Controlled parking zone sign: what it means
The controlled parking zone sign marks the entrance to a zone. Inside it, single yellow lines mean no waiting at the times on the entry sign, unless a plate shows other times. Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time.
What does the controlled parking zone sign mean?
Know your traffic signs says the entry sign shows the times when waiting is prohibited, and that yellow lines inside the zone usually have no time plates unless their times differ. If there is no lower panel with days and times, the zone operates at all times. Double yellow lines still mean no waiting at any time (rule 238).
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- No waiting or parking at the times shown.
- Single and double yellow waiting restrictions.
- Waiting limits apply in the whole zone.
Show answer
C. Waiting limits apply in the whole zone. The entrance to a controlled parking zone, with the times on the entry sign (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: on-street parking control signs and road markings, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 238, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
At the edges of town centres and residential areas near stations and shops.
What should you do?
Note the times on the entry sign as you drive in. Inside, do not wait or park on single yellow lines during those times, unless a plate by the line shows other times, or on double yellow lines at any time (rule 238). When you park in a bay, follow its own signs, which may have different times.
What do people get wrong?
Looking for a time plate by a yellow line inside the zone, finding none and parking. The times on the entry sign apply.
Common questions
Where do I find the times in a controlled parking zone?
On the entry sign. Yellow lines in the zone normally have no plates unless their times are different (Know your traffic signs).
What if the entry sign shows no times?
Then the zone operates at all times (Know your traffic signs).
Compare with
No waiting signNo waiting or parking at the times shown.
Yellow linesSingle and double yellow waiting restrictions.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 3 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (on-street parking control signs and road markings) and The Highway Code rule 238.
- Know your traffic signs: on-street parking control signs and road markings, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 238, GOV.UK
- Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Traffic sign images are Crown copyright, from the Department for Transport. Sources and image credits.