Red route clearway sign: what it means
The red route clearway sign means you must not stop for any purpose on the red route, at any time, except in marked lay-bys. That includes the verge and the footway.
What does the red route clearway sign mean?
Know your traffic signs says red route clearways have upright signs and no road markings, and stopping for any purpose is prohibited at all times except in marked lay-bys. Unlike a rural 24-hour clearway, the ban also covers the verge and the footway.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Parking is prohibited, but passenger drop-offs are allowed.
- No waiting or parking at the times shown.
- No stopping at all on a red route.
Show answer
C. No stopping at all on a red route. No stopping on the red route clearway, except in marked lay-bys (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: on-street parking control signs and road markings, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 240, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On main roads in cities such as London, usually repeated along the clearway.
What should you do?
Do not stop, not even to drop someone off or pick them up, unless you are in a marked lay-by. You must not stop or park on red lines on red routes unless signs say otherwise (rule 240).
What do people get wrong?
Stopping for a moment to let a passenger out. On a red route clearway that is not allowed.
Common questions
Can I drop off a passenger on a red route clearway?
No. Stopping for any purpose is prohibited except in marked lay-bys (Know your traffic signs).
What do red lines mean on a red route?
Red lines mean no stopping, not even to pick up or set down passengers, other than by a licensed taxi; a disabled badge holder may stop to let a disabled person in or out but must not park (Know your traffic signs).
Compare with
No stopping (clearway) signNo stopping at all, not even to drop off.
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 (on-street parking control signs and road markings) and The Highway Code rule 240.
- Know your traffic signs: on-street parking control signs and road markings, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 240, 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.