Regulatory signs give orders, and most are circular. A red ring means something is prohibited — you must not do it — while a blue circle tells you what you must do. STOP (an octagon) and GIVE WAY (an upside-down triangle) break the shape rules so they stand out. Plates below can add times or exceptions.
What does each regulatory 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.
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All vehicles prohibited except pedal cycles being pushed by pedestrians -
Articulated vehicles prohibited -
End of prohibition of goods vehicles exceeding the maximum gross weight indicated in a previous sign -
Give way to traffic on the major road -
Goods vehicles exceeding a gross weight of 7.5T prohibited -
Horse drawn vehicles prohibited -
Motor vehicles except solo motor cycles prohibited -
Motor vehicles prohibited -
No entry for vehicular traffic -
No left turn for vehicular traffic -
No overtaking -
No right turn for vehicular traffic -
No U-turns for vehicular traffic -
Pedestrians prohibited -
Priority must be given to vehicles from the opposite direction -
Ridden or accompanied horses prohibited -
Solo motor cycles prohibited -
Towed caravans prohibited -
Vehicles entering the junction must give way to traffic to vehicles coming from the right -
Vehicles exceeding 32'-6'' in length indicated prohibited -
Vehicles exceeding 6'-6'' in width indicated prohibited -
Vehicular traffic may reach the same destination by passing either side of the sign -
Vehicular traffic must not go beyond the sign where displayed temporarily by a constable in uniform or by a traffic warden -
Vehicular traffic must proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow -
Vehicular traffic must turn ahead in the direction indicated by the arrow -
Vehicular traffic passing the sign must keep to the left of the sign -
All vehicles prohibited -
All vehicles prohibited during the time indicated except for access -
All vehicles prohibited from 'Play Street' during the period indicated except for access -
Buses and cycles excluded from restriction or prohibition conveyed by associated sign -
Direction of a system of lane control light signals -
Distance and direction of a system of lane control light signals -
Dual carriageway -
End of a system of lane control light signals -
Goods vehicles requiring to enter the road for loading or unloading of goods are exempted from the prohibition conveyed by the associated sign -
Indicates lane open for vehicular traffic -
Lane closed ahead vehicles must move to the next lane on the left -
Lane control signal indicating that vehicles may not proceed along the lane directly beneath the signal -
Lane control signals in operation on the road -
Lane control signals in operation on the road extending from the junction ahead -
Lane open to vehicular traffic -
Location of a weight restriction ahead with indication of an alternative route -
One-way traffic -
Stop before crossing the traverse line on the road and ensure the way is clear before entering a major road -
System of lane control ahead -
Use of verge maintained in mown or ornamental condition by specified traffic prohibited -
Vehicles carrying explosives prohibited -
Vehicles exceeding a gross weight of 18T prohibited from crossing the bridge or structure -
Vehicles exceeding a gross weight of 33T prohibited from crossing the bridge or structure -
Vehicles exceeding a gross weight of 7.5T prohibited from crossing the bridge or structure -
Vehicles requiring access are exempted from the prohibition conveyed by the associated sign
Ready to test yourself on road signs?
The free road signs quiz uses the same official artwork, with an explanation for every answer. Revise the rules behind them in our Road & Traffic Signs guide.
Start the road signs quizFrequently asked questions
How do you recognise regulatory signs?
Regulatory signs give orders, and most are circular. A red ring means something is prohibited — you must not do it — while a blue circle tells you what you must do. STOP (an octagon) and GIVE WAY (an upside-down triangle) break the shape rules so they stand out. Plates below can add times or exceptions.
Do regulatory 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?
Traffic sign images: Crown copyright, Department for Transport. Reproduced under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Licence · Source.