Road Signs

The Highway Code gives examples of the most common signs in normal use. Details of current road signs can be found at on (opens in a new window) Directgov's Highway Code pages (opens in a new window).

Signs fall into certain groups

• Regulatory signs – signs with red circles.
• Warning signs – mostly triangular.
• Direction signs – mostly rectangular.  Stack and map types.
• Information signs – mostly rectangular 
• Road works signs

All signs on the highway must be authorised by the Highway Authority. Special signs are allowed with prior approval of the Department for Transport, or if they are experimental or under trial.

The Highway Authority provides direction signs to certain places. These are as follows:

• cities, towns and villages
• major airports
• hospitals
• stations
• cemeteries
• toilets
• car parks
• leisure centres. 

But not to:

• hotels, pubs, restaurants, garages or shops.   

Fingerpost Signing

Fingerpost signs are traditional signposts used primarily for giving direction to pedestrians. As the posts and wording are small to drivers, they are only used for vehicles when speeds and volume are low. 

On major, busy and fast roads where directions need to be large and clear, fingerpost signs are not used as the main direction signing.

Tourism Signing

Tourism signing provides an important opportunity for tourism, businesses and local economies, and will be implemented positively and constructively.  There is an advertising element as it helps to generate more impromptu visits. 

These signs are also there to safely guide safely those wishing to visit tourist destinations along the most appropriate route and to indicate facilities that a tourist would not expect to find in that location.   

For general enquiries on the provision of road signs contact:

• Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058

• email: Call.Centre@derbyshire.gov.uk