NaTIS Code 1 Learner cheat sheet

South Africa drives on the left: keep to the left half of the road, overtake on the right, and ride in the left portion of your lane unless you are turning, overtaking or avoiding a hazard.

General speed limits: 60 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on rural roads and 120 km/h on freeways, unless a sign shows a lower limit.

Following distance: at least 2 seconds in dry weather and 3–4 seconds in rain, at night or behind a large vehicle; at 60 km/h a 2-second gap is about 33 m.

At a four-way stop the first vehicle to stop goes first; if two arrive together, the vehicle on the left gives way to the vehicle on the right.

Roundabout: give way to traffic already circulating, which approaches from your right; enter clockwise and signal left before your exit.

You may pass on the left when the vehicle ahead is signalling a right turn and there is room to do so safely, or on a one-way road marked with two lanes.

Alcohol limits: learner and novice drivers 0,00 g/100 ml, ordinary drivers 0,05 g/100 ml, professional drivers 0,02 g/100 ml.

An emergency vehicle using a siren or blue light has right of way: move over to the left, slow down and stop if necessary.

A traffic officer's signals must be obeyed even when they contradict a robot, a road sign or a marking.

Shape code: triangle with red border = warning; circle with red border = prohibition; blue circle = mandatory instruction; rectangle = information or guide; octagon = stop; inverted triangle = give way.

A yellow diamond with a white border marks a priority road; you keep right of way at intersections until a sign or signal changes it.

A solid white centre or barrier line may not be crossed, so no overtaking; a broken white line may be crossed to overtake or change lanes when it is safe.

A solid yellow line at the kerb means no parking; a solid red line at the kerb means no stopping at any time.

Green robot: proceed only if the intersection is clear; do not enter if you would have to stop and block it.

Amber robot: stop before the line unless you are too close to stop safely; never accelerate to beat the change to red.

Red robot or red arrow: stop behind the stop line and stay stopped until the signal changes; a red arrow applies to the direction the arrow shows.

Flashing amber robot means proceed with caution; a flashing red signal means stop, give way and move off only when the road is clear.

Hand signals: right arm straight out = turning right; right arm bent upward at the elbow = turning left; right arm moved up and down = slowing down.

Use both brakes together: the front brake delivers about 70% of stopping power because weight transfers forward as you brake.

Squeeze the front brake progressively rather than grabbing it, because a locked front wheel causes an immediate loss of balance and a fall.

Front-wheel skid: release the front brake at once and reapply gently. Rear-wheel skid: keep the rear brake locked and hold the machine straight until you stop.

Countersteering: above walking pace, press the grip on the side you want to go; the motorcycle leans and turns in that direction.

Slow-speed control below about 20 km/h: keep the clutch in its friction zone, hold steady throttle and control speed with the rear brake.

Cornering sequence: brake to the correct speed before the bend, look through to the exit, keep a steady throttle and roll on smoothly as the bike stands up.

Steering at low speed: the handlebars point in the direction of the turn; at higher speed the motorcycle must lean to turn.

Gears: change down before the corner while upright; do not coast through a bend with the clutch pulled in.

Pre-ride check: tyres and cold pressures, brakes, chain tension and lubrication, lights, horn, mirrors, and oil and fuel levels.

Keep at least a 2-second gap, extending it to 3–4 seconds in rain, at night, or when the vehicle ahead blocks your view of the road surface.

A motorcycle can fit entirely inside a car's blind spot; avoid riding alongside a vehicle and stay where the driver can see you in the mirrors.

On wet or gravel surfaces reduce speed and lean angle, brake earlier and more smoothly, and cross painted lines, manhole covers and metal surfaces upright.

Approaching an intersection, plan an escape route such as a gap or shoulder, and cover the brakes when a vehicle might pull out.

Fatigue: reaction time and judgement decline after roughly two hours of riding, so plan a break at least every two hours.

Visibility: ride with the dipped headlamp on during the day, wear bright or reflective clothing and signal before every change of direction.

Helmet: rider and pillion must wear an approved, correctly fastened helmet; replace a helmet that has taken an impact.

Vehicle fitness: brakes, tyres, steering, lights, horn, mirrors and exhaust must work; an unroadworthy motorcycle may not be ridden on a public road.

Carrying a pillion: a proper seat and footrests are required, tyre pressure and suspension may need adjustment, and braking and cornering distances increase.