The 10 most commonly misunderstood road signs in the UK

According to the AA, 55 percent of Britons believe they drive safely most of the time, yet more than half of the nation still finds the Highway Code tricky.

Understanding all the road signs can be a real headache for new drivers, as one learner recently discovered when they set a record for the most attempts to pass their theory test.

They finally passed on their 60th try – a never-give-up effort that cost them nearly one and a half grand in test fees, as reported by Nottinghamshire Live.

But how well do you know your road signs?

Some more unusual signs might not be in the Highway Code, but you might remember them from your theory test or even spotted them while out driving.

Here, the road surfacing experts at Instarmac look at some of the most commonly misunderstood road signs in the UK.

1. It’s one of the more common road signs, but lots of people don’t know what this sign means. This sign tells drivers that the road is a ‘clearway’ which means no stopping at all. That means you can’t pick up or drop off passengers, which has caught out many drivers in the UK as these signs are often found outside schools.

2. A sign seen commonly on roads near military bases warns drivers to be cautious of slow-moving military vehicles that might be crossing or driving on the road.

Tanks, weighing up to 70 tons, are often limited to about 40 mph so it’s like being stuck behind a tractor – only scarier.

3.  Ever wondered what this sign means? If you have not seen any earlier signs informing you about parking restrictions, this sign may look like a puzzle.

But it’s simple – it indicates that previous local parking restrictions end here which means parking will most likely be free beyond this sign. Be sure to double check though – you don’t want to receive a parking ticket.

4.  It doesn’t mean there’s no road ahead or that the sign is incomplete. This sign is for areas where all vehicles are restricted from using the road ahead. So, time to turn back if you see this sign, or you might get a ticket.

5.  Not to worry, seeing this sign doesn’t mean your car is about to explode. However, if you’re carrying explosives in your vehicle, you are in the wrong place. This sign restricts vehicles carrying explosives from proceeding forward makes sense for safety, doesn’t it?

6.  Spotting similarities between signs? Yes, this sign appears quite similar to the “no stopping” symbol but with a slight difference.

A blue circular background with a single red diagonal line across signifies “no waiting”. Therefore, if you plan to collect someone from an area with this sign, make sure your stop doesn’t last too long.

7. If you’re a regular driver in the countryside, you might have spotted this sign. It’s a warning for drivers that toads often cross here on their way to their seasonal homes.

8.  This sign is usually found near level crossings or tunnels. It warns of overhead electrical dangers, like train lines.

You might also see similar signs near construction sites where live overhead wires power big machines or equipment.

9. This sign might seem easy to understand, but it’s one of the less common ones in the UK. It shows a railway crossing with no barrier or gate. Most bigger roads have gates to stop people from crossing at the wrong time, so you’ll mostly see these on smaller country roads.

10.  This sign is used when the road ahead splits into two. It tells drivers that both new lanes lead to the same place. This helps drivers stay in their lane and still get to their destination.

Nick Holmes, technical training manager at Instarmac, stated: “Knowing and understanding road signs is vital to being a safe driver and limiting the stress experienced by yourself and others.

“Some of these signs are incredibly common and all road users should be aware of them. Others in this list might seem like more of a novelty, but understanding how to react if you do see one of these signs is vital.”