Trams only sign: what it means
The blue circle with a tram means the route is for trams only. You must not drive into it. Some versions also show a bus, a cycle or the word taxi where those may use it.
What does the trams only sign mean?
Rule 300 says you must not enter a road, lane or other route reserved for trams. Know your traffic signs says the sign may include the bus symbol, the cycle symbol or the word taxi where those vehicles may also use the tram route.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Trams cross the road ahead.
- Only buses, cycles and taxis may use this road.
- A route only for trams.
Show answer
C. A route only for trams. A blue circle with a tram marks a route for trams only (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: tram signs, signals and road markings, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 300, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 301, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
In cities with trams, at entries to tram-only streets and where trams leave the road onto their own track.
What should you do?
Do not follow a tram onto its route. Take extra care where tram tracks cross the road, and always give way to trams (The Highway Code, rules 300 and 301).
What do people get wrong?
Following a tram where it leaves the main road. Rule 300 warns about exactly this.
Common questions
Can buses use a trams only route?
Only if the sign also shows the bus symbol.
What do diamond-shaped signs near tram tracks mean?
They give instructions to tram drivers only (The Highway Code, rule 300).
Compare with
Trams crossing ahead signTrams cross the road ahead.
Buses, cycles and taxis only signOnly buses, cycles and taxis may use this road.
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 (tram signs, signals and road markings) and The Highway Code rules 300 and 301.
- Know your traffic signs: tram signs, signals and road markings, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 300, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 301, 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.