UK traffic signs

• Shape tells you the type: circles give orders, triangles warn, and rectangles inform.
• A red circle is a prohibition (something you must not do); a blue circle is something you must do.
• Two shapes stand alone so you spot them instantly: the octagon is STOP, and the downward triangle is GIVE WAY.
• Colour backs this up: a red border or ring warns or forbids, a blue background instructs, and green or brown are for directions and tourist routes.

These are the signs behind most parking tickets and charges - waiting and stopping restrictions, controlled parking zones, bus and tram routes, congestion charging and camera enforcement. Tap any sign for what it means, where you'll meet it, and what a fine costs. For how the penalties and charges fit together, see the parking, penalties and charges guide.

Waiting, stopping and parking

No waitingNo stopping (Clearway)Controlled parking zone entranceEnd of controlled parking zone

Bus lanes and stops

Bus lane at junction aheadContra-flow bus laneEnd of bus laneBus stop

Buses, cycles and trams

Buses and cycles onlyTrams onlyTrams crossing ahead

Cycle routes and lanes

Cycle route onlyWith-flow cycle laneWith-flow cycle lane aheadCycle lane at junction aheadShared cycle & pedestrian routeSegregated cycle & pedestrian route

Charging zones and cameras

Congestion charging zone entranceSpeed-limit camera enforcement area

Traffic-sign artwork is Crown copyright, reproduced under the Open Government Licence v3.0; meanings from the Highway Code (gov.uk).

Some rules are shown by road markings or local variations that don't have a single official sign face, so these pages explain the rule in words rather than a picture.

Parking and waiting rulesYellow lines, red routes, CPZs and what a ticket costs→One pole, many signs: how to read themThe top sign is the order; the plates below qualify it→Bus lanes, box junctions & moving-traffic finesThe camera-enforced rules→Congestion Charge, ULEZ & camera finesLondon's daily charges→No motor vehicles (car + motorbike)The red circle that bans cars and motorbikes→Yellow box junctionsDon't block it - the rule and the fine→Bus lanesWhen you can drive in one→With-flow bus laneThe everyday bus lane and its hours→With-flow bus and cycle laneA bus lane shared with cycles→No stopping except for busesRed-route bus stops→Speed camerasTypes, and the penalty→Variable speed limits (smart motorways)Gantry limits and the red X→