Signals by Authorised Persons

Browse 15 signs in this category

15 signs

Police officers

Stop

Traffic approaching from the front

Traffic approaching from both front and behind

Traffic approaching from behind

To beckon traffic on

From the side

From the front

From behind* *In Wales, bilingual signs appear on emergency services vehicles and clothing

Arm signals to persons controlling traffic

I want to go straight on

I want to turn left; use either hand

I want to turn right

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency officers and traffic officers

Traffic officer

DVSA officer

School crossing patrols

Not ready to cross pedestrians

Barrier to stop pedestrians crossing

Ready to cross pedestrians, vehicles must be prepared to stop

All vehicles must stop

Who can direct traffic

Police officers, police community support officers, traffic officers, school crossing patrols and other authorised persons can direct traffic, and by law you must obey their signals — even when they contradict traffic lights, signs or road markings. If an officer is controlling a junction, their signals take priority over everything else.

The signals cover traffic approaching from the front, from behind and from the side, along with beckoning movements that tell a particular stream of traffic to move on. School crossing patrols use their circular stop sign to halt traffic for children, and you must remain stopped until the sign is lowered.

Theory test tip

In the theory test you may be shown a photograph of an officer mid-signal and asked what it means, so study each pose carefully — particularly the difference between stopping traffic from the front and stopping traffic from behind.