7 of the most confusing UK road signs

1. Minimum Speed

While we’re all used to looking out for the red and white speed limit signs displayed on the side of the road, you might not be aware that minimum speed signs exist too. Instead of red, these round signs are blue with white lettering. When you spot this sign, you must drive at a speed over the number displayed assuming it’s practical and safe to do so.

2. Vehicles may pass either side to reach same destination

Another confusing, but thankfully rare, road sign is this circular blue sign depicting two white arrows pointing downwards in different directions. The good news is that you don’t have to choose one direction over the other. In fact, it means that traffic can reach the same destination by passing either side of the sign.

3. Overhead electric cable

This sign clearly signals danger, but it looks like something you’d be more likely to find on your electric hairdryer or other home appliance than on the road. When you come across this red triangle sign with a lightning strike symbol, you should be aware that there’s an electrified overhead cable ahead.

4. T-junction with priority over vehicles from the right

This puzzling sign features a wide T and an arrow pointing left, which means that you’re approaching a T-junction and have priority over vehicles coming from the right. Luckily, as well as being one of the UK’s most confusing road signs, it’s also one of the most uncommon so you’re unlikely to need to decipher it on your daily drives.

5. No vehicles

No, this sign isn’t a printing mistake, we promise! A red circle with a blank white space like this means no vehicles allowed. That includes cars, motorbikes, and bicycles. The only exception to the rule is when your bike is being pushed. The zone might not be in place 24 hours so look out for any nearby signs that indicate the times of day that it’s enforced.

6. Two-way traffic crosses one-way road

Any sign with arrows pointing in multiple directions is bound to be confusing – and this one is no exception! A red triangle with two arrows – one pointing left and the other pointing right – is typically found on a one-way street. It means that the one-way road is coming to an end and will meet a two-way road when it does. You can join that road and choose to drive in either direction. Make sure that you move well over to the right with your road position if you are planning to turn that way.

7. Risk of grounding

While this lorry leaping over a bump in the road may look more like a child’s drawing than a real road sign, it’s an important one for HGV drivers to know. This red triangle sign indicates that there’s a risk of grounding for vehicles either at a railway or tramway level crossing or a hump backed bridge.