Traffic signsUnited Kingdom

51. Disabled parking

Disabled parking refers to parking spaces and parking privileges reserved for people with disabilities who meet the applicable eligibility requirements. Reserved spaces are normally identified by the international wheelchair symbol and are positioned to provide easier access to nearby facilities.

Use of a disabled parking space generally requires a valid disabled parking permit or card. The permit normally belongs to the eligible person rather than to a particular vehicle and may only be used when that person is driving or travelling in the vehicle.

52. Reversing

Reversing means driving a vehicle backwards. It is commonly used when parking, leaving a confined space or repositioning a vehicle where forward movement is not practical.

Before reversing, the driver should check mirrors and blind spots, look carefully around the vehicle and make sure the area behind is clear. Reversing should be performed slowly and only for as long as necessary because visibility behind the vehicle is often limited.

53. Detour

A detour, also called a diversion, is a temporary alternative route used when the normal road is closed, blocked or unavailable. Detours are commonly introduced during roadworks, accidents, public events, flooding or other disruptions. Drivers should follow the temporary direction signs carefully, reduce speed where necessary and expect unfamiliar roads, changed priorities or additional traffic along the alternative route.

54. Road surface

A road surface warning indicates that the road ahead may be uneven, damaged or in poor condition and could affect the stability, steering or braking of a vehicle. The hazard may include bumps, depressions, potholes, broken pavement or other irregularities in the road surface.

Drivers should reduce speed where necessary, maintain a safe distance and avoid sudden steering or braking when passing over an irregular surface. The exact meaning and appearance of the warning sign vary between countries, so drivers must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.

55. Verge

A verge is the strip of land alongside a roadway, situated between the roadway and features such as a ditch, embankment, property boundary or other roadside area. A verge may be level with the roadway or raised above it and may consist of grass, gravel, soil or another surface.

A verge is normally separate from the roadway, pavement and cycle path. Depending on local traffic law, pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles may be permitted to use a verge in particular circumstances, and specific rules may apply to stopping and parking on it.

56. Traffic calming

Traffic calming refers to road-design measures intended to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety, particularly in areas where vehicles interact closely with pedestrians and cyclists. These measures can include speed humps, raised crossings, narrowed road sections, chicanes, traffic islands and changes in road layout or surface.

The purpose of traffic calming is to encourage drivers to travel at a lower and more appropriate speed rather than relying only on speed-limit signs. The measures used and their legal requirements differ between countries.

57. Horse riding

Horse riding includes activities involving horses and riders. In road traffic, an equestrian or horse rider may use roads, bridleways or specially designated routes, depending on the rules and infrastructure provided.

Drivers approaching horses and riders should reduce speed, leave sufficient space and avoid sudden noise or movements that could frighten the animal. Riders must also follow the traffic rules that apply to them.

58. Emergency exit

An emergency exit is a marked escape route that allows road users to leave a tunnel or other enclosed traffic facility during a serious incident such as a fire, smoke development or another emergency. Emergency exits lead towards a safer area separated from the immediate danger.

In an emergency, occupants should leave their vehicle when evacuation is necessary and follow the emergency-exit signs and instructions. They should move away from the danger rather than remaining inside the tunnel or returning to their vehicle.

59. City limit

A city limit is a boundary or roadside indication showing that a driver is entering or leaving a named city, town, village, locality or municipality. It is commonly marked by a place-name or boundary sign.

The meaning of these signs varies between countries. A city-limit or locality sign may identify an administrative boundary, a named settlement or a traffic-related boundary. It does not necessarily mark the beginning or end of a legally defined built-up area, and passing the sign does not always change the applicable speed limit or other traffic rules.

60. Tourist attraction

A tourist attraction is a place of interest that visitors may travel to for cultural, historical, recreational, natural or entertainment purposes. Examples include monuments, castles, museums, scenic sites, amusement parks and other notable destinations.

Tourist attractions may be indicated by tourist or direction signs that help travellers find the destination. The colours, symbols and types of attractions shown vary between countries.

61. Licence plate

A licence plate, also called a registration plate or number plate, is a plate displaying a unique registration identifier assigned to a vehicle by the competent registration authority. It allows the vehicle to be identified for purposes such as registration, traffic enforcement, taxation, insurance and parking control.

The appearance, format, placement and number of plates required vary between countries and vehicle categories. Drivers must ensure that required licence plates are correctly fitted, clearly visible and legible and must follow the local rules when a plate is lost, stolen, damaged or replaced.

62. Charging station

A charging station is a location equipped with one or more charging points where the battery of an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle can be connected to an electricity supply and recharged. Charging stations may be located along public roads, in car parks, at service areas or on private property.

Charging spaces may be reserved for vehicles that are charging and can be subject to parking restrictions, time limits, payment requirements or other conditions. Drivers must follow the traffic signs, parking regulations and charging instructions applying at the location.

63. Dangers

A general danger warning sign warns road users of a hazard ahead that is not represented by a more specific warning sign. The particular danger may be explained by a supplementary panel, text, symbol or other indication placed with the warning sign.

Drivers should increase their attention, observe the road ahead and adapt their speed to the nature of the hazard and surrounding conditions. The exact appearance of the sign and the way the danger is identified vary between countries, so road users must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.

64. Dip

A dip is a low or sunken section of the road where the surface drops and then rises again over a relatively short distance. A dip can reduce visibility, affect vehicle stability and sometimes collect water, making it more difficult for drivers to judge the road ahead.

Drivers approaching a dip should reduce speed when necessary, maintain control and watch for hidden vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists or standing water beyond or within the depression.

65. Tram lane

A tram lane is a part of the road or a separate track area intended primarily for trams. It may be physically separated from other traffic or form part of the roadway while remaining reserved for trams and, in some countries, certain other authorised vehicles.

Drivers should not enter or obstruct a tram lane unless the applicable signs, markings or traffic rules permit it. Because trams cannot steer around obstacles, particular care is required when crossing or driving near tram tracks.

66. Cyclist

A cyclist is a person who rides and controls a bicycle. Cyclists are road users and, in many countries, bicycles are legally treated as vehicles, meaning cyclists must follow many of the same traffic rules that apply to other drivers together with rules specifically intended for cycling.

Cyclists should use designated cycling facilities where required, obey traffic signs and signals and ride in a predictable and safe manner. The exact rules governing road position, priority, equipment and permitted cycling areas vary between countries.

67. Bus

A bus is a motor vehicle designed to transport multiple passengers, usually along roads as part of public transport, school transport, private transport or another passenger service. Buses generally have more passenger capacity than cars and may be designed to carry seated passengers, standing passengers or both.

Special rules may apply to buses concerning the driving licence, passenger capacity, speed limits, seat belts, bus lanes, stops and passenger boarding. The legal classification of buses and coaches and the rules applying to them vary between countries, so drivers and passengers must follow the local traffic regulations.

68. Police

Police are public authorities responsible for enforcing laws, maintaining public safety and managing situations that may affect road traffic. In traffic, police officers may control vehicles, enforce traffic rules, investigate collisions, direct traffic and respond to emergencies.

Road users must follow lawful instructions given by police officers or other authorised traffic-control personnel. Police directions may temporarily override traffic lights, road signs or normal traffic arrangements, depending on local law.

69. Ambulance

An ambulance is a vehicle equipped and used to provide emergency medical assistance or transport patients to or between healthcare facilities. Ambulances may carry medical equipment and trained personnel who can provide treatment during transport.

During an emergency response, an ambulance may use warning lights and a siren and may receive special priority or exemptions from certain traffic rules. Other road users must follow the local rules for emergency vehicles, make sufficient space and avoid obstructing their passage.

70. Roadway

A roadway, also called a carriageway, is the part of a road primarily intended for the movement of vehicles. A roadway may carry traffic in one or both directions and may be divided into one or more traffic lanes.

The roadway is only one part of the wider road environment. Cycle paths, pavements, verges, parking areas and other roadside facilities may form separate parts of the road and can be subject to different traffic rules.

71. Street

A street is a road in a built-up or developed area that provides access to homes, businesses, schools, shops and other properties or activities. Streets are commonly shared by several types of road users, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

A street may contain a roadway, pavements, cycle facilities, parking spaces, public-transport stops and other infrastructure. Speed limits, priority rules, parking restrictions and permitted road users depend on the local traffic signs, road design and regulations.

72. Pothole

A pothole is a hole or depression in the road surface caused by wear, weather, water, repeated traffic loads or deterioration of the pavement. Potholes can vary greatly in size and depth and may develop gradually or become worse after freezing, heavy rain or repeated vehicle traffic.

Potholes can affect steering, braking and vehicle stability and may damage tyres, wheels or suspension components. Drivers and riders should observe the road ahead, adapt their speed and avoid sudden or dangerous manoeuvres when encountering damaged road surfaces.

73. Private road

A private road is a road located on private property whose use is controlled or restricted by its owner or operator. It may serve homes, businesses, industrial sites, farms, car parks or other privately managed property.

A private road may be completely closed to the public or accessible only to residents, customers, employees, visitors or other authorised users. Whether ordinary road-traffic rules apply depends on the legal status and public accessibility of the road, not simply on who owns the land.

74. Path

A path is a relatively narrow route intended for pedestrians and, where permitted, other road users or small vehicles. Paths may run through urban areas, countryside, parks, forests or between other roads and can be surfaced or unsurfaced.

A path is not necessarily the same as a footpath or cycle path. The road users permitted to use it depend on its legal status, width, traffic signs and local regulations.

75. Particulates

Particulates, or particulate matter (PM), are tiny solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the air. In road traffic, particulate emissions can come from vehicle exhaust, brake wear, tyre wear and road-surface wear, as well as dust that is disturbed by passing traffic.

Particulate matter is commonly classified by particle size. PM10 refers to particles with a diameter of up to approximately 10 micrometres, while PM2.5 refers to finer particles of up to approximately 2.5 micrometres. Vehicle emission standards, particulate filters and air-quality measures are used to reduce exposure to these pollutants.