South African road signs and their meanings (K53 learner's test guide)

Learn the shapes first

Most signs tell you their type before you read them. Triangles pointing up warn, red rings forbid, blue circles command, rectangles inform or reserve, and only the STOP sign is an octagon. Learn these five rules and you can work out many signs you've never seen.

Control signs

Red octagons and red-bordered inverted triangles. They decide who goes first at junctions.

Stop: come to a complete stop at the line, then go only when it is safe road sign — **Stop: come to a complete stop at the line, then go only when it is safe**At a STOP sign you must stop completely every time, even if the road looks clear.

Four-way stop: every direction must stop; the first vehicle to stop goes first road sign — **Four-way stop: every direction must stop; the first vehicle to stop goes first**At a four-way stop, vehicles go in the order in which they stopped.

Three-way stop: all three directions must stop; the first to stop goes first road sign — **Three-way stop: all three directions must stop; the first to stop goes first**A three-way stop works like a four-way stop: first to stop, first to go.

Yield: give way to traffic on the road you are entering, stopping if necessary road sign — **Yield: give way to traffic on the road you are entering, stopping if necessary**You need not stop if the way is clear, but you must give way to traffic on the other road.

Yield to pedestrians road sign — **Yield to pedestrians**Give way to pedestrians crossing, stopping if necessary.

Yield at the traffic circle: give way to traffic already in the circle road sign — **Yield at the traffic circle: give way to traffic already in the circle**At a traffic circle, yield to vehicles approaching from your right inside the circle.

Yield to oncoming traffic: let oncoming vehicles pass first road sign — **Yield to oncoming traffic: let oncoming vehicles pass first**Used where the road narrows: oncoming traffic has right of way.

Stop/Go control: obey the sign held by the flag person at roadworks road sign — **Stop/Go control: obey the sign held by the flag person at roadworks**At roadworks a person may hold a STOP/GO board. Stop on STOP, proceed carefully on GO.

Command signs

Blue circles with white symbols. You must do what the sign shows.

Keep left of the sign road sign — **Keep left of the sign**Pass the sign on its left side.

Keep right of the sign road sign — **Keep right of the sign**Pass the sign on its right side.

Turn left ahead: you must turn left road sign — **Turn left ahead: you must turn left**You must turn left at the junction ahead.

Turn right ahead: you must turn right road sign — **Turn right ahead: you must turn right**You must turn right at the junction ahead.

Proceed straight only road sign — **Proceed straight only**You may only go straight ahead.

Minimum speed 50 km/h road sign — **Minimum speed 50 km/h**A number in a blue circle is a minimum speed: do not drive slower than this unless it is unsafe.

One-way road: traffic may only travel in the direction of the arrow road sign — **One-way road: traffic may only travel in the direction of the arrow**Traffic on this road moves in one direction only.

Speed limits

A number in a red ring is the highest speed allowed in km/h, not a target.

Maximum speed 40 km/h road sign — **Maximum speed 40 km/h**

Maximum speed 60 km/h road sign — **Maximum speed 60 km/h**

Maximum speed 80 km/h road sign — **Maximum speed 80 km/h**

Maximum speed 100 km/h road sign — **Maximum speed 100 km/h**

Maximum speed 120 km/h road sign — **Maximum speed 120 km/h**

Prohibition signs

Red rings, often with a red diagonal bar. Whatever is shown is not allowed.

No entry for all vehicles road sign — **No entry for all vehicles**You may not enter. You will often see it at the exit end of a one-way road.

No left turn road sign — **No left turn**

No right turn road sign — **No right turn**

No overtaking road sign — **No overtaking**You may not overtake any motor vehicle while this sign applies.

No overtaking by goods vehicles (heavy vehicles may not overtake) road sign — **No overtaking by goods vehicles (heavy vehicles may not overtake)**This applies to heavy goods vehicles, not to cars.

No parking (you may stop briefly to pick up or drop off passengers) road sign — **No parking (you may stop briefly to pick up or drop off passengers)**Parking is not allowed, but a short stop to load or offload passengers is.

No stopping at all road sign — **No stopping at all**You may not stop, not even briefly, except to avoid a crash or when traffic forces you to.

Motorcars prohibited road sign — **Motorcars prohibited**

Buses prohibited road sign — **Buses prohibited**

Minibuses prohibited road sign — **Minibuses prohibited**

Goods vehicles heavier than 3 500 kg prohibited road sign — **Goods vehicles heavier than 3 500 kg prohibited**

Vehicles with a gross vehicle mass over 12 tonnes prohibited road sign — **Vehicles with a gross vehicle mass over 12 tonnes prohibited**The number shows the mass limit (GVM) in tonnes.

Vehicles taller than 4.42 m prohibited road sign — **Vehicles taller than 4.42 m prohibited**The number shows the maximum height allowed.

Reservation and zone signs

Lanes, parking areas and zones kept for certain road users, and where special rules start or end.

Parking area road sign — **Parking area**You may park here.

Parking allowed for a maximum of 60 minutes road sign — **Parking allowed for a maximum of 60 minutes**The number shows the longest time you may park.

Parking reserved for vehicles carrying disabled persons road sign — **Parking reserved for vehicles carrying disabled persons**Only vehicles with a disabled-person sticker may park here.

Bus stop road sign — **Bus stop**Buses stop here. Do not stop or park in the bus stop.

Lane reserved for buses road sign — **Lane reserved for buses**Only buses may use this lane.

Lane reserved for bicycles road sign — **Lane reserved for bicycles**Only cyclists may use this lane.

Parking reserved for taxis road sign — **Parking reserved for taxis**Only taxis may park here.

Lane reserved for high-occupancy vehicles road sign — **Lane reserved for high-occupancy vehicles**Only vehicles carrying the minimum number of people shown may use this lane.

Pedestrian priority zone: only authorised vehicles may enter road sign — **Pedestrian priority zone: only authorised vehicles may enter**Pedestrians have priority. Only emergency and other authorised vehicles may enter.

Living street (woonerf) begins: pedestrians and children have priority road sign — **Living street (woonerf) begins: pedestrians and children have priority**Drive at walking pace and give way to pedestrians and children playing.

Freeway begins: freeway rules apply road sign — **Freeway begins: freeway rules apply**Pedestrians, animals and some slow vehicles may not use a freeway. You may not stop except in an emergency.

End of the freeway road sign — **End of the freeway**A diagonal bar across a sign means that restriction or zone ends.

Warning signs

Red-bordered triangles pointing up. They warn of a hazard ahead: slow down and be ready. Yellow versions are temporary signs at roadworks.

Crossroads ahead road sign — **Crossroads ahead**

T-junction ahead road sign — **T-junction ahead**

Side road joining ahead road sign — **Side road joining ahead**

Y-junction ahead road sign — **Y-junction ahead**

Dual carriageway ends ahead road sign — **Dual carriageway ends ahead**

Traffic circle ahead road sign — **Traffic circle ahead**Slow down and prepare to yield to traffic from your right in the circle.

Gentle curve ahead road sign — **Gentle curve ahead**

Sharp curve ahead road sign — **Sharp curve ahead**Slow down before the curve, not in it.

Hairpin bend ahead road sign — **Hairpin bend ahead**A very sharp bend: slow right down before you reach it.

Winding road ahead road sign — **Winding road ahead**

Two-way traffic ahead road sign — **Two-way traffic ahead**You are leaving a one-way section: expect oncoming traffic.

Traffic signals ahead road sign — **Traffic signals ahead**Be ready to stop at the traffic lights.

Stop sign ahead road sign — **Stop sign ahead**Prepare to stop at the junction ahead.

Pedestrian crossing ahead road sign — **Pedestrian crossing ahead**Slow down and be ready to stop for pedestrians.

Pedestrians ahead road sign — **Pedestrians ahead**

Children ahead road sign — **Children ahead**Children may run into the road: slow down.

Cyclists ahead road sign — **Cyclists ahead**Give cyclists plenty of room when passing.

Cattle on the road ahead road sign — **Cattle on the road ahead**Slow down and watch for animals.

Horses or riders ahead road sign — **Horses or riders ahead**Pass slowly and wide; do not hoot.

Wild animals ahead road sign — **Wild animals ahead**Watch for antelope and other wild animals, especially at dawn and dusk.

Railway level crossing ahead road sign — **Railway level crossing ahead**Slow down, look and listen for trains.

Tunnel ahead road sign — **Tunnel ahead**Switch on your headlights before entering a tunnel.

Height restriction ahead road sign — **Height restriction ahead**Tall vehicles must check their height before continuing.

Steep descent ahead road sign — **Steep descent ahead**Select a lower gear so the engine helps you brake.

Steep climb ahead road sign — **Steep climb ahead**Be ready to change down; slow vehicles may be ahead.

Narrow bridge ahead road sign — **Narrow bridge ahead**There may not be room for two vehicles side by side.

Road narrows from both sides ahead road sign — **Road narrows from both sides ahead**

Road narrows from the right ahead road sign — **Road narrows from the right ahead**

Uneven road surface ahead road sign — **Uneven road surface ahead**

Speed humps ahead road sign — **Speed humps ahead**Slow down before the humps.

Slippery road ahead road sign — **Slippery road ahead**Slow down and avoid sudden braking or steering, especially when wet.

Falling rocks ahead road sign — **Falling rocks ahead**Watch for rocks on the road and do not stop under the cliff.

Roadworks ahead road sign — **Roadworks ahead**Temporary signs at roadworks have a yellow background. Slow down: people and machines may be working on the road.

Loose gravel or loose surface ahead road sign — **Loose gravel or loose surface ahead**Slow down: stones may be thrown up and braking distance is longer.

General danger ahead road sign — **General danger ahead**A hazard not covered by another sign. Slow down and look for the cause.

Strong crosswinds ahead road sign — **Strong crosswinds ahead**Hold the steering wheel firmly, especially when towing.

Drift (low-water crossing) ahead road sign — **Drift (low-water crossing) ahead**Do not drive through if water is flowing over the road and you cannot see the surface.

Cattle grid (motor gate) ahead on the right road sign — **Cattle grid (motor gate) ahead on the right**

Information signs

They guide and inform you about the road ahead rather than give an order.

Oncoming traffic must yield to you at the narrow section ahead road sign — **Oncoming traffic must yield to you at the narrow section ahead**This is the partner of the "yield to oncoming traffic" sign: here you have right of way, but still drive with care.

Dead end (cul-de-sac): no through road road sign — **Dead end (cul-de-sac): no through road**The road ahead does not lead anywhere.

You have right of way on this road road sign — **You have right of way on this road**You are on the priority road, but still watch for vehicles that do not yield.

Bus stop ahead road sign — **Bus stop ahead**Watch for buses pulling in and out and for pedestrians.

Tourist information road sign — **Tourist information**Tourist information is available here.

Speed camera (traffic law enforcement) ahead road sign — **Speed camera (traffic law enforcement) ahead**This plate warns that speed or traffic cameras are in use.

Can you get 23 out of 28?

That's the pass mark for the signs section. Test yourself with 15 free questions, no sign-up.

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Questions

How many questions about signs are in the learner's test?

The light motor vehicle learner's test has 28 questions on road signs, signals and markings, and you need 23 right to pass that section. It also has 28 rules-of-the-road questions (pass mark 22) and 8 vehicle-control questions (pass mark 6).

What is the difference between a STOP sign and a YIELD sign?

At a STOP sign you must come to a complete stop every time, even if the road is clear. At a YIELD sign you only stop if you need to give way to traffic on the road you are entering.

What does a red diagonal bar on a sign mean?

It shows that the action in the sign is prohibited, for example no U-turn or no parking. A diagonal bar across a whole sign, such as the freeway sign, means the restriction or zone ends.

Are these the official South African road signs?

Yes. The pictures are the official designs from the SADC Road Traffic Signs Manual used in South Africa, from Wikimedia Commons, where they are in the public domain.

Sign artwork: official SADC designs via Wikimedia Commons (public domain). Image credits.