Road signs in South Africa

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