Length limitSouth Africa
Traffic rules
South Africa
1. Length limit
A length limit is a restriction that prohibits vehicles or vehicle combinations longer than a specified maximum length from entering a road or area. The stated length normally includes the complete vehicle combination and any load where national rules specify this.
Length restrictions are commonly used where long vehicles cannot safely negotiate narrow streets, tight bends, bridges, tunnels or other constrained road layouts. Drivers whose vehicle exceeds the indicated limit must use another permitted route.
Why might a road have a vehicle-length restriction in South Africa?
A limit may protect tight bends, bridges or streets where a long combination cannot turn or pass safely, including around older bridges, underpasses and rural routes. Read the actual sign; a length prohibition is different from a general warning about a narrow road.
🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — length-limit
Vehicles longer than indicated prohibited.
English • R205 • Length limit: 15 m. Vehicles or combinations longer than 15 metres, including projections, must not proceed beyond the sign.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 2, PDF p. 68 (May 2012)
SVG source: Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2017-06-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Is a trailer included in the signed length restriction in South Africa?
Where the sign restricts the length of a vehicle combination, measure the complete combination rather than just the towing vehicle. Any protruding load may also matter under the local legal measurement rules. Check the wording and vehicle class covered by the sign.
🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — length-limit
What if your vehicle combination exceeds a signed length limit in South Africa?
Choose another permitted route before entering the restricted section. Do not assume a wide carriageway is suitable: long vehicles need room for their swept path, particularly at sharp bends, junctions and roundabouts.
🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — length-limit
