Road signs in South Africa
Road signs in South Africa are based on the SADC-RTSM, 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.
Regulatory signs[]
Control signs[]
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 at roundabout
No entry
One-way roadway (left)
One-way roadway (right)
One-way roadway (straight)
Pedestrian priority zone
Give Way / Yield to oncoming traffic
Command signs[]
Minimum speed limit of 50 km/h
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[]
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
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[]
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[]
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[]
Dual-carriageway freeway begins
Single-carriageway freeway begins
Living Street / Woonerf begins
Selective restriction signs[]
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[]
End of minimum speed
End of toll route
Switch headlamps off
End of dual-carriage freeway
End of single-carriage freeway
End of living street / woonerf
Warning signs[]
Warning: Crossroad ahead
Warning: Crossroad ahead with priority
Warning: Crossroad ahead without priority
Warning: T-junction ahead
Warning: Skewed T-junction ahead
Warning: Skewed T-junction ahead
Warning: Side-road junction ahead
Warning: Side-road junction ahead
Warning: Staggered side-road junctions ahead
Warning: Staggered side-road junctions ahead
Warning: Sharp junction ahead
Warning: Sharp junction ahead
Warning: Sharp junction ahead
Warning: Sharp junction ahead
Warning: Fork ahead
Warning: Dual-carriageway ends ahead
Warning: Dual-carriageway ends ahead
Warning: Dual-carriageway begins ahead
Warning: Dual-carriageway begins ahead
Warning: Roundabout ahead
Warning: Gentle curve ahead
Warning: Gentle curve ahead
Warning: Sharp curve ahead
Warning: Sharp curve ahead
Warning: Hairpin curve ahead
Warning: Hairpin curve ahead
Warning: Winding road ahead
Warning: Winding road ahead
Warning: Series of curves ahead
Warning: Series of curves ahead
Warning: Two-way traffic ahead
Warning: Two-way traffic crossing ahead
Warning: Right lane ends ahead
Warning: Left lane ends ahead
Warning: Concealed driveway ahead
Warning: Concealed driveway ahead
Warning: Concealed driveways ahead
Warning: Traffic signal ahead
Warning: Stop control ahead
Warning: Give Way / Yield control ahead
Warning: Pedestrian crossing ahead
Warning: Pedestrians ahead
Warning: Children ahead
Warning: Cyclists ahead
Warning: Cattle ahead
Warning: Horses ahead
Warning: Sheep ahead
Warning: Wild animals ahead
Warning: Gate ahead
Warning: Motor gate ahead on right
Warning: Motor gate ahead on left
Warning: Motor gate ahead
Warning: Railway crossing ahead
Warning: Tunnel ahead
Warning: Height restriction ahead
Warning: Length restriction ahead
Warning: Steep descent ahead
Warning: Steep ascent ahead
Warning: Slow moving heavy vehicles ahead
Warning: Unpaved road surface ahead
Warning: Narrow bridge ahead
Warning: Single vehicle width passage ahead
Warning: Roadway narrows from both sides ahead
Warning: Roadway narrows from the right side ahead
Warning: Roadway narrows from the left side ahead
Warning: Uneven road surface ahead
Warning: Speed hump ahead
Warning: Slippery road ahead
Warning: Falling rocks ahead
Warning: Falling rocks ahead
Warning
"Danger" flashing light sign
Warning: Unprotected jetty edge or river bank ahead
Warning: Crosswinds ahead
Warning: Drift / Ford ahead
Warning: Low flying aircraft ahead
Warning: Agricultural vehicles ahead
Warning: Reduced visibility ahead
Warning: Traffic congestion ahead
Warning: Horse riders ahead
Warning: Elephants ahead
Warning: Warthogs ahead
Warning: Hippos ahead
Warning: Width restriction ahead
Warning: Danger of electrical shock
Warning: Trams ahead
Warning: Paved road surface ahead
Warning: Moveable bridge ahead
Guidance signs[]
Information signs[]
Cul-de-sac
Cul-de-sac
Cul-de-sac
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
Combo signs[]
Speed limit of 120 km/h during the day
Speed limit of 100 km/h during the night
Temporary road signs[]
 | 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[]
Command signs[]
Prohibition signs[]
Reservation signs[]
Parking signs[]
Comprehensive signs[]
Selective restriction signs[]
De-restriction signs[]
Warning signs[]
Information signs[]
Historic road signs[]
In 1993, South Africa has begun replacing the blue signs with a permanent white or a temporary yellow background was included. In 1977, the pre-RTSM manual signage was replaced by RTSM manual released in 1970.
Regulatory signs[]
Control signs[]
Command signs[]
Prohibition signs[]
Warning signs[]
Guidance signs[]
Information signs[]
References[]
- Road signs by country