Warning signs
Updated 5 December 2023
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/know-your-traffic-signs/warning-signs
Warning signs other than those for low bridges, railway and tramway level crossings, bus and pedal cycle facilities, traffic calming and road works.
Distance to STOP line.
Distance to GIVE WAY line.
Traffic signals ahead.
Traffic signals that operate only at certain times.
Junctions
Crossroads.
T-junction.
Side road.
Staggered junction.
The priority through the junction is indicated by the broader line.
Traffic merges from the left.
Traffic merges onto main carriageway.
Roundabout.
Road bends
Bend to right (left if symbol reversed).
Double bend first to the left (right if symbol reversed).
Junction on a bend (symbols may be reversed).
Plate used with ‘roundabout’ or ‘bend’ signs.
Risk of lorries overturning on bend to the left (right if symbol reversed).
Sharp deviation of route to the left (right if chevrons reversed) (alternative designs).
Plate used with warning signs where a reduction in speed is necessary.
Road narrows
Road narrows on both sides.
Road narrows on right (left if symbol reversed).
Plates used with ‘road narrows’ signs
Single-file traffic in each direction.
Road wide enough for only one line of vehicles.
End of dual carriageway.
Two-way traffic.
Two-way traffic on route crossing ahead.
Near-side edge of carriageway or obstruction near that edge (alternative shapes). White markers are used on the off-side edge and amber ones on the off-side edge of a dual carriageway.
Worded warning. ‘Ford’ may be varied to ‘Flood’, ‘Gate’, ‘Gates’ or ‘No smoking’.
Steep road
Try brakes after crossing a ford or before descending a steep hill.
Steep hill downwards (10% is equivalent to 1:10).
Steep hill upwards (20% is equivalent to 1:5).
Sign used with ‘steep hill’ or ‘try your brakes’ signs.
Plates used with ‘steep hill’ signs.
Opening or swing bridge.
Quayside or river bank.
End of bridge parapet, abutment wall, tunnel mouth etc.
Water course alongside road.
Soft verges for distance shown.
Tunnel.
Hump bridge.
Uneven road.
Slippery road.
Side winds.
Distance to hazard.
Distance and direction to hazard.
Distance over which hazard extends.
Low-flying aircraft or sudden aircraft noise.
Gliders likely.
Low-flying helicopters or sudden helicopter noise.
Risk of falling or fallen rocks.
Traffic queues likely ahead.
Slow-moving military vehicles likely to be in or crossing the road.
Slow-moving vehicles for distance shown.
Risk of ice. ‘Ice’ may be varied to ‘Snowdrifts’.
Warning of signals. ‘FIRE’ may be varied to ‘AMBULANCE’ or ‘POLICE’.
Other danger. The plate indicates the nature of the hazard.
Pedestrian warnings
Zebra or parallel crossing.
Pedestrians in road for distance shown.
Frail pedestrians likely to cross.
Disabled pedestrians. ‘Disabled’ may be varied to ‘Blind’.
Children going to or from school.
Alternative plates used with ‘school’ sign.
Lights warning of children likely to be crossing the road on their way to or from school (used with ‘school’ sign).
Pedestrians likely to be crossing a high-speed road where there is no formal crossing point.
Part-time advisory 20 mph speed limit at or near a school.
Animal warnings
Horse-drawn vehicles likely to be in the road.
Accompanied horses or ponies likely to be in or crossing the road.
Wild horses or ponies.
Wild animals.
Small wild animals.
Wild fowl.
Migratory toad crossing.
Sheep.
Agricultural vehicles.
Area infected by animal disease.
Cattle grid with indication of bypass for horse-drawn vehicles and animals.
Cattle.
Supervised cattle crossing ahead.
Supervised cattle crossing.
Cycle routes
Pedal cycle route crossing or joining the road ahead.
Plates used with ‘cycle route ahead’ sign.