More signs from the official manual (R238+)

More signs from the official manual: how to read them

This chapter teaches 4 signs from the official manual: Horses and riders prohibited, Towed vehicles prohibited, Motor gate, Truck crossing.

Read the wording and symbol on each sign carefully. They tell you who the sign applies to, where it applies and what you must do, and two signs that look alike can apply to different road users.

Key idea: Check who a sign applies to before deciding what it means for you.

Horses and riders prohibited — R238

How to read it. This sign prohibits horses and riders. It speaks to horse riders, whether they are riding or leading a horse.

Where you meet it. On any public road, lane, path or area.

What to do. If you are riding a horse, do not enter this area. The prohibition also covers someone who is leading a horse, so dismounting does not make it allowed.

In practice. A rider on a horse reaches a path with this sign. The rider does not go beyond it, and would not lead the horse past it on foot either.

Easily confused. Leading a horse is not a way around this sign, because the official text covers horses mounted on or led.

Key idea: No horses and riders beyond this sign, whether riding or leading.

Towed vehicles prohibited — R240

How to read it. This sign prohibits towed vehicles. It tells a driver who is towing another vehicle that they may not go beyond it.

Where you meet it. On any public road, lane, path or area.

What to do. If you are towing another vehicle or a trailer, do not enter this area. A vehicle that is towing may not proceed beyond the sign.

In practice. You are driving a car that is towing a trailer and you come to this sign at the entrance to a road. You do not go past the sign and look for another way.

Easily confused. This applies to a driver who is towing, not to every vehicle. A vehicle not towing anything is not who the sign speaks to.

Key idea: Towing another vehicle or trailer? Do not go beyond this sign.

Motor gate — W315

How to read it. This warns of a motor gate to the left or right or in the middle of the road.

Where you meet it. Especially on rural roads.

What to do. Slow down and make sure there is no oncoming traffic about to cross the same gate.

In practice. On a rural road you see this sign. You slow down and check whether a vehicle ahead is about to cross at the gate.

Key idea: Motor gate: slow down, check oncoming traffic.

Truck crossing — W344

How to read it. This warns that heavy vehicles regularly cross or join the road from the left or right.

Where you meet it. On any road.

What to do. Slow down and look out for trucks that want to cross or join the road. They could force you to slow down, and they may spill or drop gravel, sand or water that affects your handling.

In practice. You see this sign near a quarry road. You slow down, watch for trucks and expect material on the road.

Key idea: Trucks crossing: slow down, watch for spills.

Quick recap

• Horses and riders prohibited (R238): No horses and riders beyond this sign, whether riding or leading.
• Towed vehicles prohibited (R240): Towing another vehicle or trailer? Do not go beyond this sign.
• Motor gate (W315): Motor gate: slow down, check oncoming traffic.
• Truck crossing (W344): Trucks crossing: slow down, watch for spills.