🔑 The Master Key — Shape & Colour
🔺
Triangle
Red border = Warning ahead
🔴
Red Circle
Prohibition — must NOT do
🔵
Blue Circle
Mandatory — MUST do
🟦
Rectangle
Information & directions
🛑
Octagon
STOP — must physically stop
🔽
Inverted Triangle
GIVE WAY — yield to traffic
🟦
Blue Rectangle
Motorway signs
🟩
Green Rectangle
Primary route / A road
📝 Theory Test — Road Signs Facts
Multiple choice questions50 questions / 43 to pass
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Signs question pool (approx)~20 questions
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Browse by sign type
🔺 Warning
⛔ Give Way / STOP
🔴 Prohibition
🔵 Mandatory
🟦 Direction
🛣 Road Markings
🚦 Traffic Lights
🚧 Roadworks
🚂 Level Crossings
🚶 Pedestrian Crossings
Warning Signs
Red-bordered triangles — warn of a hazard ahead. You decide the safe response.
The Rule
Warning signs are red-bordered equilateral triangles, point up. Two exceptions: STOP (octagon) and GIVE WAY (inverted triangle). A warning sign does not mean stop — it means a hazard is ahead; slow down and be prepared.
⚠️
Crossroads ahead
A junction where roads cross. Be prepared to give way or stop depending on priority markings.
Warning
↩️
Bend ahead
Sharp bend to left or right. Arrow shows direction. Reduce speed before the bend, not during.
Warning
🛤️
Road narrows
Carriageway narrows on the side shown (or both sides). Be prepared to give way.
Warning
⛰️
Steep hill downwards
Gradient shown as percentage or ratio (e.g. 20% = 1 in 5). Engage lower gear, don't rely on brakes alone.
Warning
🚸
School crossing patrol ahead
May have flashing amber lights. Be prepared to stop for a lollipop person.
Warning
🐄
Cattle / Wild animals
Animals may cross or be in the road. Slow down and be prepared to stop.
Warning
🚦
Traffic signals ahead
Traffic lights are ahead. A separate sign may indicate signals not in use.
Warning
🚂
Level crossing ahead
With or without barrier. Reduce speed and be prepared to stop. Never cross on flashing red lights.
Warning
🧊
Risk of ice
Road may be icy. Ice stopping distances can be up to 10x normal. Reduce speed significantly.
Warning
🚧
Road works ahead
Roadworks nearby. May be accompanied by a mandatory speed limit sign.
Warning
Common Learner Mistakes
- Thinking a red triangle means stop — it only warns; you decide how to respond
- Confusing "road narrows" with "dual carriageway ends" — similar shapes, very different meanings
- Missing the distance plate below the sign showing how far away the hazard is
Give Way & STOP Signs
The only two signs with unique shapes — recognisable even under snow.
🛑
STOP
Red octagon — the only octagonal sign in the UK. You must come to a complete halt (wheels stationary) behind the solid white stop line, even if the road appears clear.
Must Stop
🔽
GIVE WAY
Inverted red-bordered triangle — the only inverted triangle. Give priority to traffic on the major road. You only need to stop if traffic is coming; if clear, you may proceed.
Give Way
🔄
Mini-roundabout
Blue circle with three arrows. Give way to traffic coming from your immediate right.
Mandatory
↔️
Priority over oncoming vehicles
White arrow larger = you have priority. Red arrow smaller = oncoming must give way to you at a narrow section.
Priority
Critical Mistake — STOP vs GIVE WAY
- At STOP you must physically stop every time, even if the road looks empty — failure is an automatic test fail
- At GIVE WAY you stop only if traffic is coming — you can proceed if it is safe to do so
- STOP has a solid white line across the road; GIVE WAY has a double broken white line
Prohibitory Signs
Red circles — tell you what you must NOT do. These are legal orders.
🚫
No entry
Red circle, white horizontal bar. No vehicles may enter. Commonly used on one-way streets.
Prohibited
🔵
National Speed Limit
White circle with a single black diagonal stripe. Reinstates the national limit: 60 mph single carriageway, 70 mph dual carriageway/motorway for cars.
Speed Limit
🚗
Maximum speed limit
Number in a red ring — maximum speed you may travel. Ends where a new limit or national speed limit sign appears.
Speed Limit
⛔
No waiting (single yellow)
Red circle with diagonal stripe. Waiting restricted during times shown on nearby sign. Brief stopping to set down/pick up passengers may be permitted.
No Waiting
🚷
No stopping — Clearway
Red cross on blue background. You may not stop at all — not even to drop off passengers — during the hours shown (or at any time if no times shown).
No Stopping
↩️
No U-turns / No right turn
Red circle with the relevant manoeuvre shown with a red diagonal bar. The manoeuvre is prohibited.
Prohibited
🚌
No goods vehicles / No buses
Red circle with the vehicle type. Vehicles of that type are prohibited except where a plate states otherwise (e.g. "except for loading").
Prohibited
🚲
No cycling
Red circle with bicycle symbol. Cyclists must dismount and push if they need to continue through.
Prohibited
Common Learner Mistakes
- National speed limit sign (white circle, black diagonal) misread as "no restrictions" — it means 60/70 mph national limits apply
- No stopping (Clearway) vs No waiting — Clearway means you cannot stop at all; no-waiting allows brief stops to pick up/drop off
- No motor vehicles (car + motorbike in a red circle) means both are banned — not that only those vehicles are allowed
Mandatory Signs
Blue circles — positive instruction. You must follow these.
⬆️
Ahead only
Blue circle with white upward arrow. You must go straight ahead — turning is not permitted.
Must Do
↖️
Turn left / right ahead
Blue circle with arrow. You must turn in the direction shown at the junction ahead.
Must Do
🔄
Keep left / Keep right
Must pass the obstruction or island on the side shown. Common on traffic islands and central refuges.
Must Do
🔢
Minimum speed limit
Blue circle with a number. You must not travel slower than this speed. End of minimum speed = same circle with a red diagonal bar.
Must Do
🚌
Buses and cycles only
Blue rectangle or circle. Only the vehicles shown may use this lane or road. Applies during times shown.
Restriction
🚲
Cycle route only
Blue circle with bicycle. Motor vehicles must not use this route. Pedestrians may walk alongside unless signed otherwise.
Cycle Only
Common Learner Mistakes
- Confusing minimum speed (blue circle, number) with a maximum speed limit (red circle, number)
- Confusing blue circular "Ahead only" with rectangular blue "One-way traffic" — very different signs
- Not noticing the time plates on bus lane signs — restrictions may not apply 24 hours
Direction & Information Signs
Rectangles — colour-coded by road type.
Colour Code
- Blue background = Motorway
- Green background = Primary route (A road)
- White background, black border = Non-primary / local road
- Brown background = Tourist attraction
- Yellow / black = Temporary / roadworks
🛣️
Motorway signs (blue)
Junction numbers on a black patch. Downward arrows mean "get in this lane." Countdown markers (each bar = 100 yards) before exits.
Motorway
🟩
Primary route signs (green)
Green background with route numbers and destinations. Blue inset panels indicate a motorway starts on that route.
Primary Route
🟫
Tourist attraction signs (brown)
Castles, museums, parks, camping sites. Brown background with white text and a pictogram of the attraction.
Tourist
🏥
Hospital with A&E
Blue rectangular sign with H symbol. Indicates a hospital with an Accident & Emergency department.
Information
🚗
Congestion Charge Zone
Circular sign indicating entry to a charging zone. In London: £18 per day. Check your vehicle's eligibility.
Charges Apply
🔚
No through road
White rectangle. This road does not have an exit at the other end — dead end.
Information
Common Learner Mistakes
- Reading a green-background sign as a motorway — blue = motorway, green = primary A road
- Ignoring countdown markers at motorway exits — each bar is 100 yards, so three bars = 300 yards to exit
Road Markings
The more paint, the more important the message.
The Golden Rule
More paint = more important. Short broken lines = advisory; longer broken lines = hazard warning; solid lines = must not cross (unless the rules permit).
━━
Centre line (short broken)
Standard lane divider. You may cross when it is safe to overtake or turn.
Advisory
⚠️
Hazard warning line
Longer painted sections than gaps. A hazard is ahead — do not cross unless you can see clearly it is safe to do so.
Warning
═══
Double white lines (solid nearest you)
Must not cross except to pass a stationary obstruction, a vehicle/cycle going under 10 mph, or to turn into a side road.
Do Not Cross
🛑
Stop line (solid white)
Single solid white line across the road at a STOP sign or traffic lights. You must stop behind this line.
Must Stop
- -
Give way line (double broken)
Double broken white line — give way to traffic on the major road. At mini-roundabouts a thicker broken line is used.
Give Way
🟡
Yellow box junction
Do not enter until your exit is clear. Exception: you may wait in the box when turning right if only blocked by oncoming traffic.
Box Junction
〰️
Zig-zag lines (white)
At pedestrian crossings. No stopping, parking or overtaking the leading vehicle at any time.
No Stopping
🟡
Yellow zig-zags
Often marked "SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR." No stopping or waiting during times shown on the nearby sign.
School Zone
━
Single yellow line (kerb)
Waiting restricted at times shown on nearby signs. Check the sign — times vary by location.
Restricted
══
Double yellow lines (kerb)
No waiting at any time. You may briefly stop to pick up or set down passengers in most cases.
No Waiting
Common Learner Mistakes
- Thinking you can never stop in a yellow box — you can, when turning right and only blocked by oncoming traffic
- Thinking white zig-zags mean "no parking" — they mean no stopping at all
- Crossing double white lines to overtake — illegal if the line nearest you is solid
- Confusing hatching bordered by broken line (can enter if safe) vs solid line (emergency only)
Traffic Light Signals
Sequence: Red → Red+Amber → Green → Amber → Red
🔴
Red
Stop and wait behind the stop line. Do not proceed under any circumstances.
Stop
🟠
Red + Amber together
Stay stopped. Prepare to move. Do NOT go until the light turns green.
Wait
🟢
Green
Go if the way is clear. Green is not an absolute right of way — give way to pedestrians still crossing.
Go if clear
🟡
Amber (steady)
Stop, unless you have already crossed the stop line or are so close that stopping could cause a collision.
Prepare to Stop
↗️
Green filter arrow
You may proceed in the arrow's direction only. Give way to pedestrians crossing. Oncoming traffic is held.
Filter
🟡
Flashing amber (Pelican crossings only)
Give way to pedestrians on the crossing. If crossing is clear, you may proceed. This phase exists ONLY at Pelican crossings.
Pelican only
Common Learner Mistakes
- Moving off on red-and-amber — you must wait for green
- Speeding up to beat an amber light — you must stop unless unsafe to do so
- Missing a green filter arrow — you can proceed in that direction even if the main light is red
- Not giving way to pedestrians on green — green is not absolute right of way
Roadworks Signs
Yellow/black or orange backgrounds. Temporary — but mandatory speed limits are legally enforceable.
🚧
Road works ahead
Standard roadworks warning triangle. Often accompanied by a mandatory temporary speed limit sign (red ring).
Warning
🪨
Loose chippings
Risk of stones from freshly laid surface. Reduce speed to protect your windscreen and other road users.
Warning
🛑
STOP / GO boards
Manually operated by a traffic marshal. Red STOP means stop; green GO means proceed with care. Treat like traffic lights.
Obey
🚦
Temporary traffic lights
No road markings. Longer gaps between changes than permanent lights. Do not assume they are faulty if waiting a long time.
Obey
Common Learner Mistakes
- Ignoring temporary red-ring speed limits at roadworks — these are legally enforceable, not advisory
- Changing lanes too late when a lane closure sign appears — plan ahead
- Assuming temporary traffic lights are broken because the wait is long — they cycle differently to permanent lights
Level Crossing Signs
Never take chances at a level crossing — trains cannot stop quickly.
🚂
Level crossing with barrier ahead
Warning triangle. Slow down and be prepared to stop. Never cross when red lights are flashing.
Warning
✖️
St Andrew's Cross (saltire)
Marks a crossing with no barrier or gate. Treat like a give-way junction — be ready to stop for trains at all times.
No Barrier
🔴
Twin flashing red lights
A train is approaching or passing. You must stop behind the white line. If lights keep flashing after one train passes — wait. Another train is coming.
Must Stop
🟡
Steady amber light
Stop unless it is unsafe to do so. Twin flashing red lights will follow shortly.
Prepare to Stop
Danger — Common Mistakes
- Proceeding after one train passes while red lights are still flashing — a second train may be coming
- Zig-zagging around half-barriers — extremely dangerous and illegal
- Never stop or reverse on a level crossing — if your vehicle breaks down, exit and call 999
- Make sure your exit is clear before entering — never stop on the crossing itself
Pedestrian Crossing Types
Six types — each works differently. Know which is which.
🦓
Zebra Crossing
Black and white stripes. Flashing amber Belisha beacons. No traffic lights. Pedestrians have priority once they step onto the crossing — you must give way. Only crossing with automatic pedestrian priority.
Give Way
🦤
Pelican Crossing
Signal-controlled, pedestrian push-button. The only crossing with a flashing amber phase — give way to pedestrians still crossing, then go if clear.
Flashing Amber
🐦
Puffin Crossing
"Intelligent" crossing with sensors. Red/green figures are on your side of the road (above the button). No flashing amber phase — uses normal traffic light sequence.
No Flashing Amber
🦜
Toucan Crossing
"Two can cross" — shared by pedestrians and cyclists (cyclists may ride across without dismounting). Wider than pelican/puffin. No flashing amber phase.
Cyclists Too
🐎
Pegasus Crossing
For horse riders. Higher second control button (~2m) so riders needn't dismount. Wider crossing space. Horse-and-rider figures in signal panels.
Horse Riders
🐯
Parallel (Tiger) Crossing
A zebra crossing with a marked cycle lane alongside. Give way to both pedestrians and cyclists. Treat like a zebra crossing.
Give Way
Common Learner Mistakes
- Thinking flashing amber exists at puffin/toucan crossings — it only exists at Pelican crossings
- Waving pedestrians across — this is discouraged as another vehicle may not have stopped
- Overtaking the leading vehicle at a crossing — never permitted on zig-zag lines
- A crossing with a central island counts as two separate crossings — treat each half independently
- At Zebra: you must give way to pedestrians waiting to cross, not just those already on it (since 2022 Highway Code)
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