A warning sign
Children / school
A red triangle showing two children warns that children are likely in or near the road ahead - most often close to a school.
01
What it means
It's usually paired with a 'School' plate, and near many schools you'll also meet a school crossing patrol (the 'lollipop' warden), whose raised sign means you must stop. Children are unpredictable and small - ease right off, cover the brake, and expect someone to step out between parked cars.
02
Where you'll see it
Near school entrances, on routes children walk, and at times you'll see flashing amber school-warning lights at the start and end of the school day.
03
On your driving test
Anticipation is exactly what's marked here: slow early, give parked cars a wide berth, and be ready to stop. Under the 2022 hierarchy of road users, the most vulnerable - here, children - come first.
Often confused with
Quick answers
Do I have to stop for a school crossing patrol?
Yes. When the patrol shows their sign, you must stop and stay stopped until they have returned to the pavement and lowered it - it's a legal requirement.
Sign artwork is Crown copyright, reproduced under the Open Government Licence v3.0; meanings from the Highway Code (gov.uk).
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