NaTIS Code 2 Learner cheat sheet

Regulatory signs (round, red border) impose a legal duty: stop, yield, no entry, speed limit; ignoring them is an offence, not merely unsafe.

Warning signs are triangular with a red border and black symbol on white; they announce a hazard ahead, so reduce speed and increase observation before reaching it.

Guide signs are rectangular; colour carries meaning - blue for information services, brown for tourism/heritage, green for directional route information on major routes.

Traffic signal sequence: red → red plus amber → green → amber → red. Red plus amber means stop and prepare, not go; amber alone means stop unless stopping is unsafe.

A flashing red globe at a railway crossing or intersection is treated as a stop sign: stop completely, then proceed only when clear.

Solid barrier line: no crossing in either direction. A solid line on your side with a broken line on the other means only the side facing the broken line may cross.

Yellow lines separate opposing traffic flow; white lines separate traffic moving in the same direction or mark edges, parking bays and shoulder limits.

A stop line, yield line and pedestrian crossing are marked by specific painted lines; stopping beyond the stop line at a red light or stop sign is an offence.

At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to stop proceeds first; if two stop simultaneously, the vehicle on the right has right of way.

South Africa drives on the left; overtaking is normally done on the right, and you keep left except when overtaking, turning right, or avoiding an obstruction.

At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to traffic approaching from your right; a vehicle already in the intersection has priority over one entering.

Turning across oncoming traffic: a right-turning vehicle must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning left, and to pedestrians already crossing.

Emergency vehicles with lights and siren have priority; you must move left, slow down or stop to let them pass, but must not break a red light or endanger others.

A roundabout: yield to traffic already circulating (approaching from your right), signal left to exit, and signal right only when changing lanes inside the circle.

Pedestrians on a marked crossing have right of way; at an uncontrolled crossing you must slow down and stop if a pedestrian is on or entering it.

Following and passing a school bus or scholar transport displaying stop signals: stop and remain stopped until the signals are withdrawn.

Overtaking is prohibited on a solid barrier line, at a pedestrian crossing, on a blind rise or curve, and where a no-overtaking sign applies.

Passing a stationary vehicle that is loading or unloading passengers: reduce speed and pass only when it is safe, giving clearance of at least one metre where possible.

Control layout: clutch (left foot), brake (middle), accelerator (right); in an automatic, left foot rests unused and the brake is operated by the right foot only.

Steering method: pull-push (hand-over-hand only when needed at low speed) keeps both hands on the rim; hands at roughly nine-and-three or ten-and-two.

Pre-trip walk-around checks: tyres (tread depth minimum 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters, plus pressure and sidewall damage), lights, indicators, mirrors, wipers, number plates, leaks under the vehicle.

Under-bonnet and cab checks: engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, windscreen washer, battery terminals, fan belt tension, and brake and clutch pedal feel.

Tyre tread legal minimum is 1.6 mm; worn or unevenly worn tyres reduce wet grip and increase aquaplaning risk, and are a defect that makes the vehicle unroadworthy.

Brake test: at low speed in a safe place, check the pedal does not feel spongy or travel to the floor; a pulling to one side or a warning light means stop and have it inspected.

Dashboard warning lights: red means stop as soon as safe, amber means caution and investigate soon, green or blue means a system is active.

Mirror adjustment: interior mirror frames the rear window; exterior mirrors show a sliver of your own vehicle so the blind spot is minimised.

Seat belts and restraints: all occupants must be belted where fitted; children under three must use an appropriate child restraint, and the driver is responsible for passengers under 14.

Two-second rule in dry conditions: pick a fixed point, and you should not reach it sooner than two seconds after the vehicle ahead; double to four seconds in rain or at night.

Three-second rule applies to heavy vehicles and to following motorcycles or vehicles with limited rear visibility; increase further when loaded or towing.

Stopping distance = thinking distance plus braking distance. Thinking distance grows linearly with speed; braking distance grows with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance.

General urban limit is 60 km/h and general rural limit is 100 km/h unless signs say otherwise; 120 km/h applies on designated freeways.

Speed must always be reduced to a speed at which you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear, regardless of the posted limit.

Aquaplaning: ease off the accelerator, do not brake hard or steer sharply, hold the wheel steady and let speed drop until grip returns.

Cornering: brake before the bend, take the bend at a steady speed, and accelerate gently on exit; late braking in a curve risks loss of grip.

Night driving: use dipped beams when following or meeting traffic, brights only on unlit roads with no oncoming traffic, and reduce speed so you can stop within the lit distance.

Fatigue countermeasure that works: stop, park safely and sleep or nap; fresh air, loud music and coffee only mask fatigue temporarily.

Scanning pattern: look 12 to 15 seconds ahead, check mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds, and keep a space cushion on all four sides of the vehicle.

Skid recovery: look and steer where you want to go, ease off the accelerator and avoid hard braking; if the rear steps out, steer into the skid.

Brake failure: pump the pedal if it is a conventional system, change to a lower gear, use the handbrake progressively, and look for an escape route such as a gravel shoulder.

Blowout at speed: grip the wheel firmly, keep the vehicle straight, ease off the accelerator, and brake gently only after speed has dropped.

Hazard perception: identify a developing hazard (a pedestrian near the kerb, a parked car with a door opening, a taxi stopping) and adjust speed before it becomes an emergency.

Defensive driving rule: assume other road users will make mistakes; give a margin so their error does not become your crash.

Animal hazards: slow down and be ready to stop for animals on or near the road, especially at dawn and dusk; do not swerve violently at high speed.

Emergency stop: brake firmly and progressively, keep steering control, and check mirrors before releasing the brake once stopped.

The legal blood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers in South Africa is 0.05 g per 100 ml (0.05%); for professional drivers it is 0.02 g per 100 ml.

The legal breath alcohol limit is 0.24 mg per 1,000 ml of breath for ordinary drivers and 0.10 mg per 1,000 ml for professional drivers.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is an offence; refusal to provide a breath or blood sample when lawfully requested is itself an offence.

Alcohol impairs judgement, reaction time and vision before the driver feels intoxicated; the only reliable way to sober up is time.

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines can impair driving; check the label for drowsiness warnings and ask a pharmacist before driving.

Fatigue signs: yawning, heavy eyelids, drifting in the lane, missing signs; these mean stop and rest, not push on to the destination.

Minimum rest rule of thumb: a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours of driving, and a longer stop if drowsiness persists.

Fitness to drive: report medical conditions and medication that affect consciousness or concentration to the licensing authority; eyesight must meet the prescribed standard.

At an accident: stop, switch on hazard lights, check for injuries, call emergency services, and do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger such as fire.

Report a crash with injury, death, or damage to property to the police within 24 hours; a crash involving only minor damage can be exchanged and reported as required by law.

Exchange details after a crash: names, addresses, ID numbers, vehicle registration numbers, insurance details and contact numbers.

Learner's licence: minimum age 17 for a Code 2 (light motor vehicle) learner's licence; the learner's licence is valid for 24 months.

Code 2 learner's licence test covers road signs, controls, rules of the road and vehicle safety; the learner's licence must be carried when driving.

Provisional driver's licence: apply after holding a learner's licence for at least three months, and the provisional licence must be carried while driving.

NaTIS handles vehicle registration, licensing, roadworthy certificates, driving licence issuing and renewals; a driving licence card is valid for five years for ordinary drivers.

Vehicle licence renewal is annual and must be paid before the expiry date; driving with an expired licence disc is an offence.

A roadworthy certificate is required when a vehicle is sold, re-registered or when the authorities require it; it confirms the vehicle meets safety standards at the time of inspection.

Speed limit signs are round with a red border and black numerals; the limit applies from the sign until a different limit or an end-of-limit sign.

No-entry sign: red circle with a white horizontal bar. It means do not enter in that direction; the opposite direction may be permitted.

Yield sign: inverted triangle with a red border. Slow down, be prepared to stop, and give way to traffic on the road you are joining.

Stop sign: octagonal red with white lettering. A full stop is required at the stop line, even when the road appears clear.

Road markings: a broken white line may be crossed; a solid white line should not be crossed except to avoid an obstruction, and a double solid line is a firm prohibition.

Traffic circles: a broken white circle marking the circulating lane; vehicles entering must yield to those already circulating.

Lane discipline: keep left, use the right lane only for overtaking or turning right, and return to the left lane when it is safe.

Following a cyclist: give at least one metre clearance in built-up areas and 1.5 metres outside built-up areas where possible.

Parking: do not park within 5 metres of an intersection, on a pedestrian crossing, or where you block a driveway or fire hydrant.

U-turn: permitted only where it can be done safely and is not prohibited by a sign or road marking.

Hooters and lights: use the hooter only to warn of danger, and flash headlights only to signal presence, not to demand right of way.

Railway crossings: stop if a train is approaching or the booms are down; never drive around lowered booms.

Cockpit drill before moving off: seat position, mirrors, seat belt, doors closed, gear in neutral or park, handbrake on, then start.

Moving off: check mirrors and blind spot, signal, and move only when it is safe; do not pull out in front of approaching traffic.

Tyres: check pressure when cold, and look for cuts, bulges and uneven wear; the spare must be serviceable and the jack and wheel spanner present.

Lights: test headlights, brights, indicators, brake lights, reverse lights and hazard lights before a trip; a failed light is a defect.

Windscreen and wipers: keep the windscreen clean and the washer reservoir filled; worn wiper blades smear and reduce visibility in rain.

Load security: loads must be secured and must not obscure lights, number plates or the driver's view; an unsecured load is a hazard and an offence.

Observation cycle: mirrors, ahead, instruments; repeat every few seconds so no hazard develops unnoticed.

Following distance in poor visibility: increase to at least four seconds in rain, fog or at night, and more when the road is wet or gravel.

Speed and stopping: at 60 km/h the total stopping distance is roughly 45 metres on a dry road; at 100 km/h it is roughly 100 metres, and longer when wet.

Overtaking sequence: check mirrors and blind spot, signal, move out, accelerate past, signal, and return only when you can see the overtaken vehicle in your mirror.

Downhill driving: use a lower gear to control speed and avoid riding the brakes, which can overheat and fade.

Wet road: reduce speed, increase following distance, avoid sudden steering or braking, and watch for standing water and oil patches.

Hazard scan: look for brake lights, indicator signals, pedestrians stepping off the kerb, and vehicles emerging from side roads.

Space cushion: keep a gap ahead, beside and behind; if a vehicle tailgates, increase the gap ahead so you can brake gently.

Emergency: if a tyre blows or a brake fails, keep both hands on the wheel, avoid sudden braking, and steer to a safe stopping place.

Fire: switch off the ignition, get everyone out and away, and call emergency services; do not open the bonnet fully if there is a fire.

First aid at a crash: do not move an injured person unless there is danger; keep them warm and still and call for help.

Defensive rule: when in doubt, slow down and give way; a collision avoided is better than a right of way proven.

Alcohol: even one drink can impair reaction time; the safest limit is none, and the legal limit is not a target.

Drugs: illegal drugs and some medicines impair driving; driving while impaired is an offence regardless of the legal alcohol limit.

Fatigue: plan rest stops, avoid driving during normal sleep hours, and share driving on long trips.

Illness: do not drive if you feel faint, dizzy or unable to concentrate; report conditions that affect driving to the licensing authority.

Eyesight: you must be able to read a number plate at the prescribed distance; wear glasses or contact lenses if required and keep them clean.

Accident scene: protect the scene, warn other traffic, call emergency services, and give first aid only within your ability.

Reporting: report a crash to the police within 24 hours if there is injury, death or damage to property; keep the case number.

Documents to carry: learner's or driving licence, vehicle registration certificate, and licence disc displayed on the windscreen.

NaTIS services: vehicle registration, licensing, roadworthy certificates, driving licence applications and renewals, and change of ownership.

Licence renewal: apply before expiry; driving with an expired licence is an offence and may invalidate insurance.

Insurance: report a crash to your insurer promptly and do not admit liability at the scene.

Sign shapes carry meaning: circle = regulatory, triangle = warning, rectangle = information or guide, octagon = stop, inverted triangle = yield.

Sign colours carry meaning: red = prohibition or danger, blue = information or mandatory instruction, brown = tourism, green = directional route.

Road markings: yellow lines separate opposing traffic, white lines separate same-direction traffic or mark edges and bays.

Traffic lights: red = stop, red plus amber = prepare to go but do not move, green = go if clear, amber = stop unless unsafe.

Pedestrian crossings: marked by painted stripes and sometimes signs; pedestrians on the crossing have right of way.

Barrier lines: solid means no crossing; broken means crossing permitted when safe.

Uncontrolled intersection: yield to traffic from the right, and to vehicles already in the intersection.

Four-way stop: first to stop goes first; simultaneous arrival means the vehicle on the right goes first.

Turning: right-turning vehicles yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians.

Emergency vehicles: give way by moving left and slowing or stopping, without breaking the law.

Roundabout: yield to circulating traffic, signal to exit, and do not change lanes inside the circle without checking.

Pedestrians: give way at marked crossings and when they are already crossing.

Tyre tread minimum: 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread width.

Tyre pressure: check when cold; under-inflation increases heat and wear and raises the risk of a blowout.

Brakes: pedal should feel firm, not spongy; a pulling vehicle or a warning light means inspect before driving.

Lights: all lights must work; a failed brake light or indicator is a defect.

Windscreen: keep it clean and free of cracks that obstruct the driver's view.

Loads: secure all loads and keep lights, plates and the view unobstructed.

Two-second rule in dry conditions; four seconds in rain, at night or when following a heavy vehicle.

Stopping distance = thinking distance plus braking distance; braking distance grows with the square of speed.

Urban limit 60 km/h, rural 100 km/h, freeway 120 km/h unless signs say otherwise.

Always be able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

Overtake only when you can see far enough ahead and return only when the overtaken vehicle is visible in your mirror.

Downhill: use a lower gear and avoid riding the brakes.

Skid: ease off the accelerator, steer where you want to go, and avoid hard braking.

Brake failure: pump the pedal, change down, use the handbrake progressively, and look for an escape route.

Blowout: grip the wheel, keep straight, ease off, and brake gently after speed drops.

Fire: switch off the ignition, get everyone out, and call emergency services.

Crash scene: protect the scene, call for help, and do not move an injured person unless there is danger.

Defensive driving: assume others will err and keep a space cushion around the vehicle.

Legal blood alcohol limit: 0.05 g per 100 ml for ordinary drivers, 0.02 g per 100 ml for professional drivers.

Legal breath alcohol limit: 0.24 mg per 1,000 ml for ordinary drivers, 0.10 mg per 1,000 ml for professional drivers.

Refusing a breath or blood sample when lawfully requested is an offence.

Alcohol impairment begins before the driver feels drunk; only time sobers a person up.

Medicines can impair driving; check labels and ask a pharmacist.

Fatigue: stop and rest; fresh air and coffee only mask drowsiness temporarily.

Learner's licence: minimum age 17 for Code 2, valid for 24 months.

Provisional licence: apply after holding a learner's licence for at least three months.

Driving licence card: valid for five years for ordinary drivers.

Vehicle licence: renew annually before expiry; an expired disc is an offence.

Roadworthy certificate: required on sale, re-registration or when required by the authorities.

Carry your licence and keep the registration certificate and licence disc in order.