UK Road Signs – England
All the road signs you need to know for your Theory Test — organised by category, shape, and colour.
Sign Colours & Shapes
Understanding the colour and shape of a sign tells you its purpose before you read it
Prohibitory / Mandatory
Red circle = you MUST NOT do this. Blue circle = you MUST do this.
Warning Signs
Red-bordered triangles warn of hazards ahead. White or yellow background.
Information Signs
Blue rectangles give positive information. Green on motorways.
Motorway Signs
Green backgrounds are exclusive to motorway direction signs.
Warning Signs (Triangles)
T-junction or crossroads ahead
Circular junction ahead
Traffic lights ahead
Zebra or pelican crossing ahead
Children crossing — school nearby
The road becomes narrower ahead
Gradient shown as percentage
Road surface may be slippery
Hump bridge or uneven road
Construction or maintenance work ahead
Divided road ends — two-way traffic ahead
Risk of loose surface material
Regulatory Signs (Circles)
Red circle — maximum speed in mph
Red disc — no vehicles may enter
Red circle — no overtaking allowed
Red circle — U-turns not permitted
Red circle — turning prohibited
Inverted red triangle — give way to oncoming traffic
Octagon — come to a complete stop
Blue circle — pass on this side
Blue circle — pass in direction of arrow
Buses only in this lane
No stopping at any time
White circle / diagonal stripe — NSL applies
Information Signs (Rectangles)
Motorway begins — motorway rules apply
Motorway destinations
Primary route destinations
Blue P — car park ahead or nearby
White i — tourist/visitor information
Blue H — hospital ahead
Advance warning of railway crossing
Markers before motorway exits (3, 2, 1)
Lanes open/closed on variable roads
Motorway regulations no longer apply
Variable speed limit sign
Traffic flows in one direction only