Pass either side sign: what it means
The pass either side sign means vehicles may pass on either side of the sign, or the island it stands on, to reach the same destination.
What does the pass either side sign mean?
Know your traffic signs says vehicles may pass either side to reach the same destination. It is a blue circle, so it is a positive instruction, but it lets you choose the side.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Pass on the left of the island or bollard.
- You may pass on either side to the same place.
- Give way to traffic from your immediate right.
Show answer
B. You may pass on either side to the same place. Vehicles may pass either side to reach the same destination (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On traffic islands and bollards where the road splits briefly and joins again.
What should you do?
Pick a side early, check your mirrors and signal if you change lane. Watch for traffic coming from the other side when the two lanes join again.
What do people get wrong?
Mixing it up with the keep left sign, which has one arrow pointing down to the left. With keep left you must pass on the left only.
Common questions
Does pass either side mean the roads go to different places?
No. Both sides lead to the same destination (Know your traffic signs).
Which sign means I must keep left?
A blue circle with one white arrow pointing down to the left.
Compare with
Keep left signPass on the left of the island or bollard.
Mini-roundabout signGive way to traffic from your immediate right.
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).
- Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, 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.