Road signs in South Africa
![]() | It has been suggested that this article be merged with Road signs in Botswana, Road signs in Eswatini, Road signs in Namibia, List of road signs in Tanzania and Road signs in Zambia to Road signs in the Southern African Development Community. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2025. |

Road signs in South Africa are based on the SADC-Road Traffic Sign Manual, 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.
Permanent road signs
[edit]Regulatory signs
[edit]Control signs
[edit]-
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 to Equestrians
-
Give way / Yield to pedestrians and equestrians
-
Give Way / Yield at roundabout
-
No entry
-
One-way roadway
-
One-way roadway
-
One-way roadway
-
Pedestrian priority zone
-
Give Way / Yield to oncoming traffic
Command signs
[edit]-
Minimum speed limit
-
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
[edit]-
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
-
End of weight limit
-
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
[edit]-
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
[edit]-
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
[edit]-
Dual-carriageway freeway begins
-
Single-carriageway freeway begins
-
Living Street / Woonerf begins
Selective restriction signs
[edit]-
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
[edit]-
End of minimum speed limit
-
End of toll route
-
Switch headlamps off
-
End of dual-carriage freeway
-
End of single-carriage freeway
-
End of living street / woonerf
Warning signs
[edit]-
Crossroad ahead
-
Crossroad ahead with priority
-
Crossroad ahead without priority
-
T-junction ahead
-
Skewed T-junction ahead
-
Skewed T-junction ahead
-
Side-road junction ahead
-
Side-road junction ahead
-
Staggered side-road junctions ahead
-
Staggered side-road junctions ahead
-
Sharp junction ahead
-
Sharp junction ahead
-
Sharp junction ahead
-
Sharp junction ahead
-
Fork ahead
-
Dual-carriageway ends ahead
-
Dual-carriageway ends ahead
-
Dual-carriageway begins ahead
-
Dual-carriageway begins ahead
-
Roundabout ahead
-
Gentle curve ahead
-
Gentle curve ahead
-
Sharp curve ahead
-
Sharp curve ahead
-
Hairpin curve ahead
-
Hairpin curve ahead
-
Winding road ahead
-
Winding road ahead
-
Series of curves ahead
-
Series of curves ahead
-
Two-way traffic ahead
-
Two-way traffic crossing ahead
-
Right lane ends ahead
-
Left lane ends ahead
-
Concealed driveway ahead
-
Concealed driveway ahead
-
Concealed driveways ahead
-
Traffic signal ahead
-
Stop control ahead
-
Give Way / Yield control ahead
-
Pedestrian crossing ahead
-
Pedestrians ahead
-
Children ahead
-
Cyclists ahead
-
Cattle ahead
-
Horses ahead
-
Sheep ahead
-
Wild animals ahead
-
Gate ahead
-
Motor gate ahead on right
-
Motor gate ahead on left
-
Motor gate ahead
-
Railway crossing ahead
-
Tunnel ahead
-
Height restriction ahead
-
Length restriction ahead
-
Steep descent ahead
-
Steep ascent ahead
-
Slow moving heavy vehicles ahead
-
Unpaved road surface ahead
-
Narrow bridge ahead
-
Single vehicle width passage ahead
-
Roadway narrows from both sides ahead
-
Roadway narrows from the right side ahead
-
Roadway narrows from the left side ahead
-
Uneven road surface ahead
-
Speed hump ahead
-
Slippery road ahead
-
Falling rocks ahead
-
Falling rocks ahead
-
Warning
-
"Danger" flashing light sign
-
Unprotected jetty edge or river bank ahead
-
Crosswinds ahead
-
Drift / Ford ahead
-
Low flying aircraft ahead
-
Agricultural vehicles ahead
-
Reduced visibility ahead
-
Traffic congestion ahead
-
Horse riders ahead
-
Elephants ahead
-
Warthogs ahead
-
Hippos ahead
-
Width restriction ahead
-
Danger of electrical shock
-
Trams ahead
-
Paved road surface ahead
-
Moveable bridge ahead
-
Railway crossing
-
Railway crossing with 2 or more tracks
-
Sharp curve marker
-
Sharp curve marker
-
Sharp curve marker
-
Sharp curve marker
-
T-junction marker
-
Dead end or road closure marker
-
Gore marker
-
Gore marker
Information signs
[edit]-
Dead end
-
Dead end
-
Dead end
-
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
-
Right-of-way over oncoming vehicles
-
Information centre
-
Park and Ride
-
Park and Ride
-
Modal transfer point
-
Modal transfer point
-
Modal transfer point
Combo signs
[edit]-
Speed limit of 120 km/h during the day
-
Speed limit of 100 km/h during the night
Temporary road signs
[edit]![]() | 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
[edit]Command signs
[edit]-
Minimum speed limit
-
End to minimum speed limit
-
Keep left
-
Keep right
-
Keep left
-
Keep right
-
Go straight/one way
-
Turn left
-
Turn right
-
Pedestrians only
-
Bicycle only
-
Bicycle and pedestrians right only 1
-
Bicycle and pedestrians right only 2
-
Bicycle and pedestrians left only 1
-
Bicycle and pedestrians left only 2
-
Motorcycle only
-
Cars only
-
Taxi only
-
Campervan only
-
Minibus only
-
Bus only
-
Pick up only
-
Trucks primited
-
Truck maximum primited
-
Dumptruck
-
Oil truck
-
Bus study tour primited
-
Tracktor primited
-
Horse
-
Switch headlamps on
-
Bus
-
Campervan and bus
-
Roundabout
-
Tram
-
Tram and bus
-
Campervan tram and bus
Prohibition signs
[edit]-
Speed limit 5
-
Speed limit 10
-
Speed limit 20
-
Speed limit 30
-
Speed limit 40
-
Speed limit 50
-
Speed limit 60
-
Speed limit 70
-
Speed limit 75
-
Speed limit 80
-
Speed limit 90
-
Speed limit 100
-
Speed limit 120
-
Maximum Height
-
Truck Maximum
-
No left turn
-
No right turn
-
No left
-
No right
-
No u turn
-
No passing
-
Truck no passing
-
No parking
-
No stopping
-
No pedestrians
-
No bicycle
-
No bicycle or pedestrians
-
No motorcycles
-
No cars
-
No taxi
-
No campervan
-
No minibus
-
No bus
-
No truck pick up
-
No trucks
-
No truck maximum
-
No dumptruck
-
No oil truck
-
No study tour bus
-
No tracktor
-
No horse
-
Maximum width
-
No cart
-
No selling
Reservation signs
[edit]Parking signs
[edit]-
Bus parking
-
Bicycle parking
-
Parking area
-
Parking 60 minutes
-
Parking motorcycle
-
Parking car
-
Parking taxi
-
Parking campervan
-
Parking minibus
-
Pick up parking
-
Trucks parking
-
Trucks minimum parking
-
Parking dumptruck
-
Oil truck parking
-
Study tour bus parking
-
Police parking
-
Parking handicap
-
Parking bus or campervan
-
Parking bus or minibus
-
Parking bus campervan minibus
Comprehensive signs
[edit]-
Start expresoway
Selective restriction signs
[edit]-
Left arrow
-
Right arrow
-
Double arrow
-
Pay toll road
-
Bus plqaue sign
-
Bicycle plaque sign
-
Motorcycle plaque sign
-
Cars plaque sign
-
Taxi plaque sign
-
Campervan plaque
-
Minibus plaque sign
-
Pick up plaque sign
-
Truck plaque sign
-
Truck minimum
-
Dumptruck plaque
De-restriction signs
[edit]Warning signs
[edit]-
Crossroad
-
Crossroad junction
-
Crossroad junction to two way
-
T junction
-
Skewed T junction
-
Skewed T junction
-
Side road junction left
-
Side road junction right
-
Double side roads right
-
Double side roads left
-
Skewed junction left
-
Skewed junction left
-
Skewed junction right
-
Skewed junction right
-
Y junction
-
Exit road left
-
Exit road right
-
Pass road right
-
Pass road left
-
Circular intersection ahead
-
Right Curve
-
Left Curve
-
Sharp right turn
-
Sharp left turn
-
Hairpin right curve
-
Hairpin left curve
-
Two curve right
-
Two curve left
-
Two sharp right turn
-
Two sharp left turn
-
Two way traffic
-
Two way traffic
-
Right lane ends
-
Left lanes left
-
Winding road left
-
Winding road right
-
Winding road right left
-
Traffic lights ahead
-
Stop sign ahead
-
Yield sign ahead
-
Pedestrian crossing
-
Pedestrian area
-
Children
-
Bicycle zone
-
Cow
-
Horse
-
Sheep
-
Deer
-
Gates
-
Narrow bridge right sign
-
Narrow bridge left sign
-
Narrow bridge
-
Railroad crossing ahead
-
Maximum height
-
Truck maximum width
-
Steep hill
-
Steep climb
-
Steep hill crash
-
Ends road
-
Narrow bridge
-
Narrow bridge
-
Narrow road
-
Narrow right road
-
Narrow left road
-
Uneven road
-
Bump
-
Sliperry road
-
Falling rocks from right
-
Falling rocks from left
-
Be careful/other danger
-
Flashing danger yellow
-
Flashing danger blue
-
Canyon
-
Windcross
-
Dip
-
Tracktor ahead
-
Fog
-
Traffic queque
-
Horse ahead
-
Elepaht ahead
-
Warthog ahead
-
Hippo ahead
-
Maximum width
-
Electricity
-
Road rock ends
Information signs
[edit]-
Dead end
-
Side road right dead end
-
Side road left dead end
-
Crossroad junction right turn dead end
-
Crossroad junction left turn dead end
-
T junction right turn dead end
-
T junction left turn dead end
Historic road signs
[edit]In 1993, South Africa began replacing the blue signs with a permanent white background, or a temporary yellow one was included.
In 1977, the pre-RTSM manual signage was replaced by signs compliant with the RTSM manual released in 1970.
Regulatory signs
[edit]Control signs
[edit]-
Stop sign
-
Stop and yield turn left
-
Yield sign
-
Yield to pedestrians
-
Do not enter sign
-
One way traffic left
-
One way traffic right
Command signs
[edit]-
Minimum speed limit
-
Keep left
-
Keep right
-
Keep left
-
Keep right
-
Straight/oneway
Prohibition signs
[edit]-
Speed limit 10
-
Speed limit 15
-
Speed limit 20
-
Speed limit 25
-
Speed limit 30
-
Speed limit 35
-
Speed limit 40
-
Speed limit 50
-
Speed limit 60
-
Speed limit 70
-
Speed limit 80
-
Speed limit 90
-
Speed limit 100
-
Speed limit 120
-
Ton limit bus or truck
-
Ton limit or wheels bus or truck
-
Maximum Height
-
No left turn
-
No right turn
-
No u turn
-
No passing
-
Trucks no passing
-
No parking
-
No stopping
-
No cars
-
No minibus
-
No bus
-
No truck
-
No dumptruck
-
Road closed
-
No vehicle
-
No bus
-
No stopping of bus
-
Stopping minibus prohibited
-
Combined speed limit
Warning signs
[edit]-
Intersection
-
T crossroad
-
T skewed crossroad right
-
T skewed crossroad left
-
Crossroad from left
-
Crossroad from right
-
Double crossroad from right
-
Double crossroad from left
-
Skewed crossroad from left
-
Skewed crossroad from left
-
Skewed crossroad from right
-
Skewed crossroad from right
-
Y crossroad
-
Added lane left sign
-
Added lane right sign
-
Pass right or straight
-
Pass left or straight
-
Roundabout
-
Right bend
-
Left bend
-
Sharp turn right
-
Sharp turn left
-
Hairpins right bend
-
Hairpins left bend
-
Winding road right-left
-
Winding road left-right
-
Two sharp right turn
-
Two sharp left turn
-
Two way traffic zone
-
Traffic light ahead
-
Stop ahead
-
Flagger ahead
-
Flagger ahead
-
Pedestrians crossing
-
Pedestrians crossing
-
Pedestrian ahead
-
School advance
-
Cyclists
-
Bicycle
-
Cattle
-
Horse
-
Buck
-
Gates
-
Narrow bridge right sign
-
Narrow bridge left sign
-
Narrow bridge
-
Railway crossing
-
Tunnel
-
Max height
-
Hill
-
Climb
-
Narrow bridge
-
Narrow bridge one lane
-
Road narrows
-
Right lane end
-
Left lane end
-
Uneven road
-
Bump
-
Slippery road
-
Falling rocks to the right
-
Falling rocks to the left
-
Construction ahead
-
Construction ahead
-
Loose gravel
-
Warning
-
Stop / Go ahead
-
Dumptrucks ahead
-
Flashing
-
Cliff
-
Wind
-
Sand
-
Low laying areas might be flooded
-
Elephant
-
Hippopotamus
-
Blind rise
-
Concealed Driveway
-
Ry stadig / Drive slowly
-
Rhino
-
Skool / School
-
Slow / Stadig
-
Snow / Ice
-
Road block ahead
-
Padblokkade voor
Guidance signs
[edit]-
Toilet rest area
Information signs
[edit]-
Dead end
-
Hospital