Parking sign: what it means
The blue square with a white P marks a parking place. An arrow, a distance or other words on the sign can show where it is and who may use it.
What does the parking sign mean?
Rectangles give information. Know your traffic signs uses the P sign for the location of a parking place, sometimes with an arrow to the entrance, and for the distance to one ahead. Plates can show times, charges or who may park, such as permit holders or disabled badge holders.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Waiting limits apply in the whole zone.
- A parking place.
- No waiting or parking at the times shown.
Show answer
B. A parking place. A blue square with a white P shows a parking place (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: information signs, GOV.UK; Know your traffic signs: on-street parking control signs and road markings, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
At car parks, lay-bys, on-street parking bays and park and ride sites.
What should you do?
Read the whole sign before you park: times, charges, permits and any time limit. Check for nearby signs and road markings too.
What do people get wrong?
Seeing the P and not reading the plate. Many bays are for permit holders only, or have a time limit.
Common questions
Does a P sign mean parking is free?
Not necessarily. The plates on or under the sign show charges, times and who may park.
Can I park in a bay marked for permit holders?
Only if you have the permit, during the times shown. Outside those times, check the sign.
Compare with
Controlled parking zone signWaiting limits apply in the whole zone.
No waiting signNo waiting or parking at the times shown.
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 (information signs; on-street parking control signs).
- Know your traffic signs: information signs, GOV.UK
- Know your traffic signs: on-street parking control signs and road markings, 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.