Information sign
Diversion sign
What does the Diversion sign mean?
A yellow Diversion sign shows the route to follow while a road is closed, for example for works.
What it means
The road ahead is closed, and traffic should follow the diversion in the direction shown.
Temporary diversion signs are used when a road is closed for reasons other than an emergency, such as works. A Diversion ENDS sign shows where the diversion finishes.
Keep following the yellow signs until you reach the end of the diversion, even if your sat nav suggests a different way.
Where you'll see it
Along the route around a road closure.
Rules to know
Temporary diversion signs may be needed when a road is closed for reasons other than an emergency, for example to carry out works.
Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 125
The Highway Code shows the yellow diversion route sign among its direction signs.
The Highway Code, Traffic signs
Common mistakes
Mistake: Following a sat nav back towards the closed road.
Instead: The diversion avoids the closure. Follow the yellow signs until the end of the diversion.
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© Crown copyright. Free to reuse under the Open Government Licence v3.0, as long as the sign is reproduced accurately and not in a misleading context.
Related signs
Used with
Emergency diversion route
Information sign
Black symbols on yellow for emergency diversions.
See also
Road works
Temporary sign
Works are a common reason for a diversion.
More information signs
All information signs
Sources
- Know Your Traffic Signs (Department for Transport, Sixth edition, 2023), Signs for traffic diversions, p. 125
- The Highway Code, Traffic signs
Sign image: Department for Transport, Traffic sign images (diagram 2702). © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026. This page explains the sign in our own words; for the full rules, see The Highway Code. How we source and check content