driver location signs

If you break down or need to report an incident, it’s really important to know where you are.

You can give us your exact location instantly using the AA app. Alternatively, the driver location signs on motorways and A roads will help us or the emergency services find you.

Where are driver location signs?

Driver location signs are small and blue. You’ll find them at the side of motorways positioned every 500 metres, and on some major A roads. You might hear them referred to as distance marker posts. They were introduced in the early 2000s to give drivers additional information to the motorway marker posts - signs posted every 100 metres showing the directions to the nearest emergency phone. 

We provide 24/7 roadside assistance.

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What do driver location signs tell you?

Providing the details written on the sign nearest to the incident will make it quicker to get to you.

• The top line shows which road you’re on
• The letter on the second line – A or B – tells us the direction you’re travelling in
• The bottom line tells us how far you are from a given location

Who should you call?

• If you’ve broken down: use the AA app or call us on 03330 046 046
• To report a road traffic incident: call 999 or 112
• To report debris in the road: call the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000
  
  

Remember – if you’re driving alone, use a hands-free kit or pull over somewhere safe before calling

What do the different letters and numbers written on these signs mean?

First line: the name of the road

This is simply the name of the road you’re travelling on, e.g. M27, A41.

Second line: the direction you’re travelling in

• A letter 'A' refers to either the northbound side, the side on which the junction numbers increase, or Away from London
• A letter 'B' refers to either the southbound side, the side on which the junction numbers decrease, or Back to London
• On the M25, ‘A’ means clockwise and ‘B’ anticlockwise

If you’re on a spur road or motorway slip road, you may see the letters J, K, L and M, depending on your direction and location

Last line: your location

The final number is how far in kilometres you are from the start of the motorway or A road. In the case of the M25, the distance is measured clockwise from the Dartford Crossing.