White arrow lane control signal: what it means
A white diagonal arrow at a lane control signal means the lane is closed ahead. Move to the next lane in the direction of the arrow.
What does the white arrow lane control signal mean?
Know your traffic signs says a white diagonal arrow means that the lane is closed ahead and traffic should move to the next lane on the left. The Highway Code lists it as change lanes in the direction shown.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- The lane closes ahead: move to the next lane.
- This lane is closed to you.
- This lane is open to you.
Show answer
A. The lane closes ahead: move to the next lane. A white diagonal arrow means the lane closes ahead: move to the next lane (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: tidal flow lane control signs and signals, GOV.UK; The Highway Code: light signals controlling traffic, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
Above lanes on roads with lane control signals.
What should you do?
Check mirrors, signal and move into the next lane in good time.
What do people get wrong?
Staying in the lane until you reach the red cross.
Common questions
Which way should I move?
In the direction the arrow points.
What comes after the white arrow?
Usually a red cross over the closed lane.
Compare with
Red cross lane control signalThis lane is closed to you.
Green arrow lane control signalThis lane is open to you.
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 (tidal flow lane control signs and signals) and The Highway Code (light signals).
- Know your traffic signs: tidal flow lane control signs and signals, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code: light signals controlling traffic, 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.