Road signs, Bend to the left

What does the bend to the left warning sign mean?

A sharp bend to the left ahead.

By VikasReviewed by VikasMethodologySources
Bend to the left

A red triangle with a road bending to the left.

What you must do

Slow down before the bend and keep to your side of the road.

Where you will see it

Before a sharp or hidden left-hand bend.

Easy to confuse with: Bend ahead

Bend ahead

The matching sign warns of a bend to the right. See the bend ahead sign.

Test yourself

The theory test asks you to recognise signs like this one. Try the road and traffic signs quiz (with an easy and a hard set), or read the signs revision notes. Source: Know Your Traffic Signs.

Other common road signs

National speed limitNational speed limitSpeed limit30Speed limitNo entryNo entryStopSTOPStopGive wayGive wayNo waitingNo waitingNo stopping (clearway)No stopping (clearway)Ahead onlyAhead onlyTurn left aheadTurn left aheadTurn right aheadTurn right aheadOther danger!Other dangerNo U-turnsNo U-turnsNo left turnNo left turnNo right turnNo right turnNo overtakingNo overtakingWeight limit7.5TWeight limitNo motor vehiclesNo motor vehiclesKeep leftKeep leftKeep rightKeep rightMini-roundaboutMini-roundaboutMinimum speed30Minimum speedCrossroads aheadCrossroads aheadT-junction aheadT-junction aheadRoundabout aheadRoundabout aheadBend aheadBend aheadTwo-way trafficTwo-way trafficTraffic signals aheadTraffic signals aheadRoad narrowsRoad narrowsSlippery roadSlippery roadPedestrians in roadPedestrians in roadParkingPParkingDouble bendDouble bendSide roadSide roadStaggered junctionStaggered junctionSteep hill downwards10%Steep hill downwardsSteep hill upwards10%Steep hill upwardsUneven roadUneven roadHump bridgeHump bridgeRoad humpsRoad humpsLevel crossing with barrierLevel crossing with barrierLevel crossing without barrierLevel crossing without barrierSchool or children crossingSchool or children crossingZebra crossing aheadZebra crossing aheadCycle route aheadCycle route aheadHorse ridersHorse ridersWild animalsWild animalsFarm animalsFarm animalsQueues likelyQueues likelyNo vehiclesNo vehiclesNo cyclingNo cyclingNo pedestriansNo pedestriansHeight limit5.0mHeight limitGive priority to oncomingGive priority to oncomingTurn leftTurn leftRoute for cycles onlyRoute for cycles onlyOne-way trafficOne-way trafficNo through roadNo through roadHospitalHHospital

Meaning based on Know Your Traffic Signs and The Highway Code under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The sign image is our own simplified rendering for learning. Always check the current Highway Code on gov.uk. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the DVSA.