Traffic signs, signals and road markings
What this domain tests
The exam checks whether you can read a Saudi road scene from its signs, signals and paint alone, and act early enough to be smooth. Saudi signs follow the Vienna Convention shapes used across the Gulf, with text in Arabic and English.
Sign families
- Red circle or red border: prohibition - no entry, no overtaking, speed limit, no motorcycles.
- Blue circle: mandatory instruction - turn left, keep right, minimum speed, helmets required.
- Red triangle: warning - bend, junction, pedestrian crossing, camels, road narrows.
- Octagon: STOP, full stop at the line. Inverted triangle: give way.
- Yellow or amber rectangle: temporary roadworks or diversion - it overrides the permanent sign beside it.
- Rectangles: information, direction and lane-use arrows.
Signals
A steady red means stop behind the stop line, not on it. Red plus a green arrow: move only in the arrow direction. Amber means stop unless you are so close that stopping would be unsafe. Green means proceed if the exit is clear - do not block the box. Flashing amber means the signals are off; treat the junction as uncontrolled. A police officer's hand signals override every light and sign.
Markings
Broken white lines may be crossed to change lane when safe. A continuous line, single or double, must not be crossed. Stop lines and zebra crossings are absolute - a pedestrian on the zebra has priority.
Worked example
You are doing 60 km/h and the light turns amber when you are 15 m from the line. Reaction plus braking at that speed needs roughly 40 m, so a stop attempt would leave you stranded in the junction: continue smoothly through. At 50 m out, the same amber means stop.
Traps
Confusing give-way with stop; obeying a green arrow that points a different way from your route; ignoring temporary yellow signs; and stopping on the stop line.