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
Regulatory signs
Control signs
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Dual-carriageway freeway begins
- Single-carriageway freeway begins
- Living Street / Woonerf begins
Selective restriction signs
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Temporary road signs
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
Command signs
- 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
- 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
Parking signs
- 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
Selective restriction signs
- 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
Warning signs
- 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 right sign
- 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
- Warthog ahead
- Hippo ahead
- Maximum width
- Electricity
- Road rock ends
Information signs
- 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
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
Control signs
- 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
Prohibition signs
- 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 minibus prohibited
- Combined speed limit
Warning signs
- 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
- Cyclists
- Bicycle
- Cattle
- Horse
- Buck
- 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 narrows
- Right lane end
- Left lane end
- Uneven road
- Bump
- Slippery road
- Falling rocks to the right
- Falling rocks to the left
- Construction ahead
- Construction ahead
- Loose gravel
- Warning
- Stop / Go ahead
- Dumptrucks ahead
- Flashing
- Cliff
- Wind
- Sand
- Low laying areas might be flooded
- Elephant
- Hippopotamus
- Blind rise
- Concealed Driveway
- Ry stadig / Drive slowly
- Rhino
- Skool / School
- Slow / Stadig
- Snow / Ice
- Road block ahead
- Padblokkade voor
Guidance signs
Information signs
See also
External links
- An extract from the New Official K53 manual for learner- and driving license tests
- Comprehensive guide to K53 road signs with practice tests
- Media related to Road signs in the Southern African Development Community at Wikimedia Commons
Road signs in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) | |
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Road signs in Africa | |
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