Width limit sign: what it means
The width limit sign means no vehicle wider than the width shown may go past it. Here the limit is 6 feet 6 inches.
What does the width limit sign mean?
Know your traffic signs says it bans vehicles over the maximum width shown, with the width shown in metric and imperial units. The arrowheads point sideways, across the circle. A red circle with arrowheads pointing up and down is a height limit instead.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- No vehicles taller than shown.
- No vehicles wider than shown.
- No vehicles over the weight shown on the bridge.
Show answer
B. No vehicles wider than shown. No vehicles over the maximum width shown (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
Before narrow lanes, gates, bridges and width restrictions with posts or kerbs.
What should you do?
Know how wide your vehicle is, including any trailer. If you are over the limit, take another route.
What do people get wrong?
Mixing up width and height limits. Width arrows point to the left and right; height arrows point up and down.
Common questions
How do I tell a width limit from a height limit?
On a width limit the arrowheads are at the sides of the number. On a height limit they are at the top and bottom.
Is there a length limit sign?
Yes. Know your traffic signs has a sign banning vehicles or combinations over the length shown.
Compare with
Height limit signNo vehicles taller than shown.
Weak bridge weight limit signNo vehicles over the weight shown on the bridge.
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).
- Know your traffic signs: regulatory signs, 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.