No left turn sign: what it means
The no left turn sign means you must not turn left at the junction or entrance ahead. A plate below may limit the ban to certain times, or exempt some vehicles.
What does the no left turn sign mean?
A red ring or red circle means something you must not do, and the red bar across the arrow shows that this change of direction is banned (Know your traffic signs). Plates can exempt buses, taxis or cycles, or make it a part-time ban.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Do not turn right here.
- Do not turn left here.
- You must go the way the arrow points.
Show answer
B. Do not turn left here. A red circle with a red bar across a left-turn arrow bans left turns (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK; Know your traffic signs: bus and cycle signs and road markings, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 109, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
At junctions with one-way streets, bus-only roads or entrances where left turns are not allowed.
What should you do?
Plan another route. If a plate exempts some vehicles, check whether yours is one of them. You must obey signs that give orders (rule 109).
What do people get wrong?
Assuming the ban is only for lorries. It applies to all vehicles unless a plate says otherwise.
Common questions
What does a plate saying Except buses mean under a no left turn sign?
Buses may turn left; other vehicles may not. Know your traffic signs shows plates that exempt buses, taxis and cycles from such bans.
Is there a sign that orders me to turn left?
Yes. A blue circle with a white arrow is an order to go the way the arrow points.
Compare with
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 (regulatory signs; bus and cycle signs) and The Highway Code rule 109.
- Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK
- Know your traffic signs: bus and cycle signs and road markings, 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.