Road signs, No stopping (clearway)

What does the no stopping sign mean?

No stopping at any time (a clearway). You must not stop, even to set down or pick up.

By VikasReviewed by VikasMethodologySources
No stopping (clearway)

A blue circle with a red ring and a red cross (X).

What you must do

Keep moving. Only stop in a genuine emergency or if told to by police or traffic signs.

Where you will see it

Fast urban roads and red routes where a stopped car is a serious hazard.

Easy to confuse with: No waiting

No waiting

No waiting (one diagonal) lets you stop briefly; no stopping does not. See the no waiting 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

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.