(Image Suggestion: A collage of various South African road signs of different shapes and colours – circles, triangles, squares – to give an immediate impression of the variety to be covered.)
Welcome to the visual language of the road. Road signs, signals, and markings provide a constant stream of information, instructions, and warnings to drivers. Understanding them instantly is non-negotiable for safety and is a massive part of your Learner’s Licence test.
In South Africa, road signs are categorized by their shape and colour, making them easier to identify at a glance. We will cover:
- Regulatory Signs: These signs give commands. You must obey them.
- Warning Signs: These signs warn you of potential hazards ahead.
- Guidance and Information Signs: These signs provide directions and information.
- Road Markings: These are the lines and symbols painted on the road surface.
- Traffic Signals: These are the electronic lights and signals that control traffic flow.
3.1 Regulatory Signs
Regulatory signs control the actions of road users. They tell you what you must or must not do. Disobeying a regulatory sign is a traffic offense. These signs are typically round, but with some very important exceptions (like the Stop sign).
A. Command Signs
Command signs instruct you to perform a specific action. They are typically blue circles with a white border and a white symbol.
- (Image: Blue circle, white border, white arrow pointing straight) – Proceed Straight Only: You may not turn left or right.
- (Image: Blue circle, white border, white arrow pointing left) – Turn Left Only: You must turn left at the intersection ahead.
- (Image: Blue circle, white border, white bicycle symbol) – Bicycles Only: This route is reserved for cyclists.
- (Image: Blue circle, white border, white pedestrian symbol) – Pedestrians Only: Reserved for pedestrians.
- (Image: Blue circle, white border, white “60” numeral) – Minimum Speed 60 km/h: You must not drive slower than 60 km/h in this lane (unless conditions are unsafe). This is often found on freeways.
- (Image: Blue circle, white border, white headlight symbol) – Switch Headlights On: You are entering an area where headlights are required, such as a tunnel.
(Image Suggestion: A gallery grid showing these key blue, circular command signs with a short description under each one.)
B. Prohibition Signs
Prohibition signs tell you what you are not allowed to do. They are typically white circles with a red border, often with a symbol crossed out by a red diagonal line.
- (Image: White circle, red border, black “80” numeral) – Maximum Speed 80 km/h: This is the absolute maximum speed allowed. This is one of the most common signs.
- (Image: White circle, red border, black car and motorcycle symbols) – No Motor Vehicles: Motor vehicles are not allowed beyond this point.
- (Image: White circle, red border, black truck symbol with a red slash through it) – No Heavy Vehicles: Trucks and other heavy vehicles are prohibited.
- (Image: White circle, red border, black ‘U’-shaped arrow with a red slash through it) – No U-Turn: You may not perform a U-turn at this intersection.
- (Image: White circle, red border, black arrow turning right with a red slash through it) – No Right Turn: You may not turn right.
- (Image: White circle, red border, black horn symbol with a red slash through it) – No Hooting/Use of Horn: Use of the horn is forbidden, often near hospitals or places of worship.
- (Image: White circle, red border, black ‘P’ with a red slash through it) – No Parking: You may not park here, but you may stop briefly to pick up or drop off passengers or goods.
- (Image: White circle, red border, red ‘X’ on a blue background) – No Stopping: You may not stop here for any reason, not even for a moment. This is a stricter control than “No Parking.”
(Image Suggestion: A gallery grid showing these key prohibition signs, highlighting their distinctive red borders.)
C. Control Signs
Control signs regulate right of way at intersections and are the most critical for safety.
- (Image: Red octagon (8-sided shape) with the word “STOP” in white) – STOP Sign: This is the most important control sign. You must bring your vehicle to a complete stop behind the stop line. Not a rolling stop, a full stop. You must then give way to all cross-traffic before proceeding when it is safe.
- (Image: Inverted triangle, white with a red border) – YIELD / GIVE WAY Sign: You must slow down and be prepared to stop. Give way to all traffic on the road you are joining and to pedestrians. You only need to stop if it’s necessary to avoid a collision.