Urban clearway sign

What it means

An urban clearway bans stopping during its hours of operation. Unlike a 24-hour clearway, you may stop just long enough to pick up or set down passengers.

Urban clearways are used in built-up areas. There are no special road markings, but the signs are usually repeated along the clearway, mainly after each junction.

Outside the times shown, the urban clearway doesn't apply, although other restrictions might. A separate sign marks where the urban clearway ends.

Rules to know

• During the times the urban clearway operates, stopping is not allowed on the carriageway or verges, except to pick up or set down passengers.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 65

• You must not stop or park on an urban clearway within its hours of operation, except to pick up or set down passengers.

  The Highway Code, Rule 240

• There are no special road markings; the signs are usually repeated after each road junction.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 65

Spot the difference

Urban clearway vs No stopping (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 Urban clearway and No stopping (clearway) signs

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

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

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Stopping for a minute to pop into a shop.

  Instead: Only picking up or setting down passengers is allowed during the times shown.

• Mistake: Treating it like a 24-hour clearway.

  Instead: A 24-hour clearway (red cross) bans all stopping at all times. An urban clearway applies only at the times shown and allows passenger drop-offs.

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 during the times shown, except to pick up or set down passengers.
• BYou must not wait or park here during the times shown.
• CNo stopping on the main carriageway at any time, not even to pick up or set down passengers.
• DA 20 mph speed limit applies throughout the zone.

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