Common road signs that most drivers DON’T know – how many can you get?

THE 10 common road signs that even the most experienced drivers often forget, according to driving instructors and traffic wardens.

Here are the 10 UK road signs that drivers often misunderstand, along with their explanations and why they tend to cause confusion:

1. Red and blue circle with a cross

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This red, circular sign with a blue background and single red cross through it means that drivers must not stop for any reason.

It is also often accompanied by yellows or red kerb lines.

The sign is typically found on busy main roads and informs drivers that under no condition are they allowed to stop – even to drop off passengers or wait briefly.

It is often confused with the “No Waiting” sign, resulting in many drivers being fined for making a quick stop.

Driver confusion is a well-known issue for traffic wardens, as they issue hundreds of fines for stopping on red routes each year.

According to Auto Express, Transport for London generated £83.4 million in fines from red route violations in the 2023/24 financial year.

Meaning: No Stopping

2. Red circle, blue inside with diagonal line

This sign is used to inform drivers that they cannot wait or park in the area.

However, drivers are usually allowed to make a quick stop to drop off passengers, as long as it is safe to do so and doesn’t cause any obstruction.

The sign consists of a blue circle with a red border and single red diagonal line.

Similarly to the “No Stopping” sign, it is usually accompanied by single or double yellow lines on the curb.

Due to the confusion between this sign and “No Stopping”, drivers often either avoid stopping all together or stop for too long, incurring fines.

Meaning: No waiting

3. Plain red circle

Not known, clear with picture desk

This sign often confuses drivers[/caption]

Sometimes a plain red circle with empty white centre, this sign effectively closes the road to all traffic.

It is often misunderstood by drivers thinking it is simply an empty circle or incomplete.

It is also commonly mistaken for “No Entry.”

This results in drivers often wrongfully entering roads, particularly in pedestrianised areas or private access roads.

Meaning: No Vehicles

4. Blue 30

A blue circular sign with a white number in the centre indicates that there is a minimum speed limit which drivers must abide by.

It is commonly found in tunnels or specific stretches of motorway.

The majority of drivers are so focused on maximum speed limits that they don’t register or misinterpret these signs.

This causes unnecessarily slow driving in area where higher speeds are often required to help with traffic flow.

Drivers caught travelling to slowly can be met with a fine of up to £5000 or 3 to 9 penalty points, according to Flexed.

Meaning: Minimum Speed Limit

5. Trio of signs

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A “no through road” sign means the road is not a public access route.

The road is only accessible to drivers that need to access properties on it.

The rectangular sign has a blue background and a shape in the middle which often resembles a T.

Drivers either mistake the road for a dead end and avoid it unnecessarily or attempt to take a shortcut only to discover that it is not a public thoroughfare.

Evidence of this confusion has been sourced from reports from residents of “access only” roads.

Meaning: No Through Road (Except for Access)

6. Blue circle, two white arrows

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This sign often confuses drivers who are familiar with “keep left/right” signs[/caption]

This blue and white sign indicates that drivers may pass an obstruction, such as roadworks or a central bollard, on either side to reach the same destination.

This sign is considerably less common than “keep left/right” signs, so drivers are more likely to hesitate or assume one side is preferred.

This can cause sudden swerves and last-minute changes when approaching the sign.

Meaning: Vehicles May Pass Either Side

7. Red and white circle, two opposite arrows

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The “give way to oncoming traffic” sign is commonly found at narrow sections of roads and bridges.

It informs drivers that they must give way to oncoming vehicle and they do not have priority.

It is often mixed up with the “priority over oncoming traffic” sign and can cause dangerous stand-offs or collisions.

The result of this confusion is frequent near-misses on narrow roads where drivers wrongly assume priority.

Meaning: Give Way to Oncoming Traffic

8. Triangle with steam train

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This triangular warning sign indicates a railway level crossing that doesn’t have barriers or gates.

When approaching this sign, drivers must ensure that they stop, look and listen for trains before proceeding to cross.

This sign causes particular confusion for urban drivers who are less familiar with the warning.

They may assume all level crossings are protected and therefore, not take the warning seriously enough.

Meaning: Level Crossing Without Barrier or Gate

9. Green rectangle with 4 modes of transport

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A green rectangular sign that depicts various road users indicates a “quiet lane.”

This means drivers are in an area where traffic has been intentionally reduced to provide a safer road for pedestrians.

Drivers are expected to drive at an advisory speed limit of 35mph and proceed with caution.

Ignoring one of these signs may result in a fixed penalty of three points and a £100 fine.

The sign was not introduced until 2006 and is less common so drivers may simply not understand exactly what the sign is instructing them to do.

Meaning: Quiet Lane

10. White circle, black diagonal

Meaning: National Speed Limit Applies

This list is based on common anecdotal evidence from driving instructors, traffic wardens, and frequently asked questions about the highway code.