Road works signs warn of temporary hazards such as lane closures, contraflows, narrow lanes and workers in the road. Temporary speed limits shown in a red ring are mandatory, not advisory. Diversion signs often use a yellow background with black symbols so you can follow the route around closures.
What does each road works 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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Loose chippings on road ahead -
Vehicular traffic may proceed into a length of road where one-way working is temporarily necessary -
Vehicular traffic must not proceed into a length of road where one-way working is temporarily necessary -
Vehicular traffic should not proceed beyond the sign when displayed during works on or near the road -
Additional traffic lane available ahead as part of temporary traffic management scheme -
Centre lane of a three lane single carriageway road closed -
Cyclists to dismount and use the adjacent footway -
Dates when road works are to take place overnight and delays are to be expected -
Description of the nature of road works -
Direction in which pedestrians should look for approaching traffic -
Direction of temporary route for pedestrians -
Direction to be taken by road works or construction traffic at a junction ahead -
Direction to be taken by road works or construction traffic at a junction or works entrance -
Direction to be taken by road works or construction traffic to an access to a works site 100 yards ahead -
Exit from a works site 200 yards ahead -
Information on breakdown recovery services during road works -
Instructions for drivers of wide loads on how to telephone for assistance -
Instructions to drivers of wide loads to follow a diversion to avoid the road works ahead -
Light signal not in use -
Location of road works immediately ahead on route indicated -
Maximum speed of 20 miles per hour advised at a bend or other hazard -
Maximum speed of 30 miles per hour advised at a bend or other hazard -
Nature of work being done by vehicle working on the highway -
Sharp bends ahead where traffic is diverted onto a temporary road for a short distance -
Temporary absence of hard shoulder for 400 yards -
Temporary absence of road markings for 2 miles -
Temporary access to a construction or road works site -
Temporary entrance to a construction or road works site -
Temporary exit from a construction or road works site -
Temporary sudden change in level of carriageway surface -
Traffic joining a length of road being controlled by portable traffic signals is not controlled by these signals -
Traffic on road ahead is being controlled by portable light signals -
Variable message sign ahead not in use or being tested -
Vehicles may not pass the temporary traffic signals when the red light is shown -
Vehicles may not pass the temporary traffic signals when the red light is shown at a junction -
Vehicular traffic should proceed slowly owing to temporary hazard resulting from wet tar on the road -
Vehicular traffic should proceed slowly owing to workforce in the road -
Zebra or signal controlled crossing temporarily out of use
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 Safety Margins guide.
Start the road signs quizFrequently asked questions
How do you recognise road works signs?
Road works signs warn of temporary hazards such as lane closures, contraflows, narrow lanes and workers in the road. Temporary speed limits shown in a red ring are mandatory, not advisory. Diversion signs often use a yellow background with black symbols so you can follow the route around closures.
Do road works 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 Safety Margins. 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.