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Transport for London

Understanding road signs

Road signs and markings are there to help drivers understand the road. By following road signs and markings, you can help keep the City's traffic flowing.

On this page:

Parking and loading bays - Red boxes

Parking or loading is allowed during the off-peak time (normally between 10am and 4pm). There are several different types of box. Some allow loading and unloading, others allow short term free parking. Special conditions apply to Blue Badge holders. Times and conditions are clearly indicated on the signs displayed next to the box.

White Boxes

Parking or loading is allowed at any time during the hours shown on the sign. Times and conditions are clearly indicated on the signs displayed next to the box.

The signs shown are examples only. Always check the times indicated on the road sign adjacent to the red route restriction.

Red route signs

Double red lines and signs

Stopping is not allowed at any time.

Single red lines and signs

Stopping, loading or picking up or setting down passengers is not allowed between 7am - 7pm.

Red Route Clearway

Part of the red route network where stopping is only allowed in marked lay-bys. On these roads there are signs but no red lines except at some roundabouts and junctions.

Red Route Clearway sign

Stopping Boxes

These are clearly marked on the road.

Bus lane signs

Blue signs with hours of operation are positioned at the start of the bus lane, at intervals along it and at the end. Where there are no times on the blue sign it means the bus lane is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Yellow box junctions

You must not enter a yellow box junction until your exit road or lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right.

A picture of a yellow box junction

Banned turns

A black line bending at 90 degrees to the right with a red diagonal line through it inside a red outlined circle

No right turn for vehicular traffic.

A black line bending at 90 degrees to the left with a red diagonal line through it inside a red outlined circle

No left turn for vehicular traffic.

An upside down U with a red diagonal line through it inside a red outlined circle

No U-Turns for vehicular traffic.

 

Road signs

A white arrow pointing up inside a blue rectangle

One way traffic.

A white arrow pointing left inside a blue circle

Vehicular traffic must proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow.

A white arrow bending 90 degrees to the left inside a blue circle

Vehicular traffic must turn ahead in the direction indicated by the arrow.

A white arrow pointing down and to the left inside a blue circle

Vehicular traffic must move to the left.

A lorry with the number 7.5 T on its side inside a red outlined circle

Goods vehicles exceeding the maximum gross weight indicated on the goods vehicle symbol are prohibited.

A picture of a tram inside a blue circle

Route for use by tramcars only.

 
A picture of a bicycle above a bus inside a blue circle

Route for use by buses and cycles only.

A red arrow pointing up and a black arrow pointing down inside a red outlined circle above the words Give Way to oncoming vehicles inside a white rectangle

Priority must be given to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.

 
A white horizontal line inside a red circle above the words Except Buses inside a white rectangle

No entry to vehicular traffic.

The words No Vehicles inside a white rectangle underneath a red outlined circle

All vehicular traffic prohibited except bicycles being pushed.

 
A red outlined circle within a white rectangle with the word pedestrian zone - no vehicles except for access at any time inside it

Entry to pedestrian zone restricted - alternative types.

A red outlined circle within a white rectangle with the word pedestrian zone - no vehicles except for loading by lorries inside it

Entry to and waiting in pedestrian zone restricted - alternative types.

 
A picture of the back of a black car below the side of a black motorcycle inside a red outlined circle within a white rectangle with the word pedestrian zone - except for loading at any time inside it

Entry to and waiting in pedestrian zone restricted - variable message sign.

A picture of the back of a black car below the side of a black motorcycle inside a red outlined circle

Motor vehicles prohibited.

 
A picture of the back of a black car inside a red outlined circle

Motor vehicles except solo motorcycles prohibited.

A picture of the back of a black motorcycle inside a red outlined circle

Solo motorcycles prohibited.

 

A picture of a school crossing zone zig-zag
Vehicles must not stop on this area outside a school entrance.

Blue badge exemptions

Blue badge holders can stop for up to three hours in nearly all loading boxes and can stop for an unlimited time in parking boxes.

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