to give this sign extra prominence. No other sign has this shape.

The sign goes with give way markings: broken white lines across the road, often with a triangle painted on the approach. The broken lines show where to wait. At quieter junctions, the upright sign, or both the sign and the painted triangle, might not be used, but the broken lines still mean you must give way.

What the symbol shows

Memory tip: The triangle points down, as if bowing to the traffic on the main road.

Where you'll see it

At junctions where a minor road joins a major road.

Rules to know

• You must give way to traffic on the main road when emerging from a junction with broken white lines across the road.

  The Highway Code, Rule 172

• 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.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 16

• In Wales, a bilingual version of the sign may be used.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 16

Spot the difference

Give way vs Stop

The key difference: At a Stop sign you must always stop at the line. At Give way you only stop if traffic on the main road means you have to wait.

Differences between the Give way and Stop signs

	Give way	Stop
Shape	Upside-down triangle	Red octagon
Line across the road	Broken white lines	Solid white line
Must you stop?	Only if you need to wait for traffic	Yes, every time

The Highway Code, Rules 171 and 172

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking you must always stop at a give way line.

  Instead: You must give way, which means stopping only if traffic on the major road makes it unsafe to go. It's the Stop sign that requires you to stop every time.

• Mistake: Thinking there's no need to give way because there's no upright sign.

  Instead: The broken white lines across the road mean you must give way, even without the sign.

Test yourself

Recalling the answer helps it stick. Pick an answer to see how you did.

Question 1 of 2

What does this sign mean?

• AYou must give way to traffic on the major road ahead.
• BA 20 mph speed limit applies throughout the zone.
• CYou must not overtake until a sign cancels the restriction.
• DYou must stop at the white line, then go only when it's safe.

Full road sign quizzes are coming soon. See what's planned