Who may use the road

Who may use the road: how to read them

Some blue commands set a road, or part of a road, aside for particular users. If the sign names your type of road user, you may use it. If it does not, stay out. Others tell you to do something: pay a toll, switch on headlights, or use a particular route if your vehicle is heavy enough.

The important habit is to ask whether the sign is about you. A cyclists-only sign does not apply to a cyclist, but it applies to every motor vehicle. A mass command applies only to heavier vehicles.

Key idea: A blue sign tells the named users where they belong. Everyone else stays out.

Pedestrians only — R110

This route is for pedestrians.

Recognise it. A blue circle with a white pedestrian symbol.

Where you meet it. At the start of a road or part of a road set aside for people on foot.

What to do. Do not drive into it. Pedestrians may use only the part indicated.

In practice. A pedestrian street opens on your left with this sign. You keep your car out, take the carriageway meant for vehicles and expect people to cross at the corner.

Easily confused. It is the opposite of R218, which keeps pedestrians out. Here the space belongs to them.

Key idea: Do not enter with a motor vehicle.

Cyclists only — R111

This route is for pedal cycles.

Recognise it. A blue circle with a white bicycle symbol.

Where you meet it. At the start of a road or part of a road for cyclists.

What to do. Keep motor vehicles out of the cycle route. Cyclists may use only the part marked.

Why it exists. Separating cyclists from motor traffic reduces the chance of serious collisions. The sign tells drivers to keep out of the route.

In practice. A cycle route joins the road ahead. You stay on the carriageway, leave the cycle route to cyclists and check for riders before turning across it.

Easily confused. Not the same as a painted bicycle lane beside a normal road. This sign reserves the whole route.

Key idea: Keep motor vehicles out of the cycle route.

Shared pedestrian and cycle route — R112

This route is for pedestrians and cyclists, not motor vehicles.

Recognise it. A blue circle showing both a pedestrian and a bicycle on one route.

Where you meet it. At the start of a path or road part shared by people on foot and on bicycles.

What to do. Do not drive on it. Pedestrians and cyclists share the space and must look out for one another.

In practice. A shared path runs beside the road. You never drive onto it. You look both ways before you cross it at a driveway, because cyclists and walkers may be using the whole width.

Easily confused. R112 shares one path. R113–R115 show versions where the route is split, so look for which symbol sits on which side.

Key idea: Do not enter with a motor vehicle. Cyclists and pedestrians use the shown shared route carefully.

Motorcycles only — R116

Only motorcycles may use this route.

Recognise it. A blue circle with a white motorcycle symbol.

Where you meet it. At the beginning of a road or part of a road that is reserved for motorcycles.

What to do. Only riders may use it. Drivers of other vehicles must take another route.

Why it exists. Reserving a road for motorcycles separates riders from larger vehicles in places where that is safer or more efficient.

In practice. A short road is reserved for motorcycles. You are in a car, so you choose the next street and leave it for riders.

Easily confused. The reverse of the “motorcycles prohibited” sign (R222), which excludes riders instead.

Key idea: Use another route if you are driving a different vehicle.

Motorcars only — R117

This route is restricted to motorcars.

Recognise it. A blue circle with a white car symbol.

Where you meet it. At the beginning of a road or part of a road reserved for motorcars.

What to do. If you are driving a motorcar, use that part of the road. Other vehicle types need their own matching sign before they may use it.

In practice. A road is reserved for motorcars. You drive a motorcar, so you may use it. A minibus beside you does not match the sign and takes another route.

Easily confused. A sign naming your vehicle type permits you; it does not permit every vehicle.

Key idea: Check that your vehicle is in the permitted class.

Vehicles over indicated mass only — R102

The indicated route is for vehicles exceeding the displayed GVM or GCM.

Recognise it. A blue circle with a mass figure in tonnes (the sample artwork shows 10 t).

Where you meet it. On any public road where heavier vehicles are directed onto the indicated part of the road.

What to do. If your vehicle’s GVM or GCM exceeds the tonnes shown, use the part of the road this sign marks. Lighter vehicles use the part that is not marked.

In practice. Your goods vehicle’s GVM is above the tonnes shown. You use the part of the road this sign marks, while a light delivery van follows the other part.

Easily confused. GVM and GCM are the maximum mass the manufacturer specifies, not just today’s load. The red-bordered mass limit (R202) works the other way round.

Key idea: Compare the vehicle or combination’s specified gross mass with the shown figure; use the designated route only if the command applies.

Toll road — R132

A toll payment is required on this road.

Recognise it. A blue command sign for a toll route.

Where you meet it. Before a toll plaza, giving a last chance to take another way.

What to do. Decide early whether you will pay or take the alternative, and get into the correct lane in good time.

In practice. A toll sign appears 1 km before the plaza with an alternative shown. You decide early, move into the correct lane and have your payment ready instead of changing lanes at the last moment.

Easily confused. It is not a warning of a collection point alone: it commands you to pay on that route.

Key idea: Use the appropriate toll lane and obey its signals.

Switch headlights on — R133

Headlights must be switched on.

Recognise it. A blue circle with a headlamp symbol.

Where you meet it. On any road, especially before tunnels and in mountain areas.

What to do. Switch on dipped headlights so you can see and be seen.

Why it exists. Seeing and being seen matter most where the light changes quickly, such as tunnels and mountain roads. The command makes sure your lights are on.

In practice. Ahead is a mountain tunnel with this sign. You switch on dipped headlights before entering, so you can see and be seen as the light changes.

Easily confused. It is not permission to use main beam. When the matching “end” sign (R133-600) appears, this particular command ends, but your other lighting duties do not.

Key idea: Use dipped headlights and avoid dazzling other drivers.

Allowing and excluding

R110, R111 and R112 set routes aside for pedestrians, cyclists, or both. R116 and R117 reserve a road for motorcycles or cars. R102 directs vehicles over a stated mass onto a particular route. R132 gives you a last chance to take an alternative before a toll. R133 requires dipped headlights.

These are the reverse of red-bordered prohibitions, which exclude a class instead. The blue ones say who belongs.

Key idea: A blue sign tells the named users where they belong. Everyone else stays out.

Quick recap

• A blue sign names who may use the route.
• GVM and GCM are specified maximums, not today’s load.
• R133 means dipped headlights, not main beam.
• Take the toll decision before the lane choice.