No road markings sign: what it means

No road markings sign: a red rectangle with the words NO ROAD MARKINGS FOR 2 MILES in white
Image: Crown copyright, OGL

This red road works sign warns that there are no road markings for the distance shown, for example after the road has been resurfaced.

Take the free road signs quiz

What does the no road markings sign mean?

Know your traffic signs lists it as a temporary absence of road markings for the distance shown. Without centre lines and lane lines, it is harder to judge your position.

Quick quiz

What does the sign at the top of this page mean?

  1. Road works ahead.
  2. The line nearer to you decides if you may cross.
  3. There are no road markings for the distance shown.

Show answer

C. There are no road markings for the distance shown. It warns of a temporary absence of road markings (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: signs for road works and temporary situations, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK

Where will you see it?

On roads after resurfacing, before the lines have been painted.

What should you do?

Slow down, keep left and take extra care at junctions and bends.

What do people get wrong?

Overtaking as if the road had no restrictions. Without road markings, take extra care to judge whether overtaking is safe.

Common questions

Do the old rules still apply without lines?

Yes. Speed limits and the rules of the road still apply.

Why is the sign red?

Many temporary signs at road works are red with white words.

Compare with

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 (signs for road works and temporary situations).

  1. Know your traffic signs: signs for road works and temporary situations, GOV.UK
  2. 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.