Yellow lines: what they mean

Yellow lines diagram: a road with double yellow lines along the left kerb and a single yellow line along the right kerb
Image: Crown copyright, OGL

Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time. A single yellow line means no waiting during the times shown on nearby plates or zone signs.

Take the free road signs quiz

Last checked against the sources: · Report a mistake

What it means

The Highway Code: waiting restrictions shown by yellow lines apply to the carriageway, pavement and verge. You may stop to load or unload (unless there are loading restrictions too) or while passengers get in or out. Rule 238: double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time, even if there are no upright signs.

For a single yellow line, check the nearby yellow plate or the entry sign of a controlled parking zone. If no days are shown, the restriction applies every day, including Sundays and bank holidays. Yellow marks on the kerb mean loading restrictions; check the white plates for the times.

Where you see it

Along the edge of the road, parallel to the kerb. In some environmentally sensitive areas the lines may be a paler yellow and narrower (Know your traffic signs).

A common mistake

Assuming a single yellow line is free in the evening or on Sundays. The times are on the plate or the zone sign, and with no days shown it applies every day.

Quick quiz

What do double yellow lines mean?

  1. No waiting at any time
  2. No waiting on weekdays only
  3. No stopping, not even to drop off
Show answer

A. No waiting at any time. Rule 238: double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time, even if there are no upright signs. Source: The Highway Code, rule 238, GOV.UK; The Highway Code: road markings, GOV.UK; Know your traffic signs: on-street parking control signs and road markings, GOV.UK

Compare with

Next in road markings: Hatched markings. See all road markings or the full road signs list.

Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.

Sources

  1. The Highway Code, rule 238, GOV.UK
  2. The Highway Code: road markings, GOV.UK
  3. Know your traffic signs: on-street parking control signs and road markings, 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.