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Theory test, Road signs

Signs that give orders

Circles give orders. A red ring means a prohibition, something you must not do, such as no entry or no overtaking. A blue circle gives a positive instruction you must follow, such as turn left or keep right. Two order signs have a unique shape so you recognise them even when dirty or facing the sun: the octagonal STOP and the inverted-triangle give way. Tap any sign below for the full detail, or take the road signs short test.

Order signs are the ones that carry the force of law, so they matter more than any other group. Ignore a give way or a no entry and it is not just a test fault, it can be an offence with points or a fine. The shape and colour let you read them in the half-second you usually get. A circle gives an order. A red ring around the edge means a prohibition, something you must not do, like no entry, no overtaking or a speed limit. A solid blue circle gives a positive instruction you must follow, such as turn left, keep right or a minimum speed. Two signs break the circle rule on purpose so you still know them when they are dirty or lit from behind: the eight-sided STOP and the upside-down triangle that means give way.

A few order signs trip people up because they look similar. The plain white circle with a black diagonal stripe means the national speed limit applies, not no limit at all, so on a single carriageway that is 60 mph for a car rather than a free-for-all. A red ring around a number sets that exact limit instead. No waiting, a single yellow diagonal, lets you stop briefly to set down a passenger, while no stopping, the red cross often called the clearway, does not let you stop at all. Knowing which is which changes what you can legally do on the road, which is exactly why examiners watch for it.

On the practical test you are not asked to recite sign names, but you are expected to see them early and obey them smoothly, braking in good time for a stop line rather than stamping on the spot at the last moment. On the theory test the order signs come up often in both the multiple-choice and hazard-perception sections. Tap any sign in the grid above for its full meaning and the signs it is most often confused with, or run through them quickly with the road signs short test.

By Vikas DulgundeUpdated MethodologySources

Every order signs and what it means

National speed limitNational speed limitThe national speed limit applies from this point. For a car that is 60 mph on a single carriageway and 70 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway.Speed limitSpeed limitThe maximum speed limit in miles per hour. You must not exceed the number shown.No entryNo entryNo entry for vehicular traffic. You must not drive past this sign.StopStopYou must come to a complete stop at the solid white line and give way before emerging.Give wayGive wayGive way to traffic on the major road. You do not have to stop if the road is clear.No waitingNo waitingNo waiting. You may stop briefly to set down or pick up passengers or to load, but you must not wait or park.No stopping (clearway)No stopping (clearway)No stopping at any time (a clearway). You must not stop, even to set down or pick up.Ahead onlyAhead onlyProceed straight ahead only. Turning is not permitted here.Turn left aheadTurn left aheadTurn left ahead. This is a mandatory instruction, not a suggestion.Turn right aheadTurn right aheadTurn right ahead. This is a mandatory instruction you must follow.No U-turnsNo U-turnsNo U-turns. You must not turn round to go back the way you came at this point.No left turnNo left turnNo left turn. You must not turn left at this junction.No right turnNo right turnNo right turn. You must not turn right at this junction.No overtakingNo overtakingNo overtaking. You must not overtake the vehicle in front until the restriction ends.Weight limitWeight limitNo vehicles over the maximum gross weight shown, often to protect a weak bridge or a quiet area.No motor vehiclesNo motor vehiclesNo motor vehicles. The road is closed to cars, motorcycles and other motor vehicles.Keep leftKeep leftKeep left. You must pass to the left of the sign.Keep rightKeep rightKeep right. You must pass to the right of the sign.Mini-roundaboutMini-roundaboutA mini-roundabout ahead. Give way to traffic from your right and pass round the central markings.Minimum speedMinimum speedMinimum speed limit. You must not drive slower than the speed shown unless it is unsafe to do so.No vehiclesNo vehiclesNo vehicles, except bicycles being pushed.No cyclingNo cyclingNo cycling. Cyclists must not ride past this sign.No pedestriansNo pedestriansNo pedestrians. People on foot must not pass this sign.Height limitHeight limitNo vehicles over the maximum height shown, usually because of a low bridge or tunnel.Give priority to oncomingGive priority to oncomingGive priority to oncoming vehicles, because the road is too narrow for two to pass.Turn leftTurn leftTurn left here. You must follow the direction of the arrow.Route for cycles onlyRoute for cycles onlyA route for pedal cycles only.No busesNo busesNo buses or coaches with more than 8 passenger seats.No goods vehicles over the weight shownNo goods vehicles over the weight shownNo goods vehicles over the maximum gross weight shown.No towed caravansNo towed caravansNo vehicles towing a caravan.Width limitWidth limitNo vehicles wider than the width shown.Length limitLength limitNo vehicles longer than the length shown.Pass either sidePass either sideYou may pass on either side to reach the same destination.20 mph speed limit20 mph speed limitThe maximum speed is 20 mph.Segregated cycle and pedestrian routeSegregated cycle and pedestrian routeA route for cycles and pedestrians with separate, marked sides.Shared cycle and pedestrian routeShared cycle and pedestrian routeA route shared by cycles and pedestrians, with no separate sides.No loadingNo loadingNo loading or unloading during the times shown on the plate.Route for trams onlyRoute for trams onlyA route reserved for trams only.Contraflow bus laneContraflow bus laneA bus lane in which buses travel against the main flow of traffic.Bus laneBus laneA bus lane that runs with the flow of traffic, reserved for buses during its hours of operation.

Other kinds of sign

Warning signsRed-bordered triangles. They warn of a hazard ahead so you have time to react.Information and direction signsMostly rectangles. They give information and directions, with the colour telling you the road type.All road signsBack to the hub, with the shape-and-colour rules that decode any sign.

Test yourself

The theory test asks you to recognise signs like these. Try the road and traffic signs short test (with an easy and a hard set), or read the signs revision notes.

Sign meanings are based on Know Your Traffic Signs and The Highway Code. The sign images are official Department for Transport signs (Crown copyright), reused under the Open Government Licence and the public domain via Wikimedia Commons. Always check the current Highway Code on gov.uk. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the DVSA.