Road signs in South Africa
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Road signs in South Africa are based on the SADC-Road Traffic Sign Manual, a document designed to harmonise traffic signs in member states of the Southern Africa Development Community. Most of these signs were in the preceding South African RTSM.
A white background signifies the sign is permanent, while a yellow background signifies that the sign is temporary. Warning signs are an upwards-pointing red triangle and contain a black pictogram describing the danger or obstruction. Speed limit signs are a red circle with the limitation in black. South Africa drives on the left.
Permanent road signs
[edit]Regulatory signs
[edit]Control signs
[edit]-
Stop
-
Stop. Two stop
-
Stop. But drivers turning left must give way / yield
-
Stop (3-way)
-
Stop (4-way)
-
Stop / Go manual control sign
-
Give Way / Yield
-
Give Way / Yield to pedestrians
-
Give way / Yield to Equestrians
-
Give way / Yield to pedestrians and equestrians
-
Give Way / Yield at roundabout
-
No entry
-
One-way roadway
-
One-way roadway
-
One-way roadway
-
Pedestrian priority zone
-
Give Way / Yield to oncoming traffic
Command signs
[edit]-
Minimum speed limit
-
Vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM only
-
Keep Left
-
Keep Right
-
Turn Left
-
Turn Right
-
Proceed Straight
-
Turn left ahead
-
Turn right ahead
-
Pedestrians only
-
Cyclists only
-
Cyclists and pedestrians only
-
Cyclists and pedestrians only
-
Cyclists and pedestrians only
-
Cyclists and pedestrians only
-
Motorcycles only
-
Motorcars only
-
Taxis only
-
Mini-buses only
-
Midi-buses only
-
Buses only
-
Delivery vehicles only
-
Goods vehicles exceeding 3500 kg only
-
Goods vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM only
-
Construction vehicles only
-
Vehicles transporting dangerous substances only
-
Abnormal vehicles only
-
Rickshaws only
-
Tour buses only
-
Agricultural vehicles only
-
Animal-drawn vehicles only
-
Toll road
-
Switch headlamps on
-
Buses and mini-buses only
-
Buses and midi-buses only
-
Buses, midi-buses and mini-buses only
-
Roundabout
-
Trams only
-
Buses and trams only
-
Buses, trams and mini-buses only
Prohibition signs
[edit]-
Speed limit of 5 km/h
-
Speed limit of 10 km/h
-
Speed limit of 20 km/h
-
Speed limit of 30 km/h
-
Speed limit of 40 km/h
-
Speed limit of 50 km/h
-
Speed limit of 60 km/h
-
Speed limit of 70 km/h
-
Speed limit of 75 km/h
-
Speed limit of 80 km/h
-
Speed limit of 90 km/h
-
Speed limit of 100 km/h
-
Speed limit of 120 km/h
-
Vehicles exceeding 12 tonnes GVM prohibited
-
End of weight limit
-
Vehicles exceeding 2 tonnes on a single axle prohibited
-
Vehicles exceeding 4.42 metres in height prohibited
-
Vehicles exceeding 15 metres in length prohibited
-
Excessive noise prohibited / Hooting prohibited
-
Hitch-hiking prohibited
-
Unauthorised vehicles prohibited
-
Left turn prohibited ahead
-
Right turn prohibited ahead
-
Left turn prohibited
-
Right turn prohibited
-
U-turn prohibited
-
Overtaking prohibited
-
Overtaking prohibited for heavy vehicles
-
Parking prohibited
-
Stopping prohibited
-
Pedestrians prohibited
-
Cyclists prohibited
-
Cyclists and pedestrians prohibited
-
Motorcycles prohibited
-
Motorcars prohibited
-
Taxis prohibited
-
Mini-buses prohibited
-
Midi-buses prohibited
-
Buses prohibited
-
Delivery vehicles prohibited
-
Goods vehicles exceeding 3500kg prohibited
-
Goods vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM prohibited
-
Construction vehicles prohibited
-
Vehicles transporting dangerous substances prohibited
-
Abnormal vehicles prohibited
-
Rickshaws prohibited
-
Tour buses prohibited
-
Agricultural vehicles prohibited
-
Animal-drawn vehicles prohibited
-
Horses and riders prohibited
-
Vehicles exceeding 2.1 metres in width prohibited
-
Towed vehicles prohibited
-
Hawkers prohibited
-
Motorcycles and motorcars prohibited
-
Vehicles exceeding 12 tonnes on a tandem axle / bogie axle prohibited
Reservation signs
[edit]-
Reserved for buses
-
Reserved lane for buses
-
Start of a reserved lane for buses
-
Reserved lane for bicycles
-
Reserved for motorcycles
-
Reserved for motorcars
-
Reserved for taxis
-
Reserved for mini-buses
-
Reserved for midi-buses
-
Reserved for delivery vehicles
-
Reserved for goods vehicles
-
Reserved for goods vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM
-
Reserved for construction vehicles
-
Reserved for vehicles transporting dangerous substances
-
Reserved for abnormal vehicles
-
Reserved for rickshaws
-
Reserved for tour buses
-
Reserved for high-occupancy vehicles
-
Reserved for ambulances / emergency vehicles
-
Reserved for police vehicles
-
Reserved for vehicles carrying disabled passengers
-
Reserved for diplomatic vehicles
-
Reserved for buses and mini-buses
-
Reserved lane for buses and mini-buses
-
Start of a reserved lane for buses and mini-buses
-
Reserved for buses and midi-buses
-
Reserved lane for buses and midi-buses
-
Start of a reserved lane for buses and midi-buses
-
Reserved for buses, midi-buses and mini-buses
-
Reserved lane for buses, midi-buses and mini-buses
-
Start of a reserved lane for buses, midi-buses and mini-buses
-
Reserved lane for high-occupancy vehicles
-
Start of a reserved lane for high-occupancy vehicles
-
Reserved for trams
-
Reserved lane for trams
-
Start of a reserved lane for trams
-
Reserved for buses and trams
-
Reserved lane for buses and trams
-
Start of a reserved lane for buses and trams
-
Reserved for buses, trams and mini-buses
-
Reserved lane for buses, trams and mini-buses
-
Start of a reserved lane for buses, trams and mini-buses
-
Reserved lane for buses
-
Reserved lane for buses and mini-buses
-
Reserved lane for buses and trams
-
Reserved lane for buses, trams and mini-buses
-
Reserved lane for high-occupancy vehicles
-
Reserved lane for authorised vehicles
-
Reserved lane for authorised vehicles
Parking signs
[edit]-
Parking for buses
-
Parking for bicycles
-
Parking
-
Parking with a 60-minute limit
-
Parking for motorcycles
-
Parking for motorcars
-
Parking for taxis
-
Parking for mini-buses
-
Parking for midi-buses
-
Parking for delivery vehicles
-
Parking for goods vehicles
-
Parking for goods vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM
-
Parking for construction vehicles
-
Parking for vehicles transporting dangerous substances
-
Parking for abnormal vehicles
-
Parking for rickshaws
-
Parking for tour buses
-
Parking for high-occupancy vehicles
-
Parking for ambulances / emergency vehicles
-
Parking for police vehicles
-
Parking for vehicles carrying disabled passengers
-
Parking for diplomatic vehicles
-
Parking for buses and mini-buses
-
Parking for buses and midi-buses
-
Parking for buses, midi-buses and mini-buses
Comprehensive signs
[edit]-
Dual-carriageway freeway begins
-
Single-carriageway freeway begins
-
Living Street / Woonerf begins
Selective restriction signs
[edit]-
Applies during the specified hours
-
Applies during the specified hours
-
Applies during the specified days and hours
-
Applies during the specified days and hours
-
Parking is permitted within the days and hours specified, with a 30-minute limit
-
Parking is permitted within the hours specified, with a 60-minute limit
-
Applies during the day-time hours
-
Applies during the night-time hours
-
Applies to the left
-
Applies to the right
-
Applies to the left and right
-
Pay and display parking
-
Applies to vehicles exceeding 16 tonnes GVM
-
Applies to motorcycles with an engine size up to 125 cc
-
Traffic requiring local access also permitted
-
Applies for 5 kilometres
-
Maximum number of spaces in a parking reservation
-
Applies to buses
-
Applies to cyclists
-
Applies to motorcycles
-
Applies to motorcars
-
Applies to taxis
-
Applies to mini-buses
-
Applies to midi-buses
-
Applies to delivery vehicles
-
Applies to goods vehicles
-
Applies to goods vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM
-
Applies to construction vehicles
-
Applies to vehicles transporting dangerous substances
-
Applies to abnormal vehicles
-
Applies to rickshaws
-
Applies to tour buses
-
Applies to high-occupancy vehicles
-
Applies to ambulances / emergency vehicles
-
Applies to police vehicles
-
Applies to vehicles carrying disabled passengers
-
Applies to diplomatic vehicles
-
Applies to agricultural vehicles
-
Applies to animal-drawn vehicles
-
Applies to towed vehicles
-
Applies to trams
De-restriction signs
[edit]-
End of minimum speed limit
-
End of toll route
-
Switch headlamps off
-
End of dual-carriage freeway
-
End of single-carriage freeway
-
End of living street / woonerf
Warning signs
[edit]-
Crossroad ahead
-
Crossroad ahead with priority
-
Crossroad ahead without priority
-
T-junction ahead
-
Skewed T-junction ahead
-
Skewed T-junction ahead
-
Side-road junction ahead
-
Side-road junction ahead
-
Staggered side-road junctions ahead
-
Staggered side-road junctions ahead
-
Sharp junction ahead
-
Sharp junction ahead
-
Sharp junction ahead
-
Sharp junction ahead
-
Fork ahead
-
Dual-carriageway ends ahead
-
Dual-carriageway ends ahead
-
Dual-carriageway begins ahead
-
Dual-carriageway begins ahead
-
Roundabout ahead
-
Gentle curve ahead
-
Gentle curve ahead
-
Sharp curve ahead
-
Sharp curve ahead
-
Hairpin curve ahead
-
Hairpin curve ahead
-
Winding road ahead
-
Winding road ahead
-
Series of curves ahead
-
Series of curves ahead
-
Two-way traffic ahead
-
Two-way traffic crossing ahead
-
Right lane ends ahead
-
Left lane ends ahead
-
Concealed driveway ahead
-
Concealed driveway ahead
-
Concealed driveways ahead
-
Traffic signal ahead
-
Stop control ahead
-
Give Way / Yield control ahead
-
Pedestrian crossing ahead
-
Pedestrians ahead
-
Children ahead
-
Cyclists ahead
-
Cattle ahead
-
Horses ahead
-
Sheep ahead
-
Wild animals ahead
-
Gate ahead
-
Motor gate ahead on right
-
Motor gate ahead on left
-
Motor gate ahead
-
Railway crossing ahead
-
Tunnel ahead
-
Height restriction ahead
-
Length restriction ahead
-
Steep descent ahead
-
Steep ascent ahead
-
Slow moving heavy vehicles ahead
-
Unpaved road surface ahead
-
Narrow bridge ahead
-
Single vehicle width passage ahead
-
Roadway narrows from both sides ahead
-
Roadway narrows from the right side ahead
-
Roadway narrows from the left side ahead
-
Uneven road surface ahead
-
Speed hump ahead
-
Slippery road ahead
-
Falling rocks ahead
-
Falling rocks ahead
-
Warning
-
"Danger" flashing light sign
-
Unprotected jetty edge or river bank ahead
-
Crosswinds ahead
-
Drift / Ford ahead
-
Low flying aircraft ahead
-
Agricultural vehicles ahead
-
Reduced visibility ahead
-
Traffic congestion ahead
-
Horse riders ahead
-
Elephants ahead
-
Warthogs ahead
-
Hippos ahead
-
Width restriction ahead
-
Danger of electrical shock
-
Trams ahead
-
Paved road surface ahead
-
Moveable bridge ahead
-
Railway crossing
-
Railway crossing with 2 or more tracks
-
Sharp curve marker
-
Sharp curve marker
-
Sharp curve marker
-
Sharp curve marker
-
T-junction marker
-
Dead end or road closure marker
-
Gore marker
-
Gore marker
Information signs
[edit]-
Dead end
-
Dead end
-
Dead end
-
Right-of-way
-
Co-ordinated traffic signals at indicated speed
-
Multi-phase traffic signals
-
Bus stop ahead
-
Bus stop
-
Bus stop for all buses
-
Bus stop for authorised buses with line number
-
Bus stop for authorised buses with line numbers
-
Mini-bus stop
-
Mini-bus stop
-
Mini-bus stop for authorised mini-buses with line number
-
Mini-bus stop for authorised mini-buses with line numbers
-
Right-of-way over oncoming vehicles
-
Information centre
-
Park and Ride
-
Park and Ride
-
Modal transfer point
-
Modal transfer point
-
Modal transfer point
Combo signs
[edit]-
Speed limit of 120 km/h during the day
-
Speed limit of 100 km/h during the night
Temporary road signs
[edit]![]() | The following signs are exactly the same as their standard version (as above), however, are replaced with a yellow background to indicate that they are temporary (e.g. for use during construction) |
Regulatory signs
[edit]Command signs
[edit]-
Minimum speed limit
-
End to minimum speed limit
-
Keep left
-
Keep right
-
Keep left
-
Keep right
-
Go straight/one way
-
Turn left
-
Turn right
-
Pedestrians only
-
Bicycle only
-
Bicycle and pedestrians right only 1
-
Bicycle and pedestrians right only 2
-
Bicycle and pedestrians left only 1
-
Bicycle and pedestrians left only 2
-
Motorcycle only
-
Cars only
-
Taxi only
-
Campervan only
-
Minibus only
-
Bus only
-
Pick up only
-
Trucks primited
-
Truck maximum primited
-
Dumptruck
-
Oil truck
-
Bus study tour primited
-
Tracktor primited
-
Horse
-
Switch headlamps on
-
Bus
-
Campervan and bus
-
Roundabout
-
Tram
-
Tram and bus
-
Campervan tram and bus
Prohibition signs
[edit]-
Speed limit 5
-
Speed limit 10
-
Speed limit 20
-
Speed limit 30
-
Speed limit 40
-
Speed limit 50
-
Speed limit 60
-
Speed limit 70
-
Speed limit 75
-
Speed limit 80
-
Speed limit 90
-
Speed limit 100
-
Speed limit 120
-
Maximum Height
-
Truck Maximum
-
No left turn
-
No right turn
-
No left
-
No right
-
No u turn
-
No passing
-
Truck no passing
-
No parking
-
No stopping
-
No pedestrians
-
No bicycle
-
No bicycle or pedestrians
-
No motorcycles
-
No cars
-
No taxi
-
No campervan
-
No minibus
-
No bus
-
No truck pick up
-
No trucks
-
No truck maximum
-
No dumptruck
-
No oil truck
-
No study tour bus
-
No tracktor
-
No horse
-
Maximum width
-
No cart
-
No selling
Reservation signs
[edit]Parking signs
[edit]-
Bus parking
-
Bicycle parking
-
Parking area
-
Parking 60 minutes
-
Parking motorcycle
-
Parking car
-
Parking taxi
-
Parking campervan
-
Parking minibus
-
Pick up parking
-
Trucks parking
-
Trucks minimum parking
-
Parking dumptruck
-
Oil truck parking
-
Study tour bus parking
-
Police parking
-
Parking handicap
-
Parking bus or campervan
-
Parking bus or minibus
-
Parking bus campervan minibus
Comprehensive signs
[edit]-
Start expresoway
Selective restriction signs
[edit]-
Left arrow
-
Right arrow
-
Double arrow
-
Pay toll road
-
Bus plqaue sign
-
Bicycle plaque sign
-
Motorcycle plaque sign
-
Cars plaque sign
-
Taxi plaque sign
-
Campervan plaque
-
Minibus plaque sign
-
Pick up plaque sign
-
Truck plaque sign
-
Truck minimum
-
Dumptruck plaque
De-restriction signs
[edit]Warning signs
[edit]-
Crossroad
-
Crossroad junction
-
Crossroad junction to two way
-
T junction
-
Skewed T junction
-
Skewed T junction
-
Side road junction left
-
Side road junction right
-
Double side roads right
-
Double side roads left
-
Skewed junction left
-
Skewed junction left
-
Skewed junction right
-
Skewed junction right
-
Y junction
-
Exit road left
-
Exit road right
-
Pass road right
-
Pass road left
-
Circular intersection ahead
-
Right Curve
-
Left Curve
-
Sharp right turn
-
Sharp left turn
-
Hairpin right curve
-
Hairpin left curve
-
Two curve right
-
Two curve left
-
Two sharp right turn
-
Two sharp left turn
-
Two way traffic
-
Two way traffic
-
Right lane ends
-
Left lanes left
-
Winding road left
-
Winding road right
-
Winding road right left
-
Traffic lights ahead
-
Stop sign ahead
-
Yield sign ahead
-
Pedestrian crossing
-
Pedestrian area
-
Children
-
Bicycle zone
-
Cow
-
Horse
-
Sheep
-
Deer
-
Gates
-
Narrow bridge righytsign
-
Narrow bridge left sign
-
Narrow bridge
-
Railroad crossing ahead
-
Maximum height
-
Truck maximum width
-
Steep hill
-
Steep climb
-
Steep hill crash
-
Ends road
-
Narrow bridge
-
Narrow bridge
-
Narrow road
-
Narrow right road
-
Narrow left road
-
Uneven road
-
Bump
-
Sliperry road
-
Falling rocks from right
-
Falling rocks from left
-
Be careful/other danger
-
Flashing danger yellow
-
Flashing danger blue
-
Canyon
-
WIndcross
-
Dip
-
Tracktor ahead
-
Fog
-
Traffic queque
-
Horse ahead
-
Elepaht ahead
-
Bull ahead
-
Hippo ahead
-
Maximum width
-
Electricity
-
Road rock ends
Information signs
[edit]-
Dead end
-
Side road right dead end
-
Side road left dead end
-
Crossroad junction right turn dead end
-
Crossroad junction left turn dead end
-
T junction right turn dead end
-
T junction left turn dead end
Historic road signs
[edit]In 1993, South Africa began replacing the blue signs with a permanent white background, or a temporary yellow one was included.
In 1977, the pre-RTSM manual signage was replaced by signs compliant with the RTSM manual released in 1970.
Regulatory signs
[edit]Control signs
[edit]-
Stop sign
-
Stop and yield turn left
-
Yield sign
-
Yield to pedestrians
-
Do not enter sign
-
One way traffic left
-
One way traffic right
Command signs
[edit]-
Minimum speed limit
-
Keep left
-
Keep right
-
Keep left
-
Keep right
-
Straight/oneway
Prohibition signs
[edit]-
Speed limit 10
-
Speed limit 15
-
Speed limit 20
-
Speed limit 25
-
Speed limit 30
-
Speed limit 35
-
Speed limit 40
-
Speed limit 50
-
Speed limit 60
-
Speed limit 70
-
Speed limit 80
-
Speed limit 90
-
Speed limit 100
-
Speed limit 120
-
Ton limit bus or truck
-
Ton limit or wheels bus or truck
-
Maximum Height
-
No left turn
-
No right turn
-
No u turn
-
No passing
-
Trucks no passing
-
No parking
-
No stopping
-
No cars
-
No minibus
-
No bus
-
No truck
-
No dumptruck
-
Road closed
-
No vehicle
-
No bus
-
No stopping of bus
-
Stopping minubus prohibited
-
Combined speed limit
Warning signs
[edit]-
Intersection
-
T crossroad
-
T skewed crossroad right
-
T skewed crossroad left
-
Crossroad from left
-
Crossroad from right
-
Double crossroad from right
-
Double crossroad from left
-
Skewed crossroad from left
-
Skewed crossroad from left
-
Skewed crossroad from right
-
Skewed crossroad from right
-
Y crossroad
-
Added lane left sign
-
Added lane right sign
-
Pass right or straight
-
Pass left or straight
-
Roundabout
-
Right bend
-
Left bend
-
Sharp turn right
-
Sharp turn left
-
Hairpins right bend
-
Hairpins left bend
-
Winding road right-left
-
Winding road left-right
-
Two sharp right turn
-
Two sharp left turn
-
Two way traffic zone
-
Traffic light ahead
-
Stop ahead
-
Flagger ahead
-
Flagger ahead
-
Pedestrians crossing
-
Pedestrians crossing
-
Pedestrian ahead
-
School advance
-
Bicycle
-
Bicycle
-
Cattle
-
Horse
-
Deer
-
Gates
-
Narrow bridge right sign
-
Narrow bridge left sign
-
Narrow bridge
-
Railway crossing
-
Tunnel
-
Max height
-
Hill
-
Climb
-
Narrow bridge
-
Narrow bridge one lane
-
Road narrow
-
Right lane end
-
Left lane end
-
Uneven road
-
Bump
-
Sliperry road
-
Fallen rock right sign
-
Fallen rock left sign
-
Construction ahead
-
Construction ahead
-
Loose gravel
-
Warning
-
Flagger ahead
-
Dumptruck ahead
-
Flassing
-
Canyon
-
Wind
-
Sand
-
Dip when flooded
-
Elepaht
-
Pig
-
Blind
-
Driveaway
-
Drive Slowly
-
Rhino
-
School ahead
-
Slow
-
Snow ice
-
Road closed ahead
-
Pad blokkade voor
Guidance signs
[edit]-
Toilet rest area
Information signs
[edit]-
Dead end
-
Hospital
See also
[edit]External links
[edit]- An extract from the New Official K53 manual for learner- and driving license tests
Media related to Road signs in the Southern African Development Community at Wikimedia Commons