No stopping (clearway) sign

What it means

This sign marks a 24-hour clearway. Stopping is banned at any time on the main carriageway, and on any slip roads and acceleration or deceleration areas.

The red cross means no stopping. That is stricter than a No waiting sign, which has a single red line: on a clearway you can't even pull in briefly to drop someone off.

You may stop in a lay-by unless signs there say otherwise. A 24-hour clearway has no special road markings, but smaller repeater signs may remind you of the restriction along the way.

The same red cross also appears on other signs together with the words 'No stopping', for example at some bus stops. Those signs apply in the way their wording describes.

What the symbol shows

The red cross is two diagonal lines. A single red line, as on the No waiting sign, restricts waiting; the cross goes further and bans stopping.

Memory tip: One line: don't wait. Two lines, a cross: don't stop at all.

Where you'll see it

At the start of a 24-hour clearway, usually on a rural road, with smaller repeater signs along it.

Rules to know

• The red cross means no stopping, not even to pick up or set down passengers.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 64

• On a 24-hour clearway, the ban applies to the main carriageway, slip roads and any acceleration and deceleration areas. You may stop in a lay-by unless there are signs to say otherwise.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 64

• You must not stop or park on a clearway.

  The Highway Code, Rule 240

• Urban clearways are different: during their hours of operation, stopping is allowed only to pick up or set down passengers.

  The Highway Code, Rule 240

Spot the difference

No stopping (clearway) vs No waiting

The key difference: A red cross means no stopping on a clearway. A single red diagonal line means waiting is restricted during the times shown.

Differences between the No stopping (clearway) and No waiting signs

	No stopping (clearway)	No waiting
Symbol	Red cross	One red diagonal line, usually on a yellow plate
When it applies	At any time (24-hour clearway)	During the times shown
Road markings	None: the signs tell you	Yellow lines along the kerb

Know Your Traffic Signs, On-street parking control, pp. 44 and 64

No stopping (clearway) vs Urban clearway

The key difference: An urban clearway applies only at the times shown and lets you stop briefly to pick up or set down passengers. A 24-hour clearway bans stopping at any time.

Differences between the No stopping (clearway) and Urban clearway signs

	No stopping (clearway)	Urban clearway
Sign	Red cross on a blue circle	Yellow plate with times
When it applies	At any time	During the times shown
Picking up or setting down passengers	Not allowed on the main carriageway	Allowed

Know Your Traffic Signs, On-street parking control, pp. 64–65

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Pulling in briefly to drop someone off.

  Instead: A clearway bans all stopping on the main carriageway, including dropping off or picking up passengers. Use a lay-by if one is available and not restricted.

• Mistake: Looking for road markings to show where the clearway is.

  Instead: A 24-hour clearway has no special road markings. The signs are what tell you it applies.

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 stopping on the main carriageway at any time, not even to pick up or set down passengers.
• BNo stopping during the times shown, except to pick up or set down passengers.
• CYou must keep to the left of the sign.
• DYou must not wait or park here during the times shown.

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