Understanding UK road signs & driving laws

If it’s your first time driving in the UK, you might be wondering what rules and laws you have to follow. Whilst many of the principles of driving in the UK are the same as other countries, there are some important things to bear in mind - let’s take a look before you get behind the wheel.

An introduction to UK driving laws

The UK is one of the few countries where vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road. This means that in British cars, the steering wheel is on the right, and roundabouts flow in a clockwise direction. This is opposite to most of Europe, and can take some getting used to if you’re more familiar with driving on the right.

If you have a valid driving licence from another country, you should be able to use it to drive in the UK. But, the rules on how long you can use it depend on where your licence was issued, and how long you’re staying in the UK.

Short-term visitors can drive in the UK for up to 12 months on a foreign licence from any country. If you’re planning to stay in the UK for the longer term, and become a UK resident, then the rules depend on where your licence was issued.

Got a driving licence from the EU, EEA or Switzerland? You can use it in the UK until it expires. If your licence was issued in a country that has an exchange agreement with the UK, you can convert it to a UK licence without taking a driving test, as long as it’s within five years of becoming a UK resident. You can check if your driving licence can be exchanged for a UK licence on the UK Government website.

If your licence is from any other country, you can use it for 12 months from the date you become a UK resident. If you want to keep driving after that, you must pass a UK driving test - both theory and practical - to get a UK licence.

You must have car insurance to drive in the UK - it’s illegal to drive without it.

Understanding UK road signs

Road signs in the UK fall into three categories: warning signs, regulatory signs, and informational signs.

Warning signs

These are triangle shaped, and usually have a red border to highlight the danger they’re warning you about.

Regulatory signs

These are circular, and give orders that you must follow. Blue circles give instructions, like turn left ahead. Circles with a red border around them are telling you not to do something. Speed limit signs are also circular.

Informational signs

These are rectangular, and provide information. On motorways, the information signs are blue; on primary roads they’re green; and on minor roads they’re white. Rectangular signs are also used to show bus lanes, cycle lanes, or areas where restrictions are in place.

Here are some of the most common road signs you’re likely to encounter when driving in the UK:

Give way

A triangular warning sign, with a red border and the words ‘Give Way’. This sign means that drivers and other road users must give the right of way to other traffic.

Pedestrian crossing ahead

This sign shows that there’s a pedestrian crossing coming up, and it tells drivers to be aware there might be pedestrians up ahead. You should be prepared to give way when you see this sign - once a pedestrian has stepped onto a pedestrian crossing, they have the legal right of way.

Speed limit

A circular sign with a red border, showing the maximum speed allowed on the road. The number on the sign refers to the maximum speed in miles per hour (mph) - not kilometers per hour (km/h).

National speed limit

A white circular sign with a black diagonal stripe across the middle. This means that the national speed limit for the type of road and class of traffic applies.

No overtaking

A white circular sign, with a black car on the left and red car on the right, and a red border around the edge. It means that it’s not safe to overtake the vehicle in front. It’s often placed where there is poor visibility of the road ahead, or the road is too narrow to attempt an overtake.

Road signs in the UK are broadly similar to other countries, but there are some key differences. The speed limits are communicated in miles per hour (mph), rather than kilometers per hour (km/h). Some parts of the UK have bilingual road signs - English and Welsh in Wales, and English and Gaelic in parts of Scotland.

The signs may be unfamiliar at first, but you’ll soon get used to them after driving on British roads for a while. If you’re unsure, the Highway Code contains all the information you need to know about road signs and driving laws in the UK.

Speed limits

The UK is one of the few countries where speed is measured in miles per hour (mph) rather than kilometers per hour (km/h). 
Different types of roads have different standard speed limits - this is known as the national speed limit, and is indicated by a white circular sign with a diagonal black stripe across the middle.

If there’s no speed limit signs on the road, the national speed limit applies. The national speed limits for cars and motorbikes are:

• Motorways: 70mph
• Dual carriageways: 70mph
• Single carriageways: 60mph
• Built-up areas: 30mph (20mph in Wales)

Built-up areas are usually defined as roads where there are streetlights spaced less than 200 yards apart.

The national speed limits for vans, lorries and towing vehicles are different, with lower limits for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) over 7.5 tonnes. You can find these in the Highway Code.

If there is a speed limit sign on the road, and it’s different to the national speed limit, you should stay within the limit shown on the sign.

Road markings

As well as the road signs, you must also pay attention to any markings on the road. They play an important role in guiding traffic, regulating lanes, and keeping road users safe. Here are the most common markings you might see, and what they mean.

Broken white lines in the middle of the road

Separate lanes of traffic moving in the same or opposite direction. You can cross these when it’s safe to do so.

Double solid white lines in the middle of the road

You must not overtake, except in an emergency or when passing a stationary vehicle.

Double yellow lines at the side of the road

No parking or waiting at any time, unless there are signs to say otherwise.

Stop line

Solid white line: you must fully stop before proceeding at junctions or traffic lights.

Yellow box junctions

Yellow crosshatch boxes at intersections - you must not enter the box unless your exit is clear.

Bus lanes (solid white line and ‘BUS LANE’)

Restricted to buses and sometimes taxis and/or cyclists during certain hours.

Right of way and roundabout rules

It’s really important to understand the rules around right of way, to keep yourself and other road users safe.

Give Way signs

As well as the sign, there will also be a broken white line painted on the road at the junction. You must yield to traffic on the main road. If the junction is unmarked, give way to vehicles coming from the right.

Stop signs

There will be a solid white line at the junction. This means you must come to a complete stop, even if the road appears to be clear.

T-Junctions

The traffic on the major road has priority, which means that vehicles on the minor road must give way.

Unmarked crossroads

If there’s no clear priority, slow down and give way to vehicles coming from the right.

Roundabouts

The traffic that's already on a roundabout has priority over vehicles entering, so when you approach, you must give way to traffic coming from the right. The traffic flows in a clockwise direction, and you must only proceed when it’s clear and safe to do so. When you’re about to exit a roundabout, use your left indicator to make your intention clear to other road users.

Pedestrian crossings

When a pedestrian steps onto a pedestrian crossing, they have the legal right of way, so make sure you give way to them and allow them to cross the road safely.

UK motorway and highway rules

When you’re driving on a motorway in the UK, you should drive in the left-hand lane. Only use the middle lane for overtaking, and once you've passed the car you’re overtaking, move back to the left. It’s bad etiquette to drive continuously in the middle lane.

The hard shoulder is for emergencies - like when your car breaks down, or you’re involved in an accident. On Smart Motorways, the overhead signs sometimes have a green arrow above the hard shoulder - this means you can use it as a normal lane. Police may also direct traffic onto the hard shoulder in exceptional cases, and emergency vehicles will use it to get to an incident quickly.

You must not use the hard shoulder for normal driving (unless the overhead signs or the police direct you to do so), and you must not use it to get around congestion or queues of traffic. It’s also not a safe place to stop to take a phone call or have a rest - you should use a service station instead.

Many UK roads, including motorways, have speed enforcement cameras to try to stop drivers breaking the speed limit. These include fixed speed cameras which measure your speed at specific points on the road, average speed cameras that track your speed over a distance (often on motorways), and mobile speed cameras, used by the police to enforce speed limits at any time.

If you’re caught driving too fast, you’ll get a letter within 14 days, and you’ll have to pay a £100 fine and have three penalty points added to your licence. If you’re eligible, you might get the option of attending a speed awareness course - if you do this, you won’t get any points on your licence.

Traffic laws on alcohol and drugs

If you’re having an alcoholic drink, it’s best not to drive afterwards. There are strict limits for how much alcohol is allowed in your system when you’re driving - in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, or 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. In Scotland the limit is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or 22 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

There’s no way to know how much you can drink and stay under the limit, because it can depend on your weight, age, metabolism, the amount of food you've eaten and other factors. If you've been out drinking, you may still be affected by alcohol the next day, if you drive while you’re still over the legal limit, you could lose your licence.

When it comes to drugs, it’s illegal to drive with any of 17 controlled drugs above a specified level in your blood. This includes illegal and legally prescribed drugs.

There are different limits for each drug, and for illegal drugs the limits set are extremely low. You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure about whether your prescription or over-the-counter medication will affect your ability to drive.

If you're caught driving while over the drink-drive limit, and/or driving while impaired by drugs, you can get a criminal record, and up to six months in prison. You’ll have to pay a fine too (the amount is unlimited), and you’ll automatically be banned from driving for at least a year.

How to avoid common traffic fines

These are some of the most common traffic fines in the UK. If you follow the rules of the road (check the Highway Code if you’re not sure), you can avoid them.

Speeding

Comes with a £100 fine and three penalty points. Make sure you know the speed limit and drive within it, especially on Smart Motorways and near speed cameras.

Using a phone while driving

Comes with a £200 and six penalty points. If you’ve had your licence for less than two years, you’ll lose it. Use a hands-free kit or Bluetooth, or pull over if you need to use your phone.

Not wearing a seatbelt

You could be fined up to £500. Any passengers older than 14 years old are responsible for their own fine. Always make sure you buckle up, even for short trips.

Not stopping at a red light

Comes with a £100 fine and three penalty points. Slow down when you see an amber light, and don’t rush through the traffic lights.

Driving without insurance

£300 fine and six penalty points - the fine could be higher if the case goes to court. Always make sure your car insurance is valid and up to date, and if you’re borrowing someone else’s car, make sure you’re insured to drive it before you get behind the wheel.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Comes with an unlimited fine, you’ll be banned from driving for at least a year, and you could go to jail. Never drink and drive - use a taxi, designated driver, or public transport instead. If you’re taking prescription drugs or medication, ask your doctor if they can affect your driving.