Signs Giving Directions & Other Information
Understanding Direction Signs
These help you follow routes, find facilities, and reach destinations.
The colour of the sign tells you what type of road or route it applies to:
| Type of Road | Sign Colour | Example Features |
| Motorways | Blue with white text and border | Route numbers (e.g. M25), service areas |
| Primary routes (Main A-roads) | Green with white text and border, yellow route numbers | Major routes between towns and cities |
| Other routes | White with black text and border | Local roads and minor routes |
| Tourist routes | Brown with white text | Attractions, museums, scenic routes |
Types of Direction Signs
Advance Direction Signs
Placed before a junction — helping you plan your turn or lane choice in good time.
Direction Signs at the Junction
Placed at the junction — showing the exact direction to follow.
Route Confirmatory Signs
Found just after a junction — confirming your route and showing key destinations or distances.
If a route number is shown in brackets, it means that road leads towards that route.
Information Signs
These give useful information such as:
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Parking areas
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Public telephones
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Campsites
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Dead ends (“No through road”)
Traffic Diversion Signs
When a motorway or main road is closed, temporary diversion signs are used to guide drivers around the closure.
Diversion routes are usually shown by black symbols on yellow backgrounds.
The initial sign will show the symbol, which you should then follow on subsequent signs until you rejoin the same road.
Different symbols (e.g. square, circle, triangle, diamond) may be used when multiple diversions operate nearby.
Always follow the diversion symbol that matches the one shown at the start of your detour.