No U-turns sign: what it means
The no U-turns sign means you must not turn your vehicle round to go back the way you came. The red bar shows the change of direction is banned.
What it means
Know your traffic signs explains that where a change of direction is prohibited, a red bar across the sign is used as well as the red circle. No right turn and no left turn signs work the same way.
If you have gone the wrong way, carry on until you reach somewhere you may turn round safely and legally.
Quick quiz
Which part of the no U-turns sign shows that the turn is banned?
- The white background
- The red bar across the arrow
- The black arrow
Show answer
B. The red bar across the arrow. Where a change of direction is prohibited, a red bar is used as well as the red circle. Source: The Highway Code, rule 109, GOV.UK; Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK; The Highway Code: traffic signs, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where you see it
At junctions and along roads where turning round is not allowed.
A common mistake
Thinking a quiet road makes a U-turn fine. The ban applies whatever the traffic, because rule 109 says you must obey signs that give orders.
Compare with
No entry signNo vehicles may go in from this side.
Mini-roundabout signGive way to traffic from your immediate right.
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Sources
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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.