Road Signs in the United Kingdom conform broadly to European norms, though a number of signs are unique to Britain and direction signs omit European route numbers. Britain also uses non-metric (imperial) measurements for distance and speed, although metric authorised – weight signs were prescribed in TSRGD 1981 and there is now a dual –unit (imperial first) option for clearance signing.

There are three basic types of traffic signs: signs which primarily give orders, signs that warn and signs which give directions/information. Each type has a different shape.

There are few exceptions to the shape and colour rules to give greater prominence to certain signs. For example, the octagonal stop sign. There are also several regulatory signs giving orders particularly relating to parking restrictions that are rectangular in shape.

Informational signs are mainly rectangular but, strictly speaking, this category also covers directional signs. They are often coloured to match the directional signing for the status of road in question, but where this is not necessary they r generally blue with white test. Examples include” Lane gain” and “Lane drop” signs on grade –separated roads, and “IN” and “OUT” indications for accesses to private premises from the highway.

The term “Direction sign” covers both Advance Direction Signs (ADS), placed on the approach to a junction, and Direction Signs (DS) at the junction itself, showing where to turn. A DS usually has a chevron (pointed) end, and this type is also referred to as a flag-type sign. However, a DS may also be rectangular with in an arrow when it is necessary to indicate a direction other than left or right.

An ADS may be one of four types:

Stack type- with the destinations in each direction on a separate panel that also contains an arrow;

Map-type – to give a highly clear and simplified diagrammatic plan view of junction, for example a roundabout.

Dedicated lane – shows the destinations separated by vertical dotted lines to indicate which lane to use;

Gantry –mounted – for use on busy motor ways and other wide roads where verge mounted signs would be frequently obstructed by other traffic

An ADS generally has blue, green or white as its background colour to indicate the status of road (motorway, primary or non-primary) on which it is placed. Except on the main carriage way of a motorway, coloured panels are used to indicate routes from the junction being signed that have a different status A DS should always be a single colour indicating the status of the road to be joined, although there are a few rare exceptions to this rule.

Destinations are written in mixed case white Transport medium alphabet for green and blue backgrounds, and in black Transport Heavy alphabet for white backgrounds. Route numbers are coloured yellow when placed directly on a green background. All types of ADS (but not DS) may optionally have the junction name at the top of the sign in capital letters in separate panel.

Bilingual signs are used in Wales and the Scottish Highlands

Welsh highway authorities choose whether they are “English-Priority” or “Welsh –Priority” and the language having priority in the highway authority’s area appears first on signs. Most of South Wales in English- Priority while north Wales is Welsh-Priority.

In the Scottish Highlands, road signs are often found with the Scottish Gaelic given (in green) as well as the English (in black).this seems to be part of the Gaelic language revival encouraged by many ,including the Bord na Gaidhlig.

Bilingual dual-name signs also exist in the UK on major roads that leave major ports (such as Dover).They detail in English and French, standard speed limits and reminders to drive on the left.

The importance of a warning sign is emphasised by the red border drawn around it and the mostly triangular shape. You may also see a rectangular plate below the warning sign that provides extra information about the hazard ahead. Amber flashing lights may also accompany the warning sign to emphasis when the hazard is particularly likely.

Rectangular shaped signs with a red background and white lettering are also occasionally used to convey warnings. A black rectangular sign with white chevrons may also appear on a sharp bend to give you a final warning of this hazard particularly if this has become an accident black spot.

Outside of busy town or city centres most regulatory signs are circular in shape. However, the increasing restrictions on parking, waiting and loading have now made these signs the most numerous and these are in fact rectangular in shape but most still contain a small no waiting or clearway circular sign. The other restriction signs of this kind contain small blue rectangular signs with a white P to denote when or where parking is permitted. Larger blue rectangular signs with a white P to denote when or where parking is permitted. Larger blue rectangular signs with a white P can also denote this.

Signs in circular red borders are prohibitive (i.e. you must not), whether or not they also have a diagonal red line. The no waiting, U-turn, right turn and left turn signs are an example of this.

Circle blue signs mainly give a positive (mandatory) instruction (i.e. you must).An exception to this is the blue circle minimum speed limit sign (i.e. you must not travel at speeds shown unless it is unsafe or impractical to do so).the end of this restriction is denoted by the same sign with a red diagonal from the bottom left to the top right. This convention is also used on other regulatory signs to note either the end of the restriction or the parking permission.

These signs are mainly yellow, and are all temporary. These are on stands which are often weighted with sandbags, to prevent them being blown over in the wind .Some road works signs are provide with interchangeable parts. For example the distance before the road works begin or the lane closed ahead.

Legally these are not defined as traffic signs in the UK. This give authorities flexibility on how to design and where to locate them. They can be fixed to a signpost, wall, and lamp column or building. As well as the transport alphabets used on road signs, it is also common for street nameplates to use the Kindersley serif front.