MINISTRY OF WORKS Title: Road Markings No.

AND TRANSPORT STOP LINE AT STOP SIGN

OR TRAFFIC LIGHTS F1
TRAFFIC SIGNS MANUAL

COLOURS:

Road marking : WHITE

400

Number

DESCRIPTION:
The stop line is a continuous white line 400mm wide at right angles to the flow of the
traffic. It is recommended that all stop lines are reflectorised.

APPLICATION:
This line is used wherever there is a stop sign or a junction controlled by traffic light
signals. The line extends from the edge of the road to the centre line. If the length of the
line is 2.75 metres or less it should be extended across the whole road.

LOCATION:
The stop line will normally be marked in line with the edge of the through road
carriageway . A stationary vehicle in advance of the stop line will then be in the best
position to see in all directions at the junction. The stop line can be 500mm in advance
of the edge line if there is a risk of collision with through road traffic (see F10 for
diagram) . At traffic light junctions with pedestrian crossings, the stop line will be 1.5m
in advance of the F4 pedestrian crossing. Figure F3 shows the use of a stop line at a
signal-controlled junction.

VARIATION:
None.
MINISTRY OF WORKS Title:
GIVE WAY TO TRAFFIC
Road Markings No.

AND TRANSPORT ON MAJOR ROAD F2

OR ROUNDABOUT
TRAFFIC SIGNS MANUAL

COLOURS:
300 600

Road marking : WHITE

200
300
200

Number

DESCRIPTION:
The give way line is a double white line at right angles to the flow of traffic. The two
lines are 200mm wide with 600mm marks and 300mm gaps. It is recommended that
these lines be reflectorised.

APPLICATION:
This line is used at all junctions except those controlled by a stop sign. It is used where
there is a give way sign or a roundabout. It is also used in advance of a pedestrian
crossing type F3 where drivers must give way to pedestrians on the crossing. The line
extends from the road edge to the centre line of the road. If the length of the line is 2.75
metres or less it should be extended across the whole road.

LOCATION:
The give way line will normally be marked in line with the edge of the through road
carriageway or circulatory edge of a roundabout. The Give Way line can be 500mm in
advance of the edge line if there is a risk of collision with through road traffic (see F10
for diagram). At F3 type pedestrian crossings it will be 1.5m in advance of the crossing
markings. Figure F4 to F10 give examples of where give way transverse lines are used.

VARIATION:
None.
MINISTRY OF WORKS Title:
DRIVERS MUST GIVE WAY
Road Markings No.

AND TRANSPORT TO PEDESTRIANS F3

ON THE CROSSING
TRAFFIC SIGNS MANUAL

3000 or 3500
COLOURS:
500 to 1300

Road marking : WHITE stripes

500 to 700
500 to 700
500 to 1300

DESCRIPTION:
The uncontrolled pedestrian crossing is indicated by white paint markings the
dimensions of which depend upon the number of pedestrians using it, traffic speed and
the width of the road at that point. The width of the crossing will generally be of 3500
with a minimum of 3000 for pedestrian crossings which are little used. The stripe
nearest the kerb should be black.
APPLICATION:
The pedestrian crossing which is not controlled by traffic lights should be installed on a
busy road where it most benefits the pedestrian movements in the area. It is unlikely to
be justified if the average hourly two-way vehicle flow is less than 400 or the average
hourly crossing movements are less than 150. However, there may be circumstances
where it is safer to channel pedestrians to use one crossing point.

LOCATION:
The crossing should be installed where it most benefits pedestrian movements provided
that the crossing point has good visibility for both road users and pedestrians alike. The
width of the crossing will generally be of 2500 with a maximum of 5000 for a very busy
pedestrian crossing. Pedestrian crossing type B23 will be used in advance of the
crossing to warn drivers if the pedestrian crossing is on a National Highway.
Information C2 pedestrian crossing signs may be positioned at the crossing site. Figure
F9 gives an example of the layout of this type of pedestrian crossing.

VARIATION:
None.
MINISTRY OF WORKS Title:
PEDESTRIANS CAN
Road Markings No.

AND TRANSPORT CROSS WHEN THE F4

TRAFFIC IS STOPPED
TRAFFIC SIGNS MANUAL

2500 to 5000
COLOURS: 500 - 700
500
500

Road marking : WHITE

DESCRIPTION:
Pedestrian crossings controlled by traffic lights are marked by two 100mm wide broken
lines at right angles to the traffic flow with a 500mm mark and a 500mm gap. The width
of the crossing will generally be 2500 with a maximum of 5000 for a particularly busy
crossing.
APPLICATION:
The pedestrian crossing is controlled by E6 type pedestrian signals which are linked
into the phasing of traffic lights. They are justified at junctions where there are large
numbers of pedestrians crossing the road and also away from road junctions where
large numbers of pedestrians are regularly crossing a heavily trafficked road.

LOCATION:
B17 traffic light warning signs with possibly B23 pedestrian crossing signs will be used
in advance of the crossing. C2 pedestrian crossing signs can be attached below traffic
lights. Figure F3 and F9 give examples of the layout of this type of pedestrian crossing.

VARIATION:
None.
MINISTRY OF WORKS Title: Road Markings No.

AND TRANSPORT LANE LINE F5

TRAFFIC SIGNS MANUAL

100
(150)
COLOURS:
Urban Rural

1500 2000

Road marking : WHITE

4500 7000

DESCRIPTION:
Broken longitudinal white line 100/150mm wide (or 150mm where additional impact is
needed) along the centre line of the road. Lane lines have a 1.5 metre mark followed by
a 4.5 metre gap in urban areas and a 2 metre mark followed by a 7 metre gap in rural
areas.
APPLICATION:
This line is used to divide the carriageway into traffic lanes. On a two lane road it is
used as a centre line. Centre line markings are not usually used on roads with a
carriageway width of less than 5.5 metres. The line thickness will normally 100mm.
Where additional impact is required the line thickness should be increased to 150mm.

LOCATION:
The lane line markings are used on all roads of 5.5 metres or wider, where hazard lines
or barrier lines are not used, to mark the centre line and lane widths where additional
lines are delineated.

VARIATION:
None.
MINISTRY OF WORKS Title: Road Markings No.

AND TRANSPORT BARRIER LINE

DO NOT CROSS F6
TRAFFIC SIGNS MANUAL

100
(150)
COLOURS:

Road marking : WHITE

Number

DESCRIPTION:
Continuous longitudinal white line 100/150mm wide (150mm where additional impact
is needed) along the centre line of the road. It is recommended that these lines are
reflectorised.

APPLICATION:
The prohibition or barrier line is used to stop overtaking on sections of single
carriageway road where it is unsafe to do so. This is usually because it is not possible to
see far enough ahead. Overtaking should only be prohibited where it is clearly unsafe.
The table below gives details of where the barrier line is used and is related to the
visibility distance. Where a barrier line is used it should be a minimum of 100 metres in
length. If the calculated barrier line length is less than 100 metres, the ends of the
barrier line should be extended equally beyond the calculated length of the barrier line.

LOCATION:
Visibility distance below which a prohibition line is justified:

Road designation Visibility distance (m)

National road 120

Other roads 80

The visibility distance is measured along the centre line at a height of 1.05 metres above
the carriageway and should be checked wherever there is a bend, hill crest or dip in the
road.
VARIATION:
None.
MINISTRY OF WORKS Title: Road Markings No.

AND TRANSPORT HAZARD LINE

WARNING F7
TRAFFIC SIGNS MANUAL

100
(150)
COLOURS:
Urban Rural

2000 3000
Road marking : WHITE

4000 6000

DESCRIPTION:
Broken longitudinal white line 100mm wide (150mm where additional impact is
needed) along the centre line of the road. Hazard lines have a 4 metre line with a 2 metre
gap in urban areas and a 6 metre line with a 3 metre gap in rural areas. It is
recommended that these lines are reflectorised.
APPLICATION:
This line is a traffic lane marking for use where there is a hazard ahead. It tells drivers
that crossing the line, although not prohibited, may be dangerous. It is used as

• a centre line and lane line on the approach to junctions and pedestrian crossings,
• a centre line on the approach to the prohibition line.

The line thickness will normally be 100mm. Where additional impact is required the
line thickness should be increased to 150mm. If the calculated length of the hazard line
between two lengths of barrier line is less than 100 metres it should be replaced by a
continuous length of barrier line.
LOCATION:
Where it is used as an approach to a junction or pedestrian crossing it should be 40
metres long. Where it is used on the approach to a prohibition line the following
visibility distances are required:

Road designation Visibility distance (m)

National road 320

Other roads 180

VARIATION:
None.
MINISTRY OF WORKS TRAFFIC ISLAND -
Title: Road Markings No.

AND TRANSPORT DO NOT ENTER PAINTED AREA F8

EXCEPT IN AN EMERGENCY
TRAFFIC SIGNS MANUAL

COLOURS:

Road marking : WHITE

spacing
of lines
as F7
hazard line

Number
DIRECTION DIRECTION
OF TRAFFIC OF TRAFFIC
FLOW FLOW
o o

(see Figure F11) (see Figure F6)

DESCRIPTION:
The markings take the form of diagonal hatching bordered by a warning line and the
diagonals are angled to deflect traffic. The cross hatching should taper at a rate of 1 in
20 (or 1 in 30 where additional impact is required) until the full width is reached. It is
recommended that these markings are reflectorised.
APPLICATION:
The marking should be used to guide vehicles past a traffic island in the centre of the
carriageway. It may also be used on its own to form a ghost island which is an effective
means of providing a safe refuge for right turning vehicles. Cross hatching can also be
provided in the centre of the carriageway on a tight bend to help ensure vehicles do not
encroach into the opposite carriageway.

LOCATION:
The markings will normally be symmetrical about the road and will be constructed in
the locations noted above. Figure F5 gives an example of a ghost island.

VARIATION:
None.
MINISTRY OF WORKS Title: Road Markings No.

AND TRANSPORT EDGE OF CARRIAGEWAY F9

TRAFFIC SIGNS MANUAL

100
(150)
COLOURS:

2000
Road marking : YELLOW

2000

DESCRIPTION:
Edge of carriageway denoted by yellow road marking 100/150mm wide (150mm for
additional impact where needed) with a two metre mark and a two metre gap.

APPLICATION:
Edge markings are used to define the edge of the carriageway and as such are very
useful for drivers on unlit rural roads particularly at night.

LOCATION:
The line marks the edge of the carriageway.

VARIATION:
None.
MINISTRY OF WORKS EXTENDED TRANSVERSE LINE
Title: Road Markings No.

AND TRANSPORT (extended across side road junctions) F10

TRAFFIC SIGNS MANUAL
Can be 500mm in advance of the through road edge lines

COLOURS:
300 600 100

F11 No Parking line

(if required) F11 No Parking line
(if required)

Road marking : WHITE F10 Transverse line

F1 Stop line or F7 Hazard warning line

F2 Give Way line

DESCRIPTION:
The extended transverse line is a single white line 100mm wide extending across a side
road junction from the centre of the side road, in line with the F1 Stop line or F2 Give
Way line.

APPLICATION:
The line is used to indicate the extent of a side road junction beyond the Stop or Give
Way transverse line. It is used for two way roads and indicates that vehicles may turn
from the main road into the side road, crossing the extended transverse line. It is not
used at junctions controlled by traffic light signals.

LOCATION:
The line is marked in line with the front of the Stop line or Give Way line across side
road junctions.

VARIATION:
None.
MINISTRY OF WORKS Title: Road Markings No.

AND TRANSPORT NO PARKING F11

TRAFFIC SIGNS MANUAL

100
(150)
COLOURS:

Road marking : YELLOW

Number

DESCRIPTION:
Edge of carriageway road marking where parking is prohibited . The no parking
section is marked by a continuous yellow line 100/150mm wide.

APPLICATION:
The edge marking which prohibits parking is used when it would be dangerous for
vehicles to park and is also used to prohibit parking to prevent traffic congestion. A14
signs may be used to delineate the lengths of no parking.

LOCATION:
This line marking is used on tight bends and across bridges. In urban areas where
parking is prohibited it may be used in conjunction with A14 no parking signs. For
greater visibility the line can be marked along kerbs instead of the carriageway. Where
the marking is used across bridges it should be 150mm wide and extend for 30 metres
either side of the bridge.

VARIATION:
None.
MINISTRY OF WORKS Title: Road Markings No.

AND TRANSPORT TRAFFIC LANE ARROWS F12

TRAFFIC SIGNS MANUAL

500 190

COLOURS:
1000
1575
400
750
Road marking : WHITE
575
4000 350
425

Number 1860

300 300

DESCRIPTION:
Arrow markings for indicating which lane should be used. It is recommended that these
markings should be reflectorised.

APPLICATION:
Arrow markings are used to indicate to drivers which lane they should take when
approaching a junction. No more than two directions can be shown on one arrow.

LOCATION:
Two arrow markings per lane can be used, one 15 metres from the junction and a second
45 metres from the junction. On a higher speed road these distances should be
increased by 50%.

VARIATION:
Combinations of two directions can be shown on each arrow.