A sign that gives orders
Give priority to oncoming vehicles
A sign with a large red arrow pointing up and a smaller black arrow pointing down means give priority to vehicles coming from the opposite direction - you must wait.
01
What it means
It's used at a narrow stretch too tight for two vehicles to pass - a narrow bridge, a build-out, or roadworks. The red arrow is the oncoming traffic that has priority; the black arrow is you. Hang back at a safe point and let oncoming vehicles clear before you go. The opposite sign is a blue rectangle with a white arrow up and a red arrow down, which means you have priority - but still be ready to give way if someone has already committed.
02
Where you'll see it
Narrow bridges, traffic-calming build-outs, and single-lane roadworks.
03
On your driving test
The skill is judgement and courtesy: wait where you can see clearly, don't nudge forward to force your way, and go only when the way is genuinely clear.
Often confused with
Quick answers
How do I know if I have priority or must give way?
The red arrow points the way with priority. If the big red arrow points toward you (oncoming), you give way; the blue 'priority' sign with the red arrow pointing away means you may go first.
Sign artwork is Crown copyright, reproduced under the Open Government Licence v3.0; meanings from the Highway Code (gov.uk).
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