Road signs, markings and traffic signals
What the exam tests
The examiner checks whether you can read sign families quickly and combine them with markings and signals, rather than memorising isolated pictures.
Core rules
- Warning signs are usually triangular with a red border; they alert you to a hazard ahead.
- Prohibition signs are circular with a red border; they forbid an action such as overtaking or exceeding a stated speed.
- Mandatory signs are circular and blue; they order a direction, minimum speed or special use.
- Priority signs include the inverted triangle for give way and the octagon for stop. A stop sign requires a complete stop at the line.
- Information signs are square or rectangular, often blue or green, and guide route, lane or facility choices.
- Markings: a solid white line must not be crossed; a broken white line may be crossed when safe; yellow markings usually restrict stopping or parking; arrows and zebra stripes control lane use and pedestrian priority.
- Traffic lights: red means stop, amber means stop unless you are too close to stop safely, green means proceed if the exit is clear. Police signals override signs and lights.
Worked example
A truck driver wants to overtake a slower vehicle. The centre line is solid on the truck’s side but broken on the other side. The driver must not cross the solid line, even if the opposite lane looks clear, because the marking on the driver’s side controls the manoeuvre.
Traps that cost marks
Reading the sign meant for the opposite direction; crossing a solid line to pass a slow tractor; ignoring an overhead lane signal; treating a give-way sign as a stop sign or a stop sign as give way.
Key points
- Triangle warns, circle forbids or orders, rectangle informs.
- Stop sign: complete stop at the line.
- Solid line on your side: no crossing.
- Amber: stop unless stopping is unsafe.
- Police signals override all signs and lights.