Traffic Signs & Signals – Road
Signs and Their Meanings

Prepared to take and pass your driving licence theory test, as well as to drive safely on the road, it is important to know about the significance of all types of traffic signs/signals. Road signs provide important instructions, warnings, restrictions, and guidance that every driver must follow.

This page provides a structured overview of common traffic signs used in multiple countries. While designs and minor rules may vary by region, most road signs follow internationally recognized categories such as warning signs, regulatory signs, and mandatory signs.

To see signs that are relevant to your area, please select your country from the below list.

Select Your Country to View Road Signs

Choose your country to see traffic signs and signals commonly included in your driving licence theory test.

🇿🇦 South Africa

Road Signs and Their Meanings

Warning for a danger with no specific traffic sign.

Warning for a danger with no specific traffic sign.

Warning for low-flying aircrafts.

Warning for low-flying aircrafts.

Warning for cattle on the road.

Warning for cattle on the road.

Warning for crossing deer.

Warning for crossing deer.

Warning for wild horses on the road.

Warning for wild horses on the road.

Warning for sheep on the road.

Warning for sheep on the road.

Warning for a speed bump.

Warning for a speed bump.

Warning for a bad road surface.

Warning for a bad road surface.

Warning for children.

Warning for children.

Warning for an uncontrolled crossroad.

Warning for an uncontrolled crossroad.

Give way to all drivers.

Give way to all drivers.

Give way ahead.

Give way ahead.

Warning for a crossroad, give way to all drivers.

Warning for a crossroad, give way to all drivers.

Warning for a roundabout.

Warning for a roundabout.

Warning for a crossroad side roads on the left and right.

Warning for a crossroad side roads on the left and right.

Warning for a crossroad where the roads are not opposite to each other.

Warning for a crossroad where the roads are not opposite to each other.

Warning for a crossroad where the roads are not opposite to each other.

Warning for a crossroad where the roads are not opposite to each other.

Stop and give way to all drivers.

Stop and give way to all drivers.

Stop and give way ahead.

Stop and give way ahead.

Warning for an uncontrolled T-crossroad.

Warning for an uncontrolled T-crossroad.

Warning for an uncontrolled Y-crossroad.

Warning for an uncontrolled Y-crossroad.

Warning for heavy crosswind.

Warning for heavy crosswind.

Warning for a U-turn.

Warning for a U-turn.

Warning for a U-turn.

Warning for a U-turn.

Warning for a curve to the left.

Warning for a curve to the left.

Warning for a double curve, first left then right.

Warning for a double curve, first left then right.

Warning for a sharp curve to the left.

Warning for a sharp curve to the left.

Warning for a curve to the right.

Warning for a curve to the right.

Warning for a double curve, first right then left.

Warning for a double curve, first right then left.

Warning for a sharp curve to the right.

Warning for a sharp curve to the right.

Warning for curves.

Warning for curves.

Warning for cyclists.

Warning for cyclists.

Warning for a dip in the road.

Warning for a dip in the road.

Warning for falling rocks.

Warning for falling rocks.

Warning of poor visibility due to rain, fog or snow.

Warning of poor visibility due to rain, fog or snow.

Warning for a limited height.

Warning for a limited height.

Warning for equestrians.

Warning for equestrians.

Warning for a narrowing.

Warning for a narrowing.

Warning for pedestrians.

Warning for pedestrians.

Warning for a crossing for pedestrians.

Warning for a crossing for pedestrians.

Warning for a quayside or riverbank.

Warning for a quayside or riverbank.

Warning for a road narrowing.

Warning for a road narrowing.

Warning for a road narrowing on the left.

Warning for a road narrowing on the left.

Warning for a road narrowing on the right.

Warning for a road narrowing on the right.

Warning for an unpaved road surface.

Warning for an unpaved road surface.

Warning for a slippery road surface.

Warning for a slippery road surface.

Warning for a steep ascent.

Warning for a steep ascent.

Warning for a steep descent.

Warning for a steep descent.

Warning for tractors.

Warning for tractors.

Warning for a traffic light.

Warning for a traffic light.

Warning for traffic jams.

Warning for traffic jams.

Warning for a railroad crossing without barriers.

Warning for a railroad crossing without barriers.

Warning for a railroad crossing with barriers.

Warning for a railroad crossing with barriers.

Warning for trams.

Warning for trams.

Warning for a tunnel.

Warning for a tunnel.

Warning for a road with two-way traffic.

Warning for a road with two-way traffic.

Warning for a limited width.

Warning for a limited width.

Buses prohibited.

Buses prohibited.

Cars prohibited.

Cars prohibited.

Cyclists prohibited.

Cyclists prohibited.

Direction prohibited
(road with one-way traffic).

Direction prohibited (road with one-way traffic).

Horsecarts prohibited.

Horsecarts prohibited.

Equestrians prohibited.

Equestrians prohibited.

Motorcycles prohibited.

Motorcycles prohibited.

Motorcycles and cars prohibited.

Motorcycles and cars prohibited.

Pedestrians prohibited.

Pedestrians prohibited.

Pedestrians and cyclists prohibited.

Pedestrians and cyclists prohibited.

Rickshaws prohibited.

Rickshaws prohibited.

Tractors prohibited.

Tractors prohibited.

Trailers prohibited.

Trailers prohibited.

Trucks prohibited.

Trucks prohibited.

Using the horn prohibited.

Using the horn prohibited.

Overtaking prohibited.

Overtaking prohibited.

Overtaking prohibited for trucks.

Overtaking prohibited for trucks.

Begin of a speed limit.

Begin of a speed limit.

Turning left prohibited.

Turning left prohibited.

Turning right prohibited.

Turning right prohibited.

Turning around prohibited (U-turn).

Turning around prohibited (U-turn).

Vehicles higher than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles higher than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles longer than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles longer than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles with polluted fluids prohibited.

Vehicles with polluted fluids prohibited.

Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles with an axle weight heavier than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles with an axle weight heavier than indicated prohibited.

Trucks heavier than indicated prohibited.

Trucks heavier than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles wider than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles wider than indicated prohibited.

Parking prohibited.

Parking prohibited.

Parking and stopping prohibited.

Parking and stopping prohibited.

Turning left mandatory.

Turning left mandatory.

Turning right mandatory.

Turning right mandatory.

Passing left mandatory.

Passing left mandatory.

Passing right mandatory.

Passing right mandatory.

Mandatory direction of the roundabout.

Mandatory direction of the roundabout.

Mandatory left.

Mandatory left.

Mandatory right.

Mandatory right.

Driving straight ahead mandatory.

Driving straight ahead mandatory.

Mandatory lane for buses.

Mandatory lane for buses.

Mandatory lane for buses and trams.

Mandatory lane for buses and trams.

Mandatory lane for cars.

Mandatory lane for cars.

Mandatory path for cyclists.

Mandatory path for cyclists.

Mandatory divided path for pedestrians and cyclists.

Mandatory divided path for pedestrians and cyclists.

Mandatory divided path for pedestrians and cyclists.

Mandatory divided path for pedestrians and cyclists.

Mandatory path for motorcycles.

Mandatory path for motorcycles.

Mandatory path for pedestrians.

Mandatory path for pedestrians.

Mandatory shared path for pedestrians and cyclists.

Mandatory shared path for pedestrians and cyclists.

Mandatory lane for trams.

Mandatory lane for trams.

Mandatory lane for trucks.

Mandatory lane for trucks.

Mandatory lights on.

Mandatory lights on.

Mandatory lights off.

Mandatory lights off.

Begin of a minimum speed.

Begin of a minimum speed.

Crossing for pedestrians.

Crossing for pedestrians.

Dead end street.

Dead end street.

Begin of an expressway.

Begin of an expressway.

End of the expressway.

End of the expressway.

Begin of a motorway.

Begin of a motorway.

End of the motorway.

End of the motorway.

Road with one-way traffic.

Road with one-way traffic.

Parking allowed.

Parking allowed.

Begin of a priority road.

Begin of a priority road.

Begin of a residential area.

Begin of a residential area.

End of the residential area.

End of the residential area.

Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way.

Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way.

Warning for an uncontrolled crossroad.

Warning for an uncontrolled crossroad.

Give way to all drivers.

Give way to all drivers.

Give way ahead.

Give way ahead.

Warning for a crossroad, give way to all drivers.

Warning for a crossroad, give way to all drivers.

Warning for a roundabout.

Warning for a roundabout.

Warning for a crossroad side roads on the left and right.

Warning for a crossroad side roads on the left and right.

Warning for a crossroad where the roads are not opposite to each other.

Warning for a crossroad where the roads are not opposite to each other.

Warning for a crossroad where the roads are not opposite to each other.

Warning for a crossroad where the roads are not opposite to each other.

Stop and give way to all drivers.

Stop and give way to all drivers.

Stop and give way ahead.

Stop and give way ahead.

Warning for an uncontrolled T-crossroad.

Warning for an uncontrolled T-crossroad.

Warning for an uncontrolled Y-crossroad.

Warning for an uncontrolled Y-crossroad.

Mandatory direction of the roundabout.

Mandatory direction of the roundabout.

Begin of a priority road.

Begin of a priority road.

Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way.

Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way.

Why Learning Road Signs Is Important

Road signs play an important role in both every driver’s theory examination and on the road, and are necessary for safe driving; each driver will be familiar with them. A driver’s knowledge about road signs will allow them to:

  • Avoid traffic violations
  • Increased Road Safety Awareness
  • Faster Decision Making While Driving
  • Effectively Preparing for Learner Licence Exams
  • Reduction Of Accident Risks

Studying traffic signs regularly improves recall speed during exams and real-life driving situations.

How Road Signs Appear in Driving Theory Exams

Multiple-choice questions related to road signs and signals are included in the theory portion of many countries’ driving license tests. You may be asked to:

  • Identify the meaning of a sign
  • Choose appropriate action for given sign
  • Recognize hazard alert symbols
  • Recognize speed limit restrictions

Practicing your skill to identify road signs can increase your confidence, which increases your chances of passing the practical test on your first try.

Frequently Asked Questions

Traffic signs are generally divided into warning signs, regulatory signs, mandatory signs, and information signs.

Many countries follow international standards, but shapes, colors, and specific rules may vary slightly. Always study signs specific to your country’s driving test.

Yes. Road signs are a major part of most learner permit and theory tests worldwide.

Regular practice, reviewing categorized signs, and taking mock driving theory tests can improve memorization and recognition speed.

This website is an independent educational source to support driving theory preparation. It is not affiliated with any government agency, licensing authority, or official testing body.

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