Maximum headroom sign

What it means

The maximum headroom under the bridge or obstruction ahead is the height shown.

A warning triangle shows the maximum headroom under a bridge or other overhead obstruction, in metric and imperial units on newer signs.

If your vehicle or load is taller than the height shown, find another route. Bridge strikes kill and injure people every year.

Where you'll see it

Before low bridges and other overhead obstructions, sometimes well in advance with a distance plate.

Rules to know

• A warning sign indicates the maximum headroom under a bridge or other overhead obstruction, in metric and imperial units. It may be sited well in advance of a bridge, with the distance shown on a plate.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 25

• The maximum safe headroom at an arch bridge is shown on the triangular warning signs.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 26

• All bridges with a clearance of less than 16 feet 6 inches (about 5 metres) are normally signed.

  Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 24

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Guessing your vehicle's height.

  Instead: Know the height of your vehicle and any load before you set off.

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 of a side road joining your road ahead.
• BThe maximum headroom under the bridge ahead
• CHorse-drawn vehicles likely in the road
• DTraffic merges onto the main carriageway ahead

Ready for more? Take the Warning Signs Quiz