Passing place sign: what it means
The passing place sign marks a space beside a narrow road where you can pull in to let oncoming traffic, or traffic behind you, go past.
What does the passing place sign mean?
Know your traffic signs lists it as “passing place on a narrow road”. Rule 155 says on single-track roads, pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite one on your right, when a vehicle comes towards you or the driver behind wants to overtake.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Pull in here to let others pass.
- A narrow road with passing places ahead.
- Oncoming traffic goes first through the narrow part.
Show answer
A. Pull in here to let others pass. It marks a passing place on a narrow road (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: information signs, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 155, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On single-track roads, often in Scotland, Wales and other rural areas.
What should you do?
Use it to let oncoming traffic or faster traffic behind you pass.
What do people get wrong?
Parking in a passing place. It is there so that vehicles can pass each other.
Common questions
What if the passing place is on the right?
Wait opposite it so the other vehicle can pull in, as rule 155 says.
Who should give way on a hill?
Rule 155 says give way to road users coming uphill whenever you can.
Compare with
Single track road signA narrow road with passing places ahead.
Give way to oncoming vehicles signOncoming traffic goes first through the narrow part.
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 (information signs) and The Highway Code rule 155.
- Know your traffic signs: information signs, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 155, 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.