Road signs, Give way

What does the give way sign mean?

Give way to traffic on the major road. You do not have to stop if the road is clear.

By VikasReviewed by VikasMethodologySources
Give way

An inverted (upside-down) white triangle with a red border.

What you must do

Slow down, be ready to stop, and only emerge when there is a safe gap.

Where you will see it

The minor road at a junction, often with a double broken white line across the road.

Easy to confuse with: Stop

StopSTOP

A stop sign requires a full stop every time; give way does not. See the stop 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: Highway Code rule 172.

Other common road signs

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.