Double bend sign: what it means
The double bend sign warns of two bends close together ahead, the first one to the left. If the symbol is reversed, the first bend is to the right.
What does the double bend sign mean?
Triangles warn of a hazard ahead. Know your traffic signs describes this one as a double bend, first to the left (right if the symbol is reversed). It can also mean a series of bends.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Two bends ahead, the first to the left.
- The road bends ahead, here to the right.
- A side road joins on a bend ahead.
Show answer
A. Two bends ahead, the first to the left. A double bend ahead, first to the left (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 154, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 166, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On country roads, hills and approaches to bridges, where the road twists. A speed plate below may advise a lower speed.
What should you do?
Slow down before the first bend, not in it. Keep well to the left, and do not overtake: rule 166 says not to overtake when approaching a corner or bend. Rule 154 warns that bends on country roads can be sharper than they appear.
What do people get wrong?
Braking hard in the middle of the bend. Brake on the straight before it, then steer smoothly round.
Common questions
What does a double bend sign with the symbol reversed mean?
The first bend is to the right instead of the left (Know your traffic signs).
Can I overtake between the two bends?
It is not a good idea. You cannot see far enough ahead, and The Highway Code says not to overtake when approaching a corner or bend (rule 166).
Compare with
Bend ahead signThe road bends ahead, here to the right.
Junction on a bend signA side road joins on a bend ahead.
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 (warning signs) and The Highway Code rules 154 and 166.
- Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 154, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 166, 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.