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The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002

S.I. 2002/3113 · Made 16 December 2002 · Extends to England, Wales and Scotland

Not fully up to date. 4 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 23 May 2016.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 12 Pt. 1 diagram 7016substitutedTraffic Signs Regulations and General 2011 reg. 34(11)(a)(iv) Sch. Pt. 10
Sch. 12 Pt. 2 diagram 7101.1substitutedTraffic Signs Regulations and General 2011 reg. 34(11)(b) Sch. Pt. 10
Sch. 12 Pt. 3 diagram 7282substitutedTraffic Signs Regulations and General 2011 reg. 34(11)(c) Sch. Pt. 10
Sch. 12 Pt. 4 diagram 7301substitutedTraffic Signs Regulations and General 2011 reg. 34(11)(d) Sch. Pt. 10

ROAD TRAFFIC

Made 16th December 2002

Laid before Parliament 10th January 2003

Coming into force 31st January 2003

The Secretary of State for Transport, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 64, 65 and 85(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984f1 and by section 36(5) of the Road Traffic Act 1988f2 and now vested in himf3, hereby—

  1. (a)

    after consultation with representative organisations in accordance with section 134(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and section 195(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, makes the Regulations set out in Part I of this Instrument, and

  2. (b)

    gives the Directions set out in Part II.

Annotations to the whole text

Footnotes

f1

1984 c. 27. Section 64 was amended by the Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 (c. 54), Schedule 3, paragraph 25, the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (c. 54), Schedule 9, paragraph 93, and the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22), Schedule 8, paragraph 47. Amendments were made relating to the exercise of powers under section 64 by S.I. 1999/672, 1750 and 3143. Section 65 was amended by the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, Schedule 9, paragraph 93, the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42), section 153, the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, Schedule 8, paragraph 48 and the Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40), Schedule 4, paragraph 29. Amendments were made relating to the exercise of powers under section 65 by S.I. 1999/672, 1750 and 3143. Section 85(2) was amended by the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, Schedule 8, paragraph 62 and by the Road Traffic Act 1991, Schedule 4, paragraph 30 and Schedule 8. Amendments were made relating to the exercise of powers under section 85(2) by S.I. 1999/672 and 1750.

f2

Section 36(5) was amended by S.I. 1997/2971. Amendments were made relating to the exercise of powers under section 36(5) by S.I. 1999/672, 1750 and 3143.

f3

S.I. 1999/3143.

Contents

  1. Part I: THE TRAFFIC SIGNS REGULATIONS 2002
  2. PRELIMINARY
  3. 1Citation and commencement
  4. 2Revocations
  5. 3Savings
  6. 4Interpretation—general
  7. 5Interpretation of speed limit
  8. 6Interpretation of references
  9. 7Interpretation of Schedules 1 to 12
  10. GENERAL PROVISIONS
  11. 8Authorisations
  12. 9Temporary obstructions
  13. 10Application of section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to signs and disqualification for offences
  14. 11Signs, markings and signals to be of the size, colour and type shown in the diagrams
  15. 12Variations of dimensions
  16. 13Proportions and form of letters, numerals, symbols and other characters
  17. 14Signs attached to vehicles
  18. WARNING, REGULATORY AND INFORMATORY TRAFFIC SIGNS
  19. 15Sign shown in diagram 610 and its significance
  20. 16Signs shown in diagrams 601.1, 602, 611.1, 778, 778.1 and 784.1 and their significance
  21. 17Permitted variants of upright signs
  22. 18Illumination of signs
  23. 19Illumination of signs—further provisions
  24. 20Illumination of plates
  25. 21Illumination of signs shown in diagrams 560 and 561
  26. 22Buses
  27. 23Bus lanes
  28. 24Bus symbols
  29. ROAD MARKINGS
  30. 25Road marking shown in diagram 1003: give way
  31. 26Road markings shown in diagrams 1013.1, 1013.3 and 1013.4: double white lines
  32. 27Road marking shown in diagram 1001.3: zig-zag lines—no stopping
  33. 28Road marking shown in diagram 1001.3: zig-zag lines—no overtaking
  34. 29Road markings shown in diagrams 1025.1, 1025.3, 1025.4, 1043, 1044, 1044.1 and 1044.2: bus stop and bus stand clearways and box junctions
  35. 30Permitted variants of road markings
  36. 31Illumination of road markings
  37. 32Height of road markings and size of studs
  38. LIGHT SIGNALS AND WARNING LIGHTS
  39. 33Light signals for the control of vehicular traffic—standard form
  40. 34Green arrow light signals for the control of vehicular traffic
  41. 35Portable light signals for the control of vehicular traffic
  42. 36Significance of light signals prescribed by regulations 33 to 35
  43. 37Light signals for the control of vehicular traffic on motorways and all-purpose dual carriageway roads
  44. 38Significance of light signals prescribed by regulation 37(1)
  45. 39Light signals to control traffic at level crossings etc
  46. 40Significance of light signals prescribed by regulation 39
  47. 41Light signals for the control of tramcars
  48. 42Significance of light signals prescribed by regulation 41
  49. 43Meaning of stop line and references to light signals
  50. 44Light signals for lane control of vehicular traffic
  51. 45Warning signal for motorways and all-purpose dual carriageway roads
  52. 46Matrix signs for motorways and all-purpose dual carriageway roads
  53. 47Light signals at signal-controlled pedestrian facilities
  54. 47ALight signals at portable signal-controlled pedestrian facilities
  55. 48Light signals at equestrian crossings
  56. 49Light signals at Toucan crossings
  57. 50Warning lights at school crossing places
  58. 51Cattle crossing signs and warning lights
  59. 52Light signals for pedestrian traffic at level crossings
  60. MISCELLANEOUS TRAFFIC SIGNS
  61. 53Temporary signs
  62. 54Flashing beacons
  63. 55Warning lights
  64. 56Cones, delineators and cylinders
  65. 57Refuge indicator lamps
  66. 58Variable message signs
  67. Part II: THE TRAFFIC SIGNS GENERAL DIRECTIONS 2002
  68. 1Citation and commencement
  69. 2Revocations
  70. 3Interpretation—general
  71. 4Interpretation of references
  72. 5Saving
  73. 6Sign to be placed only at sites approved by the Secretary of State
  74. 7Signs to be placed only to indicate the effect of a statutory prohibition
  75. 8The placing of certain signs to indicate the beginning of a restriction, requirement, prohibition or speed limit
  76. 9Beginning of a speed limit—further provisions
  77. 10The placing of certain signs to indicate the end of a restriction, requirement, prohibition or speed limit
  78. 11Repeater signs
  79. 12Signs to be placed only on specified types of road
  80. 13Regulation 13
  81. 13ARegulation 13A
  82. 14Regulation 14
  83. 15Regulation 15
  84. 16Speed limits of 20 mph
  85. 17Signs to be placed only in conjunction with specified road markings (except signs for prohibitions and restrictions on waiting etc)
  86. 18Road markings to be placed only in conjunction with other road markings or specified signs (except road markings for prohibitions and restrictions on waiting etc)
  87. 19The placing of the signs shown in diagrams 615 and 811
  88. 20Signs to be placed only in combination with specified plates or other signs
  89. 21Plates to be placed only in combination with specified signs
  90. 22Placing of road markings and signs to indicate prohibitions and restrictions on waiting, loading and unloading and parking
  91. 23Regulation 23
  92. 24Regulation 24
  93. 25Regulation 25
  94. 26Regulation 26
  95. 26ARegulation 26A
  96. 27Signs to be placed only at specified sites or for specified purposes
  97. 28Regulation 28
  98. 29Regulation 29
  99. 30Regulation 30
  100. 31Regulation 31
  101. 32Regulation 32
  102. 33Regulation 33
  103. 34Regulation 34
  104. 35Regulation 35
  105. 36Restrictions on the placing of temporary signs
  106. 37Regulation 37
  107. 38Regulation 38
  108. 38ARegulation 38A
  109. 39Regulation 39
  110. 40Placing of signs varied to show metric units Repealed
  111. 41Mounting and backing of signs
  112. 42Regulation 42
  113. 43Mounting of the sign shown in diagram 781
  114. 44Mounting of the signs shown in diagrams 560 and 561
  115. 44AMounting of signs with light signals
  116. 45Mounting of refuge indicator lamps
  117. 46Mounting and backing of light signals, matrix signs and warning lights
  118. 47Placing of road marking shown in diagram 1001, 1001.2 or 1001.2A in conjunction with light signals
  119. 48Placing of road marking shown in diagram 1014 in conjunction with the road marking shown in diagram 1013.1 or 1013.3
  120. 49Placing of road marking shown in diagram 1001.3 (zig-zag lines)
  121. 50Placing of signs and light signals shown in Schedule 11
  122. 51Regulation 51
  123. 52Regulation 52
  124. 53Placing of portable light signals prescribed by regulation 35
  125. 53APlacing of portable signal-controlled pedestrian facilities
  126. 54Placing of signals and other signs at crossings
  127. 54APlacing of signals and other signs at portable signal-controlled pedestrian facilities
  128. 55Placing of various light signals
  129. 55ASigns used in conjunction with actively managed hard shoulders
  130. 56Approval of types of sign and signals by the Secretary of State
  131. 57Studs
  132. 58Approval of types of stud by the Secretary of State
  133. 59Special directions
  134. Signature
  135. Schedule 1WARNING SIGNS
  136. Schedule 2REGULATORY SIGNS
  137. Schedule 3SIGNS FOR RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY LEVEL CROSSINGS
  138. Schedule 4MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATORY SIGNS
  139. Schedule 5SIGNS FOR BUS, TRAM AND PEDAL CYCLE FACILITIES
  140. Schedule 6ROAD MARKINGS
  141. Schedule 7: DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
  142. IPRIMARY ROUTE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
  143. IINON-PRIMARY ROUTE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
  144. IIITOURIST DESTINATION SIGNS
  145. IVSIGNS FOR SERVICES AND TOURIST FACILITIES
  146. VBOUNDARY SIGNS
  147. VIDIRECTIONAL SIGNS TO PARKING PLACE
  148. VIIDIRECTIONAL SIGNS FOR CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS
  149. VIIITEMPORARY AND EMERGENCY DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
  150. IXOTHER NON-MOTORWAY DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
  151. XMOTORWAY SIGNS
  152. Schedule 8LIGHT SIGNALS FOR THE CONTROL OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC
  153. Schedule 9LIGHT SIGNALS FOR PEDESTRIANS AND ANIMAL CROSSINGS
  154. Schedule 10: LANE CONTROL SIGNALS AND SIGNS
  155. ILANE CONTROL SIGNALS
  156. IILANE CONTROL SIGNALS
  157. Schedule 11: MATRIX SIGNS AND LIGHT SIGNALS
  158. IMATRIX SIGNS
  159. IILIGHT SIGNALS
  160. Schedule 12: ROAD WORKS SIGNS ETC
  161. IMISCELLANEOUS WARNING, INFORMATORY AND REGULATORY SIGNS FOR ROAD WORKS ETC
  162. IIROAD WORKS DELINEATORS AND BARRIERS
  163. IIISIGNS FOR LANE CLOSURES AND CONTRA-FLOW WORKING AT ROAD WORKS
  164. IVSIGNS FOR ROAD WORKS ENTRANCES AND EXITS
  165. VSIGNS MOUNTED ON ROAD WORKS VEHICLES
  166. Schedule 13: PROPORTIONS AND FORM OF LETTERS, NUMERALS AND OTHER CHARACTERS
  167. IPROPORTIONS AND FORM OF LETTERS, NUMERALS AND OTHER CHARACTERS
  168. IIPROPORTIONS AND FORM OF LETTERS, NUMERALS AND OTHER CHARACTERS
  169. IIIPROPORTIONS AND FORM OF LETTERS, NUMERALS AND OTHER CHARACTERS
  170. IVPROPORTIONS AND FORM OF LETTERS, NUMERALS AND OTHER CHARACTERS
  171. VPROPORTIONS AND FORM OF LETTERS, NUMERALS AND OTHER CHARACTERS FOR USE ON VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS
  172. VIPROPORTIONS AND FORM OF LETTERS, NUMERALS AND OTHER CHARACTERS FOR USE IN THE ROAD MARKINGS SHOWN IN SCHEDULE 6
  173. VIIPROPORTIONS AND FORM OF LETTERS, NUMERALS AND OTHER CHARACTERS
  174. Schedule 14: PROPORTIONS AND FORM OF SYMBOLS INDICATING TYPES OF TOURIST DESTINATION
  175. IPROPORTIONS AND FORM OF SYMBOLS INDICATING TYPES OF TOURIST DESTINATION IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND WALES
  176. IIPROPORTIONS AND FORM OF SYMBOLS INDICATING TYPES OF TOURIST DESTINATION IN ENGLAND AND WALES
  177. IIIPROPORTIONS AND FORM OF SYMBOLS INDICATING TYPES OF TOURIST DESTINATION IN ENGLAND ONLY
  178. IVPROPORTIONS AND FORM OF SYMBOLS INDICATING TYPES OF TOURIST DESTINATION IN SCOTLAND ONLY
  179. Schedule 15: LEGENDS FOR USE ON VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS
  180. Part I: PRELIMINARY
  181. 1Paragraph 1
  182. Part II: SIGNS AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED BY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC
  183. 2Paragraph 2
  184. Part III: LEGENDS GIVING WARNINGS OF ADVERSE WEATHER OR OTHER TEMPORARY HAZARDS OR INCIDENTS
  185. 3Paragraph 3
  186. Part IV: LEGENDS INDICATING LOCATION OF TEMPORARY HAZARD OR INCIDENT
  187. 4Paragraph 4
  188. Part V: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  189. 5Paragraph 5
  190. Part VI: OTHER LEGENDS
  191. 6Paragraph 6
  192. Schedule 16PERMITTED VARIANTS
  193. Schedule 17ILLUMINATION OF SIGNS
  194. Schedule 18: INTERPRETATION OF “UNLADEN VEHICLE”
  195. 1Paragraph 1
  196. 2Paragraph 2
  197. 3Paragraph 3
  198. Schedule 19: BUS STOP AND BUS STAND CLEARWAYS AND BOX JUNCTIONS
  199. Part I: SIGNIFICANCE OF BUS STOP AND BUS STAND CLEARWAY MARKINGS
  200. 1Interpretation of Part I of Schedule
  201. 2Prohibition conveyed by road markings
  202. 3Exceptions in favour of buses
  203. 4Other exceptions
  204. 5Permitted purposes
  205. Part II: SIGNIFICANCE OF BOX JUNCTION MARKINGS
  206. 6Interpretation of Part II of Schedule
  207. 7Prohibition conveyed by markings in diagram 1043 or 1044
  208. 8Prohibition conveyed when markings are placed in conjunction with signs in diagrams 615 and 811
  209. 9Paragraph 9
  210. 10Paragraph 10
  211. Schedule 1: PLACING OF SIGNALS AND OTHER SIGNS AT SIGNAL-CONTROLLED CROSSING FACILITIES
  212. 1Interpretation
  213. 2Vehicular light signals on a two-way street
  214. 3Vehicular light signals on a one-way road
  215. 4Additional vehicular light signals
  216. 5Far side light signals at crossings
  217. 6Near side signals at crossings
  218. Schedule 2: PLACING OF SIGNALS AND OTHER SIGNS AT PORTABLE SIGNAL-CONTROLLED PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES
  219. 1Interpretation
  220. 2Vehicular light signals on a two-way street
  221. 3Vehicular light signals on a one-way road
  222. 4Additional vehicular light signals at portable crossings
  223. 5Far side light signals at portable crossings
  224. 6Additional signs and road markings at portable crossings
  225. Explanatory note