The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016

PART 5 Required or permitted variants

1.—(1) ”DOCTOR” may be omitted.

(2) “DOCTOR” may be varied to: “BUSES”, “CAR CLUB”, “CYCLE HIRE”, “DISABLED”, “ELECTRIC VEHICLES”, “ELECTRIC VEHS”, “ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES”, “ELECTRIC M/CYCLES”, “ELECTRIC M/Cs”, “LOADING”, “LARGE OR SLOW VEHICLES”, “PERMIT HOLDERS”, “SOLO MOTORCYCLES”, “SOLO M/CYCLES”, “SOLO M/CS”.

(3) “ONLY” may be added after “DOCTOR” (or after a word or phrase used pursuant to sub-paragraph (2)).

(4) Where the bay is reserved for an individual disabled badge holder, an alphanumeric identifier, with or without the word “ONLY” may be added after “DISABLED”.

2.—(1) When reserved for disabled badge holders at certain times (whether or not also reserved for other users)—

(a) the length of the bay must be at least 6600 mm; and

(b) the width of the bay must be at least 2700 mm (or 3000 mm when placed in the centre of the carriageway) except in a case where, on account of the nature of traffic using the road, the overall width of the carriageway is insufficient to accommodate a bay of that width.

(2) The marks and gaps forming the boundary of the bay may—

(a) vary in number and length; or

(b) be replaced by a continuous white line.

(3) The bay may be varied to contrast, in pattern or colour, from the surrounding parts of the road and any adjoining bays, in which case the marking may be omitted.

(4) The bay may be divided into individual spaces by—

(a) the application of a white line marking (either broken or continuous), with a minimum width of 50 mm; or

(b) contrasting pattern or colour.

(5) If the individual spaces are parallel to the edge of the carriageway, the length of each space must be not less than—

(a) 6600 mm in the case of a space reserved for disabled badge holders; or

(b) 4500 mm in any other case.

(6) If the individual spaces are not parallel to the edge of the carriageway—

(a) the length of the largest rectangle that could be accommodated wholly within the space in question must be not less than 4200 mm;

(b) the width of each space must be—

(i) not less than 3600 mm in the case of a space reserved for disabled badge holders; or

(ii) not less than 2000 mm in any other case, and

(c) the spaces may be inclined at any angle to the edge of the carriageway to form an overall parking bay in echelon pattern, the boundary of which, furthest from the edge of the carriageway, may be parallel to the carriageway.

3.  The transverse mark at the end of the line may be omitted.

4.  The marking may be continued down the vertical face of a kerb at the edge of the carriageway.

5.  The marks forming the boundary of the bay and any legend must be coloured red when placed on a red route, but only where the bay is not available for parking or loading during part of, or all of, the times of operation of the red route.

6.  ”TAXIS” may be varied to “AMBULANCES” or “POLICE”.

7.  The transverse line may be omitted—

(a) from that part of the marking that is placed within a lay-by; or

(b) from that part of the bay which is delineated by a raised kerb.

8.  Where the marking is placed on a red route, the continuous line must be substituted by the marking provided for at item 11 or 12 of the Part 4 sign table.

9.  ”STOP” may be varied to “STAND”.

10.  The legend may be repeated along the length of the marking as appropriate.

11.  Where the marking is placed in part of a lay‑by, the continuous line may be used to delineate the clearway from that part of the lay‑by used by all vehicles.

12.  The continuous line must be varied to red where placed along a red route and taxis are prohibited from stopping within the clearway.

13.  The continuous line must be replaced by the marking provided for at item 11 or 12 of the Part 4 table where placed along a red route and taxis are permitted to stop within the clearway to pick up or set down passengers.

14.  ”SCHOOL” may be varied to “CHILDREN” with the maximum length of the marking increased to 44545 mm in consequence.

15.  ”SCHOOL” and the line between “SCHOOL” and “KEEP” may be omitted and the minimum length of the marking reduced to 25250 mm when used outside a fire, police or ambulance station, or a hospital.

16.  The overall length of the marking may be varied within the specified limits by the addition or removal of an equal number of complete zig‑zag elements on each side of the legend.