No vehicles carrying explosives sign: what it means
This sign means vehicles carrying explosives must not go past it. Other traffic may use the road unless another sign says otherwise.
What does the no vehicles carrying explosives sign mean?
Vehicles carrying explosives must not enter. Know your traffic signs identifies this restriction and explains that a red ring indicates a prohibition.
The sign concerns what a vehicle is carrying. It does not prohibit every vehicle. Rule 109 says drivers must obey signs that give orders.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Vehicles carrying explosives must not go in.
- Cars and motorcycles must not go in.
- Lorries over the weight shown must not go in.
Show answer
A. Vehicles carrying explosives must not go in. The sign prohibits vehicles carrying explosives (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 roads where vehicles carrying explosives are banned, with a No explosives plate below the red ring.
What should you do?
If your vehicle is carrying explosives, do not go past the sign. Other drivers can carry on.
What do people get wrong?
Do not read this as a ban on all vehicles. The restriction applies to vehicles carrying explosives.
Common questions
What does the No explosives road sign mean?
Vehicles carrying explosives must not enter (Know your traffic signs).
Does the No explosives sign ban every vehicle?
No. Know your traffic signs identifies it as a prohibition on vehicles carrying explosives.
Compare with
No motor vehicles signCars and motorcycles must not go in.
No vehicles signNo vehicles, except bicycles pushed by hand.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 5 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.