THE OFFICIAL HIGHWAY CODE

Road markings

Road markings

Road markings used, including those across the carriageway, along the carriageway, along the edge of the carriageway, on the kerb or at the edge of the carriageway and other road markings.

Across the carriageway 

across carriageway stop line signals or police

Stop line at signals or police control

across carriageway stop line at stop sign

Stop line at ‘Stop’ sign

across carriageway stop line level crossing

Stop line for pedestrians at a level crossing

across carriageway give way traffic major road

Give way to traffic on major road (can also be used at mini roundabouts)

across carriageway give way traffic from right roundabout

Give way to traffic from the right at a roundabout

across carriageway give way traffic from right miniroundabout

Give way to traffic from the right at a mini-roundabout

Along the carriageway

along carriageway edge line

Edge line

along carriageway centre line

Centre line See Rule 127

along-carriageway hazard warn line

Hazard warning line See Rule 127

along carriageway double white broken line

Double white lines See Rules 128 and 129

along carriageway double white line

Double white lines See Rules 128 and 129

along carriageway diagonal line

See Rule 130

along carriageway lane line

Lane line SeeSee Rule 131

Along the edge of the carriageway

Waiting restrictions

Waiting restrictions indicated by yellow lines apply to the carriageway, pavement and verge. You may stop to load or unload (unless there are also loading restrictions as described below) or while passengers board or alight. Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time, unless there are signs that specifically indicate seasonal restrictions. The times at which the restrictions apply for other road markings are shown on nearby plates or on entry signs to controlled parking zones. If no days are shown on the signs, the restrictions are in force every day including Sundays and Bank Holidays. White bay markings and upright signs (see below) indicate where parking is allowed.

along edge carriageway double yellow

No waiting at any time

along edge carriageway single_yellow with parking

No waiting during times shown on sign

along edge carriageway park times

Waiting is limited to the duration specified during the days and times shown

Red Route stopping controls

Red lines are used on some roads instead of yellow lines. In London the double and single red lines used on Red Routes indicate that stopping to park, load/unload or to board and alight from a vehicle (except for a licensed taxi or if you hold a Blue Badge) is prohibited. The red lines apply to the carriageway, pavement and verge. The times that the red line prohibitions apply are shown on nearby signs, but the double red line ALWAYS means no stopping at any time. On Red Routes you may stop to park, load/unload in specially marked boxes and adjacent signs specify the times and purposes and duration allowed. A box MARKED IN RED indicates that it may only be available for the purpose specified for part of the day (eg between busy peak periods). A box MARKED IN WHITE means that it is available throughout the day.

RED AND SINGLE YELLOW LINES CAN ONLY GIVE A GUIDE TO THE RESTRICTIONS AND CONTROLS IN FORCE AND SIGNS, NEARBY OR AT A ZONE ENTRY, MUST BE CONSULTED.

along edge carriageway red route no stopping double red line

No stopping at any time

along edge carriagewa red route no stopping red line

No stopping during times shown on sign

along edge carriageway red route parking space

Parking is limited to the duration specified during the days and times shown

along edge carriageway red route except loading time

Only loading may take place at the times shown for up to a maximum duration of 20 mins

On the kerb or at the edge of the carriageway

Loading restrictions on roads other than Red Routes

Yellow marks on the kerb or at the edge of the carriageway indicate that loading or unloading is prohibited at the times shown on the nearby black and white plates. You may stop while passengers board or alight. If no days are indicated on the signs the restrictions are in force every day including Sundays and Bank Holidays.

ALWAYS CHECK THE TIMES SHOWN ON THE PLATES.

Lengths of road reserved for vehicles loading and unloading are indicated by a white ‘bay’ marking with the words ‘Loading Only’ and a sign with the white on blue ‘trolley’ symbol. This sign also shows whether loading and unloading is restricted to goods vehicles and the times at which the bay can be used. If no times or days are shown it may be used at any time. Vehicles may not park here if they are not loading or unloading.

on kerb double line no loading

No loading or unloading at any time

on kerb single line no loading times

No loading or unloading at the times shown

on kerb loading only space

Loading bay

Other road markings

other road markings school keep clear

Keep entrance clear of stationary vehicles, even if picking up or setting down children

other road markings give way road

Warning of ‘Give Way’ just ahead

other road markings space doctor

Parking space reserved for vehicles named

other road markings bus stop road

See Rule 243

other road markings bus lane road

See Rule 141

other road markings box junction

Box junction - Rule 174

other road markings keep clear

Do not block that part of the carriageway indicated

other road markings indication lanes

Indication of traffic lanes