Road signs and markings · part 1 of 23
K53 road signs and markings questions and answers (part 1)
15 practice questions for the South African K53 learner's licence test. Try each one first, then open the answer to see why it is correct.
1 At an intersection, the traffic light (robot) is FLASHING RED. How must you treat it?
- Treat it like a Yield sign and drive through without stopping
- Treat it exactly like a Stop sign (stop completely, yield to all traffic/pedestrians, and proceed when safe)
- Wait until the light turns solid green
Show the answer
Answer B: Treat it exactly like a Stop sign (stop completely, yield to all traffic/pedestrians, and proceed when safe)
A flashing red traffic signal (or an out-of-order traffic light) must be treated as a 4-way Stop sign.
Memory tip: Flashing Red Light = STOP Sign.
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2 At a pedestrian crossing, the traffic signal shows a FLASHING AMBER (YELLOW) disc. What must you do?
- Wait for a green arrow
- Accelerate before the light turns red
- Yield right of way to any pedestrians crossing the road, then proceed with caution
Show the answer
Answer C: Yield right of way to any pedestrians crossing the road, then proceed with caution
A flashing amber disc warns you to yield right of way to pedestrians on the crossing.
Memory tip: Flashing Amber = Yield to Pedestrians.
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3 What does a continuous YELLOW line painted along the kerb (curb) at the edge of an urban street mean?
- Loading zone for buses only
- No Parking at any time along that yellow kerb line
- No Stopping even in an emergency
Show the answer
Answer B: No Parking at any time along that yellow kerb line
A painted yellow line on the kerb/edge of an urban road means No Parking (whereas a painted RED line means No Stopping!).
Memory tip: Yellow Kerb Line = No Parking · Red Kerb Line = No Stopping.
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4 What does a painted white ZIG-ZAG line on the approach to a pedestrian crossing mean?
- Rumble strips ahead
- Do not overtake any vehicle, do not change lanes, and do not park in the zig-zag zone
- Sharp S-bends ahead
Show the answer
Answer B: Do not overtake any vehicle, do not change lanes, and do not park in the zig-zag zone
Zig-zag zone lines approaching a zebra crossing prohibit overtaking, lane changing, and stopping/parking (except to yield to pedestrians).
Memory tip: Zig-Zag Lines = No overtaking & no parking near zebra crossing.
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5 Are you allowed to drive or park on top of a painted white or yellow Traffic Island (chevron stripes on the road)?
- No — you may never drive, stop, or park on a painted traffic island
- Yes, you may park on it for less than 5 minutes
- Yes, if you are making a U-turn
Show the answer
Answer A: No — you may never drive, stop, or park on a painted traffic island
Driving, stopping, or parking on any painted traffic island is strictly prohibited.
Memory tip: Painted Island = Treat it like a solid concrete island.
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6 What does this sign mean?
- You may not exceed 80 km/h.
- Pass to the right of the obstruction or traffic island.
- You must come to a complete stop.
Show the answer
Answer C: You must come to a complete stop.
Stop behind the stop line. Look for traffic and pedestrians, then continue when safe.
Memory tip: R1 · Stop
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7 What does this sign mean?
- Every approach to this junction has a stop control.
- You may not exceed 100 km/h.
- You must turn left at this point.
Show the answer
Answer A: Every approach to this junction has a stop control.
Stop completely. Vehicles normally proceed in the order they stopped.
Memory tip: R1.4 · Four-way stop
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8 What does this sign mean?
- You may not exceed 120 km/h.
- Give way to traffic on the road you are entering or crossing.
- You must turn right at this point.
Show the answer
Answer B: Give way to traffic on the road you are entering or crossing.
Slow down early. Stop if needed to let traffic or pedestrians pass.
Memory tip: R2 · Yield
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9 What does this sign mean?
- Pedestrians crossing here have priority.
- Sounding the horn is prohibited for the next 100 metres.
- Continue straight at this point.
Show the answer
Answer A: Pedestrians crossing here have priority.
Slow down and give pedestrians time to cross safely.
Memory tip: R2.1 · Yield to pedestrians
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10 What does this sign mean?
- You must turn left at the junction ahead.
- Vehicles may not enter from this direction.
- You may not turn around to face the opposite direction here.
Show the answer
Answer B: Vehicles may not enter from this direction.
Find a permitted route. This sign applies even when the road appears empty.
Memory tip: R3 · No entry
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11 What does this sign mean?
- Traffic travels in the direction shown by the arrow.
- Overtaking other motor vehicles is prohibited for the next 500 metres.
- You must turn right at the junction ahead.
Show the answer
Answer A: Traffic travels in the direction shown by the arrow.
Travel only in the indicated direction.
Memory tip: R4.2 · One-way roadway
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12 What does this sign mean?
- Oncoming traffic has priority through the narrow section.
- Heavy vehicles may not overtake other heavy vehicles for the next 500 metres.
- This route is for pedestrians.
Show the answer
Answer A: Oncoming traffic has priority through the narrow section.
Wait before the narrow section until oncoming vehicles have passed.
Memory tip: R6 · Yield to oncoming traffic
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13 What does this sign mean?
- The number is a minimum speed, not a maximum.
- This route is for pedal cycles.
- You may not park on this section of road.
Show the answer
Answer A: The number is a minimum speed, not a maximum.
Maintain at least the indicated speed where conditions are safe. Never increase speed into danger.
Memory tip: R101 · Minimum speed
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14 What does this sign mean?
- Only motorcycles may use this route.
- Pass to the left of the obstruction or traffic island.
- Voluntary stopping is prohibited here.
Show the answer
Answer B: Pass to the left of the obstruction or traffic island.
Follow the arrow around the island. This is not a left-turn instruction.
Memory tip: R103 · Keep left
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15 What does this sign mean?
- This route is restricted to motorcars.
- Pedestrians may not use this road.
- Pass to the right of the obstruction or traffic island.
Show the answer
Answer C: Pass to the right of the obstruction or traffic island.
Follow the arrow while observing other traffic.
Memory tip: R104 · Keep right
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These are original practice questions, not official test questions. Always confirm requirements with your driving licence testing centre.