Stop police sign: meaning and rules

What does the stop police sign mean?

Know your traffic signs says vehicles must not go beyond this sign where it is displayed by a police officer or traffic warden. It is held up or put out for a short time, for example at an incident.

Quick quiz

What does the sign at the top of this page mean?

Stop completely at the line, then give way.
No vehicles may go in from this side.
Stop when a police officer shows this sign.

Show answer

C. Stop when a police officer shows this sign. Vehicles must not go beyond the sign when a police officer or traffic warden displays it (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 109, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK

Where will you see it?

At incidents, events and checks where a police officer or traffic warden is stopping traffic.

What should you do?

Stop before the sign and wait until the officer lets you go.

What do people get wrong?

Driving on because the road looks clear. While the sign is shown you must not go beyond it.

Common questions

Who can show this sign?

Know your traffic signs says it applies where it is displayed by a police officer or traffic warden.

Is there a similar sign at schools?

Yes. A school crossing patrol holds up a stop sign with a picture of children, and vehicles must not go beyond it either.

Compare with

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 (regulatory signs) and The Highway Code rule 109.

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.