Navigating the busy streets of London can be a challenge, especially for private hire drivers. Correctly recognising the different UK road signs and meanings can help you traverse the roads more effectively.
At Rapid PCO, we understand that spotting and understanding the different traffic signs — as well as keeping your eyes on the road — can be difficult, but it is crucial to avoiding Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs). Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the PCO game, mastering the meaning of traffic signs can save you time, money, and stress.
In this blog, we’ll break down the different types of UK traffic signs and what they mean, helping you keep hold of your hard-earned money.
Hopefully, after reading this guide to UK road signs and meanings you can drive smarter, not harder!
Understanding the shapes of UK road signs
Knowing what shapes of road sign to look out for when you are on your journeys can make it easier to react to them, as you will have an idea of what it is telling you to do before taking a closer look.
Circle Signs
When you see a circle sign, it is giving you orders. These signs are split into red and blue.
Red signs are telling you something that you should not do, like exceeding a speed limit or letting you know that no motor vehicles are allowed in certain areas.
Signs showing a blue circle are giving instructions for something you should do, like keep left or drive at a minimum speed.
They also show routes that are specific to certain vehicles, like buses and bicycles.
You can find more information and plenty examples of signs giving orders here.
Triangle signs
Triangular signs are warning signs that almost always have a red border. These warning signs are alerting a driver of a potential hazard or obstacle that requires extra attention.
Examples are you approaching an uneven road, an instruction to stop to give way in a certain number of yards, or a warning that you are coming up to a crossroads.
You can find more information and plenty examples of warning signs here.
Rectangle or square signs
Rectangular signs are to provide you with information. These rectangular and square signs can be seen in a variety of colours.
They can include information for drivers about:
- Motorways
- Primary roads
- Minor roads
- Bus Lanes
- Congestion Zones
- Lane restrictions
- Junctions
- Merging road lanes
- Special parking
- Charging zones.
You can find more information and plenty examples of information signs here.
Spotting the colours
Now that we’ve established the different traffic signs’ shapes, it’s also very handy to understand what their colours mean.
When driving in the UK, the most common road sign colours you will come across include:
- Red: This can indicate prohibitions or restrictions and also warns of potential hazards and dangers
- Blue: Gives instructions, information and can provide guidance
- Green: Indicates primary routes and gives directions
- White: Information or instructions, such as the National Speed Limit sign.
- Brown: Points towards points of interest or tourist attractions like the zoo
- Yellow: Yellow will notify drivers that there are temporary traffic conditions or diversions and will provide information, such as the well-known road work sign.
Understanding UK road signs and meanings tied to the colours and shapes of road signs enables you to quickly identify and respond to the information on the road sign.
This knowledge will not only help you as a PCO driver but will also ensure you’re a safer and less likely to receive a PCN.
Helpful sources to further strengthen your knowledge
We hope that you have taken something away from our blog on understanding the variety of road signs you can expect to find on your PCO trips.
As there are plenty of signs to familiarise with yourself, we have researched different sources that we will give you a run-down of every sign you can expect to see.
Rapid PCO would advise you to have a look through our blog and these resources in your free time, to help build up your knowledge of UK road signs and meanings bit by bit, until you become a traffic sign expert.
Ready to hit the road with confidence?At Rapid PCO, we offer a range of standard, hybrid, executive and executive PCO cars, fully equipped with comprehensive insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, our simple onboarding, no credit check policy and same day collection make it easy for you to get behind the wheel.
Call us on 01732 747190 today to find a PCO car that will match your needs and start your journey with Rapid PCO!
Alternatively, if you would like to browse our fleet of PCO vehicles, click here
