- Enforced by
- National Highways
- Status
- In Force
- Penalty ceiling
- Regulated
Does it bind you?
Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.
Any Person3
Operator2
Contractor1
Plus 8 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.
Other Acts binding the same actors
If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.
Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts
Human Medicines Regulations 2012
184 duties
Merchant Shipping Act 1995
144 duties
Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016
104 duties
Communications Act 2003
92 duties
Road Traffic Act 1988
92 duties
Operator — also bound by 746 other Acts
Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (Air Operations)
203 duties
Space Industry Regulations 2021
76 duties
Contractor — also bound by 173 other Acts
What it requires
Regulations creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1
THE TRAFFIC SIGNS REGULATIONS 2016
0 of 15 sections shown15 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.001
Citation, commencement and extent
s.015
Provision for review of these Regulations
s.part001
Height of road markings and size of studs fitted with reflectors, retroreflecting material or a light source
s.part001
Diagram Colours
s.part001
Mutual recognition of standards
s.part001
Revocations
s.part001
Transitional and savings provisions
s.part001
Interpretation
s.part001
Prescription of signs
s.part001
Letters, numerals and other characters
s.part001
Illumination – road markings
Part 2
THE TRAFFIC SIGNS GENERAL DIRECTIONS 2016
0 of 14 sections shown14 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.002
Interpretation
s.part002
Citation, commencement and extent
s.part002
Revocations
s.part002
Saving
s.part002
Provision for review of these General Directions
s.part002
Application of general directions
s.part002
General provision about upright signs and associated plates and structure warning markings
s.part002
General provision about placing of signs on vehicles
s.part002
General provision about the removal of temporary signs
s.part002
Studs that provide illumination
s.part002
Mounting of upright signs
s.part002
The backs of, and backing boards for, upright signs
Schedules
Schedules
10 of 165 shown
s.003
Upright signs that indicate regulatory requirements for moving traffic (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- National Highways must ensure traffic signs meet specific design standardsStatutory regulator
s.005
Signs to indicate parking places and areas subject to parking controls (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- National Highways must ensure parking signs meet strict design standardsStatutory regulator
s.009
Regulatory signs at junctions and miscellaneous regulatory signs (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- National Highways must ensure traffic signs meet specific design and size rulesStatutory regulator
s.sch002
The sign must not be illuminated.
Regulated
- Do not illuminate certain traffic signsContractor
s.sch005
A legend or symbol included in the lower panel must...
Regulated
- Ensure legend or symbol on road works sign lower panel meets size requirementsAny Person
s.sch006
If “except buses”, “except local buses”, “except in signed bays”...
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Traffic authorities must not add bottom panel if sign includes bus exceptionsLocal authority
s.sch008
In respect of items 1A and 2A, each lamp incorporated...
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ensure sign lamps flash at 60-90 per minute with alternating pairsLocal authority
s.sch011
(1) The white area is to be filled with maps...
Regulated
- Comply with design specifications for traffic sign white areaAny Person
s.sch011
Route numbers and place names may be varied as appropriate...
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Traffic authorities must not include 'turn left', 'ahead', or 'turn right' in road markingsLocal authority
s.sch016
(1) In a legend provided for in this Schedule the...
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Traffic authorities must format junction numbers and route numbers on signs as specifiedLocal authority
155 other schedules
s.sch002
The road marking must be reflectorised.
s.sch002
The sign may have different numerals to those shown in...
s.sch002
The arrow in the road marking may indicate a path...
s.sch002
(1) Subject to sub paragraph (2), where the sign is...
s.sch002
The structure warning marking may be left unlit, or be...
s.sch002
Paragraph 6 applies to that part of the sign, if...
s.sch002
Where those parts of the sign coloured yellow, if any,...
s.sch003
“Give way to oncoming vehicles for” and a distance.
s.sch003
(1) “Except” and “trams”, “buses”, “local buses”, “cycles”, “buses and...
s.sch003
“Play Street except for access”.
s.sch003
“Play Street” and a time period and “except for access”....
s.sch003
“No vehicles”.
s.sch003
(1) Subject to sub‑paragraphs (2) and (3), “Except” and any...
s.sch003
“No explosives” or “No inflammables or explosives”.
s.sch003
“and authorised vehicles”.
s.sch003
“Give way to oncoming vehicles”.
s.sch004
(1) The sign must have a symbol of the size,...
s.sch004
A sign provided for at item 1, 5, 6, 7,...
s.sch004
A legend provided for at item 5, 6 or 7...
s.sch004
A sign provided for at item 2, 3 or 4...
s.sch004
A legend provided for in the Part 4 sign table...
s.sch004
Where an item in the Part 4 sign table (“the...
s.sch004
(1) A symbol included in accordance with paragraph 15 must...
s.sch004
A sign must include an arrow pointing to the left...
s.sch004
(1) A sign may convey any two of the descriptions...
s.sch004
Signs consisting of multiple panels
s.sch004
The sign must have a yellow background and black border...
s.sch004
(1) This paragraph applies in relation to a sign provided...
s.sch004
(1) This paragraph applies to a sign which includes the...
s.sch004
Provisions applying where the sign is made up of more than one panel
s.sch004
(1) Panels included in a sign may be placed in...
s.sch004
Height of legends to be proportionate
s.sch004
Illumination
s.sch004
(1) The sign must include a symbol of the size,...
s.sch004
A sign provided for in the Part 3 sign table...
s.sch004
A legend may be varied in accordance with an entry...
s.sch004
The legend must be of a height provided for in...
s.sch004
A sign must include an arrow pointing to the left...
s.sch004
White panel signs
s.sch004
The sign must have a white background and black border...
s.sch005
A restriction of a description in column 2 of items...
s.sch005
The provisions as to size, colour and type in this...
s.sch005
The sign must be of the shape shown in the...
s.sch005
The upper panel must contain— (a) the symbol or symbols...
s.sch005
The upper panel may be varied in accordance with column...
s.sch005
Where provided for in column 7 of the item, a...
s.sch006
The bottom panel may be varied in accordance with column...
s.sch006
The sign must consist of the top and middle panels...
s.sch006
The top panel may be varied so “RED ROUTE” appears...
s.sch006
The middle panel may be varied to include—
s.sch006
Unless paragraph 5 applies, the sign may include a bottom...
s.sch006
A symbol provided for at item 4,5, 6, 8, 9,...
s.sch006
The size of the symbol must comply with the requirements...
s.sch006
The bottom panel may also include a legend, to accompany...
s.sch007
The legend may be repeated along the length of the...
s.sch007
Where the marking is placed in part of a lay‑by,...
s.sch007
The continuous line must be varied to red where placed...
s.sch007
The continuous line must be replaced by the marking provided...
s.sch007
”SCHOOL” may be varied to “CHILDREN” with the maximum length...
s.sch007
”SCHOOL” and the line between “SCHOOL” and “KEEP” may be...
s.sch007
The overall length of the marking may be varied within...
s.sch007
The marks forming the boundary of the bay and any...
s.sch007
”TAXIS” may be varied to “AMBULANCES” or “POLICE”.
s.sch007
The transverse line may be omitted— (a) from that part...
s.sch007
Where the marking is placed on a red route, the...
s.sch007
”STOP” may be varied to “STAND”.
s.sch008
The information of a description in column 2 of an...
s.sch009
The road marking may be varied as follows—
s.sch009
The road marking may be varied as follows—
s.sch010
If the road marking is placed to indicate where a...
s.sch010
(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where the backing board for the...
s.sch011
The number of taxis may be varied as appropriate and...
s.sch011
The time period may be omitted or varied in accordance...
s.sch011
The logo of a local tourist organisation may be added...
s.sch011
(1) The distance may be varied. (2) A second distance...
s.sch011
The legend “No.1” may be varied to another number, a...
s.sch011
(1) The legend may be omitted or varied to “Speed...
s.sch011
“not 24 hrs” may be omitted.
s.sch011
The name or location of the crossing in the top...
s.sch011
Place names, street names or the name of a geographical...
s.sch011
(1) Identification numbers of routes— (a) may be varied and...
s.sch011
When placed on a primary route the sign must be...
s.sch011
When placed on a non-primary route the sign must be...
s.sch011
When placed on a motorway the sign must be varied...
s.sch011
The reference or identification number and any route number may...
s.sch011
Letters, numerals and other characters incorporated into the sign need...
s.sch011
(1) The bus symbol may be omitted.
s.sch011
”BUS STOP” may be varied to “BUS STAND” and the...
s.sch011
”Tram” may be varied to “Request” and the face of...
s.sch011
Supplementary plates may be added to the sign to give...
s.sch011
(1) The place name may be varied.
s.sch011
(1) The place name may be varied.
s.sch011
(1) The place name may be varied.
s.sch011
(1) The place name may be varied as appropriate.
s.sch011
(1) The place name may be varied as appropriate.
s.sch011
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) the numeral “30” may be...
s.sch011
(1) An audible or tactile warning in the form of...
s.sch011
The notch may be omitted from the raised rib and...
s.sch011
The notch may be omitted from the raised rib and...
s.sch011
When used in circumstances other than shown in the diagram...
s.sch011
The curvature of the arrow may be varied.
s.sch011
One of the boundary lines must be omitted when—
s.sch011
The width of the longitudinal line may be varied to...
s.sch011
(1) The marking may be used on the off side...
s.sch011
The boundary line and edge of carriageway line may be...
s.sch011
(1) The direction of the chevrons must be reversed when...
s.sch011
The distance between each end of each bar to the...
s.sch011
The colour of the telephone symbol and arrow must be...
s.sch011
The wheelchair symbol may be omitted and the width of...
s.sch011
The permitted variants are— (a) the relative position of the...
s.sch011
”AND USE PHONE” may be varied to “AND USE SOS...
s.sch011
The width of the line may be 50 mm when...
s.sch011
”The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency” may be varied to—...
s.sch011
When placed on a non-primary route the sign must be...
s.sch011
The numerals may be varied.
s.sch012
A symbol provided for at item 19, 21, 22, 23...
s.sch013
The sign may only be placed— (a) to indicate or...
s.sch013
(1) The sign may only be placed in connection with...
s.sch013
(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) to (4), the sign may...
s.sch013
An amber light beacon may only be placed in combination...
s.sch013
A blue light beacon may only be placed—
s.sch013
Where an amber or blue light beacon or a warning...
s.sch014
Zebra crossings placed across a minor road in the vicinity of a junction with a major road
s.sch014
The road marking may only be placed—
s.sch014
The road marking may only be placed—
s.sch014
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the road marking may only...
s.sch014
The road marking may only be placed in conjunction with...
s.sch014
The signs may only be placed —
s.sch014
The sign may only be placed in connection with the...
s.sch014
The post provided for the mounting of the sign must...
s.sch014
The sign— (a) may only be placed in connection with...
s.sch014
The sign may only be placed in conjunction with—
s.sch014
(1) Zig-zag lines must be placed on the approaches to...
s.sch014
(1) A traffic authority may, pursuant to section 65(1) of...
s.sch014
(1) The placing of light signals and other signs at...
s.sch014
The indicator may only be placed in conjunction with the...
s.sch014
(1) This general direction applies where the lamp is specially...
s.sch014
(1) Equipment used in connection with the signals (including the...
s.sch015
The colour of the lamps referred to in paragraph 4...
s.sch015
(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where the sign provided for at...
s.sch015
Arrow may point upwards to the left.
s.sch016
(1) A variable message sign must be of a size...
s.sch016
One of the following legends may be displayed on a...
s.sch016
(1) A legend provided for in sub-paragraph (2) may be...
s.sch016
One of the following legends may be used on a...
s.sch016
(1) A legend provided for in sub-paragraph (2) may be...
s.sch016
(1) The following legends may be displayed on a variable...
s.016
Light signals above the carriageway (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- National Highways must ensure light signals meet height, design and display specificationsStatutory regulator
s.021
Significance of stripes and other road markings at Parallel crossings and in Parallel controlled areas (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
- Do not stop on Parallel crossings unless forced by circumstancesOperator
s.024
(1) A zig-zag line also conveys the requirement that whilst... (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
- Do not overtake or pass vehicles within a parallel controlled areaOperator
s.028
Automatic bollards (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
- Install automatic bollard indicators that meet specified size, colour and meaningAny Person
21 other provisions
Help complying
Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.
Complete guide to highway works compliance
End-to-end learning path for contractors new to highway works in England. Covers the legal framework, permit types, required qualifications, traffic management, reinstatement …
Highway works quick compliance check
Quick-check permit type, notice period, qualification requirements, and fixed penalty notice amounts before starting highway works. For experienced contractors who need a …
Set up traffic management for road works
How to plan and set up traffic management for road works in England, Wales, and Scotland. Covers Chapter 8 signing and guarding …
1 more guide that reference this instrument
Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.