Clearway rules: what the no-stopping sign means

What a clearway is

A clearway is a stretch of road where stopping is banned so traffic keeps moving. You know it by the sign: a round sign with a red cross on a blue background. Under Highway Code rule 240, you must not stop on the main carriageway of a clearway at any time - not to wait, not to park, and not even to set down or pick up passengers. The only real exception is stopping in an emergency.

Urban clearway: the milder version

An urban clearway works to a timetable rather than round the clock. The sign shows the hours it applies, usually the morning and evening rush, for example "Mon - Fri 07:00 - 09:30, 16:00 - 18:30". During those hours you must not stop, except for a brief stop to set down or pick up passengers. Outside the signed hours an urban clearway normally lets you park like any other kerb, so the plate is the thing to read.

Verges and laybys

A clearway restriction applies to the main carriageway. That means a marked layby or a verge set back from the road can still be usable, provided you are not causing an obstruction and no other restriction is in force there. On a red route, stopping is usually only allowed in a marked bay or layby, so always check the markings where you actually pull in.

Clearway vs red route

A red route is a type of clearway, but it is marked differently. Instead of a round no-stopping sign, a red route uses red lines painted on the road: double red lines mean no stopping at any time, and single red lines mean no stopping during the hours on the nearby sign. Red routes are mostly in London and other cities, on the busy through-routes that carry the most traffic. The idea is the same as a clearway - keep the carriageway clear - just signed with lines rather than a symbol.

Common mistakes that get you a ticket

Treating a clearway like a quick drop-off. On a full clearway even setting down a passenger is not allowed.
Confusing "no stopping" with "no waiting". A single red diagonal stripe is no waiting; a red cross is no stopping. They are not the same.
Ignoring the times on an urban clearway. The ban only bites during the signed hours, but during them it bites hard.
Assuming a layby is fair game. Check the bay markings; some laybys carry their own restrictions.

Check the sign before you stop

Clearway signs, urban clearway time plates, and red route lines are easy to mix up, and the penalty for getting it wrong is a PCN. Kerbnow reads the sign and tells you in plain English whether stopping is banned here, whether it is only banned at certain hours, and whether a brief drop-off is allowed.

Frequently asked questions

What does a clearway sign mean?

A clearway is a round sign with a red cross on a blue background. It means no stopping at any time on the main carriageway - you cannot wait, park, or even pause to set down or pick up passengers. Highway Code rule 240 covers it. The only exception is stopping in an emergency.

Can you stop on a clearway to drop someone off?

Not on a full clearway. The red cross on blue means no stopping at all, so dropping off or picking up passengers is not allowed on the main carriageway. An urban clearway is different: there you can stop briefly to set down or pick up passengers, but only during the hours shown on the sign.

What is the difference between a clearway and an urban clearway?

A clearway applies at all times and bans stopping outright. An urban clearway only applies during the hours on the sign, usually the morning and evening peaks, and it allows a brief stop to set down or pick up passengers. Outside those hours an urban clearway usually lets you park normally.

Is a red route the same as a clearway?

A red route is a type of clearway, but it is marked with red lines on the road rather than a round no-stopping sign. Double red lines mean no stopping at any time; single red lines mean no stopping during the hours on the nearby sign. Red routes are mainly in London and other cities on busy through-routes.

Can you stop on the verge or in a layby on a clearway?

Often yes. A clearway restriction applies to the main carriageway, so a marked layby or a verge set back from the road can still be usable, as long as you are not causing an obstruction and no other restriction applies there. Always read the sign and any bay markings before you stop.

This guide is general information about UK parking rules, not legal advice. Kerbnow is a sign-reading aid, so always check the answer against the sign in front of you.