This page is under construction, and perhaps always will be. It is intended to help those mappers in the UK that are new to the project, or those more experienced but encountering something new to them, work out what is probably the best way to tag it.

Please note: This is intended as a guide based on what contributors to the page think is best. There may be other equally acceptable alternatives - if so add them to this page with an "or" separator, or discuss first on the discussion page.

Please also note: Some of the tags here may not appear in Map Features and are suggestions instead to cover a requirement. As a result some validator tools may highlight them as errors to be checked.

Warning signs (generally triangular)

Note: Not many warning signs are currently shown here, as there doesn't seem to be much in information on how to tag them. In the longer term, many warnings will apply to a section of road between similar warning signs at either end of the section (such as "Wild Animals"), but there doesn't seem to be a wild_animals=yes tag at present. Feel free to add more warning signs with a suggested tagging method.

Sign	Description	Tags/Comments
510	Roundabout	See `junction=roundabout` on how to tag the roundabout itself.
611.1	Mini Roundabout	Add `highway=mini_roundabout` to the intersection node where the mini roundabout is located. Also add `direction=clockwise`.
516	Road narrows on both sides ahead	Add `traffic_calming=choker` on the part of the way
523.1	Steep hill downwards	`incline=%age` Note: in OSM the percentage is +ve or -ve to indicate up or down relative to the direction the way has been drawn. See Key:incline. The tag should be applied between the warning of steep hill downwards at the top and (if present) the warning further down the hill of steep hill upwards for oncoming traffic.
524.1	Steep hill upwards	`incline=%age` Note: in OSM the percentage is +ve or -ve to indicate up or down relative to the direction the way has been drawn. See Key:incline
530	Height restriction warning	`maxheight=14′6″` Where only imperial dimensions are given it is recommended that the tag value be entered exactly as is on the sign, which is likely to always include inches even if they are 0. A conversion to a metric height is unlikely to be the same as the limit imposed if the restriction is later updated to a dual units sign, as there are rules to do with rounding that are used for safety reasons.
543	Traffic Lights	See `highway=traffic_signals` on how to tag the traffic lights.
545	Children Crossing / Playing	Using the proposed Hazard scheme something like `hazard=children` to a way/node.
549	Sheep	Using the proposed Hazard scheme something like `hazard=sheep` to a way/node.
548	Cattle	Using the proposed Hazard scheme something like `hazard=cattle` to a way/node.
550.1	Horse Riders	Using the proposed Hazard scheme something like `hazard=horse_riders` to a way/node.
552	Cattle Grid	Mark a node on the way where the grid is located and tag it as `barrier=cattle_grid`
557	Slippery Road	Using the proposed Hazard scheme something like `hazard=slippery_road` to a way/node.
528	Hump Back Bridge	Mark the bridge with `bridge=humpback`
559	Falling Rocks	Using the proposed Hazard scheme something like `hazard=falling_rocks` on a way/node.

Regulatory signs (generally round)

Speed limit signs

Sign	Description	Tags/Comments
670V50	Maximum speed	`maxspeed=50 mph` Note: While units are (usually) mentioned as being allowed in Map Features, there is a time when they weren't and some mappers tried tagging with just a number based on the speed converted to km/h (with no units, maxspeed is in km/h) with various different roundings, most of which didn't match those posted on signs at exits of ports. It is therefore better to add the mph suffix to be precise. Note: When a speed limit begins at a T-junction, the sign may be up to 20 metres from the start of the limit. It's not correct to tag a short way with the same limit as the main road!
671	National speed limit	`maxspeed=60mph` + `maxspeed:type=GB:nsl_single` or `maxspeed=70mph` + `maxspeed:type=GB:nsl_dual` or `maxspeed=70mph` + `maxspeed:type=GB:motorway` The relevant national speed limit applies. For cars, this is currently 70 mph on motorways and dual carriageways, 60 mph on non-motorway single carriageways, including street-lit roads - but only when signed with the national speed limit sign. Because the national limit varies by road type and vehicle type, and because Parliament could change the limit in future without all signs needing changing, it was previously suggested that it might be better to use maxspeed=national rather than maxspeed=60 mph (or whatever) in case any future changes then force a resurvey of every way tagged with =60 mph. The current recommendation is to tag the highest limit across all vehicle types using the maxspeed key and then add a maxspeed:type key with country-specific values, such as GB:nsl_single or GB:nsl_dual (the non-standard country code "UK" is also seen in places). This has the benefits that clients such as the OSRM Open-source Routing Machine can simply use the maxspeed key (but could additionally support country-specific, vehicle-specific maximum speeds), but still permit the update of country-specific national speed limits non-ambiguously.
672	Minimum speed	Vehicles must keep their speed above the stated minimum speed. `minspeed=30 mph`
674	Entering 20mph zone	`maxspeed=20 mph` 20 zones tend to be residential areas with traffic calming measures, with a 20 mph maximum speed throughout the zone. At the exits from the zones there is a different sign which indicates both the end of the 20 mph limit and what the new speed limit is beyond the zone. Unlike ordinary 20mph limits, 20 zones are intended to be self-enforcing by the traffic calming system. Note: The similar-looking 'Twenty's Plenty' signs (with a green, not red, circle) are not legal limits and should be signed with `maxspeed:advised=20mph`.

Vehicular type restrictions

Sign	Description	Tags/Comments
619	No motor vehicles	`motor_vehicle=no`
617	No vehicles except bicycles being pushed	`vehicle=no` `foot=yes` A bicycle=dismount tag may be useful to show cyclists can still use the way if they push their bicycle.
619.1	No motor vehicles except solo motorcycles	`motor_vehicle=no` `motorcycle=yes`
619.2	No motorcycles	`motorcycle=no`
622.7	No towed caravans	`caravan=no`
951	No cycling	`bicycle=no`
625.1	No pedestrians	`foot=no`
952	No vehicles designed to carry more than 8 passengers (excluding driver) or local buses	`bus=no`
622.6	No ridden or accompanied horses	`horse=no`
622.5	No horse-drawn vehicles	`horse_drawn=no`
622.4	No articulated vehicles	`articulated=no`
622.1A	No goods vehicles exceeding maximum gross weight shown (in tonnes)	`maxweight=7.5` or, to perhaps tag more precisely `maxweight:hgv=7.5` See also Size/weight restrictions below
622.8	No vehicles carrying explosives	`access:explosives=no` I can't find any relevant tags mentioned in the wiki, so have used the access:prefix to suggest that it is access that is prohibited by the carrying of explosives, rather than just have explosives=no (as per discussion here

Size/Weight restrictions

Sign	Description	Tags/Comments
629.2A	Maximum height (metric and imperial)	`maxheight=4.4` Where both metric and imperial dimensions are given it is recommended that the metric version be used, which is the default unit for the tag. The metric height is unlikely to be an exact conversion of the imperial.
629.2	Maximum height (imperial only)	`maxheight=14'6"` Where only imperial dimensions are given it is recommended that the tag value be entered exactly as is on the sign, which is likely to always include inches even if they are 0. A conversion to a metric height is unlikely to be the same as the limit imposed if the restriction is later updated to a dual units sign, as there are rules to do with rounding that are used for safety reasons.
629A	Maximum width (metric and imperial)	`maxwidth=2.0` Where both metric and imperial dimensions are given it is recommended that the metric version be used, which is the default unit for the tag. The metric width is unlikely to be an exact conversion of the imperial.
629	Maximum width (imperial only)	`maxwidth=6'6"` Where only imperial dimensions are given it is recommended that the tag value be entered exactly as is on the sign, which is likely to always include inches even if they are 0. A conversion to a metric width is unlikely to be the same as the limit imposed if the restriction is later updated to a dual units sign, as there are rules to do with rounding that are used for safety reasons.
626.2AV2	Maximum weight	`maxweight=7.5` It is believed maximum weight limit are all signposted in metric, which is the default for this tag.
629.1	Maximum length (imperial only)	`maxlength=32'6"` Where only imperial dimensions are given it is recommended that the tag value be entered exactly as is on the sign.

Give way and stop signs

Sign	Image	Description	Tags/Comments
602		Give way	`highway=give_way` before the junction
601.1		Stop	`highway=stop` before the junction

Turn restrictions

Note: It should not be necessary to tag restrictions such as no left turn where the destination which is prohibited is oneway in such a way that it would be no entry from that end anyway. Turn restriction relations are more for use in situations such as no right turn onto a busy twoway road from a side road. In other words it isn't necessary to add a turn restriction relation every time there is a sign (though there should be no harm in doing so if correctly tagged and not contradicting other tags).

Sign	Description	Tags/Comments
613	No left turn	See Relation:restriction for details.
612	No right turn	See Relation:restriction for details.
614	No U turn	See Relation:restriction for details.

Other Prohibitory signs

Sign	Description	Tags/Comments
616	No entry	when the direction of the way is the same as the driving direction: `oneway=yes` when the direction of the way is the opposite of the driving direction: `oneway=-1`
642	No Stopping	Currently the tag with the most uses is `parking:lane:both=no_stopping` (or parking:lane:left / parking:lane:right, whichever is applicable, depending on the direction of the way, and on the side for which the restriction applies to). Previously suggested tags include `stopping=no` on the way, or `traffic_restriction=no_stopping` as suggested by Jonathan Bennett on the talk-gb list, the latter being the more common one of these two at the moment.
632	No Overtaking	Use the overtaking tag. See wiki page for details

Cycle and Pedestrian signs

Tags for cycle tracks drawn as a separate way
Description	Classic tagging style	Alternative tagging style
Shared cycle/pedestrian path	`highway=cycleway`	`highway=path`; `foot=designated`;`bicycle=designated`; `surface=paved`
Segregated cycle/pedestrian path	`highway=cycleway`; `segregated=yes`	`highway=path`; `foot=designated`; `cycleway=lane`; (implies `bicycle=designated`) `surface=paved`
Cycle only path (not intended for pedestrians)	`highway=cycleway`; `foot=no`*	`highway=path`; `bicycle=designated`; `foot=no`*; `surface=paved`

* : The route is not intended for pedestrians, but use is not prohibited. Before tagging as foot=no please check that there is a convenient alternative route for pedestrians nearby (e.g. a footway or road).

Information signs (generally rectangular)

Sign	Description	Tags/Comments
816	No through road	`noexit=yes` There is an argument that this tag is unnecessary as it should be possible to determine whether a road is a through route or not based on the topology of ways. Some validation tools apparently can use this tag to distinguish between a no through road that ends near another road, and giving a warning for a road which perhaps hasn't been properly joined to a nearby road.
801	Parking	`amenity=parking` Note for laybys, some have been tagged as: `amenity=parking` `fee=no` `parking=surface` `name=Lay-by` such as this one on the A14 near Ipswich.
968.1	Cycle parking	`amenity=bicycle_parking`
820	Unsuitable for motor vehicles warning	This is only a warning, so the access tags currently aren't really suitable for tagging this sign as they currently relate more to whether you can legally use the route rather than whether it is physically suitable to do so. It is probably best to do something like `note=Unsuitable for motors` until something better is available.
878	Speed Camera in Operation	See Relation:enforcement#Example_3:_Speed_Camera for marking any actual cameras
2713.1V	SOS Point	There is a proposed tag of `amenity=emergency_phone` - see Proposed_features/emergency_phone
817.2 817.2L	Escape lane	`highway=escape`
811	Priority over oncoming vehicles	`priority=forward/backward`

Exceptions - examples and how to handle them

Image	Description	Tags/Comments
	No cycling during the hours shown	Not easily done with the current tagging scheme. Something like: bicycle=no bicycle:day_on=Monday bicycle:day_off=Saturday bicycle:time_on=09:00 bicycle:time_off=18:00 There are occasional proposals to use syntax a bit like Key:opening_hours uses, which would change this to something like: bicycle=Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00 no
	No motor vehicles except those specified	motor_vehicle=no goods=yes hgv=yes taxi=yes Note: taxi=yes might not currently be documented on Key:access
	No motor vehicles at certain times except those specified	motor_vehicle=no motor_vehicle:time_on=10:00 motor_vehicle:time_off=16:00 psv=yes goods=destination As mentioned above, there are occasional proposals to use syntax a bit like Key:opening_hours uses, which would change this to something like: motor_vehicle=10:00-16:00 no psv=yes goods=destination

Road signs in the United Kingdom

Contents

Warning signs (generally triangular)

Regulatory signs (generally round)

Speed limit signs

Vehicular type restrictions

Size/Weight restrictions

Give way and stop signs

Turn restrictions

Other Prohibitory signs

Cycle and Pedestrian signs

Information signs (generally rectangular)

Exceptions - examples and how to handle them

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