The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016

Letters, numerals and other characters

5.—(1) This regulation applies to the letters, numerals and other characters used on signs provided for in these Regulations (but not to the extent that more specific provision is made elsewhere in these Regulations for a particular sign).

(2) Paragraphs (3) to (12) apply to letters, numerals and other characters used on signs except those used on road markings and those used in Scottish Gaelic words or phrases.

(3) Paragraphs (4) to (10) are subject to the exception for variable message signs at paragraphs (11) and (12).

(4) On a background which is—

(a) black;

(b) blue;

(c) brown;

(d) dark green;

(e) green; or

(f) red,

letters, numerals and other characters must have the proportions and form, and be of the colour, shown in Part 1 of Schedule 17 (see paragraphs (6) to (8) for exceptions).

(5) On a background which is—

(a) orange;

(b) white; or

(c) yellow,

letters, numerals and other characters must have the proportions and form, and be of the colour, shown in Part 2 of Schedule 17 (see paragraph (10) for an exception).

(6) Paragraphs (7) and (8) apply to the placing of a motorway route number or a compass point directly on the blue background shown at item 1 of the sign table at Part 2 of Schedule 12 (see paragraph (9) for an exception).

(7) Where brackets are not used, the letters, numerals and other characters must have the proportions and form, and be of the colour, shown in Part 3 of Schedule 17.

(8) Where brackets are used the letters, numerals and other characters must have the proportions and form, and be of the colour, shown in either Part 1 or Part 3 of Schedule 17.

(9) An exception to paragraphs (7) and (8) is that where the route number or compass point is part of a legend provided for at item 8 of the sign table in Part 3 of Schedule 12, letters, numerals and other characters must have the proportions and form, and be of the colour, shown in Part 1 of Schedule 17.

(10) When used for indicating a route number or compass point on a sign with a yellow background which is temporarily placed on a motorway, letters, numerals and other characters must have the proportions and form, and be of the colour, shown in Part 4 of Schedule 17.

(11) Paragraph (12) applies to a variable message sign where the construction or method of operation of the sign does not permit the use of letters, numerals and other characters of the proportions and form shown in Part 1, 2, 3 or 4 of Schedule 17.

(12) Letters, numerals and other characters may have the proportions and form shown in Part 5 of Schedule 17 (and be of the colour provided for in Part 1, 2, 3 or 4 as applicable).

(13) Paragraph (14) applies to letters, numerals and other characters incorporated in road markings provided for in these Regulations.

(14) A letter, numeral or other character of a height referred to in column 1 of the table in this paragraph must have the proportions and form, and be of the colour, shown in the Part of Schedule 17 at the column 2 entry applicable to that height.

Height of letters, numerals and other characters	Applicable Part in Schedule 17
from 280 mm to 700 mm (inclusive)	Part 6
705 mm, 1035 mm, 1600 mm	Part 7
2800 mm	Part 8

(15) For the purposes of interpreting Part 7 of Schedule 17 where the road marking is 705 mm or 1035 mm, the reference in the diagram in Part 7 to “1600” is to be read as “705” or “1035” as appropriate and the spaces between the grid lines reduced proportionately.

(16) Letters, numerals and other characters used in Scottish Gaelic words or phrases—

(a) when appearing on a brown or dark green background, must have the proportions and form, and be of the colour, shown in Part 9 of Schedule 17;

(b) when appearing on a white background, must have the proportions and form, and be of the colour, shown in Part 10 of Schedule 17.

(17) In Schedule 17, in Parts 1 to 4, 9 and 10, the height of the rectangular backgrounds on which the letters, numerals and other characters are shown is eight stroke widths.