The 'Distance to STOP line' plate (code 502) is a supplementary warning sign used in Great Britain. It's never seen alone; it always accompanies another warning sign to tell you exactly how far away the hazard or the STOP line is. This helps you to judge the situation correctly and prepare your vehicle for the upcoming condition, ensuring you can react safely and smoothly without last-minute decisions. Always treat this plate as part of the main warning sign it's attached to.
This supplementary plate provides crucial distance information to a STOP line, directly impacting your understanding of the main warning sign. Mastering its interpretation is key for accurate hazard assessment and successful theory test revision, ensuring you understand traffic sign explanations and road sign meanings effectively.
This warning plate refines the meaning of the main warning sign by adding wording, distance, direction, or context. It is not a stand-alone decoration; it changes how the driver should prepare for the hazard. In a theory-test setting, the safe response is to combine the plate with the main symbol, check mirrors, manage speed early, and leave enough room for the condition described. It is listed in the catalogue as code 502.
"Distance to STOP line plate" is a supplementary warning plate that adds practical detail to the main hazard sign. It helps the driver understand the distance to the STOP line, judge where the warning applies, and prepare before reaching the affected part of the road.
Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the 502 - Distance to STOP line plate road sign. Learn how the sign works, what rules it represents, and how it affects real driving situations. This FAQ strengthens your understanding and supports accurate decision making for the British driving theory exam in Great Britain.
The 502 plate provides crucial distance information to the primary warning sign it's attached to. It tells you how far away a hazard or a STOP line is, helping you to anticipate, adjust your speed early, and prepare for the situation ahead safely. It ensures you have enough time to react appropriately.
You must combine the information from the 502 plate with the main warning sign. For example, if a 'Sharp Bend Ahead' sign has a 502 plate indicating '100m', you know a sharp bend is coming up in 100 metres. You should then check your mirrors, ease off the accelerator, and adjust your speed and position accordingly before reaching the bend.
Yes, the 502 'Distance to STOP line' plate is a supplementary plate and can be used with various primary warning signs. Its purpose is always to specify the distance to a hazard or a mandatory stopping point related to that warning sign, helping you to manage your speed and approach more effectively.
A common mistake is to ignore the supplementary plate or not to integrate its information with the main warning sign. Learners might focus only on the hazard symbol and forget to factor in the distance, leading to braking too late or not slowing down enough in advance. Always consider the full message conveyed by both signs together for safe driving.
No, the 502 plate indicates the distance to a STOP line or a hazard, not necessarily that you must stop at that precise distance. It informs you about the proximity of a situation that might require you to stop, slow down, or take other actions, depending on traffic conditions and the primary warning sign.
A clear reference image of the 502 - Distance to STOP line plate road sign used in Great Britain.

The 502 - Distance to STOP line plate road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The 502 - Distance to STOP line plate road sign is part of the Great Britain Warning Signs category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.
Comparing signs like the 'Distance to STOP line' plate with similar warning signs helps solidify your understanding and improve recall for your driving theory test revision. Effective traffic sign comparison is key to confident road sign recognition and passing your exam.

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After reviewing the full list of road signs, challenge yourself with practice questions focused specifically on sign recognition. Reinforce your learning and ensure you're fully prepared to identify and understand all traffic signs on the DVSA theory test.
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