Traffic Lights & Signals

The UK light sequence has one phase most learners aren't expecting — red and amber together — and it means something very specific. Learn the full sequence plus the signals that override it.

Provisional licenceAll UK nations

⏱️ About 12 min

Most learners already know red means stop and green means go. What catches people out is the phase in between that the UK sequence includes and many systems elsewhere don't: red and amber lit together, which is not your cue to start moving.

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The big idea: The UK sequence runs red, red-and-amber, green, amber, back to red. Red-and-amber together means get ready — stay stopped. A steady amber alone means stop, unless you're already too close to do so safely. Filter arrows, flashing-amber crossings, and hand signals from police or a school crossing patrol can each apply on top of, or in place of, the ordinary lights.

🎯 By the end, you'll be able to

State the full UK traffic light sequence in order
Explain what red-and-amber together requires you to do, and not do
Explain when a steady amber light does not require you to stop
Describe what flashing amber at a pelican crossing means, and how a green filter arrow differs from it

📎 Helpful to know first

Read Any UK Sign: Shapes & Colours

The sequence: four phases, one repeating loop

A UK traffic light runs through the same fixed sequence at every set of lights: red → red and amber together → green → amber → back to red. The red-and-amber phase is worth learning properly, because it's the detail most different from a plain two-colour system.

The full UK sequence. Red and amber appear together for one phase before green — a combination that has no direct equivalent in many other countries' light systems.

🔑 Red and amber together: get ready, but do NOT go

When red and amber light up together, it means the signal is about to turn green — but it hasn't yet. Treat it exactly like red: stay stopped, get the car ready to move, and wait for green before releasing the brake. Moving off during red-and-amber is one of the most common signal mistakes new drivers make, precisely because it feels like a countdown to go.

Red and amber together: get ready, but stay stopped until green.

Green and amber

Green means you may go if the way ahead is clear and it's safe — it is not an instruction to go regardless of what's happening at the junction. A steady amber that follows green means stop, unless you have already crossed the stop line or you are so close to it that stopping suddenly could cause a collision — in that case, it's safer to continue through.

Green: go only if the way ahead is clear and it's safe to proceed.

Amber alone: stop, unless you've already crossed the stop line or stopping suddenly would be unsafe.

Green filter arrows

A separate green arrow lit alongside or instead of the main lights permits movement only in the direction the arrow points — typically a filter lane turning left or right — while other directions may still be held on red. It doesn't override the rest of the junction; it applies only to the lane it's positioned over.

A green filter arrow permits movement only in the direction shown, independent of the main lights for other lanes.

Flashing amber at pelican crossings

At a pelican crossing (a pedestrian crossing controlled by lights you share the junction with), the sequence ends with a period of flashing amber rather than a steady one. During this phase you must give way to any pedestrian already on the crossing, but you may proceed if the crossing is clear. That's different from a steady amber elsewhere, which normally means stop.

✨ Toucan, puffin and other crossings work slightly differently

Not every pedestrian-and-cycle crossing uses the same flashing-amber phase — some newer crossing types hold a steady red until pedestrian detection clears the crossing, then go straight to green with no flashing-amber stage at all. Whichever type you meet, the rule that never changes is: while any light is a form of red or amber for you, give way to anyone still on the crossing.

When there are no lights at all: hand signals

Not every junction relies on lights. A police officer, a traffic officer, or a school crossing patrol can direct traffic using hand signals that take priority over the ordinary rules at that spot — an arm held up generally means stop, while a beckoning or waving motion tells you when to proceed. Always follow a person directing traffic in preference to any sign, marking or signal at that location, and if you're ever unsure what a signal means, stop rather than guess.

Check your understanding

1. What must you do when red and amber light up together?

Red and amber together means the signal is about to turn green — it hasn't yet. Stay stopped and wait for green.

2. When is it acceptable to continue through a steady amber light instead of stopping?

Amber normally means stop, unless you're already past the stop line or so close that a sudden stop could cause a collision.

3. What does a green filter arrow allow?

A green filter arrow applies only to the lane it's positioned over, letting that specific movement proceed while other directions may still be held.

4. At a pelican crossing showing flashing amber, what must you do?

Flashing amber at a pelican crossing means give way to anyone still crossing, but you may proceed once the crossing is clear.

✅ Key takeaways

The UK sequence is red, red-and-amber, green, amber, back to red — a fixed, repeating loop.
Red-and-amber together means get ready but stay stopped; it is not a cue to move off.
Amber normally means stop, except when you've already crossed the stop line or stopping suddenly would be unsafe.
Green filter arrows apply only to their own lane; flashing amber at a pelican crossing means give way to pedestrians, then proceed if clear; hand signals from police or a crossing patrol take priority over the lights.

➡️ You now know every phase of the lights and what overrides them. Time to put everything from this module together — signs, markings and signals — in one mixed practice session.

Frequently asked questions

What is the UK traffic light sequence?

Red, then red and amber together, then green, then amber, then back to red — a fixed loop repeated at every set of lights.

What does red and amber together mean at UK traffic lights?

Get ready to move, but stay stopped — the signal is about to turn green, not there yet. It should be treated the same as a plain red light.

What should you do at a flashing amber signal on a pelican crossing?

Give way to any pedestrian still on the crossing, but you may proceed if the crossing is clear — different from a steady amber elsewhere, which normally means stop.

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Independent educational content — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the DVSA, DVLA, or any government body. This is study material, not legal advice; always confirm current rules in the official Highway Code.