Road Signs Signals and Markings
Road Signs, Signals and Markings is the sign-recognition section of the learner’s test, grounded in the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual (SARTSM) and Section 2 of the NaTIS Learner Driver Manual. South African signs are grouped by function into four classes — Regulatory Signs, Warning Signs, guidance signs and information signs — plus Road Markings and Traffic Signals.
A cutting rule across all classes: a white background means a permanent sign; a yellow background means a temporary (roadworks) sign. Permanent warning signs are red-bordered triangles, not yellow diamonds — a common secondary-source error. The section tests both meaning recognition and the required driver response (e.g. a Stop Sign requires a complete stop; a Yield Sign requires you to stop only if necessary).
Ontology Road Signs Signals and Markings [part-of] K53 Learner Licence Exam Format Road Signs Signals and Markings [defines] Regulatory Signs Road Signs Signals and Markings [defines] Warning Signs
Learning objective
Recognise SA road signs by class, shape and colour, and know the required driver response to each.
Question patterns
- What does this sign mean?
- What must you do at this sign?
- Which sign is regulatory vs a warning?
Common mistakes
- Confusing Yield (stop if needed) with Stop (always stop)
- Reading a blue minimum-speed circle as a maximum
- Calling permanent warning signs ‘yellow diamonds’ (those are temporary)
Connections
- Regulatory Signs — covers_topic, source: 2026-06-28
- Warning Signs — covers_topic, source: 2026-06-28
- Traffic Signals — covers_topic, source: 2026-06-28
- South African Road Traffic Signs Manual — derived_from_source, source: 2026-06-28