Rules of the Road

What is the general speed limit in an urban area in South Africa?

What is the maximum speed limit on a South African freeway for a light motor vehicle?

What is the speed limit on rural roads outside urban areas?

A heavy goods vehicle exceeding 9,000 kg is driving on a freeway. What is its maximum speed limit?

You are towing another vehicle with a rope. What is the maximum permitted speed?

A minibus (passenger vehicle) is travelling on a freeway. What is its maximum permitted speed?

When may a driver exceed the posted speed limit?

A vehicle towing a trailer on a freeway has a maximum speed of:

A speed limit sign shows 80 km/h. The road surface is wet. What speed should you travel?

What is the maximum speed limit for a minibus taxi on a public road outside an urban area?

A vehicle towing a trailer must not exceed what speed on a freeway?

What is the maximum speed limit on a public road outside an urban area for a goods vehicle exceeding 9 000 kg GVM?

What is the general speed limit on a public road outside an urban area (non-freeway)?

You are approaching a school zone sign during school hours. What speed limit typically applies?

What is the maximum speed for a minibus (9-16 seats) on a national road outside an urban area?

What speed limit applies to a vehicle with a GVM exceeding 9 000 kg in an urban area?

A vehicle towing another vehicle on a public road using a rope may not exceed:

Unless a road sign says otherwise, what is the general speed limit on a public road inside an urban area?

Unless a road sign says otherwise, what is the general speed limit on a public road OUTSIDE an urban area?

What is the general maximum speed limit on a freeway?

A goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 9 000 kg is travelling on a road outside an urban area. What is its maximum speed limit?

A bus or minibus carrying passengers, with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3 500 kg, is on a road outside an urban area. What is its maximum speed limit?

You are on a rural road where the general limit is 100 km/h, and you pass a sign showing 80. Which speed applies?

What speed limit applies to a breakdown vehicle while it is towing another vehicle?

What sign must be displayed on the rear of a bus that is subject to the 100 km/h limit?

A goods vehicle and its trailers together exceed 9 000 kg. What speed limit binds that combination?

What is the general speed limit on a freeway where no sign shows otherwise?

What is the recommended following distance in good driving conditions?

What should you do with your following distance when it is raining?

You are following a large heavy truck. How should you adjust your following distance?

Why is a safe following distance important?

What is the "two-second rule" in driving?

What is the minimum following distance required when towing a trailer on a public road?

A heavy motor vehicle (over 9 000 kg GVM) must maintain a following distance of at least how many metres behind the vehicle ahead on a public road?

In wet weather, what should you do with your following distance?

Why must you increase your following distance when towing a trailer?

What is the minimum following distance for heavy motor vehicles (over 9 000 kg) on public roads?

In which of these situations should you INCREASE your following distance?

What is the recommended safe following time behind the vehicle ahead when driving a light motor vehicle?

What is the recommended safe following time when driving a heavy motor vehicle?

On which side must you normally overtake another vehicle in South Africa?

When may you overtake on the left side of a vehicle?

You must NOT overtake at which of the following locations?

You want to overtake a vehicle. When is it safe to do so?

What must you do when a vehicle behind you wants to overtake?

May you overtake a vehicle that has stopped at a pedestrian crossing to allow a pedestrian to cross?

May you cross a solid white centre line to overtake?

You are about to overtake. The vehicle ahead suddenly signals to turn right. What must you do?

You are overtaking and realise you cannot complete the manoeuvre safely. What should you do?

When overtaking a cyclist, what lateral distance should you maintain?

On a two-lane road, the vehicle ahead is signalling to turn right. Is it legal to overtake on the left?

A vehicle ahead of you has stopped at a pedestrian crossing. What may you NOT do?

Why may you not overtake on a blind rise or a sharp curve?

Which of the following allows you to overtake another vehicle on its LEFT-hand side?

May you cross the yellow left edge line in order to overtake a vehicle on its left?

Another vehicle is overtaking you. What must you do?

You are in the right-hand lane of a freeway and the driver behind flashes their headlights. What is the correct response?

You are passing a stationary hazard on your side of the road. What is the first step in the K53 procedure?

How far from a fire hydrant must you not park your vehicle?

How far from an intersection must you not park?

How far from a pedestrian crossing must you not park?

Where may you NOT stop your vehicle on a freeway?

What does a yellow line painted on the kerb mean?

What does a red line painted on the kerb mean?

You have broken down on a public road at night. What must you do?

How far from a bridge must you not stop or park?

How far from a fire hydrant must you park?

You wish to park on a two-way road where the speed limit is 60 km/h. What lights must you activate?

May you stop on a freeway to pick up or drop off passengers?

You are parking facing downhill. In which direction should you turn your front wheels when leaving the vehicle?

Where should you normally park your vehicle?

You are parking on the right-hand side of a one-way road. How far may the outer edges of your right-side wheels be from the road edge?

A vehicle is parked in contravention of the regulations. What may happen to it?

Outside an urban area, where may you not park unless a sign marks a parking place?

May you park with part of your vehicle up on the sidewalk?

Who may park a motor vehicle in a bay reserved for disabled persons?

At an uncontrolled intersection where two vehicles arrive simultaneously, who has right of way?

You are turning right at an intersection with green traffic lights. Who must you yield to?

Who has right of way at a traffic circle (roundabout)?

An emergency vehicle with its siren and lights activated approaches from behind. What must you do?

You approach a YIELD sign at a T-intersection. What must you do?

A pedestrian is at a marked pedestrian crossing and about to step onto the road. What must you do?

At a four-way stop, two vehicles arrive at the same time from opposite directions. Who has right of way?

A funeral procession is travelling through an intersection against the red light. What must you do?

Who has right of way — a vehicle already in a roundabout, or a vehicle about to enter?

You are on a minor road about to cross a major road marked with a YIELD sign. Which vehicles must you yield to?

At a roundabout, to whom must you yield right of way?

How does a mini-circle differ from a roundabout in terms of who has right of way?

In which direction do you drive around a mini-circle?

What must you do when you approach a red traffic light?

What does an amber (yellow) traffic light mean?

What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

What does a flashing amber traffic light mean?

A green arrow traffic light points to the right. What does this mean?

The traffic lights at an intersection are not working. What applies?

At an intersection with traffic lights, the lights fail and no officer is present. How must you treat the intersection?

A green arrow appears alongside a red light. What does this mean?

A flashing amber traffic light at an intersection requires you to:

A traffic officer at an intersection signals "stop" to your lane while the traffic light shows green. What must you do?

Which lane should you normally use on a two-lane road?

When must you signal before changing lanes?

You are travelling on a freeway and have been in the right lane. When must you return to the left lane?

What is "lane splitting" or riding between lanes on a motorcycle?

What does a solid yellow line on your side of a double centre line mean?

On a multi-lane road, which lane should you normally drive in?

When is it legal to use the hard shoulder of a freeway for driving?

You are in a lane designated by a sign for turning left only, but you want to go straight. What must you do?

On a divided road (dual carriageway), where must you drive?

What is a "dedicated public transport lane" and who may use it?

When may you drive on the road shoulder (verge)?

What is the legal blood alcohol limit for an ordinary (non-professional) driver in South Africa?

What is the legal blood alcohol limit for a professional driver (e.g., taxi or truck driver)?

A traffic officer asks you to take a breathalyser test. You refuse. What happens?

What is the legal breath alcohol limit for an ordinary driver?

Which statement is TRUE about alcohol and driving?

What is the breath alcohol limit for a professional driver (in mg per 1000 ml of breath)?

Under the AARTO demerit system, which of the following is a consequence of accumulating demerit points?

What is the legal blood alcohol limit for an ordinary driver, and for a professional driver?

Who is responsible for ensuring that all passengers in a vehicle wear seatbelts?

Must rear seat passengers wear seatbelts in South Africa?

A child under 3 years old is travelling in a vehicle. What must they use?

A child between 3 and 14 years old is sitting in the rear of a vehicle. What restraint must they use?

For seatbelt purposes, when is a person between the ages of 3 and 14 regarded as an adult?

When turning left at an intersection, into which lane must you turn?

When must you signal before turning at an intersection?

You approach an intersection with a STOP sign. There is no other traffic. What must you do?

Two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop at the same time on opposing roads. Who proceeds first?

At a four-way stop, two vehicles on perpendicular roads arrive at exactly the same time. Who goes first?

At a T-intersection, who has right of way — the road that continues (the through road) or the road that ends (the T-junction approach)?

Three vehicles arrive simultaneously at a four-way stop. Vehicle A is going straight, Vehicle B is turning right, Vehicle C is on B's right going straight. In what order should they proceed?

What is the "point of no return" at an intersection?

You want to turn right at a traffic light. Where should your vehicle be positioned?

Before turning LEFT at an intersection, where should you position your vehicle?

You are turning RIGHT from a two-way road into another two-way road. Where should you end up?

As you turn right at an intersection, on which side must you pass a traffic island or a traffic officer directing traffic?

In the K53 system, in what order should you look when approaching a yield sign or an uncontrolled intersection?

At a scholar patrol crossing, when may you proceed?

Where must pedestrians walk when there is no pavement?

Who is legally responsible if a driver collides with a pedestrian at an unmarked crossing?

A child suddenly runs into the road ahead of you. What should you do?

At a pelican crossing (pedestrian-controlled traffic light), a pedestrian is still crossing as the light changes to green. What must you do?

A visually impaired person is crossing the road with a white cane. What must you do?

Where should pedestrians walk when there is no pavement?

At an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing, a pedestrian steps onto the crossing. What must a driver do?

Are pedestrians allowed to walk along freeways?

When must you switch on your headlights?

When must you dip (switch to low beam) your headlights?

When should you use your hazard warning lights?

When must you use your vehicle's headlights?

When must you switch from high beam (brights) to low beam headlights?

What does it mean when you flash your headlights at another driver?

When should parking lights (side lights) be used instead of headlights?

What is the purpose of rear fog lights?

Under the National Road Traffic Act, when must headlights be used?

At what distance from an oncoming vehicle must you switch from high beam to low beam?

During which period must your headlamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps be switched on?

A main beam (bright light) headlamp must let the driver see a person or object at a distance of at least:

A dipped beam must enable the driver to see a person, vehicle or object at a distance of at least:

May you drive with only your parking lamps lit?

When may fog lamps lawfully be lit?

Your brake lights must be visible in normal sunlight to a person of normal eyesight at a distance of:

When do the lighting requirements NOT apply to a parked motor vehicle?

A number plate lamp must make every letter and figure of the plate visible to a person of normal eyesight from what distance?

What restriction applies to a spot lamp fitted to a motor vehicle?

Which vehicles are NOT allowed on South African freeways?

What must you do when entering a freeway from an on-ramp?

Is a learner driver allowed on a freeway?

What must you NOT do on a freeway emergency lane?

What is the minimum speed on a South African freeway?

Which vehicles are prohibited from using a freeway?

Your vehicle breaks down on a freeway. What must you do first?

When joining a freeway via an on-ramp, who has right of way?

A tractor is driven on a freeway. Is this permitted?

When being overtaken on a freeway, what must you NOT do?

What does a solid white line in the centre of a road mean?

What does a broken white centre line indicate?

What does a yellow edge line on the left side of a road indicate?

What do diagonal yellow stripes painted on the road surface indicate?

A white line with yellow hash marks (diagonal lines) is painted across a lane. What does this indicate?

What does a continuous yellow centre line mean when driving in South Africa?

There is a broken yellow line on your side of the centre and a solid yellow line on the opposite side. What does this mean?

A "STOP" text painted on the road surface in white letters means what?

A yellow line is painted along the LEFT edge of a road. What is its significance?

When may you use your vehicle's horn (hooter)?

When are hand signals permitted on a freeway?

When must you use your indicators (turn signals)?

You are approaching a blind rise. Is it permissible to use your horn?

How far in advance should you signal before turning at an intersection?

Under what circumstances is it legal to use your hooter (horn)?

Where is it prohibited to use your hooter (horn)?

You are involved in a minor road accident. What must you do first?

After an accident resulting in injury, within how long must you report it to the police?

After an accident, may you consume alcohol before the police arrive?

What information must you provide to the other party after a road accident?

After a collision, within what period must you report the accident to the nearest police station?

You witness a vehicle accident and the drivers are injured. After calling for help, what is your first-aid priority?

What warning devices must be carried in your vehicle and used at the scene of a breakdown or accident?

How many SABS-approved warning triangles must a motor vehicle carry?

At what minimum distance behind your stationary vehicle must you place a warning triangle?

Within what period must an accident be reported to the police?

Someone has been killed in an accident. When may the vehicles involved be moved?

Must a motorcycle rider and passenger wear helmets?

A motorcycle with an engine capacity of 50 cc wants to use the freeway. May it?

Is lane splitting (riding between lanes of slow or stationary traffic) legal in South Africa?

A motorcycle rider must wear a helmet that complies with which standard?

A motorcycle has both a headlight and a tail light. When must the headlight be on?

A learner motorcycle rider — may they carry a passenger?

A motorcycle with a 125 cc engine wants to use the freeway. Is this permitted?

What is the maximum distance allowed between a towing vehicle and the towed vehicle?

Who must be in a vehicle that is being towed on a public road?

What is the maximum length allowed for a towbar connection between the towing vehicle and a trailer?

A trailer's brakes fail while you are towing. What is the likely effect?

When a vehicle is being towed with a rope on a public road, what must be attached to the rope if the towing distance exceeds 1.8 metres?

A trailer must have its own brakes if its gross vehicle mass exceeds:

You are towing another vehicle with a rope rather than a solid bar. What is your maximum speed?

What is the maximum permitted distance between a towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed?

May you carry passengers in a vehicle that is being towed?

How far may a load project beyond the rear of a motor vehicle?

A load extends more than 150 mm beyond the rear of your vehicle. What is required?

Your load shifts while driving, causing your vehicle to become difficult to steer. What must you do?

How far beyond the FRONT of a vehicle may a load project?

At night, what must be attached to a load that projects more than 300 mm beyond the rear of a vehicle?

Must you carry your driver's licence when driving?

May you use a hand-held cell phone while driving?

What is the minimum tyre tread depth required in South Africa?

When approaching a school bus that has stopped with flashing amber lights, what must you do?

What does "defensive driving" mean?

You are driving and feel very tired. What is the safest action?

What is the rule regarding reversing on a public road?

Which side of the road do South Africans drive on?

What must you do when a traffic officer gives you a hand signal to stop?

What is the L-plate and when must a learner driver display it?

For how long is a South African learner's licence valid?

How old must you be to apply for a Code 8 (light motor vehicle) learner's licence?

What document must an accompanying driver have when supervising a learner driver?

What is the purpose of a traffic (road) sign?

Who is responsible for ensuring passengers under 14 wear seat belts?

What is the rule regarding mobile phone use while driving in South Africa?

What does it mean when a vehicle has a "P" plate (probationary driver)?

What documents must a driver carry when operating a motor vehicle?

You are approaching a vehicle with emergency lights and siren active (ambulance, fire engine, or police). What must you do?

A learner driver is involved in an accident while driving unaccompanied. What are the consequences?

What is a "right of way" road?

What is the correct action when you hear a train approaching a level crossing where no barriers are present?

What is the primary purpose of the K53 defensive driving system?

What does a broken white centre line on a two-way road indicate?

A solid white line is painted on the left edge of your lane. What does this mean?

You are at a STOP sign. After stopping, when may you proceed?

What is the function of a "No U-turn" sign?

Under what circumstances may you drive on the right side of the road?

What must you do when approaching a school bus that has stopped to pick up or drop off children?

What is the rule for driving through a flooded section of road?

What is aquaplaning (hydroplaning)?

Your vehicle begins to skid on a wet road. What is the correct initial response?

What is the K53 "MSM" routine when approaching a hazard?

What is the "SIPDE" defensive driving process?

What should you do when driving into a dense fog bank?

How does driving in strong crosswind affect your vehicle?

When driving at night, a sudden bright light temporarily blinds you (glare). What should you do?

You feel drowsy while driving on a long trip. What is the safest action?

What is "highway hypnosis"?

Your brake warning light illuminates while driving. What should you do?

What is the minimum legal tyre tread depth in South Africa?

When should you check your vehicle's tyre pressure?

At a level crossing with flashing red lights, when may you proceed?

You are on a level crossing and your engine stalls. What must you do first?

A minibus taxi stops ahead of you with its hazard lights on to pick up passengers. What should you do?

What is a "BRT" lane?

What must you do when approaching a horse or other animal on the road?

A large truck is travelling slowly uphill ahead of you. You can see it is signalling to turn right. There is a dedicated climbing lane on the left. What should you do?

What is the "two-second rule" in driving?

What is the purpose of road safety chevrons on a motorway exit ramp?

What are the five elements of the K53 defensive driving system (SIPDE)?

What is the K53 principle of "keeping a clear space" around your vehicle?

What is the general duty of a driver regarding other road users under the K53 system?

What must a driver do regarding abandoned vehicles on a public road?

What are the legal obligations of a driver involved in an accident where someone is injured?

What is the minimum legal tyre tread depth across the CENTRAL THREE-QUARTERS of the tread width in South Africa?

A tyre has a tread wear indicator (TWI) marker. When the road surface is level with the TWI marker, what does this mean?

A funeral procession is travelling through intersections. May they proceed against red lights?

Who is legally responsible for ensuring that animals do not stray onto public roads?

What is the difference between "reckless driving" and "negligent driving" in South African law?

May you race your vehicle on a public road?

What is the purpose of a "safety marking" on a vehicle (e.g., reflective strips on heavy vehicles)?

A motor vehicle licence disc displayed on the windscreen stays valid for how long from its date of issue?

What does the law say about a device that detects or interferes with speed measuring equipment?

A child under 3 years old must be restrained in a motor vehicle. What is required?

Are passengers in the back seat of a car required to wear seat belts in South Africa?

A pregnant woman says her seat belt is uncomfortable. May she remove it while driving?

What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for a professional driver in South Africa?

Can you legally drive after consuming only one alcoholic drink if you feel unaffected?

A driver refuses a roadside breathalyser test. What happens?

How often should you glance in your mirrors while driving normally?

When may you adjust your rear-view mirrors?

What is a blind spot?

When should you check your blind spot?

When a painted marking or a physical barrier divides a road, on which side of the division must you travel?

What does a SOLID dividing line down the centre of the road mean?

For which purposes may you drive across a BROKEN dividing line?

Under which combination of conditions may you move onto the shoulder, to the left of the yellow edge line, to let a vehicle overtake you?

When may you cross from one traffic lane into another?

A lane is marked as a dedicated public transport lane. When is an ordinary private car generally barred from using it?

When must you signal your intention to other road users?

Where may hand signals NOT be used?

In a light motor vehicle, which hand signal indicates that you intend to turn RIGHT?

A driver extends their right arm out of the window with the forearm bent vertically upward and the palm facing forward. What are they signalling?

How is a LEFT turn signalled by hand from a light motor vehicle?

Which hand signal shows that a driver intends to turn or move to the left?

A driver extends the right arm sideways with the palm down and moves it slowly up and down. What is signalled?

Which hand signal tells the traffic behind that it may overtake on the right?

How close to an intersection may you park?

How close to a fire hydrant may you park?

How close to a pedestrian crossing may you STOP?

You may not stop within 6 m of which of the following?

When parking on an urban roadway, how far in from the edge may the outside of your left wheels be?

Which of these is a place where you may NOT park?

On an urban road narrower than 5.5 m, when may you park?

Parking is prohibited over which part of the road surface at a signalised intersection?

What does the law say about parking where your vehicle would hide a road traffic sign?

Besides a traffic island, where may a motor vehicle not be parked?

Which of the following is a place where you may NOT stop?

You may not stop alongside or opposite another vehicle where the roadway is narrower than what?

Stopping alongside or opposite an excavation in the road is prohibited in what circumstances?

On which side of the roadway may you never stop your vehicle?

Which of these excuses stopping in a place where stopping is otherwise prohibited?

Which of these situations requires you to come to a compulsory stop?

A traffic officer in uniform signals you to stop. What is the legal position?

A pedestrian is stepping onto a pedestrian crossing on your side of the road. What must you do?

A vehicle collides with a pedestrian. Who is prosecuted?

At a pedestrian crossing without signals, when must a driver yield to a pedestrian?

When must a motorcycle's headlamp be switched on?

May you carry a passenger on a motorcycle with an engine capacity of 50 cc or less?

How many people may travel on a motorcycle, and how many adults in a sidecar?

How must motorcycles ride in relation to one another on the road?

May a motorcycle tow another vehicle?

Which of the following is prohibited on a motorcycle?

Are quad bikes and unlicensed off-road motorcycles allowed on public roads?

Which of the following is NOT allowed on a freeway?

May a learner driver drive on a freeway?

Under which circumstances may you stop on a freeway?

When entering a freeway from an on-ramp, what is the aim of accelerating along the ramp?

You are driving on a freeway and another vehicle is joining from an on-ramp. What should you do?

In which case may a person lawfully be on foot on a freeway?

What does the law say about leaving an animal where it may stray onto a freeway?

When may you use your hooter?

A vehicle's hooter must be clearly audible to a person of normal hearing at a distance of:

How may you lawfully use a cellphone while driving?

Which of the following is a driver permitted to do?

What must you do before leaving your vehicle unattended?

Which of the following is prohibited while driving?

May you run the engine while fuel is being pumped into your vehicle?

What must you do when an emergency vehicle approaches with its lights and siren active?

May passengers get on or off while the vehicle is still moving slowly?

A vehicle left in the same place on a NON-URBAN public road is regarded as abandoned after:

What is the minimum legal tread depth across the full width and circumference of a tyre?

May a motorcycle be fitted with re-treaded tyres?

What tread requirement applies to a motorcycle with an engine capacity under 50 cc?

A herd of animals is being driven along a public road during the day. What warning must the handlers carry, and how far from the herd?

A herd of fewer than 10 animals is being driven along a public road. How many warning lights or flags are required?

Your vehicle has broken down on a public road. How far behind it must the emergency triangle be displayed?

How far may a load project beyond the FRONT and the REAR of a motor vehicle?

What is the maximum height of a load on a goods vehicle, measured from the ground?

What is the maximum width of a load on an ordinary vehicle?

Which of the following is required when carrying a load on a motor vehicle?

How far may a load project to the side of a motorcycle's wheels?

A load projects 150 mm or more to the side of your vehicle. How must it be marked during the DAY?

A narrow load projects 300 mm or more beyond the REAR of your vehicle. How must it be marked at NIGHT?

Which of these is prohibited because it damages the road surface?

When are vehicles prohibited from travelling in convoy?

How long is a South African learner's licence valid for?

What is the minimum age to obtain a learner's licence for a light motor vehicle of not more than 3 500 kg?

What is the minimum age to apply for a learner's licence for a motorcycle of 125 cc or less, without a sidecar?

What is the minimum age to obtain a learner's licence for a heavy motor vehicle?

Which three sections does the learner's licence test cover?

How many questions does the learner's licence test generally consist of, and how are they distributed?

How many of the 28 ROAD SIGNS questions must you answer correctly to pass that section?

How many of the 8 VEHICLE CONTROLS questions must you answer correctly to pass that section?

On which form do you apply to be tested for a learner's licence at a driving licence testing centre?

Which of the following would disqualify you from obtaining a learner's licence?

Is deafness a disqualifying factor for obtaining a learner's licence?

Which of these is a disqualifying factor for obtaining a learner's licence?

What eyesight requirement applies when you apply for a learner's licence?

In the K53 system, what does the instruction 'OBSERVE' mean?

What is the correct order of the first three actions when changing lanes?

You need to cross more than one lane in a single movement. What must you do before crossing EACH lane?

Where should lane changes be avoided?

What does 'maintaining a clear space' mean in the K53 system?

Why is cancelling your signal after a manoeuvre described as extremely important?

At an UNGUARDED railway level crossing, where should you stop if you need to?

Where may you not stop in relation to a railway level crossing?