Motorway direction signs have a blue background with white text, and motorway junctions are numbered. Signals above lanes show mandatory speed limits and a red X that closes a lane — you must not drive in that lane. Countdown markers show 300, 200 and 100 yards to the next exit.
What does each motorway sign mean?
Each sign is shown with its official meaning from the Department for Transport. Tap through to the quiz when you’re ready to test yourself.
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10 miles to the next motorway service area -
100 yards to a roundabout or the next point at which traffic may leave a route -
200 yards to a roundabout or the next point at which traffic may leave a route -
300 yards to a roundabout or the next point at which traffic may leave a route -
Additional traffic lane joining from the left ahead -
Additional traffic lane joining from the left ahead in 200 yards. Traffic on the main carriageway has priority over joining traffic -
Additional traffic lane joining from the right ahead -
Additional traffic lanes joining from the right ahead. Traffic on the main carriageway has priority over joining traffic -
Appropriate traffic lanes for different manoeuvres at a junction ahead -
Availability of motorway service areas ahead with distances -
Availability of motorway service areas ahead with distances and names of operators -
Closure of all lanes of a four lane carriageway ahead -
Closure of all lanes of a three lane carriageway ahead -
Closure of both lanes of a two lane carriageway ahead -
Closure of one lane of a four lane carriageway ahead -
Closure of one lane of a three lane carriageway ahead -
Closure of right hand lane of a two lane carriageway ahead -
Closure of two lanes of a three lane carriageway ahead -
County boundary sign -
Direction to a motorway at the junction shown, indicating route number -
Direction to a motorway at the junction shown, indicating route number and destination reached along the motorway -
Direction to a named service area and showing the name of the operator -
Direction to the nearest emergency telephone on the same side of the road -
Drivers should check their distance from the vehicle in front -
Drivers should keep a distance of two chevron markings from the vehicle in front -
Drivers should keep their distance from the vehicle in front -
End of motorway regulations, including the national speed limit -
End of motorway regulations, including the national speed limit in 1 mile -
End of temporary restrictions indicated by previous signs -
Entrance for works traffic only -
Entrance to a motorway service area -
Entrance to a motorway service area at a junction ahead on a motorway slip road -
Entrance to motorway service area, or similar facility within the length of a motorway where motorway regulations cease to apply -
Exit from a motorway at a junction ahead that should be used for a tourist attraction -
Exit from a motorway junction ahead that should be used for a destination along the route advised for goods vehicles -
In 200 yards the number of lanes of traffic lanes ahead on a motorway reduces from three lanes to two. Traffic in the right hand lane must move into the lane on the immediate left -
Junction ahead from a motorway exit slip road to the tourist attractions shown -
Junction ahead with another motorway -
Light signal conveying the prohibition that vehicular traffic may not use the lane below the sign (gantry-mounted) -
Motorway junction ahead leading to a route advised for goods vehicles to the destination shown, which may differ from that for other traffic -
Motorway junction ahead leading to a town or geographical area containing several tourist attractions and a Tourist Information Point or Centre -
Motorway junction ahead, displaying the route number and destination reached by taking this route -
Motorway junction, displaying route number and destination reached as well as destination reached by remaining on the motorway -
No hard shoulder available for 400 yards -
Number of route reached from a motorway exit road -
Risk of fog ahead -
Risk of ice ahead -
Roundabout ahead leading from a motorway exit slip road to the tourist attractions shown -
Route number of the motorway with destinations and distances to places along or reached from that route -
Route to be followed at a junction ahead on a motorway for destinations that are not otherwise shown on signs for that junction -
Services are not available on motorway ahead -
Temporary maximum speed of 50 miles per hour advised -
Vehicular traffic must leave at next junction
Ready to test yourself on road signs?
The free road signs quiz uses the same official artwork, with an explanation for every answer. Revise the rules behind them in our Motorway Rules guide.
Start the road signs quizFrequently asked questions
How do you recognise motorway signs?
Motorway direction signs have a blue background with white text, and motorway junctions are numbered. Signals above lanes show mandatory speed limits and a red X that closes a lane — you must not drive in that lane. Countdown markers show 300, 200 and 100 yards to the next exit.
Do motorway signs come up in the theory test?
Yes. Signs appear throughout the theory test, mainly in the Road & Traffic Signs topic and also in topics such as Motorway Rules. Practise with our free questions until you can read each sign from its shape and colour.
Which other road sign categories should you learn?
Traffic sign images: Crown copyright, Department for Transport. Reproduced under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Licence · Source.