Keep apart 2 chevrons sign: what it means
This sign tells you to keep at least two chevron markings between you and the vehicle in front. It gives a safe distance at 70 mph.
What does the keep apart 2 chevrons sign mean?
Know your traffic signs says the chevrons painted in the lanes are 40 metres apart, and keeping 2 between your vehicle and the one in front gives a safe driving distance at 70 mph.
Rule 126 says to leave at least a two-second gap on high-speed roads, doubled on wet roads.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- The motorway ends in 1 mile.
- Keep at least two chevrons from the vehicle in front.
- There is no hard shoulder for the distance shown.
Show answer
B. Keep at least two chevrons from the vehicle in front. Keeping 2 chevrons apart gives a safe distance at 70 mph (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: motorway signs, signals and road markings, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 126, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On some motorways, with chevrons painted in the lanes.
What should you do?
Drop back until you can see at least two chevrons between you and the vehicle in front.
What do people get wrong?
Keeping two chevrons in the wet. The gap should be at least doubled on wet roads (rule 126).
Common questions
How far apart are the chevrons?
40 metres, according to Know your traffic signs.
Is two chevrons always enough?
It is a safe distance at 70 mph in good conditions. Leave more in rain, ice or fog.
Compare with
End of motorway in 1 mile signThe motorway ends in 1 mile.
No hard shoulder signThere is no hard shoulder for the distance shown.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 4 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (motorway signs, signals and road markings) and The Highway Code rule 126.
- Know your traffic signs: motorway signs, signals and road markings, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 126, 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.