Mandatory signsUnited Kingdom

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of United Kingdom. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Mandatory signs

A mandatory sign is a traffic sign that tells drivers what they must do. Instead of prohibiting actions, these signs impose obligations such as following a specific direction, using a particular lane, or keeping a minimum speed. Their purpose is to guide traffic safely and efficiently by ensuring that all road users follow the same required behaviour in places where it is necessary for order and safety.

Mandatory shared pedestrian and cycle path.

Mandatory divided pedestrian and cycle path.

How are compulsory instructions shown in the United Kingdom?

Blue circles generally give a compulsory instruction or identify a route restricted to particular traffic classes.

🔗 gov.uk • Department for Transport — Know Your Traffic Signs, signing system

🔗 nidirect.gov.uk • Northern Ireland Government — separate Highway Code signs and markings

How is mandatory direction shown in the United Kingdom?

Blue circular signs with white arrows commonly show a compulsory direction or side to pass. Lane markings and turn-only signs can also restrict permitted movements. Follow the control applying to your approach.

🔗 gov.uk • Department for Transport — Know Your Traffic Signs, signing system

🔗 nidirect.gov.uk • Northern Ireland Government — separate Highway Code signs and markings

Does a mandatory-direction sign give me priority over pedestrians in the United Kingdom?

No. It tells you which way to move, not who goes first. Check traffic lights, other priority signs, pedestrians and cyclists, and give way when required before completing the manoeuvre.

🔗 gov.uk • Department for Transport — Know Your Traffic Signs, signing system

🔗 nidirect.gov.uk • Northern Ireland Government — separate Highway Code signs and markings

1. Mandatory roundabout direction

This traffic sign indicates the mandatory direction around a roundabout. Traffic must circulate in the direction shown by the arrows. The sign does not itself determine priority; follow the applicable priority signs, traffic signals and local rules.

English • GB diagram 611.1 • Mini-roundabout. Give priority to traffic from the right at the give-way markings. Pass to the left of the central white circle and circulate clockwise, unless the size of the vehicle or layout makes passing to the left impracticable.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Government of the United Kingdom – Department for Transport • Crown copyright • OGL v1.0)
🔗 Legislation.gov.uk • Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions • Great Britain
🔗 Gov.uk • Department for Transport • Know your traffic signs

SVG source: Government of the United Kingdom – Department for Transport • OGL v1.0 • Original revision 2021-12-21. Wikimedia original unmodified. © Crown copyright. Traffic signs are Crown copyright. You may reproduce traffic signs free of charge and without having to seek permission, but you must reproduce them accurately and not in a misleading context (e.g. not on roadside billboards where they could mislead drivers). (ref [1])

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 611.1.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

2. Turning left mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that turning left is mandatory at the junction ahead. Traffic must turn left and may not continue straight ahead or turn right.

English • GB diagram 609 • Turn left ahead. Vehicular traffic must turn left ahead, subject to any signed exemption.

Sources

SVG source: Government of the United Kingdom – Department for Transport • OGL v1.0 • Original revision 2021-12-18. Wikimedia original unmodified. © Crown copyright. Traffic signs are Crown copyright. You may reproduce traffic signs free of charge and without having to seek permission, but you must reproduce them accurately and not in a misleading context (e.g. not on roadside billboards where they could mislead drivers). (ref [1])

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 609.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

3. Turning right mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that turning right is mandatory at the junction ahead. Traffic must turn right and may not continue straight ahead or turn left.

English • GB diagram 609 • Turn right ahead. Vehicular traffic must turn right ahead, subject to any signed exemption.

Sources

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 609.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

4. Pass obstacle on the left

This traffic sign indicates that traffic must pass an obstacle on the left. Keep to the left of the obstacle and follow any accompanying signs or road markings.

English • GB diagram 610 • Keep left. Traffic must pass to the left of the sign or obstruction, following the arrow.

Sources

SVG source: Government of the United Kingdom – Department for Transport • OGL v1.0 • Original revision 2022-01-17. Wikimedia original unmodified. © Crown copyright. Traffic signs are Crown copyright. You may reproduce traffic signs free of charge and without having to seek permission, but you must reproduce them accurately and not in a misleading context (e.g. not on roadside billboards where they could mislead drivers). (ref [1])

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 610.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

5. Pass obstacle on either side

This traffic sign indicates that traffic must pass an obstacle on either the left or the right. Use either permitted side while following the road layout and any accompanying signs or markings.

English • GB diagram 611 • Pass either side. Traffic may pass either side of the sign to reach the same destination.

Sources

SVG source: Government of the United Kingdom – Department for Transport • OGL v1.0 • Original revision 2021-12-19. Wikimedia original unmodified. © Crown copyright. Traffic signs are Crown copyright. You may reproduce traffic signs free of charge and without having to seek permission, but you must reproduce them accurately and not in a misleading context (e.g. not on roadside billboards where they could mislead drivers). (ref [1])

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 611.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

6. Pass obstacle on the right

This traffic sign indicates that traffic must pass an obstacle on the right. Keep to the right of the obstacle and follow any accompanying signs or road markings.

English • GB diagram 610 • Keep right. Traffic must pass to the right of the sign or obstruction, following the arrow.

Sources

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 610.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

7. Mandatory left

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory direction to the left. Traffic must proceed to the left at the sign and may not continue straight ahead or to the right.

English • GB diagram 606 • Proceed left. Vehicular traffic must proceed in the direction of the left-pointing arrow, subject to any signed exemption.

Sources

SVG source: Government of the United Kingdom – Department for Transport • OGL v1.0 • Original revision 2022-01-15. Wikimedia original unmodified. © Crown copyright. Traffic signs are Crown copyright. You may reproduce traffic signs free of charge and without having to seek permission, but you must reproduce them accurately and not in a misleading context (e.g. not on roadside billboards where they could mislead drivers). (ref [1])

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 606.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

8. Mandatory right

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory direction to the right. Traffic must proceed to the right at the sign and may not continue straight ahead or to the left.

English • GB diagram 606 • Proceed right. Vehicular traffic must proceed in the direction of the right-pointing arrow, subject to any signed exemption.

Sources

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 606.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

9. Driving straight ahead mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that driving straight ahead is mandatory. Traffic must continue straight ahead and may not turn left or right at the location to which the sign applies.

English • GB diagram 606 • Ahead only. Vehicular traffic must proceed straight ahead, subject to any signed exemption. This circular sign gives an instruction at its location.

Sources

SVG source: Government of the United Kingdom – Department for Transport • OGL v1.0 • Original revision 2022-01-14. Wikimedia original unmodified. © Crown copyright. Traffic signs are Crown copyright. You may reproduce traffic signs free of charge and without having to seek permission, but you must reproduce them accurately and not in a misleading context (e.g. not on roadside billboards where they could mislead drivers). (ref [1])

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 606.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

10. Mandatory path for cyclists

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory path for cyclists. Cyclists must use the designated path where the sign applies. Other road users may use the path only where the applicable signs or local rules permit them to do so.

English • GB diagram 955 • Route for pedal cycles. This route is for pedal cycles only. In Great Britain, permitted trial electric scooters are also included where applicable.

Sources

SVG source: Government of the United Kingdom – Department for Transport • OGL v1.0 • Original revision 2021-08-02. Wikimedia original unmodified. © Crown copyright. Traffic signs are Crown copyright. You may reproduce traffic signs free of charge and without having to seek permission, but you must reproduce them accurately and not in a misleading context (e.g. not on roadside billboards where they could mislead drivers). (ref [1])

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 955.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

11. Mandatory lane for buses

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory lane for buses. Buses must use the designated lane where the sign applies. Other road users may use the lane only where the applicable signs or local rules permit them to do so.

English • GB diagram 953.1 • Tramcars only. This route is for tramcars only, subject to any authorised and signed exception.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (UK Government • Crown copyright • OGL v1.0)
🔗 Legislation.gov.uk • Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions • Great Britain
🔗 Gov.uk • Department for Transport • Know your traffic signs

SVG source: UK Government • OGL v1.0 • Original revision 2011-11-13. Wikimedia original unmodified. © Crown copyright. Traffic signs are Crown copyright. You may reproduce traffic signs free of charge and without having to seek permission, but you must reproduce them accurately and not in a misleading context (e.g. not on roadside billboards where they could mislead drivers). (ref [1])

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 953.1.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

12. Mandatory shared pedestrian and cycle path

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory shared path for pedestrians and cyclists. Pedestrians and cyclists must use the same designated path rather than separate sections. They must share the space safely and follow the applicable local rules.

English • GB diagram 956 • Shared pedestrian and cycle route. Pedestrians and pedal cycles share the same route. In Great Britain, permitted trial electric scooters are also included where applicable.

Sources

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 956.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

13. Mandatory divided pedestrian and cycle path

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory divided path for pedestrians and cyclists. Pedestrians and cyclists must use the section designated for them. Other road users may use the path only where the applicable signs or local rules permit them to do so.

English • GB diagram 957 • Segregated pedestrian and cycle route. Use the side shown for your class of traffic: cycles on the left and pedestrians on the right. In Great Britain, permitted trial electric scooters use the cycle side where applicable.

Sources

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 957.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

14. Mandatory divided pedestrian and cycle path

English • GB diagram 957 • Segregated pedestrian and cycle route. Use the side shown for your class of traffic: pedestrians on the left and cycles on the right. In Great Britain, permitted trial electric scooters use the cycle side where applicable.

Sources

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 957R.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

15. Mandatory lane for buses and trams

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory lane for buses and trams. Buses and trams must use the designated lane or track where the sign applies. Other road users may use it only where the applicable signs or local rules permit them to do so.

English • GB diagram 953.1 variant • Tramcars and buses only. This route is for tramcars and buses only, subject to any authorised and signed exception.

Sources

Artwork verified against Gov.uk • official published diagram 953.1V.

Current design and permitted variants verified against Legislation.gov.uk • TSRGD, current text.

16. Start of a minimum speed

This traffic sign indicates the start of a minimum speed. Road users covered by the sign must travel at or above the indicated speed when conditions allow. Driving more slowly may still be necessary because of traffic, weather, road conditions or another safety-related reason.

English • GB diagram 672 • Minimum speed limit. The minimum speed is 30 mph, subject to circumstances requiring a lower speed for safety.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Legislation.gov.uk • Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions • Great Britain
🔗 Gov.uk • Department for Transport • Know your traffic signs

SVG source: UK Government • Public domain • Original revision 2011-01-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.

17. End of the minimum speed

This traffic sign indicates the end of the minimum speed. The previously indicated minimum speed no longer applies beyond this point. Continue to follow any other posted speed requirements and the applicable traffic rules.

English • GB diagram 673 • End of minimum speed limit. The 30 mph minimum speed restriction ends here. Other speed limits continue to apply.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Legislation.gov.uk • Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions • Great Britain
🔗 Gov.uk • Department for Transport • Know your traffic signs

SVG source: UK Government • Public domain • Original revision 2011-01-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.