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Information sign

Emergency vehicles route sign

Emergency vehicles sign: a red sign with the words Emergency vehicles and a white arrow pointing left
Sign image: Department for Transport, © Crown copyright

What does the Emergency vehicles sign mean?

Red signs show emergency vehicles the route to a temporary incident control point. They are not for other traffic.

What it means

This is the route for emergency vehicles to a temporary incident control point.

Red signs are put up during a major incident to guide emergency services to the control point. Green signs with a yellow border do the same for a permanent incident control point.

Do not follow these signs unless you are driving an emergency vehicle, and keep the route clear.

Where you'll see it

Near a major incident, leading to the temporary incident control point.

Rules to know

  • Signs with a red background are used to show the route for emergency vehicles to a temporary incident control point.

    Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 129

  • Signs with a light green background and a yellow border show the route for emergency vehicles to a permanent incident control point.

    Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 129

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Following the signs to see what is happening.

    Instead: The route is for emergency services. Keep it clear and follow your own route.

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What does this sign mean?

Red rectangular sign with two white words and a white arrow pointing left

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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.

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Sources

  • Know Your Traffic Signs (Department for Transport, Sixth edition, 2023), Direction signs on all-purpose roads, p. 129

Sign image: Department for Transport, Traffic sign images (diagram 2708). © 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