This section includes the road markings in South Africa you need to know for your South African learner’s license test.
K53 road markings get split into the following categories:
- Regulatory road markings.
- Longitudinal regulatory road markings.
- Exclusive parking bay symbols.
- Road guidance markings.
- Road warning markings.
Regulatory K53 road markings
Stop line
You must bring your vehicle to a complete stop just before the line.
Yield line
- When you see this road marking, you must give the right of way to all vehicles that cross before you.
- This line has the same meaning as the yield road sign.
Bus lane
The yellow dotted line indicates that the lane is for buses only.
Pedestrian crossing ahead
Be cautious as you approach this area and stop if pedestrians are crossing or are about to cross the road.
Box junction
You may not stop in the yellow area.
Longitudinal regulatory road markings
Left & right edge line
You may not drive inside the right or left edge line unless it is an emergency lane (yellow line) and you have an emergency.
Painted island
You may only drive in this area if instructed to by a police officer, in an emergency, or to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.
Pedestrian crossing line
When approaching a pedestrian crossing, you may not stop in this area except if pedestrians are crossing or want to cross here.
Mandatory direction arrows
When you approach these arrows, you may not stop in the yellow area and must travel in the direction of the marking.
Exclusive parking bay markings
Ambulance
Only official emergency ambulance vehicles may park in the specified parking zone as indicated by the symbol.
Bus
When you see this symbol in a parking bay, it indicates that only buses may park in the specified parking zone.
Diplomatic
This unique symbol indicates that only official diplomatic vehicles may park in this parking area.
Minibus
You guessed it! Only minibuses may park in this parking area.
Road guidance markings
Bicycle crossing lines
Be cautious of cyclists crossing the street when you see this marking on the road. Treat this area the same as a pedestrian crossing.
Furcation arrows
These arrows indicate that there is going to be an increase in the number of lanes ahead.
Guidelines
At major intersections, you will come across these lines (represented by the dotted lines). They will assist in guiding you along the correct route at those intersections.
Road Warning Markers
Speed bump marker
You may want to slow down when you see this marker as you will be travelling over a speed bump.
Arrestor bed ahead
These road markings signal drivers of heavy goods vehicles that there is an arrestor bed available. Arrestor beds are emergency stops for heavy goods vehicles.
Railway crossing ahead
This big white ‘x’ on the road surface is there to encourage you to take caution as you approach a railway crossing.
Yield control ahead
The triangle illustrated here has the same meaning as a yield sign. When you see this marking, you must slow down and make way for approaching traffic in front of you.
