LGV Road Signs for LGVs — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a circular sign with a red border and the silhouette of a lorry mean?
- Lorry parking ahead
- No goods vehicles over the maximum gross weight shown (or 7.5 tonnes if no weight shown) (Correct answer)
- Lorry route ahead
- Lorries must stop and report
Correct answer: No goods vehicles over the maximum gross weight shown (or 7.5 tonnes if no weight shown)
A circular prohibition sign with a lorry silhouette prohibits goods vehicles exceeding the weight shown. If no weight is displayed, the restriction applies to vehicles over 7.5 tonnes maximum gross weight. These are commonly found on residential roads and in town centres.
Question 2: What does a triangular warning sign showing a lorry on a slope indicate?
- Lorry parking on a hill
- A steep hill ahead — the gradient percentage may be shown (Correct answer)
- Lorries must use a lower gear
- Lorry washing facility ahead
Correct answer: A steep hill ahead — the gradient percentage may be shown
This triangular warning sign indicates a steep hill ahead. The gradient percentage (e.g., 10% or 1 in 10) may be shown. LGV drivers should prepare by selecting a lower gear before the descent and engaging the retarder/exhaust brake.
Question 3: What does a rectangular blue sign with a white lorry symbol and an arrow indicate?
- No lorries allowed in the direction of the arrow
- A recommended or mandatory route for lorries in the direction shown (Correct answer)
- Lorry breakdown service in that direction
- Lorries must turn around
Correct answer: A recommended or mandatory route for lorries in the direction shown
Blue rectangular signs with a lorry symbol and arrow indicate a recommended or mandatory route for heavy goods vehicles. These guide HGVs onto appropriate roads and away from unsuitable routes such as narrow lanes or weight-restricted bridges.
Question 4: What does a sign showing '6'6"' with height indication mean for an LGV driver?
- A speed limit of 6.6 mph
- A low bridge or height restriction ahead — vehicles taller than the height shown must not pass (Correct answer)
- The road is 6.6 metres wide
- Maximum vehicle length of 6.6 metres
Correct answer: A low bridge or height restriction ahead — vehicles taller than the height shown must not pass
Height restriction signs (shown in feet and inches, and/or metres) indicate a low bridge or structure ahead. LGV drivers must know their vehicle's height and must not attempt to pass if their vehicle exceeds the restriction. Bridge strikes are costly and dangerous.
Question 5: What does a white circular sign with a diagonal black line through it mean?
- No parking
- National speed limit applies — for HGVs over 7.5t this means 50 mph on single carriageways, 60 mph on dual carriageways (Correct answer)
- End of all restrictions
- One-way street
Correct answer: National speed limit applies — for HGVs over 7.5t this means 50 mph on single carriageways, 60 mph on dual carriageways
The national speed limit sign means the national speed limit applies for the road type. For HGVs over 7.5 tonnes, this is 50 mph on single carriageways, 60 mph on dual carriageways, and 60 mph on motorways — NOT the 60/70 mph limits that apply to cars.
Question 6: What does an advance warning sign for a weight restriction look like?
- A red triangle with 'HEAVY' written inside
- A triangular warning sign with a weight limit plate showing tonnes and stating 'Weak bridge' or similar (Correct answer)
- A green square with a lorry symbol
- A yellow diamond with 'W' inside
Correct answer: A triangular warning sign with a weight limit plate showing tonnes and stating 'Weak bridge' or similar
Weight restriction advance warning signs are triangular with supplementary plates showing the maximum weight in tonnes. They may state 'Weak bridge' or give the distance to the restriction. Drivers must find an alternative route if their vehicle exceeds the limit.
LGV Road Signs for LGVs
What does a circular sign with a red border and the silhouette of a lorry mean?