These are the road signs Sheffield learner drivers should know before their theory test

New and exclusive DVSA data reveals which road signs drivers find the most confusing, based on the percentage of incorrect answers given during driving theory tests.

Vignetteswitzerland.com submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), requesting information on the road signs learners most frequently answer incorrectly on driving theory tests, for the most recent month where data was available.

According to the DVSA, these were the road signs that learner drivers most frequently got wrong in theory tests in August 2025. This highlights the areas where mistakes are most common and where learners should pay close attention.

The 10 road signs people most often answer incorrectly on driving theory tests

1. The road sign that tripped most people up was a red triangle with a pictogram of a curved hump in the centre. Of those taking their theory test, 43% failed to correctly identify the meaning of this sign.

2. The second most confusing was a circular sign, with a blue interior, a red border and a red diagonal line going through it. Data shows that 42% of people incorrectly answered the meaning of this sign.

3. The third most common was a red triangular sign, featuring a pictogram of two pedestrian figures holding hands. This was answered incorrectly by 34% of people.

4. The fourth most confusing was a blue rectangular sign, showing a pictogram of a bicycle with a vertical line to the right. This was answered incorrectly by 33% of those taking the theory test.

5. The fifth most confusing was a blue circular sign, showing a number with a diagonal red line going through it. This was answered incorrectly by 27% of those taking the theory test.

6. The sixth most confusing was a red circular sign, showing a pictogram of a person on a motorbike and a front-facing car underneath. This was answered incorrectly by 24% of people.

7. The seventh most confusing was a blue rectangular sign, featuring two vertical parallel lines split by a barrier, with a red diagonal line going through it. This was answered incorrectly by 23% of people taking their driving theory test.

8. Next, was a blue circular sign with a number inside it. This was also answered incorrectly by 23% of those taking the theory test.

9. The ninth most common was a blue rectangular sign, with pictograms of a bus and bicycle and a vertical line to the right, with days of the week and times below. This was also answered incorrectly by 23% of those taking the theory test.

10. The tenth most common was a red triangular sign, featuring a pictogram of two vertical lines merging into one. This was answered incorrectly by 21% of people.

Correct answers:

1. Hump bridge - Warns road users that there is a humped bridge on the road ahead and to adjust their speed accordingly.
2. No waiting - Drivers must not wait or park during the times shown, or at all if no times are included. You may stop briefly to drop off or pick up passengers, unless otherwise indicated.
3. Pedestrians in road ahead - Warns road users that pedestrians may be walking on or near the road ahead.
4. Mandatory with-flow pedal cycle lane - Notifies road users of a dedicated cycle lane that goes in the same direction as the traffic.
5. End of minimum speed - Notifies road users that the minimum speed limit no longer applies beyond this point.
6. No motor vehicles - Motor vehicles, including cars and motorbikes, are not allowed beyond this point.
7. End of motorway - Indicates that you are leaving a motorway and that motorway regulations (including speed limits) no longer apply.
8. Minimum speed - Indicates the minimum speed (in miles per hour) that vehicles must travel.
9. With-flow bus and pedal cycle lane sign showing hours of operation - Indicates that there is a dedicated lane for buses and pedal cycles, and that it cannot be used by other road users during the days and times shown.
10. End of dual carriageway - Indicates that the dual carriageway is about to end and you will enter a single carriageway.

Mattijs Wijnmalen, CEO of Vignetteswitzerland.com , commented:

"While the DVSA understandably wouldn’t release the exact questions they use within their driving theory test, they were able to provide us with the road signs people most often get wrong.

"These signs highlight the areas where new drivers, in particular, tend to make mistakes. Focusing on these road signs when studying for your theory test can make a real difference, helping you avoid common errors and giving you a better chance of passing first time.

"Even drivers with experience can sometimes misinterpret these less familiar signs, which is why reviewing the Highway Code regularly is so important. Knowing the meaning of these signs not only helps you pass your theory test but also ensures you stay safe on the road and avoid unnecessary penalties."