The biggest topic in the bank: sign shapes, colours, road markings and signals — and how to decode any sign from its design system.
What does this topic cover?
More questions come from signs than any other topic. It tests the sign design system (shape + colour = meaning), individual high-frequency signs, road markings, traffic light sequences and the signals police and other drivers give.
Which Highway Code rules should I revise?
Rules 103–112 (signals), 127–132 (road markings and lines), and the ‘Traffic signs’ and ‘Road markings’ sections at the back of The Highway Code. The free official guide Know Your Traffic Signs covers every sign in detail — learn the system first, then drill the exceptions.
Test yourself on Road & Traffic Signs
Free Road & Traffic Signs practice questions in the official four-option format, with explained answers and Highway Code references.
Start the Road & Traffic Signs practice testFrequently asked questions
How do UK sign shapes work?
Triangles warn, circles give orders (red ring = prohibition, blue = positive instruction), rectangles inform (blue = general, green = primary routes, white = local). The STOP sign is uniquely octagonal so it's recognisable even when obscured.
What do road marking widths mean?
A general principle: the more paint, the more important the message. Longer broken centre lines warn of hazards; solid white lines restrict crossing; yellow line rules govern waiting.
Revise the rest of the syllabus in the 14 DVSA topics directory, or sit the full free mock theory test.