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UK Road Signs

Warning sign

Road narrows sign

Road narrows warning sign: a red-bordered triangle with two black lines that curve closer together
Sign image: Department for Transport, © Crown copyright

What does the Road narrows sign mean?

Warns that the road narrows on both sides ahead. Slow down, and be ready to give way to oncoming traffic if there isn't room.

Also known as: Road narrows on both sides sign

What it means

The road ahead gets narrower on both sides. There may not be room for vehicles to pass each other comfortably.

Other versions show the road narrowing on one side only.

If signs don't give priority to either direction, make sure you can get through without endangering oncoming traffic. Keep a steady low speed, don't speed up on the approach, and be ready to give way.

Rules to know

  • The sign shows the road narrowing on both sides.

    Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 11

  • Don't overtake where the road narrows.

    The Highway Code, Rule 167

  • If priority isn't given to either direction at a narrowing, don't accelerate on the approach; keep a steady low speed and be prepared to give way.

    Know Your Traffic Signs, p. 87

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Speeding up to get through before an oncoming vehicle.

    Instead: Keep a steady low speed and be ready to give way. Don't accelerate on the approach.

Test yourself

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Question 1 of 1

What does this sign mean?

Red-bordered white triangle containing two black lines that move closer together towards the top

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Download this sign

© 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.

More warning signs

All warning signs

Sources

Sign image: Department for Transport, Traffic sign images (diagram 516). © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Checked against these sources and reviewed by Bikash Thapa, full UK driving licence holder. Last reviewed 4 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