South African road signs and what they mean

Tap a sign to see what it means and what you must do.

Stop, yield and no entry signs explained

Stop sign (R1.1)

Stop/yield sign (R1.2)

3-way stop (R1.3)

4-way stop (R1.4)

STOP/RY-GO sign (R1.5)

Yield sign (R2)

Yield to pedestrians (R2.1)

Yield at traffic circle (R2.2)

No entry (R3)

One-way roadway (R4.1)

Pedestrian priority (R5)

Yield to oncoming traffic (R6)

Command signs: what you must do

Minimum speed sign (R101)

Vehicles exceeding mass only (R102)

Keep left (R103)

Keep right (R104)

Proceed left only (R105)

Proceed right only (R106)

Proceed straight only (R107)

Turn left only (R108)

Turn right only (R109)

Pedestrians only (R110)

Cyclists only (R111)

Cyclists and pedestrians only (R112)Cyclists and pedestrians only (R113)

Motorcycles only (R116)

Motor cars only (R117)

Taxis only (R118)

Minibuses only (R119)

Midi buses only (R120)

Buses only (R121)

Delivery vehicles only (R122)

Goods vehicles only (R123)

Goods vehicles exceeding an indicated GVM (R124)

Construction vehicles only (R125)

Vehicles transporting dangerous substances only (R126)

Abnormal vehicles only (R127)

Rickshaws only (R128)

Tour buses only (R129)

Agricultural vehicles only (R130)

Animal-drawn vehicles only (R131)

Buses and minibuses only (R134)

Buses and midi buses only (R135)

Buses, midi buses and minibuses only (R136)

Pay toll (R132)

Switch headlamps on (R133)

Roundabout (R137)

Prohibition signs and what they mean

Speed limit (R201)

Mass limit (R202)

Axle mass limit (R203)

Height limit (R204)

Length limit (R205)

Excessive noise prohibited (R206)

Hitch-hiking prohibited (R207)

Unauthorised vehicles prohibited (R208)

Unauthorised vehicles prohibited (TR208)

Left turn ahead prohibited (R209)

Right turn ahead prohibited (R210)

Left turn prohibited (R211)

Right turn prohibited (R212)

U-turn prohibited (R213)

Overtaking prohibited (R214)

Overtaking prohibited (R215)

Parking prohibited (R216)

Stopping prohibited (R217)

Pedestrians prohibited (R218)

Pedal cycles prohibited (R219)

Pedal cycles and pedestrians prohibited (R220)

Motorcycles prohibited (R222)

Motorcars prohibited (R223)

Taxis prohibited (R224)

Minibuses prohibited (R225)

Midi buses prohibited (R226)

Buses prohibited (R227)

Delivery vehicles prohibited (R228)

Goods vehicles prohibited (R229)

Goods vehicles exceeding an indicated GVM (R230)

Construction vehicles prohibited (R231)

Vehicles transporting dangerous substances prohibited (R232)

Abnormal vehicles prohibited (R233)

Rickshaws prohibited (R234)

Tour buses prohibited (R235)

Agricultural vehicles prohibited (R236)

Animal-drawn vehicles prohibited (R237)

Horses and riders prohibited (R238)

Width limit (R239)

Towed vehicles prohibited (R240)

Hawkers prohibited (R241)

Reservation signs and other regulatory signs

Bus reservation (R301)

Bus parking reservation (R301-P)

Bus lane reservation (R302)

Begin bus lane reservation (R303)

Pedal cycle lane reservation (R304)

Parking reservation (R305-P)

Limited parking reservation (R306-P)

Motorcycle reservation (R307)

Motorcycle parking reservation (R307-P)

Motor car reservation (R308)

Taxi reservation (R309)

Minibus reservation (R310)

Midi-bus reservation (R311)

Delivery vehicle reservation (R312)

Goods vehicle reservation (R313)

Goods vehicles over the indicated GVM reservation (R314)

Construction vehicle reservation (R315)

Vehicles conveying hazardous substances reservation (R316)

Abnormal vehicle reservation (R317)

Rickshaw reservation (R318)

Tour bus reservation (R319)

High occupancy vehicle reservation (R320)

Ambulance and emergency vehicle reservation (R321)

Disabled persons vehicle reservation (R323)

Authorised vehicle reservation (R324)

Bus and minibus reservation (R327)

Bus and minibus lane reservation (R328)

Bus and minibus lane reservation begins (R329)

Bus and midi bus reservation (R330)

Bus and midi bus lane reservation (R331)

Bus and midi bus lane reservation begins (R332)

Bus, midi bus and minibus reservation (R333)

Bus, midi bus and minibus lane reservation (R334)

Bus, midi bus and minibus lane reservation begins (R335)

Bus stop reservation (R325)

Minibus stop reservation (R326)

Dual-carriageway freeway begins (R401)

Single-carriageway freeway begins (R402)

Woonerf (R403)

Two-time periods (R502)

Two-time periods/days (R503)

Maximum stay during two periods/days (R505)

Reduced visibility (R510)

Daytime (R511)

Night time (R512)

Reserved movement left by vehicle class (R520)

Reserved movement right by vehicle class (R521)

Reserved movement to left and right by vehicle class (R522)

Pay and display (R523)

Operator identity (logo) (R530)

Operator identity (text) (R531)

Maximum number of vehicles (R540)

No unauthorised vehicles, two limited time periods…

No U-turn, night-time (R213-512)

Limited parking, pay and display (R306-523)

Proceed left only, goods vehicles over the indicated GVM…

Turn right, two time periods (R109-502)

No left turn ahead, goods vehicles over the indicated GVM…

No stopping, vehicles conveying dangerous goods (R217-571)

Speed limit, daytime (R201-511)

Length limit, two time periods (R205-502)

Minimum speed, goods vehicles (R101-568)

Speed limit, motorcycles (R201-562)

Pay toll with a distance (R132+IN11.3)

No overtaking, all vehicles, for a distance (R214+IN11.2)

Delivery vehicles only, limited time period (R122-501)

Vehicles conveying dangerous goods only, two time periods…

Speed limit, speed prosecution by camera (R201-80+Camera)

Speed limit, time period (R201-60-510)

Speed limit, night time (R201-100-512)

No motor cars, during indicated period (R223-501)

De-restriction sign (R600)De-restriction signs (examples) (R132-600)

Warning signs for crossroads and junctions

Crossroad (W101)

Priority crossroad (W102)

Secondary crossroad (W103)

T-junction (W104)

Skew T-junction (W105)

Side road junction from the left (W107)

Side road junction from the right (W108)

Staggered junctions (W109)

Staggered junctions (W110)

Sharp junction (W112)

Sharp junction (W114)

Sharp junctions (W111)

Y-junction (W115)

End of dual roadway (W116)

Beginning of dual roadway (W118)

Warning signs for curves and traffic circles

Traffic circle (W201)

Gentle curve (W202)

Sharp curve (W204)

Hairpin bend (W206)

Winding road (W208)

Winding road (W209)

Combined curves (W210)

Combined curves (W211)

Two-way traffic (W212)

Two-way traffic crossroad (W213)

Lane ends (W214)

Lane ends (W215)

Concealed driveway (W216)

Hazard warning signs and what to do at each one

Traffic signals ahead (W301)

Traffic control “STOP” ahead (W302)

Traffic control “YIELD” ahead (W303)

Traffic control ahead (TW304)

Scholar patrol ahead (TW305)

Pedestrian crossing (W306)

Pedestrians (W307)

Children (W308)

Pedal cyclists (W309)

Domestic animals (W310)

Wild animals (W313)

Gate (W314)

Motor gate (W315)

Railway crossing (W318)

Tunnel (W319)

Height restricted (W320)

Length restricted (W321)

Steep ascend and steep descend (W322)

Slow-moving heavy vehicles (W324)

Gravel road begins (W325)

Narrow bridge (W326)

One vehicle width structure (W327)

Road narrows from both sides (W328)

Road narrows from one side only (W329)

Uneven roadway (W331)

Speed humps (W332)

Slippery road (W333)

Falling rocks (W334)

Falling rocks (W335)

Road works (TW336)

Grader working (TW337)

Loose stones (TW338)

General warning (W339)

Surface step (TW340)

Surface step (TW341)

Soft shoulder (TW342)

Stop/Ry-Go control ahead (TW343)

Truck crossing (W344)

Emergency flashing light (W346)

Temporary police flashing light (TW347)

Jetty edge or river bank (W348)

Crosswinds (W349)

Drift (W350)

Low-flying aircraft (W351)

Agricultural vehicles (W352)

Collision (TW353)

Reduced visibility (W354)

Congestion (W355)

Horses and riders (W356)

Elephant (W357)

Warthog (W358)

Hippo (W359)

Width (W360)

Electrical shock (W361)

Gravel road ends (W363)

Danger plates (W401)

Delineator plates (W402)

Railway crossing (W403)

Railway crossing (W404)

Sharp curve chevron (W405)

Sharp curve chevron (W406)

T-junction chevron (W409)

Dead-end (W410)

Road closed chevron (TW410)

Temporary barricade (W411)

Traffic signals out of order (TW412)

Gentle curve (right), recommended speed (W202+IN11.1)

Concealed driveway (from right), a distance ahead…

Traffic control "stop ahead", a distance ahead (W302+IN11.3)

Speed limit and reduced visibility, for a distance…

General warning with a text message (W339+IN11.4)

Speed humps with a text message (W332-RB)

Steep descent for a distance, with flashing lights…

Traffic control "stop" ahead, goods vehicles over the…

Drift and general warning, with a text message…

Speed limit and winding road (right-left), for a distance…

Speed limit on an uneven roadway, for a distance, with…

Speed limit with a text message (temporary) (TR201-RB / RE)

Switch lamps on, reduced visibility (temporary)…

Road works a distance ahead (temporary) (TW336-WF+TIN11.3)

Keep left (temporary) (TR103-RD)

Stop by police (R1+TIN11.577)

Vehicles exceeding mass only, a distance ahead (temporary)…

Proceed right only, motor cycles (temporary) (TR106-562)

No right turn ahead, buses (temporary) (TR210-560)

No parking, motor cycles (temporary) (TR216-562)Construction vehicles reservation, time limit (temporary)…

Roadworks for a distance (temporary) (TW336+TIN11.2)

"Stop/Go" control ahead, a distance ahead (temporary)…

Limited parking, pay and display (R306-P-523)Mass limit (GVM or GCM), time limit (R202-501)Speed limit, mass limit (GVM or GCM) (R201-202)Limited parking, time limit (temporary) (TR306-503)Minimum speed, trucks (R101-313)Speed limit, nighttime (R201-512)Speed limit, reduced visibility (temporary) (TR201-510)Speed limit, construction vehicles (temporary) (TR201-315)Limited parking, minibus (R306-P310)Minimum speed, goods vehicles (temporary) (TR101-313)No right turn ahead, time limit (R210-502)No stopping, time limit (R217-50)Proceed straight only, goods vehicles over the indicated…Parking, time limit (R305-P-501)Bus lane reservation, time limit (R302-501)Keep left, motorcycles (R103-307)Turn left ahead, delivery vehicles (R108-312)Switch headlamps on, reduced visibility (temporary)…No overtaking of goods vehicles by vehicles conveying…No right turn ahead, buses (R210-301)Tour buses only, time limit (R129-502)No taxis, time limit (R224-501)No pedestrians, time limit (temporary) (TR218-501)High occupancy vehicles parking reservation, time limit…

Guidance signs and freeway direction signs

River name (GLS-1)

Toll route name (GLS-2)

End of toll route (GLS-3)

Freeway name (dual) (GLS-4)

Freeway name (single) (GLS-5)

Interchange name (GLS-6)

Conservancy area (GLS-7)

Railway station (GDS-1)

Bus terminus (GDS-2)

Airport (GDS-3)

Freeway (dual) (GDS-4)

Freeway (single) (GDS-5)

Power station (GDS-6)

Industrial area (GDS-7)

City centre/central business district (GDS-8)

Toll route (GDS-9)

Alternative route (GDS-10)

Heliport (GDS-11)

Mine (GDS-12)

Harbour (GDS-13)

Library (GDS-15)

Bicycle route (GDS-16)

Park-'n-ride (train) (GDS-17)

Park-'n-ride (bus) (GDS-18)

Pick-up point (GDS-19)

Parking (GDS-20)

Minibus rank (GDS-21)

Toll plaza ahead (GDS-22)

Border/Customs post (GDS-23)

Generic - National park (GFS A1)National Parks-RSA (GFS A1-1)National Parks-Namibia (GFS A1-2)

Generic - Provincial park (GFS A2)Provincial parks Gauteng (GFS A2-1)Provincial parks Free State (GFS A2-2)Provincial parks Western Cape (GFS A2-3)Provincial parks Kwazulu-Natal (GFS A2-4)

Generic - Resorts (GFS A3)

Country clubs (Golf) (GFS A3-1)

Hot springs (GFS A3-2)

Inland water resort (GFS A3-3)

Seaside/beach resort (GFS A3-4)

Berg/Mountain resort (GFS A3-5)

Nature reserve (GFS A4-1)

National Heritage site (GFS A4-2)

Botanical gardens (GFS A4-3)

Gardens (Flowers) (GFS A4-4)

Waterfall (GFS A4-5)

Lake or dam (No water sport) (GFS A4-6)

Caves (GFS A4-7)

View point (GFS A4-8)

Forest (Natural) (GFS A4-9)

State forest (GFS A4-10)

Mountain/berg (GFS A4-11)

Motor racing track (GFS A5-1)

Golf course (GFS A5-2)

Horse racecourse (GFS A5-3)

Equestrian events (GFS A5-4)

Fishing (GFS A5-5)

Cricket field (GFS A5-6)

Swimming pool (GFS A5-7)

Sport stadium (GFS A6-8)

Arrestor bed (GSS-1)

Change to lower gear (GSS-2)

Advance trailblazer (GE2)

Advance transport trailblazer (GE9)Transport trail blazer (GE10)

Map-type advance trail blazer (GE11)Confirmation route marker (GE12)Confirmation route marker (regional routes) (GE13)Confirmation route marker (provincial routes) (GE14)

Confirmation route marker (national routes) (GE15)Direction route marker (GE12.1)Advance direction route marker (GE12.3)Overhead route marker (GE12.6)

Alternative route marker (GE16)

Bicycle route marker (GE17)

Stack-type advance direction (GD1)

Stack-type direction (GD1.112)

Confirmation sign (GD3)

Fingerboard (GD4)

Map-type advance direction (GD5)

Overhead direction (GD12)

Pre-advance exit direction (GA1)

Advance exit direction (GA2)

Supplementary exit direction (GA2/3)

Exit direction (GA3)

Gore exit (GA4)Advance off-ramp terminal direction (GA5)Advance off-ramp terminal direction (urban) (GA5.011)Off-ramp terminal direction (GA611)

Confirmation sign (freeway) (GA7)

Exit sequence (GA8)

Cross-route advance direction (GB1)

Near-side on-ramp direction (GB2)

Far-side advance on-ramp direction (GB3)

Far-side on-ramp direction (GB4)

Overhead freeway direction (GC3U)

Traffic movements affected by an obstruction (GS105)

Additional lane (GS211)

Lane-use control by regulation (GS301)

Lanes merge (GS401)Lanes converge (GS451)

Arrestor bed (GS501)

Engage lower gear (GS505)Overhead arrestor bed exit (GS601)

Overhead lane use control by regulation (GS603)

Information signs and what they tell you

Count down signs (IN3)

Cul-de-sac (IN4)

Right-of-way (IN7)

Park and ride (IN9)

Supplementary plates (IN11.1)

Information centre (IN12)

Road experiment (TIN13)

Co-ordinated traffic signals (IN14)

Multi-phase traffic signals (IN15)

Bus stop ahead (IN16)

Modal transfer (IN17)

Regulatory road markings: lines you must obey

Stop line (RTM1)

Yield line (RTM2)

Pedestrian crossing lines (RTM3)

No overtaking lines (RM1)

No crossing lines (RM2)

Channelizing line (RM3)

Left-edge line (RM4.1)

Right-edge line (RM4.2)

Painted island (RM5)

Parking bay (RM6)

Exclusive parking bay (RM7)

Mandatory direction arrows (RM8)

Bus lane marking (RM9)

Box junction (RM10)

Pedestrian crossing ahead lines (RM11)

No stopping lines (RM12)

No parking line (RM13)

Bicycle lane lines (RM14)

Traffic circle mandatory directional arrows (RM15)

Warning and guidance road markings explained

Railway crossing ahead (WM1)

Continuity lines (WM2)

Dividing lines (WM3)

Reversible lane lines (WM4)

Yield control ahead (WM5)

Lane reduction arrows (WM6.1)

Lane reduction arrows (WM6.2)

Mandatory direction arrow ahead (WM7)

No overtaking or no crossing line ahead (WM8)

Arrestor bed ahead (WM9)

Speed hump (WM10)

Lane lines (GM1)

Guide lines (GM2)

Bifurcation arrows (GM3)

Information arrows (GM4.1)

Bicycle crossing lines (GM5)

Road marking symbols (GM6.1)

Word markings (GM7)

Traffic lights and traffic officer signals

Steady green downward pointing arrow (S16)

Steady red cross (S17)

Yellow arrow left and yellow arrow right (S18)

Control hand signals for use by traffic officers (SS1)

Flag signals: stop and proceed (SS2)