When red light shows wait here sign: what it means
This sign marks where you must stop when temporary traffic lights show red. It normally takes the place of a painted stop line.
What does the when red light shows wait here sign mean?
This sign marks the stopping point when temporary traffic lights show red. Know your traffic signs says a sign normally replaces the painted stop line at portable signals.
These lights may control road works where traffic must take turns to pass through. They work in the same way as permanent traffic lights. The sign tells you where to wait, so do not continue beyond it when red shows.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Oncoming traffic goes first through the narrow part.
- At temporary lights, stop here on red.
- The temporary restrictions end here.
Show answer
B. At temporary lights, stop here on red. The sign marks the point beyond which vehicles should not proceed when temporary signals show red (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: signs for road works and temporary situations, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
At road works controlled by portable traffic lights, including sites where traffic takes turns to pass through.
What should you do?
Stop at the sign when the red light shows. Do not drive beyond the marked waiting point.
What do people get wrong?
The absence of a painted stop line does not mean you can choose where to wait. The sign marks the stopping point.
Common questions
Where do I stop at temporary traffic lights without a stop line?
Stop at the sign marking the waiting point when red shows. Know your traffic signs says a sign normally replaces the road marking.
Do temporary traffic lights work like normal lights?
Yes. Know your traffic signs says portable traffic signals operate in the same way as permanent traffic signals.
Compare with
STOP/GO board at road worksStop when the board shows STOP.
Traffic lightsRed, red and amber, green, amber: what each means.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 5 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (signs for road works and temporary situations).
- Know your traffic signs: signs for road works and temporary situations, 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.