--- title: "Traffic calming signs: UK Meanings | The License Desk" url: https://www.thelicensedesk.com/road-signs/traffic-calming-signs/ updated: 2026-09-26 --- > Source: https://www.thelicensedesk.com/road-signs/traffic-calming-signs/ — last reviewed 2026-09-26. Markdown version generated at build time from the same content the page serves. 10 official signs · Department for Transport artwork # Traffic calming signs: humps, chicanes and zones Rumble strips and coloured surfacing are also used to alert you to a hazard or a change of speed limit ahead, particularly on the approach to villages and junctions. Quick answer Traffic calming signs warn of features designed to slow you down: road humps, speed cushions, chicanes and narrowings. Zone signs mark areas where traffic calming continues throughout. Slow down before you reach the feature rather than braking over it, and look out for people walking and cycling. ## What does each traffic calming 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. - ![Road hump or series of road humps ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/557-1-road-hump-or-series-of-road-humps-ahead.webp) Road hump or series of road humps ahead - ![Crossing on road hump ahead — UK road sign](/signs/uk/547-8-crossing-on-road-hump-ahead.webp) Crossing on road hump ahead - ![End of designated quiet lane in England — UK road sign](/signs/uk/885-end-of-designated-quiet-lane-in-england.webp) End of designated quiet lane in England - ![Road hump to the right and at 20 yards — UK road sign](/signs/uk/557-4-road-hump-to-the-right-and-at-20-yards.webp) Road hump to the right and at 20 yards - ![Road humps ahead for half a mile — UK road sign](/signs/uk/557-2-road-humps-ahead-for-half-a-mile.webp) Road humps ahead for half a mile - ![Road humps ahead to the right for 300 yards — UK road sign](/signs/uk/557-3-road-humps-ahead-to-the-right-for-300-yards.webp) Road humps ahead to the right for 300 yards - ![Start of a designated home zone — UK road sign](/signs/uk/881a-start-of-a-designated-home-zone.webp) Start of a designated home zone - ![Start of a designated quiet lane in England — UK road sign](/signs/uk/884v-start-of-a-designated-quiet-lane-in-england.webp) Start of a designated quiet lane in England - ![Start of area with traffic calming features — UK road sign](/signs/uk/883-start-of-area-with-traffic-calming-features.webp) Start of area with traffic calming features - ![Traffic has priority over vehicles from the opposite direction — UK road sign](/signs/uk/811-traffic-has-priority-over-vehicles-from-the-opposite-directi.webp) Traffic has priority over vehicles from the opposite direction ## 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 [Vehicle Handling guide](/theory-test/vehicle-handling/). [Start the road signs quiz](/theory-test/road-and-traffic-signs/practice-test/) ## Frequently asked questions **### How do you recognise traffic calming signs?** Traffic calming signs warn of features designed to slow you down: road humps, speed cushions, chicanes and narrowings. Zone signs mark areas where traffic calming continues throughout. Slow down before you reach the feature rather than braking over it, and look out for people walking and cycling. **### Do traffic calming 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 Vehicle Handling. 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/) - [Information signs](/road-signs/information-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).