Prohibitory signsSouth Africa

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Prohibitory signs

A prohibitory sign is a traffic sign that tells drivers what is not allowed on that specific road or in that situation. These signs impose restrictions such as no entry, no overtaking, no parking, speed limits, or bans on certain types of vehicles. Their purpose is to clearly indicate actions that are forbidden to ensure safety, maintain traffic flow, and protect vulnerable road users.

Vehicles carrying water-polluting substances prohibited.

Vehicles wider than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles higher than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles longer than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles exceeding the axle-load limit prohibited.

Trucks heavier than indicated prohibited.

1. No entry

This traffic sign means no entry. Drivers may not enter from the direction in which the sign is placed.

2. Pedestrians prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that pedestrians are prohibited. Pedestrians may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

3. Cyclists prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that cyclists are prohibited. Cyclists may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

4. Motorcycles prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that motorcycles are prohibited. Motorcyclists may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

5. Cars prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that cars are prohibited. Cars may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

6. Trucks prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that trucks are prohibited. Trucks covered by the sign may not enter or continue beyond it. Any applicable weight threshold or vehicle-category limitation is determined by the sign, supplementary information and local rules.

7. Buses prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that buses are prohibited. Buses covered by the sign may not enter or continue beyond it. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

8. Tractors prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that tractors are prohibited. Tractors covered by the sign may not enter or continue beyond it. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

9. Equestrians prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that equestrians are prohibited. Equestrians may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

10. Horsecarts prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that horsecarts are prohibited. Horse-drawn vehicles may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

11. Rickshaws prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that rickshaws are prohibited. Rickshaws may not enter or continue beyond the sign.

12. Trailers prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that trailers are prohibited. Vehicles towing trailers covered by the sign may not enter or continue beyond it. Vehicles without a trailer may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

13. Pedestrians and cyclists prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that pedestrians and cyclists are prohibited. Pedestrians and cyclists may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

14. Motorcycles and cars prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that motorcycles and cars are prohibited. Motorcycles and cars may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

15. Vehicles carrying water-polluting substances prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that vehicles carrying water-polluting substances are prohibited. Vehicles carrying the substances covered by the sign may not enter or continue beyond it.

16. Vehicles wider than indicated prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that vehicles wider than indicated are prohibited. A vehicle or vehicle combination whose overall width, including its load, exceeds the displayed limit may not continue beyond the sign.

17. Vehicles higher than indicated prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that vehicles higher than indicated are prohibited. A vehicle or vehicle combination whose overall height, including its load, exceeds the displayed limit may not continue beyond the sign.

18. Vehicles longer than indicated prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that vehicles longer than indicated are prohibited. A vehicle or vehicle combination whose overall length, including its load, exceeds the displayed limit may not continue beyond the sign.

19. Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that vehicles heavier than indicated are prohibited. Vehicles or vehicle combinations exceeding the displayed mass limit may not continue beyond the sign. The legally relevant mass is determined by the applicable local rules.

20. Vehicles exceeding the axle-load limit prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that vehicles exceeding the indicated axle-load limit are prohibited. A vehicle whose load on an axle exceeds the displayed limit may not continue beyond the sign.

21. Trucks heavier than indicated prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that trucks heavier than indicated are prohibited. Trucks covered by the sign may not continue if they exceed the displayed mass limit. The legally relevant mass is determined by the applicable local rules.

22. Turning left prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that turning left is prohibited. A left turn may not be made where the sign applies. Other movements may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

23. Turning right prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that turning right is prohibited. A right turn may not be made where the sign applies. Other movements may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

24. Turning around prohibited (U-turn)

This traffic sign indicates that turning around (making a U-turn) is prohibited. A U-turn may not be made where the prohibition applies. Other movements may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

25. Overtaking prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that overtaking is prohibited. The vehicles covered by the prohibition and any categories that may still be overtaken depend on the applicable local rules.

26. Overtaking prohibited for trucks

This traffic sign indicates that overtaking is prohibited for trucks. Trucks covered by the sign may not overtake where the prohibition applies. The affected truck categories and any exceptions depend on the applicable local rules.

27. Start of a speed limit

This traffic sign indicates the start of a speed limit. The displayed value is the maximum permitted speed from this point. The limit remains in force until it ends or is replaced according to the applicable traffic signs and local rules.

28. Using the horn prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that using the horn is prohibited. The horn or other audible warning device may not be used where the prohibition applies, except where an applicable local rule permits or requires it.

29. Parking prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that parking is prohibited. Vehicles may not be parked in the area covered by the sign unless an exception applies. Brief stopping to pick up or drop off passengers or to load or unload goods may still be permitted where local rules allow it.

30. Parking and stopping prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that parking and stopping are prohibited. Vehicles may not stop or park voluntarily where the restriction applies, except where an applicable rule provides an exemption or stopping is required by traffic conditions.