STOP/GO board at road works: what it means
At road works, a worker may hold a STOP/GO board. When it shows STOP, you must stop and wait until it turns to GO.
What does the STOP/GO board mean?
Know your traffic signs says that where two-way traffic is not possible, traffic is taken through in turn, known as shuttle working. For short lengths, manually operated STOP/GO boards at each end may be used. The Highway Code lists them as manually operated temporary STOP and GO signs.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Stop when the board shows STOP.
- Stop completely at the line, then give way.
- Road works ahead.
Show answer
A. Stop when the board shows STOP. Manually operated STOP and GO signs control traffic through road works (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: signs for road works and temporary situations, GOV.UK; The Highway Code: traffic signs, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 288, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
At short road works on single carriageway roads, with a worker at each end.
What should you do?
Stop at the board and wait. Move off only when it shows GO, and follow the route through the works.
What do people get wrong?
Following the car in front past the board after it has turned to STOP.
Common questions
Do I have to obey a STOP board held by a road worker?
Yes. Rule 288 says observe all signs at road works, and the board gives an order.
What if there are temporary traffic lights instead?
They work like permanent traffic lights. Know your traffic signs says a sign shows where to stop when the red signal shows.
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 (signs for road works and temporary situations) and The Highway Code (rule 288; traffic signs).
- Know your traffic signs: signs for road works and temporary situations, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code: traffic signs, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 288, 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.