No vehicles sign

What it means

The road is closed to all vehicles, though you may push a bicycle through. Plates under the sign can limit the ban to certain times or make an exception for access.

Its plain design makes it easy to overlook or to confuse with No entry. No entry is a solid red circle with a white bar; No vehicles is a red ring with an empty white centre.

A red ring indicates a prohibition. Here, with no symbol inside, it applies to all vehicles.

What the symbol shows

It's a red ring with nothing inside. A red ring means something is prohibited, and with no symbol to narrow it down, the ban covers all vehicles. Plates underneath can limit it to certain times or allow access.

Memory tip: An empty ring means an empty road: no vehicles at all.

Rules to know

• No vehicles, except pedal cycles being pushed by hand.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 17

• Plates used with the sign can show times when vehicles are prohibited, except for access.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 17

• A red ring or red circle indicates a prohibition.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 16

Spot the difference

No vehicles vs No entry

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 vehicles and No entry signs

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

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

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking an empty red ring isn't a real restriction.

  Instead: It bans all vehicles, unless a plate shows an exception.

• Mistake: Riding a bicycle through.

  Instead: Pedal cycles are allowed only if they're pushed by hand.

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 turn left at the junction ahead.
• BThe national speed limit applies.
• CNo vehicles may use the road, except pedal cycles being pushed by hand.
• DNo entry for vehicles.

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