No articulated vehicles sign: what it means
The no articulated vehicles sign means articulated vehicles, such as articulated lorries, must not go past it.
What does the no articulated vehicles sign mean?
A red ring means a prohibition, and this one says it in words: no articulated vehicles. Know your traffic signs lists it among the regulatory signs.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Articulated lorries must not go in.
- Lorries over the weight shown must not go in.
- No vehicles longer than shown.
Show answer
A. Articulated lorries must not go in. The red ring with these words means no articulated vehicles (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 109, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On narrow roads, tight junctions and village streets where long articulated vehicles cannot turn safely.
What should you do?
Drivers of articulated vehicles must find another route. A car may go past.
What do people get wrong?
Thinking it is advice. It is an order in a red ring, and rule 109 says you must obey signs that give orders.
Common questions
Does the sign apply to cars?
No. It bans articulated vehicles only.
Is a red ring with words still an order?
Yes. A red ring means a prohibition whether it shows a symbol or words.
Compare with
No goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes signLorries over the weight shown must not go in.
Length limit signNo vehicles longer than 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 (regulatory signs) and The Highway Code rule 109.
- Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 109, 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.