--- title: "UK information signs and their meanings | The License Desk" url: https://www.thelicensedesk.com/road-signs/information-signs/ updated: 2026-09-26 --- > Source: https://www.thelicensedesk.com/road-signs/information-signs/ — last reviewed 2026-09-26. Markdown version generated at build time from the same content the page serves. 57 official signs · Department for Transport artwork # UK information signs and their meanings Some information signs change what you should expect ahead — for example, that the road you are joining is one-way or that there is no through route — so read them as carefully as warning signs. Quick answer Information signs are mostly rectangular and tell you something useful rather than giving an order. They show things like one-way streets, no through roads, hospitals, parking and priority over oncoming traffic. Blue backgrounds are common on local information signs and white or green on route information. ## What does each information sign mean? Each sign is shown with its official meaning from the Department for Transport. Tap through to the quiz when you’re ready to test yourself. - ![Accident ahead and consequent need to proceed with caution — UK road sign](/signs/uk/829-2-accident-ahead-and-consequent-need-to-proceed-with-caution.webp) Accident ahead and consequent need to proceed with caution - ![Area where police carry out checks on the speed of vehicles — UK road sign](/signs/uk/829-5-area-where-police-carry-out-checks-on-the-speed-of-vehicles.webp) Area where police carry out checks on the speed of vehicles - ![Direction to a vehicle check point — UK road sign](/signs/uk/832-9-direction-to-a-vehicle-check-point.webp) Direction to a vehicle check point - ![Direction to emergency exit for pedestrians from a tunnel — UK road sign](/signs/uk/2711-direction-to-emergency-exit-for-pedestrians-from-a-tunnel.webp) Direction to emergency exit for pedestrians from a tunnel - ![Distance ahead to emergency telephone in a parking place — UK road sign](/signs/uk/2713-1-distance-ahead-to-emergency-telephone-in-a-parking-place.webp) Distance ahead to emergency telephone in a parking place - ![Distance of 1/2 mile of dual carriageway road extends ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/818-1a-distance-of-1-2-mile-of-dual-carriageway-road-extends-ahead.webp) Distance of 1/2 mile of dual carriageway road extends ahead - ![Distance of 2 miles to a section of dual carriageway ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/818-1-distance-of-2-miles-to-a-section-of-dual-carriageway-ahead.webp) Distance of 2 miles to a section of dual carriageway ahead - ![Distance to a parking place ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/2501-distance-to-a-parking-place-ahead.webp) Distance to a parking place ahead - ![Emergency telephone 1 mile ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/2713-1vt-emergency-telephone-1-mile-ahead.webp) Emergency telephone 1 mile ahead - ![Emergency telephone ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/2713-1v-emergency-telephone-ahead.webp) Emergency telephone ahead - ![Emergency telephone in a parking place — UK road sign](/signs/uk/2713-1vp-emergency-telephone-in-a-parking-place.webp) Emergency telephone in a parking place - ![End of temporary permission for traffic to use the hard shoulder — UK road sign](/signs/uk/829-4-end-of-temporary-permission-for-traffic-to-use-the-hard-shou.webp) End of temporary permission for traffic to use the hard shoulder - ![End of vehicle check point area — UK road sign](/signs/uk/832-10a-end-of-vehicle-check-point-area.webp) End of vehicle check point area - ![Entrance to a car park, private access road or property — UK road sign](/signs/uk/833-entrance-to-a-car-park-private-access-road-or-property.webp) Entrance to a car park, private access road or property - ![Entry to a car park, private access road or property from a public road not allowed — UK road sign](/signs/uk/836-entry-to-a-car-park-private-access-road-or-property-from-a-p.webp) Entry to a car park, private access road or property from a public road not allowed - ![Exit from a car park, private access road or property — UK road sign](/signs/uk/834-exit-from-a-car-park-private-access-road-or-property.webp) Exit from a car park, private access road or property - ![Exit from a car park, private access road or property from a public road not allowed — UK road sign](/signs/uk/835-exit-from-a-car-park-private-access-road-or-property-from-a.webp) Exit from a car park, private access road or property from a public road not allowed - ![Goods vehicles and buses may be directed to enter a check point ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/832-4v-goods-vehicles-and-buses-may-be-directed-to-enter-a-check-po.webp) Goods vehicles and buses may be directed to enter a check point ahead - ![Goods vehicles and buses may be directed to leave the motorway at the junction ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/823-3v-goods-vehicles-and-buses-may-be-directed-to-leave-the-motorw.webp) Goods vehicles and buses may be directed to leave the motorway at the junction ahead - ![Goods vehicles may be directed to enter a check point ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/832-4-goods-vehicles-may-be-directed-to-enter-a-check-point-ahead.webp) Goods vehicles may be directed to enter a check point ahead - ![Goods vehicles may be directed to leave the motorway at the junction ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/832-3-goods-vehicles-may-be-directed-to-leave-the-motorway-at-the.webp) Goods vehicles may be directed to leave the motorway at the junction ahead - ![Goods vehicles may be directed to stop ahead by a constable in uniform — UK road sign](/signs/uk/830-2-goods-vehicles-may-be-directed-to-stop-ahead-by-a-constable.webp) Goods vehicles may be directed to stop ahead by a constable in uniform - ![Goods vehicles should get into the left hand lane of a three lane carriageway on the approach to a goods vehicle check point — UK road sign](/signs/uk/832-7-goods-vehicles-should-get-into-the-left-hand-lane-of-a-three.webp) Goods vehicles should get into the left hand lane of a three lane carriageway on the approach to a goods vehicle check point - ![Goods vehicles should get into the left lane to attend a goods vehicle check point ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/832-6-goods-vehicles-should-get-into-the-left-lane-to-attend-a-goo.webp) Goods vehicles should get into the left lane to attend a goods vehicle check point ahead - ![Goods vehicles should keep to the left hand lane on approach to check point ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/832-5-goods-vehicles-should-keep-to-the-left-hand-lane-on-approach.webp) Goods vehicles should keep to the left hand lane on approach to check point ahead - ![Goods vehicles should leave the main carriageway on the approach to a vehicle check point — UK road sign](/signs/uk/832-8-goods-vehicles-should-leave-the-main-carriageway-on-the-appr.webp) Goods vehicles should leave the main carriageway on the approach to a vehicle check point - ![Hospital ahead with accident and emergency facilities — UK road sign](/signs/uk/827-2-hospital-ahead-with-accident-and-emergency-facilities.webp) Hospital ahead with accident and emergency facilities - ![Hospital ahead without accident and emergency facilities — UK road sign](/signs/uk/827-1-hospital-ahead-without-accident-and-emergency-facilities.webp) Hospital ahead without accident and emergency facilities - ![Location of traffic survey — UK road sign](/signs/uk/832-location-of-traffic-survey.webp) Location of traffic survey - ![No through road for vehicular traffic in direction indicated from junction ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/817-no-through-road-for-vehicular-traffic-in-direction-indicated.webp) No through road for vehicular traffic in direction indicated from junction ahead - ![Number of lanes of traffic lanes ahead on a dual carriageway reduces from three lanes to two. Traffic in the right hand lane must move into the lane on the immediate left — UK road sign](/signs/uk/872-1-number-of-lanes-of-traffic-lanes-ahead-on-a-dual-carriageway.webp) Number of lanes of traffic lanes ahead on a dual carriageway reduces from three lanes to two. Traffic in the right hand lane must move into the lane on the immediate left - ![Number of lanes of traffic lanes ahead on a primary route reduces from three lanes to two. Traffic in the right hand lane must move into the lane on the immediate left — UK road sign](/signs/uk/872-1p-number-of-lanes-of-traffic-lanes-ahead-on-a-primary-route-re.webp) Number of lanes of traffic lanes ahead on a primary route reduces from three lanes to two. Traffic in the right hand lane must move into the lane on the immediate left - ![One-way traffic in direction indicated (sign for pedestrians) — UK road sign](/signs/uk/810l-one-way-traffic-in-direction-indicated-sign-for-pedestrians.webp) One-way traffic in direction indicated (sign for pedestrians) - ![Passing place on a narrow road — UK road sign](/signs/uk/822-passing-place-on-a-narrow-road.webp) Passing place on a narrow road - ![Permanent change to the road layout ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/7014-permanent-change-to-the-road-layout-ahead.webp) Permanent change to the road layout ahead - ![Potential danger temporarily ahead and consequent need to proceed with caution — UK road sign](/signs/uk/829-1-potential-danger-temporarily-ahead-and-consequent-need-to-pr.webp) Potential danger temporarily ahead and consequent need to proceed with caution - ![Ramped entrance to pedestrian overbridge — UK road sign](/signs/uk/814-4-ramped-entrance-to-pedestrian-overbridge.webp) Ramped entrance to pedestrian overbridge - ![Ramped entrance to pedestrian subway — UK road sign](/signs/uk/814-2-ramped-entrance-to-pedestrian-subway.webp) Ramped entrance to pedestrian subway - ![Road unsuitable for articulated vehicles — UK road sign](/signs/uk/820v5-road-unsuitable-for-articulated-vehicles.webp) Road unsuitable for articulated vehicles - ![Road unsuitable for caravans — UK road sign](/signs/uk/820v1-road-unsuitable-for-caravans.webp) Road unsuitable for caravans - ![Road unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles — UK road sign](/signs/uk/820v2-road-unsuitable-for-heavy-goods-vehicles.webp) Road unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles - ![Road unsuitable for long vehicles — UK road sign](/signs/uk/820v4-road-unsuitable-for-long-vehicles.webp) Road unsuitable for long vehicles - ![Road unsuitable for motor vehicles — UK road sign](/signs/uk/820-road-unsuitable-for-motor-vehicles.webp) Road unsuitable for motor vehicles - ![Road unsuitable for trailers — UK road sign](/signs/uk/820v6-road-unsuitable-for-trailers.webp) Road unsuitable for trailers - ![Road unsuitable for wide vehicles — UK road sign](/signs/uk/820v3-road-unsuitable-for-wide-vehicles.webp) Road unsuitable for wide vehicles - ![Route ahead only wide enough for one line of vehicles, but has passing places at intervals — UK road sign](/signs/uk/821-route-ahead-only-wide-enough-for-one-line-of-vehicles-but-ha.webp) Route ahead only wide enough for one line of vehicles, but has passing places at intervals - ![Section of dual carriageway road begins ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/818-section-of-dual-carriageway-road-begins-ahead.webp) Section of dual carriageway road begins ahead - ![Stepped entrance to pedestrian overbridge — UK road sign](/signs/uk/814-3-stepped-entrance-to-pedestrian-overbridge.webp) Stepped entrance to pedestrian overbridge - ![Stepped entrance to pedestrian subway — UK road sign](/signs/uk/814-1-stepped-entrance-to-pedestrian-subway.webp) Stepped entrance to pedestrian subway - ![Traffic should use the hard shoulder in an emergency — UK road sign](/signs/uk/829-3-traffic-should-use-the-hard-shoulder-in-an-emergency.webp) Traffic should use the hard shoulder in an emergency - ![Vehicle and Operator Services Agency check point ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/832-1a-vehicle-and-operator-services-agency-check-point-ahead.webp) Vehicle and Operator Services Agency check point ahead - ![Vehicle emissions check point ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/831-2v-vehicle-emissions-check-point-ahead.webp) Vehicle emissions check point ahead - ![Vehicle excise licence check point ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/831-2-vehicle-excise-licence-check-point-ahead.webp) Vehicle excise licence check point ahead - ![Vehicles may be directed to stop at a traffic survey ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/830-1-vehicles-may-be-directed-to-stop-at-a-traffic-survey-ahead.webp) Vehicles may be directed to stop at a traffic survey ahead - ![Vehicles must stop at a census traffic point — UK road sign](/signs/uk/830-vehicles-must-stop-at-a-census-traffic-point.webp) Vehicles must stop at a census traffic point - ![Vehicles should reduce speed on approaching a traffic survey ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/831-vehicles-should-reduce-speed-on-approaching-a-traffic-survey.webp) Vehicles should reduce speed on approaching a traffic survey ahead - ![Waiting place at a lay-by or observation platform for police vehicles only — UK road sign](/signs/uk/829-6-waiting-place-at-a-lay-by-or-observation-platform-for-police.webp) Waiting place at a lay-by or observation platform for police vehicles only ## Ready to test yourself on road signs? The free [road signs quiz](/theory-test/road-and-traffic-signs/practice-test/) uses the same official artwork, with an explanation for every answer. Revise the rules behind them in our [Road & Traffic Signs guide](/theory-test/road-and-traffic-signs/). [Start the road signs quiz](/theory-test/road-and-traffic-signs/practice-test/) ## Frequently asked questions **### How do you recognise information signs?** Information signs are mostly rectangular and tell you something useful rather than giving an order. They show things like one-way streets, no through roads, hospitals, parking and priority over oncoming traffic. Blue backgrounds are common on local information signs and white or green on route information. **### Do information signs come up in the theory test?** Yes. Signs appear throughout the theory test, mainly in the Road & Traffic Signs topic and also in topics such as Road & Traffic Signs. Practise with our free questions until you can read each sign from its shape and colour. ## Which other road sign categories should you learn? - [Warning signs](/road-signs/warning-signs/) - [Regulatory signs](/road-signs/regulatory-signs/) - [Speed limit signs](/road-signs/speed-limit-signs/) - [Motorway signs](/road-signs/motorway-signs/) - [Parking signs](/road-signs/parking-signs/) - [Level crossing signs](/road-signs/level-crossing-signs/) - [Pedestrian and cycle signs](/road-signs/pedestrian-and-cycle-signs/) - [Bus and tram signs](/road-signs/bus-and-tram-signs/) - [Road works signs](/road-signs/road-works-signs/) - [Traffic calming signs](/road-signs/traffic-calming-signs/) - [Direction signs](/road-signs/direction-signs/) Traffic sign images: Crown copyright, Department for Transport. Reproduced under the Open Government Licence v3.0. [Licence](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) · [Source](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/traffic-sign-images).