Signs that warn, and signs that instruct

Getting Your Learner Licence5 min readText and drawings only

Not every sign forbids something. Some are telling you what is coming so you can prepare, and some are giving you an instruction to follow. Confusing the two makes you brake when you should be positioning, or carry on when you should be slowing.

Triangle pointing up: something ahead, slow down Crossroads Traffic circle Pedestrians Children Gravel road Slippery roadA warning never tells you to stop. It tells you to be ready to.
Warning signs: something ahead, be ready.

An upward triangle with a red border is a warning. It never orders you to do anything. It tells you what is coming so you can ease off and be ready to react.

Blue circle: you MUST Keep left Straight only Cycles only Pedestrians Blue rectangle: information rather than instruction
Blue circle means you must.

Blue is the colour of instruction. A blue circle tells you what you must do, such as keep left or proceed straight only. A blue rectangle is gentler again: it is giving you information rather than an order.

Before you move on

  • Treat an upward triangle as a signal to slow down and look, not to stop
  • Read blue as an instruction and red as a prohibition
  • Notice the difference between a blue circle and a blue rectangle

Check what you know

3 questions. Have a look at what this lesson asks.

1. What is a warning sign telling you to do?

2. A blue circle with a white arrow pointing left is telling you what?

3. What is the difference between a blue circle and a blue rectangle?

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