SA Learner's Theory Test cheat sheet

Keep left on two-way roads in left-driving jurisdictions; the default lane position is the left lane, with the right lane reserved for overtaking or turning.

Give way to the right at an uncontrolled intersection of equal-status roads; a vehicle already in the intersection has priority over one approaching it.

Safe following distance in good conditions is at least two seconds; double it to four seconds in rain, at night, or when following a heavy vehicle.

At a pedestrian crossing, a driver must stop for any pedestrian on the crossing or stepping onto it, and must not overtake a vehicle stopped at a crossing.

A solid centre line means no crossing; a broken centre line permits crossing only when the manoeuvre is safe and does not impede oncoming traffic.

Speed limits apply to the whole road unless a sign states otherwise; in built-up areas the default limit is typically 50 km/h and in rural areas 100 km/h.

Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings, railway crossings, intersections, and wherever a solid line or 'no overtaking' sign applies.

At a roundabout, give way to traffic already circulating; signal left to exit and right only when changing lanes within the roundabout.

A driver must not drive with a blood alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit; for novice drivers a zero or near-zero limit applies.

Red circles with a white bar give a prohibition (no entry, no stopping); red triangles give a warning; blue circles give a mandatory instruction.

A yellow box junction may be entered only if the exit is clear, except when turning right and blocked solely by oncoming traffic.

Double solid white lines may not be crossed in either direction; a single broken white line separates lanes travelling in the same direction.

A stop sign requires a complete stop at the stop line and a give-way to all traffic; a yield sign requires slowing and giving way only if necessary.

Zigzag lines approaching a pedestrian crossing prohibit parking, stopping, and overtaking within the marked zone.

A yellow solid line at the kerb means no parking at any time; a broken yellow line means no parking during stated times.

Direction arrows painted in a lane bind the driver: once in a left-turn lane, the driver must turn left unless signs indicate otherwise.

A circular blue sign with a white arrow is mandatory; a rectangular blue sign is informational and does not impose an obligation.

Traffic light sequence is red, red-and-amber, green, amber, red; an amber light means stop unless stopping is unsafe.

The clutch is operated with the left foot, brake and accelerator with the right foot; the left foot never rests on the brake in a manual vehicle.

Gear selection should match speed: first gear for pulling away, and upward changes at roughly 2,000-3,000 rpm in a petrol engine.

The parking brake must be applied whenever the vehicle is parked and released fully before moving; a warning light indicates it is still engaged.

Mirror-signal-manoeuvre order: check mirrors, signal intention, then adjust position and speed before executing any change of direction.

The three-second (or two-second) gap is measured by counting from when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object to when yours reaches it.

Tyre tread must be at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread around the whole circumference.

Headlights must be used between sunset and sunrise and in poor visibility; dipped beams are required when within 200 m of oncoming traffic.

A stalled engine in traffic is restarted by depressing the clutch, selecting neutral, and turning the ignition while holding the brake.

Steering should be with both hands at approximately the nine-and-three or ten-and-two positions; hand-over-hand is used for sharp turns.