Turn left sign: what it means
The blue circle with a white arrow means you must go in the direction the arrow points, here to the left. It is an order, not a suggestion.
What does the turn left sign mean?
A blue circle gives an order you must follow. Know your traffic signs describes this one as “proceed in direction indicated by the arrow”. The same sign with the arrow pointing up means ahead only, and pointing right means turn right.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- You must turn left at the junction ahead.
- Pass on the left of the island or bollard.
- You must go the way the arrow points.
Show answer
C. You must go the way the arrow points. A blue circle with an arrow means you must proceed in the direction shown (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 junctions and the ends of roads where only one direction is allowed, often opposite a no entry sign or where a road becomes one-way.
What should you do?
Go the way the arrow shows. You must obey signs that give orders (rule 109).
What do people get wrong?
Confusing it with a blue rectangle with an arrow, which only gives information, such as a one-way street. A blue circle is an order.
Common questions
Is a blue circle with an arrow an order?
Yes. Blue circles generally give a positive instruction (Know your traffic signs).
How is it different from the turn left ahead sign?
Turn left ahead warns that you must turn at the next junction. This sign orders you to go left here.
Compare with
Turn left ahead signYou must turn left at the junction ahead.
Keep left signPass on the left of the island or bollard.
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 (regulatory signs) and The Highway Code rule 109.
- Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 109, 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.