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Toll roadSouth 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
South Africa

6. Toll road

A toll road is a road, motorway, bridge, tunnel or other route for which users must pay a charge. The toll may apply to all vehicles or only to particular vehicle categories, and the amount can depend on factors such as distance travelled, vehicle type, weight or emissions.

Tolls may be collected at toll booths, electronically or through a vignette or distance-based charging system. Drivers should check the applicable payment rules before using a toll road, especially when travelling in another country.

Toll road
e-Tag lane at the Carousel Toll Plaza on the southbound N1. (Tshwane, Gauteng, South Africa)
Wikimedia.org • JMK • CC BY-SA
Which road-charging system should I check in South Africa?

South Africa has toll plazas on specified roads operated by SANRAL and concessionaires. A toll-plaza charge must be distinguished from the former Gauteng freeway e-toll scheme; the actual route and current collection arrangements matter.

🔗 mobilityaccount.sanral.co.za • South Africa, official authority guidance — toll-road

🔗 gov.za • South African Government — Gauteng e-toll switch-off12 April2024, distinct from toll plazas

What should I check before using a charged road in South Africa?

Check the responsible operator’s tariff, vehicle class and accepted payment method. An account, tag or past Gauteng arrangement must not be assumed to settle every current toll-plaza journey in South Africa.

🔗 mobilityaccount.sanral.co.za • South Africa, official authority guidance — toll-road

🔗 gov.za • South African Government — Gauteng e-toll switch-off12 April2024, distinct from toll plazas

Does the absence of a toll booth prove that a road is free in South Africa?

The absence of a payment booth is not proof that a charged road is free. A vignette, electronic account, vehicle-registration record or another payment procedure may be used where the actual scheme provides for it. Follow the responsible authority or operator’s instructions for that road.

🔗 mobilityaccount.sanral.co.za • SANRAL — conventional toll payment, tags and current account arrangements

🔗 gov.za • South African Government — Gauteng GFIP e-tolls switched off from 12 April 2024

1 South Africa 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Pedestrian warning 5 Speed bump 6 Toll road 7 Dead end 8 Stop sign 9 Give way 10 Roundabout 11 Pedestrian crossing 12 Railway crossing 13 School area 14 Crossing animals 15 Curve 16 Wrong-way driving 17 Traffic lights 18 Traffic lights warning 19 Traffic mirror 20 Parking 21 Reversing 22 Tourist attraction 23 Dangers 24 Bus 25 Police 26 Ambulance 27 Pothole 28 Path 29 Particulates 30 Air pollution 31 Rush hour 32 Road code 33 Street gutter 34 Cargo bike 35 Forestry vehicle 36 Construction vehicle 37 Semi-trailer truck 38 Trolleybus 39 Speed pedelec 40 Delivery vehicle 41 Idling 42 Tow truck 43 Four-wheel drive 44 Bicycle 45 Motorcycle equipment 46 Rail track 47 Caravan 48 Trailer 49 Tow hitch 50 Fire truck 51 Siren 52 Convoy 53 Emergency vehicle lighting 54 Agricultural machinery 55 Electric bicycle 56 Electric vehicle 57 Pedelec 58 Quadricycle 59 Microcar 60 All-terrain vehicle 61 Van 62 Recreational vehicle 63 Scooter 64 Trikke 65 Personal mobility device 66 Skateboard 67 Segway 68 Kick scooter 69 Roller skates 70 Mailman 71 Hitchhiker 72 Toddler 73 Child 74 Disability 75 Motorail 76 km/h 77 mph 78 Speedometer 79 Ride height 80 Dirt road 81 Driving 82 Start-stop system 83 Manual transmission 84 Automatic transmission 85 Throttle 86 Tachometer 87 Steering wheel 88 Power steering 89 Visual scanning 90 Mirror 91 Fuel 92 Fuel gauge 93 Petrol 94 Diesel 95 Diesel exhaust fluid 96 Car insurance 97 First aid kit 98 Fire extinguisher 99 High-visibility clothing 100 First aid ...