A sign that gives orders
No waiting
A blue disc with a red ring and a single red diagonal means no waiting - you can't park or wait here during the times shown, though you may still be able to stop briefly to load or set down.
01
What it means
'Waiting' means parking or sitting parked; 'no waiting' bans that during the hours in force. On the road it's marked by yellow lines: a single yellow line means no waiting during the times on a nearby time-plate, and a double yellow line means no waiting at any time. You may usually stop to pick up or drop off passengers, and to load or unload unless kerb blips (short yellow marks) show a loading ban.
Blue Badge holders have separate concessions. The sign and the lines carry the same rule - the lines are the everyday version you'll actually see.
02
Where you'll see it
Town and city streets, near junctions and anywhere kerb space is tight. In a controlled parking zone the hours are set on the zone entry sign instead of a plate by every line.
03
On your driving test
You won't be sent to park on a double yellow. Examiners watch that you read the lines and choose a legal, safe, considerate place for any pull-up or the parking exercises.
Fines and penalties
Waiting where you shouldn't is a civil parking penalty (a PCN), not points on your licence. In London it can be up to about £160 depending on the borough band, roughly halved if you pay within 14 days. Outside London the statutory rates are £70 (higher level) or £50 (lower level), halved to £35 or £25 if paid within 14 days. Councils set which band a contravention falls in, so treat these as a guide.
Often confused with
Quick answers
What's the difference between single and double yellow lines?
A single yellow line means no waiting during the times on a nearby sign; a double yellow line means no waiting at any time. Neither is an automatic loading ban - kerb blips show that.
Can I stop on a yellow line to drop someone off?
Usually yes - waiting means parking, not a quick set-down or pick-up. But you must not stop where there are stopping restrictions (a clearway or red route), and never block a junction or crossing.
Sign artwork is Crown copyright, reproduced under the Open Government Licence v3.0; meanings from the Highway Code (gov.uk).
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