Traffic signs and road markings

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Overview

The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) is a regulatory document which details every traffic sign and road marking prescribed for use in Scotland.

Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions

The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) establishes directions and regulations relating to traffic signs and road markings. It is a regulatory document which details every traffic sign and road marking prescribed for use, and stipulates the conditions under which each sign may be used.

Powers over traffic signs were devolved to Scottish Ministers under the Scotland Act 2016. Prior to this the TSRGD was applied on a UK wide basis by the Department for Transport.

The UK Statutory Instrument TSRGD 2016 remains current in Scotland, subject to Amendments.

Following devolution of powers over traffic signs, secondary legislation has been introduced to enact Amendments to the TSRGD in Scotland. “The Traffic Signs Amendment (Scotland) Regulations and General Directions 2018” did not significantly deviate from regulations across the UK. “The Traffic Signs Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2022” was broader in scope and included (but was not limited to) the introduction of signs for Low Emission Zone schemes.

Guidance relating to the Amendment of 2022 is provided in the Transport Scotland publication:

Traffic signing in Scotland is to be in accordance with the TSRGD 2016 legislation and both of the associated Scottish Amendments.

Traffic signs manual

The traffic signs manual gives guidance on the use of traffic signs and road markings prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and covers Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is available on the UK Government website, where revised editions of the manual will be published as they are released.

Traffic signs manual - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Traffic signs working drawings

Traffic signs working drawings detail the design of all traffic signs from the TSRGD. The working drawings are for use by traffic sign professionals manufacturing traffic signs. The majority of working drawings in TSRGD are provided by the Department for Transport on the UK Government website:

Where Scotland-specific traffic signs and road markings have been introduced by Amendments, working drawings are provided here. All working drawings include illustrations of the sign and provide relevant dimensions, information relating to sign colours, and other associated notes.

The PDFs provided may not be fully accessible - we have described them in the text below:

Schedule 8 Part 2 Item 1A

Working drawing P 618.3BA (S) - Restricted Entry to a Pedestrian Zone (when lights show)

Schedule 8 Part 2 Item 2A

Working drawing P 618.3D (S) - Restricted Entry to a Pedestrian and Cycle Zone (when lights show)

Schedule 8 Part 4 Item 1

Working drawing P 680 (S) – Entrance to Low Emission Zone

Schedule 8 Part 4 Item 2

Working drawing P 895 (S) – Reminder within Low Emission Zone of Camera Enforcement

Schedule 8 Part 4 Item 3

Working drawing P 681 (S) – End of Low Emission Zone

Schedule 8 Part 4 Item 4

Working drawing P 1070 (S) – Low Emission Zone Road Marking

Schedule 11 Part 2 Item 21A

Working drawing P 823.1 (S), P 824.1 (S), P 825.1 (S) – Countdown Markers to Speed Limit Reduction

Schedule 12 Part 11 Item 37

Working drawing S 70 (S)  - Motorhome Service Point Symbol

Schedule 12 Part 17 Item 4

Working drawing T 304.1 (S) – Forestry and Land Scotland Tourist Symbol

Schedule 12 Part 20 Item 46

Working drawing S 69 (S) – Low Emission Zone Symbol

Schedule 12 Part 26 Item 6

Working drawing P 2308.1 (S) – Facilities Available at a Small Town or Village Reached from a Junction Ahead

Working drawings in PDF format

Non-prescribed traffic signs

The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) is a regulatory document which details every traffic sign and road marking prescribed for use in the UK. The TSRGD also stipulates the conditions under which each sign may be used.

Where there is no suitable prescribed sign in the TSRGD for a specific purpose, an application can be made to the Scottish Government for authorisation to use a specially designed Non-Prescribed sign in Scotland. Applications to use a Non-Prescribed sign or marking may only be made by the relevant Road Authority.

The following documents contain information on previously authorised Non-Prescribed signs (NPs) and the application process:

Approved non-prescribed traffic signs databases

 

Contact us:

E-mail: non-prescribedsigns@transport.gov.scot

Other Transport Scotland guidance and advice

This page provides references to other Transport Scotland guidance and advice, which is relevant to traffic signs and road markings in Scotland.

Background colour of directional signs

In accordance with Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions, directional signs with a green background are to be used on the all-purpose Primary Route network, and those with a white background on all other non-motorway routes.

Responses to the Local Government Reform (Shaping the Trunk Road Network) consultation in 1995, suggested that green signs should be retained exclusively for the trunk road network. A letter was issued in May 2019 to all Scottish local authorities to clarify the position regarding the background colour of directional signs on the Scottish road network. The letter confirmed that directional signs with a green background should be used exclusively on routes forming part of the trunk road network. Directional signs with a white background should be used on all other all-purpose routes.

This approach does not require immediate replacement of signs, and should be applied where signs are being replaced or new signs installed.

Guidance on the use of Bilingual (Gaelic – English) traffic signs in Scotland

Supplementary guidance (to be read with Traffic Signs Manual chapter 7 section 15) relating to the design of bilingual traffic signs, addressing sign face layout and the destinations to be signed.

The guidance is specific to the trunk road network, and local authorities can determine their own policies for the use of Gaelic destinations on signs on their local roads as appropriate.

Trunk road and motorway tourist Signposting Guidance

This document provides guidance primarily to Scottish tourism businesses on Transport Scotland’s responsibilities for brown tourist signs on Scotland’s strategic roads. The guidance is intended to help applicants to know if their business will be eligible for brown signs and to understand the process of applying to have signs erected.

The guidance is specific to the trunk road and motorway network.

Wildlife Signage - Position Statement

This paper is intended to inform managers, designers and stakeholders with an interest in the use of warning signs as a means of reducing the occurrences of wildlife casualties on Scotland’s roads. It sets out the rationale behind the adopted position of Transport Scotland in determining what signs are appropriate for installation with regard to wildlife.

Transport Scotland’s position on this matter makes reference to non-prescribed sign applications, and what might be deemed acceptable in appropriate circumstances. The information is therefore relevant to all public roads.