Britain's regulations prescribe two families of speed camera sign: a white sign with a camera symbol that says an area has enforcement cameras, and a blue "speed camera ahead" sign that repeats the speed limit. A camera does not need either of them for an offence to count, according to GoSafe, which runs safety cameras in Wales. This guide covers the official sign types, where the Department for Transport's guidance says they should stand, and what the sources say about a camera with no sign.
The signs the regulations prescribe
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 list the signs in Schedule 11, and the sign table is marked as applying in England, Wales and Scotland. Paragraph 1 of Part 1 says a warning or information of a description in the table must be conveyed by a sign of the colour, type and size shown in the diagram, or that diagram as varied under Part 5. Three items concern cameras.
| Diagram | What the table says it indicates | What the diagram shows |
|---|---|---|
| 878 | Area in which enforcement cameras are in use | White sign, black border, a camera symbol and a legend |
| 880 | Speed camera ahead on a lit road, with a reminder of the 30 mph limit (England) | Blue sign: camera symbol above a 30 roundel |
| 880.2 | The same on a lit road in Wales, with a reminder of the 20 mph limit | Same layout as 880 with a 20 limit |
| 880.1 | Speed camera ahead on an unlit road, with a reminder that a national speed limit applies | Blue sign: camera symbol above the national speed limit roundel |
The right-hand column describes the four diagram images on legislation.gov.uk. The legend shown in diagram 878 reads "Traffic signal cameras", and Part 5 of the schedule says it can be left out or changed to "Speed cameras", "Average speed check", "Traffic signal and speed cameras", "Traffic enforcement cameras", "Police cameras", "Police enforcement cameras" or "Bus lane cameras". The name and logo of the enforcement authority may be added.
The Highway Code's traffic signs page lists two related information signs in its own words: the area in which cameras are used to enforce traffic regulations, and a variable speed limit with camera enforcement sign.
Where the signs are placed
Placement comes from guidance, not from the regulations. DfT Circular 01/2007, which dates from 2007 and describes itself as guidance, says camera signs should be placed with speed limit signs where that is permitted and practicable. Its rules of thumb:
- Fixed cameras. Camera and speed limit reminder signs should sit where the driver can see the signs and the camera in the same view. A camera sign may also be placed not more than 1 km from the first camera housing in the direction being enforced.
- Mobile enforcement. Signs should be placed ahead of the point where the site or route begins, and then at intervals of around 1 km along the length being enforced.
- Dual carriageways and motorways. Where possible an extra camera warning sign should be placed on the central reserve.
- Visibility. Camera and speed limit signs must not be obscured and must be clearly visible at all times.
The circular also says the enforcement officer should be satisfied, before enforcement starts at a site, that the speed limit and camera signing is present and correct. For the housings, vans and conspicuity rules, see how the four kinds of speed camera work and mobile speed cameras and what the guidance says about them. The published camera maps are covered in speed camera locations and maps.
Does a camera need a sign to be enforceable?
GoSafe's FAQ says safety camera signs may be displayed on routes leading to sites where cameras operate, that this is not a legal requirement, and that the absence of a camera sign does not invalidate an offence. The DfT circular says the camera signing, visibility and conspicuity guidance "has no bearing on the enforcement of offences" and that non-compliance with it does not provide any mitigation or defence under UK law as it stood in 2007.
Speed limit signs are a different matter. The circular tells authorities, in bold, that non-compliance with the Traffic Regulation Order requirements or speed limit signing requirements may mean the speed limit is unenforceable, and it lists a pre-enforcement check that signing is lawful and correct. That is the DfT instructing authorities in 2007, not advice to a driver, and this guide does not give advice on contesting a notice.
Average speed check and motorway signs
National Highways says that when you see a fixed speed limit sign on its roads together with "Average speed check", vehicles exceeding that limit are detected by average speed enforcement cameras, and that its cameras are painted yellow. It adds that electronic signs inside an average speed check zone should generally be blank or off, and that blank, non-illuminated displays are to be disregarded because they are not traffic signs. If you are unsure which limit applies, National Highways recommends complying with the lower of the limits indicated. How the measurement works is explained in motorway speed cameras.
What BlitzBuddy does about speed cameras
BlitzBuddy gives no speed camera warnings in the UK, Ireland or any other country outside the five where it warns; your speed, trips and reports from other drivers still work. Camera warnings switch on by themselves on arrival in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France or Türkiye, where the cameras and the rules differ from Britain's.
In Germany, § 23 (1c) StVO forbids drivers to use a speed camera warner while driving; the warnings can be switched off under Profile, Warnings, and the driver is responsible. In France, article R413-15 of the Code de la route punishes holding, carrying or using a device that can detect or disturb the equipment used to record traffic offences with a fifth-class fine and the loss of six points, and its paragraph V, added by a decree of 3 January 2012, extends this to devices or products meant to warn of or inform about the location of that equipment; using these warnings is the driver's own responsibility. Where speed camera warnings are allowed compares the countries.
BlitzBuddy is free, with no ads and no subscription. It is available for iPhone; the Android version is coming soon.
More guides on the same topic are collected under speed camera guides.
Sources
- The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Schedule 11, Part 2, legislation.gov.uk
- The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Schedule 11, Part 5, legislation.gov.uk
- The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Schedule 11, Part 1, legislation.gov.uk
- Use of speed and red-light cameras for traffic enforcement: guidance on deployment, visibility and signing (DfT Circular 01/2007), Department for Transport (pdf, 2007)
- FAQs, GoSafe
- The Highway Code: traffic signs, GOV.UK
- Average speed enforcement cameras around roadworks, National Highways
- Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung, § 23, Federal Ministry of Justice (in German)
- Commentaire de la décision n° 2021-948 QPC, Conseil constitutionnel (in French; quotes article R413-15)
- Permis de conduire : barème des points retirés par infraction, Service-Public (in French)
Sources read on 17 October 2026 and checked again the same day.
Frequently asked questions
What does a speed camera sign look like?
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 prescribe a white rectangular sign with a camera symbol, whose legend can read for example "Speed cameras" or "Average speed check" (diagram 878). They also prescribe a blue "speed camera ahead" sign with a speed limit reminder (diagrams 880, 880.1 and 880.2).
Does a speed camera have to have a sign?
Not as a condition of enforcement. GoSafe, which runs safety cameras in Wales, says signing sites with camera graphics is not a legal requirement and that the absence of a sign does not invalidate an offence. The DfT's 2007 circular says its signing guidance has no bearing on the enforcement of offences.
How far before a speed camera should the sign be?
For fixed cameras the DfT's 2007 circular says a camera sign may be placed not more than 1 km from the first camera housing in the direction being enforced. For mobile enforcement it says camera signs should be repeated at intervals of around 1 km.
What does an "Average speed check" sign mean?
National Highways says that a fixed speed limit sign together with "Average speed check" means vehicles exceeding that limit are detected by average speed enforcement cameras.
Are speed camera signs different in Wales?
The regulations have a Welsh variant, diagram 880.2, for a speed camera ahead on a lit road with a reminder of the 20 mph limit. England's variant, diagram 880, carries a 30 mph reminder.
