Information signsSouth Africa

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of South Africa. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Information signs

An information sign identifies a route, destination, facility or regulated road or area. Some carry legal consequences, so apply the actual sign meaning and local traffic code.

Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way.

Parking only allowed for a limited time.

Which signs provide information in South Africa?

Guidance and information have their own functions; compulsory reserved routes or facilities use regulatory signs.

🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — information-signs

What does a dead-end indication mean in South Africa?

South African no-through road information must be distinguished from No entry or a vehicle prohibition. It describes where the road or indicated route ends.

🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — information-signs

1. Start of a priority road

This traffic sign indicates the start of a priority road. Drivers on the priority road normally have priority over traffic entering from side roads until the priority road ends, unless traffic lights, other signs or applicable traffic rules indicate otherwise.

English • IN7 • Right of way at the junction ahead. Traffic on the road you are following has right of way at the junction ahead. This sign is not a blanket priority declaration for every subsequent junction.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 5, PDF p. 12 (May 2012)

SVG source: Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2019-07-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.

2. Start of a motorway

This traffic sign indicates the start of a motorway. From this point, special motorway rules apply, including restrictions on which road users may enter and on stopping, reversing and other manoeuvres. Follow the applicable speed limits, lane rules and local motorway regulations.

English • R401 • Dual carriageway freeway begins. The comprehensive rules for a dual carriageway freeway apply beyond this sign. Obey the freeway access and driving restrictions.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2, PDF p. 110 (May 2012)

SVG source: Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2017-04-30. Wikimedia original unmodified.

3. End of the motorway

This traffic sign indicates the end of the motorway. The special motorway rules end at this point. Follow the speed limits, access rules and other traffic signs that apply to the road ahead.

English • R401-600 • End of dual carriageway freeway. The comprehensive dual carriageway freeway rules imposed by R401 end here.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2, PDF p. 134 (May 2012)

SVG source: Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2017-04-30. Wikimedia original unmodified.

4. Start of an expressway

This traffic sign indicates the start of an expressway. From this point, the traffic rules and access conditions that apply to expressways take effect according to the applicable local regulations.

English • R402 • Single carriageway freeway begins. The comprehensive rules for a single carriageway freeway apply beyond this sign. Obey the freeway access and driving restrictions.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2, PDF p. 111 (May 2012)

SVG source: Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2017-05-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

5. End of the expressway

This traffic sign indicates the end of the expressway. The special traffic rules associated with the expressway end at this point. Follow the rules and traffic signs that apply to the road ahead.

English • R402-600 • End of single carriageway freeway. The comprehensive single carriageway freeway rules imposed by R402 end here.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2, PDF p. 134 (May 2012)

SVG source: Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2017-05-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

6. Start of a residential area

This traffic sign indicates the start of a residential area. Special traffic rules apply within the area according to the applicable signs and local regulations. These rules may affect speed, parking and how different road users use the road.

English • R403 • Woonerf. Yield to pedestrians and children in this residential area. The general speed limit is 30 km/h unless another limit is signed. Vehicles exceeding 3,500 kg GVM or having more than 10 passenger seats may enter only for local access or delivery. Do not drive through without breaking your journey.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2, PDF p. 112 (May 2012)

SVG source: Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2017-05-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

7. End of the residential area

This traffic sign indicates the end of the residential area. The special traffic rules associated with the residential area end at this point. Follow the traffic signs and rules that apply beyond the area.

English • R403-600 • End of woonerf. The comprehensive woonerf rules imposed by R403 end here.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2, PDF p. 134 (May 2012)

SVG source: Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2017-05-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

8. Lane for cyclists

This traffic sign indicates a lane for cyclists. The lane is designated for bicycle traffic, subject to the applicable road markings, traffic signs and local rules.

English • R304 • Cycle lane reservation. The indicated lane is reserved for cyclists. This rectangular reservation sign does not itself make use of the lane compulsory for cyclists. Read any displayed conditions and the lane markings.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2016-03-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2 · R304 · PDF p. 88 (May 2012).

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Source revision 2016-03-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.

9. Crossing for pedestrians

This traffic sign indicates a crossing for pedestrians. It marks a designated place where pedestrians cross the road. Priority and crossing rules depend on the applicable traffic signs, signals and local regulations.

10. Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way

This traffic sign indicates a road narrowing where oncoming drivers have to give way.

11. Dead end street

This traffic sign indicates a dead end street. The road has no through route for vehicles, although access to properties or other destinations along the road may still be possible.

English • IN4 • Cul-de-sac. The road beyond the sign is not a through road.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 5, PDF p. 11 (May 2012)

SVG source: Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2019-07-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.

12. Road with one-way traffic

This traffic sign indicates a road with one-way traffic. Vehicular traffic may travel only in the permitted direction, subject to any exceptions indicated by traffic signs or local rules.

English • R4.3 • One-way: straight on. Traffic on this road must travel in the direction of the arrow.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2, PDF p. 41 (May 2012)

SVG source: Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2017-04-28. Wikimedia original unmodified.

13. Road with one-way traffic

This traffic sign indicates a road with one-way traffic. Drivers may travel only in the permitted direction.

English • R4.1 • One-way roadway to the left. Traffic on the indicated roadway may travel only in the direction shown by the left-pointing arrow.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2017-04-28. Wikimedia original unmodified.
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2 · R4.1 · PDF p. 41 (May 2012).

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Source revision 2017-04-28. Wikimedia original unmodified.

14. Road with one-way traffic

This traffic sign indicates a road with one-way traffic. Drivers may travel only in the permitted direction.

English • R4.2 • One-way roadway to the right. Traffic on the indicated roadway may travel only in the direction shown by the right-pointing arrow.

Sources

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Source revision 2017-04-28. Wikimedia original unmodified.

15. Lane for buses

This traffic sign indicates a lane for buses. The lane is intended for buses and any other road users permitted by the applicable signs or local rules.

English • R302 • Bus lane reservation. The indicated lane is reserved for buses. Read it together with the lane markings and any displayed time or other conditions.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2016-04-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2 · R302 · PDF p. 87 (May 2012).

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Source revision 2016-04-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

16. Lane for buses and trams

This traffic sign indicates a lane for buses and trams. The lane is intended for buses and trams and may also be used by other road users where the applicable signs or local rules permit it.

English • R343 • Bus and tram lane reservation. The indicated lane is reserved for buses and trams. Read it together with the lane markings and any displayed time or other conditions.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2016-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2 · R343 · PDF p. 103 (May 2012).

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Source revision 2016-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

17. Parking allowed

This traffic sign indicates that parking is allowed. Vehicles may be parked in the area covered by the sign subject to any indicated conditions, restrictions or local parking rules.

English • R305-P • Parking. The parking area is reserved for use upon payment of the tariff indicated there. Obey any additional signed times or conditions.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2, PDF p. 89 (May 2012)

SVG source: Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2016-03-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.

18. Parking only allowed for cars

This traffic sign indicates that parking is reserved for cars. Other vehicle categories may not use the parking space or area unless an applicable sign or local rule permits it.

English • R308-P • Motor car parking reservation. The parking area is reserved for motor cars. Observe any displayed time or other conditions.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2016-03-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2 · R308-P · PDF p. 92 (May 2012).

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Source revision 2016-03-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.

19. Parking only allowed for a limited time

This traffic sign indicates that parking is allowed only for a limited time. Observe the permitted parking duration and use a parking disc or other time-recording method where required.

English • R306-P • Limited parking reservation. The illustrated sign limits parking to 60 minutes. Observe any applicable payment, time and other conditions. This sign does not by itself require a parking disc.

Sources

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Source revision 2016-03-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.

20. Parking only allowed for the disabled

This traffic sign indicates that parking is reserved for people with disabilities. Use of the parking space is subject to the required permit, badge or other conditions specified by the applicable local rules.

English • R323-P • Disabled persons vehicle parking reservation. The parking area is reserved for vehicles used by people with disabilities, subject to the applicable authorisation requirements and any displayed conditions.

Sources

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Source revision 2016-03-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.

21. Parking only allowed for taxis

This traffic sign indicates that parking is reserved for taxis. Other vehicles may not use the parking space or area unless an applicable exception permits it.

English • R309-P • Taxi parking reservation. The parking area is reserved for taxis. Observe any displayed time or other conditions.

Sources

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Source revision 2016-03-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.

22. Parking only allowed for trucks

This traffic sign indicates that parking is reserved for trucks. Other vehicle categories may not use the parking space or area unless an applicable sign or local rule permits it.

English • R313-P • Goods vehicle parking reservation. The parking area is reserved for goods vehicles. Observe any displayed vehicle, time or other conditions.

Sources

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Source revision 2016-03-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.