No entry sign

What it means

Vehicles must not enter the road beyond this sign. Like other red circular signs, it tells you what you must not do.

You'll typically meet it where traffic is only allowed to travel the other way, such as the far end of a one-way street. In a one-way street, traffic must travel in the direction shown by the signs.

Cycles are vehicles too, so the ban includes cyclists unless there is an exception. Where buses or cycles are allowed through, a plate under the sign says so.

The words NO ENTRY may also be painted on the road. Vehicles must not pass that marking either.

What the symbol shows

Memory tip: Think of the white bar as a barrier across the road ahead.

Where you'll see it

Where vehicles are not allowed to enter a road, for example at the end of a one-way street where traffic flows towards you.

Rules to know

• The sign means no entry for vehicular traffic.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 17

• Where there is an exception for buses or cycles, the sign may be used with a supplementary plate.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 17

• A NO ENTRY marking on the road means vehicles must not pass it, and may be used with the upright sign.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 84

• In a one-way street, traffic must travel in the direction indicated by signs.

  The Highway Code, Rule 143

What happens if you ignore it

• Ignoring a traffic sign such as No entry can lead to 3 penalty points (endorsement code TS50).

  Penalty points (endorsements): endorsement codes and penalty points, Endorsement code TS50

• In some parts of England, the council enforces No entry signs instead, issuing a penalty charge notice based on camera evidence. Councils outside London have to apply for these powers.

  Statutory guidance on civil enforcement of bus lane and moving traffic contraventions (outside London), Moving traffic contraventions

General information, not legal advice. Enforcement can differ between areas.

Spot the difference

No entry vs No vehicles

The key difference: No vehicles is a red ring with an empty white centre. No entry is a solid red circle with a white bar across it.

Differences between the No entry and No vehicles signs

	No entry	No vehicles
Looks like	Solid red circle with a white bar	Red ring, plain white centre
What it prohibits	Vehicles entering past the sign	All vehicles (cycles pushed by hand allowed)
Possible exceptions	A plate can allow buses or cycles	Plates can show times or allow access

Know Your Traffic Signs, Regulatory signs, pp. 16–17

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking cyclists can ignore it.

  Instead: It applies to all vehicles, including cycles, unless a plate under the sign shows an exception.

• Mistake: Confusing it with the No through road sign.

  Instead: No entry bans you from driving in. No through road is a blue information sign: you may drive in, but there's no way out at the other end.

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?

• ANo entry for vehicles.
• BYou must not turn right at the junction ahead.
• CNo vehicles may use the road, except pedal cycles being pushed by hand.
• DThe road ahead has no through route for vehicles.

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