Road Markings
Road markings give drivers, riders and pedestrians essential information directly on the road surface,
such as lane positions, priority, parking rules and where you must not stop. This page explains what these road
markings mean, how to recognise them quickly, and links to every individual marking in this category so you can
revise them for your car theory test, motorcycle theory test, HGV / LGV theory test, PCV
theory test, or ADI Part 1 theory test.
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What are road markings?
Road markings are part of the UK road and traffic sign system used to give drivers and riders clear, helpful
details about lane positions, junction priorities, parking, crossings and where you must not stop. They help you
understand which lane to use, when you can overtake, where you must give way and when restrictions start or end,
so you can plan your journey safely and confidently.
You'll usually see:
- Centre lines and edge lines showing the middle and edges of the road and whether overtaking
is allowed.
- Give way and stop lines at junctions, roundabouts and crossings to show where you must stop
or give priority.
- Yellow zig-zags, box junctions and hatched areas indicating places where stopping or waiting
is restricted or prohibited.
- Lane arrows and wording such as 'BUS LANE', 'SLOW' or directional arrows to guide you into
the correct lane.
Understanding these road markings is essential if you regularly drive on unfamiliar roads, in busy towns and
cities or near schools and junctions - and they can all appear in your DVSA driving theory test and hazard
perception test.
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markings.
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Source: Department for Transport - Know Your Traffic Signs. Contains public sector
information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.