Start of motorway sign

What it means

You are joining a motorway. From this sign, special motorway rules apply, and some types of road user are not allowed to use the road at all.

The white symbol is the motorway symbol. The number beside it is the motorway's route number, so it changes from place to place; M62 is just the example in the official artwork.

Motorway rules include no stopping except in an emergency, no U-turns and no reversing. Heavier goods vehicles and buses, vehicles towing trailers, and vehicles that must have a speed limiter must not use the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes.

On ordinary roads, the same symbol on a blue direction sign shows that the route leads directly to a motorway or a motorway slip road.

Where you'll see it

At the point where you join a motorway.

Rules to know

• Motorway regulations start here, including the national speed limit, unless a different speed limit is signed.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 21

• Motorway regulations include no stopping (except in an emergency, on the hard shoulder or verge), no U-turns and no reversing.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 91

• Pedestrians, animals, pedal cycles, motorcycles under 50 cc, agricultural vehicles and some other classes of traffic must not use motorways.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 91

• Goods vehicles and buses over 7.5 tonnes, vehicles towing trailers and vehicles required to have a speed limiter must not use the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 91

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Carrying on at the speed limit of the road you came from.

  Instead: From this sign, the national speed limit applies unless a different limit is signed.

• Mistake: Stopping on the hard shoulder to make a call or check directions.

  Instead: Motorway regulations allow stopping only in an emergency.

Test yourself

Recalling the answer helps it stick. Pick an answer to see how you did.

Question 1 of 1

What does this sign mean?

• AWarns that children may be crossing or near the road on their way to or from school.
• BYou must not turn right at the junction ahead.
• CMotorway regulations apply from this point.
• DMotorway regulations end here.

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