PCV Traffic Signs and Road Markings 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: You see a circular sign with a red border showing '7.5T' with a lorry symbol. What does this sign mean for your PCV?

No vehicles over 7.5 tonnes maximum gross weight (Correct answer)
Advisory weight limit for lorries only
Speed limit of 7.5 mph
Minimum weight requirement

Correct answer: No vehicles over 7.5 tonnes maximum gross weight

A circular sign with a red border showing '7.5T' and a goods vehicle symbol means no vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum gross weight are permitted. However, this typically applies to goods vehicles, and PCV drivers should check if exemptions apply for scheduled bus services.

In the UK, circular signs with red borders indicate prohibitions or restrictions. Weight restriction signs show the maximum gross vehicle weight permitted on that road. While these primarily target goods vehicles, PCV drivers must also check if their vehicle exceeds the stated weight limit. Some weight-restricted roads have exemptions for local buses on scheduled services, but this is not automatic. Ignoring weight restrictions can lead to prosecution and may cause damage to weak bridges, old roads, or residential areas the restriction was designed to protect.

Question 2: What do double yellow lines at the edge of the road indicate?

No parking at any time
No waiting at any time (Correct answer)
Parking for residents only
Loading permitted at all times

Correct answer: No waiting at any time

Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time. This is more restrictive than a parking prohibition as it prevents stopping to wait, though brief stops for boarding and alighting passengers on a scheduled bus service may be permitted.

Double yellow lines painted along the edge of the carriageway indicate that waiting is prohibited at all times. For PCV drivers, this is important because it affects where you can stop to pick up or set down passengers. Buses operating scheduled services may stop briefly at designated bus stops even on double yellow lines, but only for as long as necessary to pick up or set down passengers. Private hire coaches and non-scheduled services do not have this exemption. Loading restrictions are shown separately by kerb markings (yellow hash marks on the kerb edge).

Question 3: You approach a triangular sign showing two arrows pointing in opposite directions. What does this warn you about?

Dual carriageway ahead
Two-way traffic on the route ahead (Correct answer)
Road narrows on both sides
Crossroads ahead

Correct answer: Two-way traffic on the route ahead

A triangular warning sign with two arrows pointing in opposite directions warns of two-way traffic ahead. This is commonly seen when leaving a one-way street or dual carriageway.

This warning sign is particularly important for PCV drivers. When driving a large vehicle on a road that changes from one-way to two-way traffic, you need to be prepared for oncoming vehicles. On narrow roads, a bus or coach may need to give way to oncoming traffic as there may not be enough room for two large vehicles to pass. This sign is commonly found at the end of dual carriageways, where traffic merges into a single carriageway, and at the exit of one-way systems. PCV drivers should reduce speed and position their vehicle carefully when seeing this sign.

Question 4: What does a blue circular sign with a white bus symbol indicate?

Bus stop ahead
Bus lane - buses only (Correct answer)
No buses permitted
Bus parking area

Correct answer: Bus lane - buses only

A blue circular sign with a white bus symbol indicates a bus lane that is reserved for buses (and possibly other permitted vehicles such as taxis and cyclists, depending on additional markings).

Blue circular signs give positive instructions, unlike red circular signs which show prohibitions. A bus lane sign tells you that the marked lane is reserved for buses and possibly other specified vehicles. The sign may include operating hours (e.g., 'Mon-Fri 7-10am 4-7pm') and other permitted vehicles. Outside the stated hours, the lane is available to all traffic. PCV drivers should always use bus lanes when available during operating hours, as they help maintain schedule reliability. Cameras often enforce bus lane restrictions, and unauthorised vehicles face penalty charge notices.

Question 5: You see a road marking consisting of a white triangle pointing towards you. What does this mean?

You have priority
Give way to traffic on the major road (Correct answer)
Road narrows ahead
Speed bump ahead

Correct answer: Give way to traffic on the major road

A white triangle road marking pointing towards your vehicle means 'give way'. You must give priority to traffic on the road you are joining and wait until it is safe to proceed.

The give way triangle painted on the road surface reinforces the triangular give way sign at the junction. For PCV drivers, this is especially important because large vehicles need more time and space to pull out into traffic. You must assess gaps in traffic carefully, considering your vehicle's slower acceleration. At busy junctions, you may need to wait longer than a car would for a suitable gap. The road marking is accompanied by a broken white line across the carriageway (a give way line). You must not cross this line until it is safe to enter the major road.

Question 6: What does a rectangular blue sign with 'P' and a bus symbol indicate?

Pay and display parking for buses
Bus and coach parking area (Correct answer)
Police parking only
Bus priority lane ahead

Correct answer: Bus and coach parking area

A rectangular blue sign showing 'P' with a bus symbol indicates a designated parking area for buses and coaches. These are important for coach drivers who need to find legal parking in town centres.

Blue rectangular signs are informational signs on UK roads. A bus/coach parking sign directs PCV drivers to designated areas where they can legally park their vehicles. These are particularly important in city centres and tourist destinations where parking a large vehicle is otherwise very difficult. Coach drivers must use designated parking areas rather than parking on streets where their vehicle could obstruct traffic or create hazards. Many towns now have specific coach drop-off points near attractions separate from the parking areas, allowing passengers to be dropped off conveniently before the coach moves to the parking area.

PCV Traffic Signs and Road Markings 2

You see a circular sign with a red border showing '7.5T' with a lorry symbol.
What does this sign mean for your PCV?