Prohibition signs

Prohibition signs: how to read them

This chapter teaches 4 signs from the official manual: Pedal cycles and pedestrians prohibited, Goods vehicles exceeding an indicated GVM, Width limit, Hawkers prohibited.

Read the wording and symbol on each sign carefully. They tell you who the sign applies to, where it applies and what you must do, and two signs that look alike can apply to different road users.

Key idea: Check who a sign applies to before deciding what it means for you.

Pedal cycles and pedestrians prohibited — R220

How to read it. This sign prohibits two kinds of road user together: pedal cycles and pedestrians. It tells them they may not go beyond it.

Where you meet it. At the beginning of or entrance to a carriageway, lane or path.

What to do. Cyclists and pedestrians must take a different route and may not go beyond this sign. As a driver, watch for cyclists and pedestrians who use the road despite the prohibition.

In practice. You are driving along a road where this sign shows at the entrance. Although it is meant to keep cyclists and pedestrians out, you stay alert in case someone still walks or rides there.

Easily confused. This sign covers both pedestrians and pedal cycles. The separate signs for no pedestrians or no cyclists each cover only one of them.

Key idea: Cyclists and pedestrians must use another route; drivers still watch for them.

Goods vehicles exceeding an indicated GVM — R230

How to read it. This sign carries a number. The number is a mass in tonnes, and goods vehicles whose mass is above it may not go beyond the sign.

Where you meet it. On any public road, lane, path or area.

What to do. If you drive a goods vehicle whose gross vehicle mass (GVM) or gross combination mass (GCM) is more than the number of tonnes on the sign, do not proceed beyond it. Check your vehicle's mass against the number.

In practice. A goods vehicle driver sees this sign with a tonnes figure at the entrance to a road. The vehicle's GVM is above that figure, so the driver does not go beyond the sign.

Easily confused. Do not confuse this with the command sign for goods vehicles exceeding an indicated GVM, which sets a road aside for them. This one keeps them out.

Key idea: Goods vehicle heavier than the tonnes shown: do not go beyond this sign.

Width limit — R239

How to read it. This is a width limit sign. The number on it is a width in metres, and it sets the vehicle width that may not be reached or exceeded.

Where you meet it. On any public road where the width of the road is limited.

What to do. If the overall width of your vehicle is more than the number of metres shown, do not enter. The official purpose text says you may only proceed if your vehicle's overall width is less than the width on the sign.

In practice. You are driving a wide load and come to a narrow part of road with this sign. You compare your vehicle's overall width with the metres figure before deciding whether you may go on.

Easily confused. This sign is about overall vehicle width, not height or length, which have their own limit signs.

Key idea: Compare your vehicle's overall width with the metres shown before entering.

Hawkers prohibited — R241

How to read it. This sign prohibits hawkers in the area it covers. The wording tells you the ban applies at any time of the day or night.

Where you meet it. On a public road where the road is narrow, near an intersection, or where a parked vehicle could block other drivers' view.

What to do. Do not stop or park for hawkers where this sign is displayed. The ban applies to every driver and at all hours, day and night. Its purpose is to keep hawkers out of the area.

In practice. You drive up to a narrow stretch near an intersection and see a hawker waving at passing cars. Because this sign is displayed, you do not stop or park to buy from the hawker.

Key idea: Do not stop or park for hawkers here, at any hour.

Quick recap

• Pedal cycles and pedestrians prohibited (R220): Cyclists and pedestrians must use another route; drivers still watch for them.
• Goods vehicles exceeding an indicated GVM (R230): Goods vehicle heavier than the tonnes shown: do not go beyond this sign.
• Width limit (R239): Compare your vehicle's overall width with the metres shown before entering.
• Hawkers prohibited (R241): Do not stop or park for hawkers here, at any hour.