Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016

Provision 1· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/362 The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 en ROAD TRAFFIC Statute Law Database 2026-03-20 Expert Participation 2026-03-11 This Instrument consolidates, with substantial amendments, the Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997, the Traffic Signs (Temporary Obstructions) Regulations 1997, the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 and the School Crossing Patrol Sign (England and Wales) Regulations 2006. Part 1 is the Traffic Signs Regulations 2016 and Part 2 is the Traffic Signs General Directions 2016. 2016 No. 362 Road Traffic The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 Made 16th March 2016 Laid before P [...]

Provision 2· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

paragraph (3), these Regulations extend to the whole of Great Britain. 3 Provision about the school crossing patrol sign extends only to England and Wales . Interpretation 2 1 In these Regulations— a “the 1984 Act” means the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 ; ... b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Schedule 1 contains other definitions. Prescription of signs 3 1 A traffic sign for conveying a warning, information, requirement, restriction or prohibition of a description specified in these Regulations is of a prescribed size, colour and type if it complies with all applicable requirements provided for in these Regulations. 2 A school crossing patrol sign is a prescribed sign within the meaning of section 28(4) of the 1984 Act if it complies with all applicabl [...]

Provision 3· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

emission zone schemes 8 Schedule 9 Parts 1 to 8 Regulatory signs at junctions and miscellaneous regulatory signs 9 Schedule 10 Parts 1 to 3 Signs for speed limits 10 Schedule 11 Parts 1 to 6 Signs that give information, are advisory or guide traffic 11 Schedule 12 Parts 1 to 28 Directional signs 12 Schedule 13 Parts 1 to 11 Signs only for use in temporary situations 13 Schedule 14 Parts 1 to 5 Signs for traffic control by light signals, signs for crossings, and signs for lane control 14 Schedule 15 Parts 1 to 4 Matrix signs and light signals for the control of moving traffic on motorways and dual carriageway roads 15 Schedule 16 Parts 1 to 7 Variable message signs 4 Where in these Regulations provision is made that to convey a warning, information, requirement, restriction or prohibition o [...]

Provision 4· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

colour, shown in Part 1 of Schedule 17 (see paragraphs (6) to (8) for exceptions). 5 On a background which is— a orange; b white; or c yellow, letters, numerals and other characters must have the proportions and form, and be of the colour, shown in Part 2 of Schedule 17 (see paragraph (10) for an exception). 6 Paragraphs (7) and (8) apply to the placing of a motorway route number or a compass point directly on the blue background shown at item 1 of the sign table at Part 2 of Schedule 12 (see paragraph (9) for an exception). 7 Where brackets are not used, the letters, numerals and other characters must have the proportions and form, and be of the colour, shown in Part 3 of Schedule 17. 8 Where brackets are used the letters, numerals and other characters must have the proportions and form, [...]

Provision 5· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

colour provided for in Part 1, 2, 3 or 4 as applicable). 13 Paragraph (14) applies to letters, numerals and other characters incorporated in road markings provided for in these Regulations. 14 A letter, numeral or other character of a height referred to in column 1 of the table in this paragraph must have the proportions and form, and be of the colour, shown in the Part of Schedule 17 at the column 2 entry applicable to that height. Height of letters, numerals and other characters Applicable Part in Schedule 17 from 280 mm to 700 mm (inclusive) Part 6 705 mm, 1035 mm, 1600 mm Part 7 2800 mm Part 8 15 For the purposes of interpreting Part 7 of Schedule 17 where the road marking is 705 mm or 1035 mm, the reference in the diagram in Part 7 to “1600” is to be read as “705” or “1035” as appropr [...]

Provision 6· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

a “permitted parking expression” means the inclusion of an expression that complies with the requirements of Part 2 of Schedule 18. 4 An expression of distance on a sign must be in imperial units and comply with the requirements of Part 3 of Schedule 18. 5 The provisions of this regulation do not apply where more specific provision in relation to a particular sign is made elsewhere in these Regulations. Dimensions and design of signs 7 1 This regulation is about the measurements specified in the Schedules for dimensions of signs, and elements of signs, and about overall design of signs provided for in these Regulations. 2 All measurements specified in a diagram in the Schedules are in millimetres (“mm”) unless stated otherwise or the context requires otherwise. 3 If more than one measureme [...]

Provision 7· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

than the dimension given, by up to 5 mm. 8 Paragraph (7) does not permit a dimension to be less than a specified minimum nor more than a specified maximum, except where the dimension relates to the height of letters, numerals or other characters. 9 Any dimension (not being specified as a maximum or minimum) given for a road marking is to be treated as permitted if it is varied in accordance with the following table. (1) Item (2) Dimensions shown in road marking diagram (3) Permitted variations 1 3 metres or more (i) Up to 15% of the dimension where the varied dimension is greater than the specified dimension; or (ii) Up to 10% of the dimension where the varied dimension is less than the specified dimension 2 300 mm or more, but less than 3 metres (i) Up to 20% of the dimension where the va [...]

Provision 8· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

Paragraph (12) does not permit an angle which is less than the minimum, or greater than the maximum, given. 14 Where— a overall dimensions are given for a sign (other than a road marking); and b the sign displays a legend or symbol which is varied or added in accordance with these Regulations, the overall dimensions, the number of lines filled by the legend, or both, may be varied so far as necessary to give effect to the variation or addition. 15 Where these Regulations provide for a sign to be made up of a number of elements (including legends) but do not indicate where those elements are to be placed on the sign, regard is to be had, when deciding where to place those elements, to the purpose of the sign, in particular the nature of the message to be conveyed. Illumination of upright si [...]

Provision 9· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

than one method is used, all those methods must be used). 8 The same source of lighting used to illuminate an upright sign may be used to illuminate an associated plate provided it is adequate to do so. 9 If an upright sign is not illuminated, any associated plate must not be illuminated. 10 Where retroreflecting material is used on any part of an upright sign or plate, all other parts, other than any parts coloured black, must also be reflectorised. 11 In paragraph (10) “part” means any part which is uniformly coloured and bounded by differently coloured parts. Illumination – road markings 9 1 A road marking may be reflectorised. 2 Paragraph (1) is subject to provision made elsewhere in these Regulations in relation to particular types of marking. Height of road markings and size of studs [...]

Provision 10· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

extent it is provided that part of a sign may be of any, or any contrasting, colour. Mutual recognition of standards 12 Any requirement in these Regulations to comply with a specified British Standard is satisfied by compliance with— a a standard or code of practice of a national standards body or equivalent body of any EEA State, b any international standard recognised for use as a standard or code of practice by any EEA State, or c a technical specification recognised for use as a standard by a public authority of any EEA State, which requires a level of performance equivalent to that required by the specified British Standard. Revocations 13 The Regulations specified in the table in Part 1 of Schedule 19 are revoked. Transitional and savings provisions 14 1 Paragraph (2) applies to a si [...]

Provision 11· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

2002 Regulations, diagram 876, or any of those diagrams varied in accordance with the 2002 Regulations. 5 The Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations 1997 (“the 1997 Regulations”) are to be treated as remaining in force in relation to Pelican crossings (within the meaning of those Regulations) established— a before the coming into force of these Regulations; or b within a period of six months beginning with the day on which these Regulations come into force. 6 In their application to Pelican crossings for the purposes of paragraph (5), the 1997 Regulations are modified in accordance with paragraphs (7) and (8). 7 The exceptions to the prohibition imposed by regulation 12(1)(c) and (d) of the 1997 Regulations (about proceeding beyond a stop line when a steady amber or red [...]

Provision 12· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

remain appropriate and, if so, the extent to which they could be achieved with a system that imposes less regulation. 3 The first report under this regulation must be published before the end of the period of five years beginning with the day on which these Regulations come into force. 4 Reports under this regulation are afterwards to be published at intervals not exceeding five years. PART 2 THE TRAFFIC SIGNS GENERAL DIRECTIONS 2016 Citation, commencement and extent 1 1 This Part of this Instrument— a may be cited— i as the Traffic Signs General Directions 2016; and ii together with Part 1, as the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016; and b comes into force on 22nd April 2016. 2 These General Directions extend to the whole of Great Britain. Interpretation 2 1 In these Gen [...]

Provision 13· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

of temporary signs 6 1 Paragraph (2) applies to a sign placed for conveying to traffic a warning, information, requirement, restriction or prohibition of a temporary nature. 2 The sign must not remain in place for longer than it is needed. 3 Paragraph (2) does not apply in relation to a particular sign to the extent provision is made elsewhere in these General Directions about the removal of that sign. Studs that provide illumination 7 1 A stud provided for in the Regulations that incorporates reflectors, retroreflecting material, a light source or any combination may only be placed if it complies with this general direction. 2 If it incorporates reflectors or retroreflecting material, but no light source, a stud complies with this general direction if it is of a type which meets the appli [...]

Provision 14· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

that type complies with the applicable requirements and test specifications of the British Standard for retroreflecting studs mentioned in paragraph (3). 5 A stud which incorporates a light source (whether or not it also incorporates reflectors or retroreflecting material) complies with this general direction if it is of a type which has been approved for use on roads by the appropriate national authority. 6 Approval under paragraph (4) or (5) must be given by a notice in writing to the supplier of the stud. 7 The notice may provide that approval is for a specified time period only. 8 A time period may be varied by a subsequent notice and a subsequent notice may provide for a time period where one has not previously been given. 9 All studs ceasing to be of an approved type by reason of the [...]

Provision 15· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

band being not less than 1500 mm nor more than 1700 mm above ground level. 3 Where the support provided for a portable upright sign comprises several components, the components need not all be of the same colour provided that each is of a single colour or the natural colour of the component. 4 Paragraphs (1) to (3) do not apply to the mounting of a particular upright sign to the extent provision is made elsewhere in these General Directions about the post or other support for that sign. 5 An identification code for maintenance purposes may be indicated, in characters not exceeding 25 mm in height, on a post or support on which an upright sign is mounted. The backs of, and backing boards for, upright signs 9 1 Paragraph (2) applies to— a the back of an upright sign; b the back of any backin [...]

Provision 16· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

a reflectorised; b fluorescent; or c both reflectorised and fluorescent. 8 Where the front of the backing board is coloured yellow, the board must be rectangular in shape. 9 This general direction does not apply to the extent provision is made elsewhere in these General Directions about the backs of, and backing boards for, particular upright signs. Mutual recognition of standards 10 Any requirement in these General Directions to comply with a specified British Standard is satisfied by compliance with— a a standard or code of practice of a national standards body or equivalent body of any EEA State, b any international standard recognised for use as a standard or code of practice by any EEA State, or c a technical specification recognised for use as a standard by a public authority of any [...]

Provision 17· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

conclusions of the review in a report; and c publish the report. 2 The report must in particular— a set out the objectives intended to be achieved by the regulatory system established by these General Directions; b assess the extent to which those objectives are achieved; and c assess whether those objectives remain appropriate and, if so, the extent to which they could be achieved with a system that imposes less regulation. 3 The first report under this regulation must be published before the end of the period of five years beginning with the day on which these General Directions come into force. 4 Reports under this general direction are afterwards to be published at intervals not exceeding five years. Signed by authority of the Secretary of State Andrew Jones Parliamentary Under Secreta [...]

Provision 18· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

Act 1994 ; a London Borough; Greater London; the City of London; the Isles of Scilly “all-purpose road” a road that is not a motorway “amber light beacon” a beacon which shows an intermittent amber light and which complies with the beacon requirements “articulated vehicle” a motor vehicle with a trailer so attached to it as to be partially superimposed upon it “backing board” includes any background (except a wall to which a sign is fixed) against which a sign is displayed “beacon requirements” the requirements applying to beacons and which are specified in Part 10 of Schedule 13 “blood and blood components” have the same meaning as in regulation 1(3) of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 “blood service purposes” the collection or distribution of blood or blood components by NHS [...]

Provision 19· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

England or Wales to which the public has access, that part of the road to which vehicles have access, but does not include in either case any central reservation “central reservation” any land between the carriageways of a road comprising two carriageways; or any permanent work (other than a traffic island) in the carriageway of a road, which separates the carriageway or, as the case may be, the part of the carriageway, which is to be used by traffic moving in one direction from the carriageway or part of the carriageway which is to be used (whether at all times or at particular times only) by traffic moving in the other direction “ceremonial area” in relation to England, an area that is to be regarded as a county for the purposes of the Lieutenancies Act 1997 (“the 1997 Act”) by virtue of [...]

Provision 20· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

either— an area— in which every part of every road is subject to a prohibition indicated by single or double yellow lines or single or double yellow kerb markings (except where parking spaces have been provided, where entrance to or exit from the road is made, where there is a prohibition or restriction on waiting, stopping, loading or unloading indicated by a different sign or where there is a crossing) whether or not an upright sign to indicate the same prohibition is placed in conjunction with the line or kerb marking; and into which each entrance for vehicular traffic has been indicated by the sign provided for at item 1 or 3 of the sign table in Part 3 of Schedule 5; or an area— in which at least one sign provided for at item 3 of the sign table in Part 3 of Schedule 4 has been placed [...]

Provision 21· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

trial and pedal cycles when clear of such electric scooters and pedal cycles, by the marking provided for at item 2 or 3 of the sign table in Part 4 of Schedule 11 “cycle track” in relation to England and Wales, has the same meaning as in section 329(1) of the Highways Act 1980 ; in relation to Scotland, has the same meaning as in section 151(2)(b) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 “depressible stud” a stud fitted in such a way that the height by which it, or part of it, projects above the surface of the adjacent carriageway is reduced when pressure is applied from above “designated lane” a traffic lane reserved, by an order under section 1, 6, 9, 14, 16A or 19 of the 1984 Act (traffic regulation orders and orders similar to traffic regulation orders), for use by such class of vehicular tra [...]

Provision 22· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

an electric motor with a maximum continuous power rating not exceeding 500 watts; is not fitted with pedals that are capable of propelling the vehicle; has two wheels, one front and one rear, aligned along the direction of travel; is designed to carry no more than one person; has a maximum weight, excluding the driver, not exceeding 55 kilograms; has a maximum design speed not exceeding 15.5 miles per hour; has a means of directional control through the use of handlebars which are mechanically linked to the steered wheel; has a means of controlling the speed through hand controls; and has a power control that defaults to the ‘off’ position; “emergency vehicle” has the same meaning as in regulation 3(2) of the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 “equestrian crossing” a place on the carri [...]

Provision 23· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

weight in tonnes) “hard shoulder” in relation to a motorway in England and Wales, has the meaning given by regulation 3(1)(e) of the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982 and, in relation to a motorway in Scotland, regulation 2(1) of the Motorways Traffic (Scotland) Regulations 1995 “historic county area” an area that at the time of the placing of the sign in question is not, but was, a county “hours of darkness” the time between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise “junction” a road junction “layout or character” in relation to a road, means the layout or character of the road itself and does not include the layout or character of any land or premises adjacent to the road “leisure facility” those facilities of a description in column 2 of— items 4 to [...]

Provision 24· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

requirement, restriction, prohibition or speed limit to traffic on a motorway, or an all-purpose dual carriageway road “maximum gross weight” in the case of a motor vehicle not drawing a trailer or in the case of a trailer, its maximum laden weight; in the case of an articulated vehicle, its maximum laden weight (if it has one) and otherwise the aggregate maximum laden weight of all the individual vehicles forming part of that articulated vehicle; in the case of a motor vehicle (other than an articulated vehicle) drawing one or more trailers, the aggregate maximum laden weight of the motor vehicle and the trailer or trailers drawn by it “maximum laden weight” in relation to a vehicle (including a vehicle which is a trailer) means— in the case of a vehicle as respects which a gross weight n [...]

Provision 25· legislation, uk, primary-legislation

which move slowly along the road or which stop briefly from time to time along that road “motorway” a special road which— in England and Wales (except if otherwise provided by or under regulations made under, or having effect as if made under, section 17 of the 1984 Act ), can be used by traffic only of Class I or Class II as specified in Schedule 4 to the Highways Act 1980 ; in Scotland, can be used by traffic only of Class I or Class II as specified in Schedule 3 to the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 “mph” miles per hour “national promoter of tourism” in relation to England, the British Tourist Authority ; in relation to Scotland, VisitScotland ; and in relation to Wales, Welsh Ministers “national speed limit” any prohibition imposed on a road by the 70 miles per hour, 60 miles per hour and 5 [...]