rules of the road

The rules of the road are set in place to regulate traffic and ensure safety. These rules are compulsory and compliance with these road traffic laws greatly reduces the possibility of accidents, injury or deaths on the roads.

All vehicles must have a clearly visible and valid license disc (12 months from the date of issue).

Maintain a safe following distance as part of maintaining a clear space around your vehicle

Increase the distance when:

• Visibility is poor
• In wet condition
• When travelling fast
• When carrying a heavy load
• Travelling on a loose surface

• Ensure that all mirrors are adjusted correctly so that you have a clear view, if you need to adjust the mirrors you may only do this when the vehicle is stationary
• Every 5-8 seconds glance in all the mirrors to check the situation behind or to the sides of the vehicle
• When approaching a potential hazard, check the in the mirrors in case you need to signal a change in direction

Before changing direction, turn your head to the appropriate side to check in the areas that are not visible in the mirrors (referred to as blind spots).

Important: A road sign that indicated a different speeds limit from the general speed limit guide below takes precedence.

Roads in urban areas

Goods vehicles with a mass exceeding 9000kg on roads outside urban areas.

Roads outside urban areas

A bus/taxi carrying passengers exceeding 3500kgs on roads outside urban areas.

Freeways

• When a painted marking or physical barrier divides a road, always stay on the left of the division
• You are only allow to cross this division if there is an opening or space allocated for this action
• It is a rule violation to drive across a solid dividing marking
• You may only drive across a broken dividing marking to overtake another vehicle or make a U-turn

• Do not overtake if overtaking is prohibited by a road sign or marking
• Do not overtake a vehicle that has stopped at a pedestrian crossing
• When overtaking a vehicle on the same direction on a narrow road, pass right and keep a safe following distance
• Do not drive on the right hand side of the roadway in the face of oncoming traffic
• Do not drive on the shoulder/verge of the road when overtaking
• Do not overtake on a blind rise, curve or any other area where your view of the road ahead is limited

Overtaking on the left

If it is safe to do so you may over take on the left when:

• The vehicle ahead of you is turning right or has indicated to turn right
• The road is a one-way
• The is wide enough for two or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction
• Instructed by a traffic officer
• Do not cross the yellow left edge line in order to overtake on the left

Passing oncoming vehicles

When passing oncoming traffic you may not pass right onto oncoming traffic.

Being overtaken

When being overtaken move over safely to the left to allow the other vehicle to pass, do not accelerate until the other vehicle has passed.

Being overtaken on a freeway

• If the driver behind you indicates his desire to overtake by flashing the headlights, signal to move over if it is safe to do so
• Do not hog the right lance, even if you are travelling at the designated speed limit.

You may not drive on the shoulder of the road to the left of the yellow edge line or to the right of the white edge line.

Exceptions: You may drive to the left of the yellow edge line to allow another vehicle to overtake if:

• It is a single lane roadway
• Its in-between sunrise and sunset
• It won't endanger any road users or property
• You can clearly see any person/s or vehicle/s for at least 150m ahead

Do not drive in a lane dedicated for public transport or rapid transport vehicles from 6am to 9am and 4pm and 6.30pm Monday to Friday, except public holidays (unless you are driving the permitted class of vehicle.

• You may not enter or cross a road or traffic lane if your vehicle is likely to cause a dangerous situation or obstruct traffic flow
• Do not cross into a different lane unless you can do so without obstructing or endangering other traffic

At a roundabout you must yield right of way to all traffic approaching from the right, unless there is a road sign or a traffic officer instructing otherwise.

At a mini-circle give way to any vehicle that will cross or has crossed any yield line before you, drive clockwise around but not over the marking.

• You must always indicate your intention to change direction, reduce speed or stop
• Indicate clearly to be seen by other road users (using indicators, stop lights or hand signals)

Hand signals may not be used on a freeway.

STOP

SLOW DOWN

OVERTAKE

RIGHT TURN

LEFT TURN

LEFT TURN

• Do not turn unless you can do so without obstructing or endangering other traffic
• Obey yellow mandatory direction arrow markings
• Move in accordance with white marking indicating mandatory direction arrows

Turning left

• Before turning left, indicate in good time and keep as close as possible to the left side of the road
• After turning, adjust your speed to merge safely into the flow of the traffic

Turning right

• Before turning right, indicate in good time and keep as close as possible to the right side of the road
• Before turning, yield right of way to any traffic approaching ahead
• Before starting turning into a two way road, cross the centre line so that you turn into the left side of the road
• As you turn, pass left of any traffic island or traffic officer controlling the intersection

• Always park within a demarcated bay and never on a sidewalk or verge
• If illegally parked, a fine will be issued or the vehicle can be impounded
• Emergency, rescue and construction vehicles or traffic officers are not subject to these rules if they are being used on duty
• You may park on the right side of a one way road provided the outer edges of the right side wheels are not more than 450mm into the road way

No stopping in/on or closer

6m from:

• A tunnel 
• A subway
• A bridge
• A constricted road

9m from: 

• A pedestrain crossing

No parking closer than

1m from:

• The road edge outside an urban area, unless in a demarcated parking bay

1.5m from:

• A fire hydrant, on either side of it

5m from: 

• An intersection 

• In any no-stopping area
• In parking bay reserved for the exclusive use of a particular class of vehicle
• Where you would obscure a road sign
• On a pavement/sidewalk
• Across a private or public vehicle entrance
• Over the actuating mechanism of a traffic light in an urban area
• Within the outer edges of the curbside wheels more than 450mm into the roadway
• In an urban road that is less than 5.5m wide unless it is a one way road
• On a traffic island or pedestrian mall or lane

Other parking reserved

Parking reserved for ambulance

Parking reserved for buses

Parking reserved for loading vehicles

Parking reserved for taxis

Parking reserved for fire vehicles

Parking reserved for rickshaw

Parking reserved for diplomat vehicles

Parking reserved for mini-buses

Parking reserved for SOS

Parking reserved for defence vehicles

Parking reserved for the police vehicles

You may not stop on the road unless instructed to do so by a traffic officer or a road sign or to avoid an accident.

• Next to or opposite an excavation if this obstructs traffic flow
• In a tunnel, subway or on a bridge
• On the right side of the road facing oncoming traffic
• Next to or opposite another vehicle where the road is 9m wide
• Within a railway reserve at a level crossing
• Where you would cause an obstruction or danger to traffic
• On a painted island
• On a freeway

• If directed to do so by a traffic officer, road sign, traffic light or farm animal
• For pedestrians on or entering a pedestrian crossing on your side
• If you are involved in an accident

• Where a pedestrian crossing is situated nest to a traffic light, they must cross according to the signal on the traffic light
• Drivers must yields right of way by slowing down or stopping for a pedestrian who is on or entering a pedestrian crossing on your side
• Do not overtake a vehicle that has stopped at a pedestrian crossing
• Pedestrians do not have the right to enter a pedestrian crossing suddenly so that an approaching vehicle has to stop suddenly and unsafely
• Pedestrians should cross the road at crossings only or at a distance more than 50m from the crossing

• The distance between the two vehicles may not exceed 3.5m. If it is more than 1.8m there must be a clearly visible red flag tied to it
• A licensed driver must control the towed vehicle unless a controlled towing device tows the vehicle
• The towed vehicle must have efficient brakes unless towed by a drawbar or tow-bar
• When towing the maximum speed is 30km/h unless you are towing by means of a solid bar
• You may not carry passengers in the towed vehicle
• Towing on a freeway without a solid bar is unlawful if the freeway has a minimum speed of 30km/h

When using any light or heavy motor vehicle on a public road; all lamps must be undamaged, unobscured, properly secured, and capable of being lit at all times

The headlamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps must be kept lighted during the period:

• Between sunset and sunrise
• At any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable weather conditions, persons and vehicles upon the public road are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres

Provided that these provisions shall not apply to a motor vehicle, which is parked:

• • Off the roadway of a public road
  • In a parking place demarcated by an appropriate road traffic sign
  • Within a distance of 12 metres from a lighted street lamp illuminating the road on which such vehicle is parked

Main Beams (Bright Light)

• Must emit a white light enabling the driver to see any person/vehicle or object of a distance of at least 100m
• Remember to turn of the bright light if there is oncoming vehicles approaching or following another vehicle

Dipped Beams

Must emit a white light enabling the driver to see any person/vehicle or object of a distance of at least 45m.

Parking Lamps

A vehicle may not be driven on a public road with only the parking lamps lighted while such vehicle is in motion.

Rear Lamps

You may not drive/ride any vehicle on a public road without a rear lamp emitting a red light fitted.

Stop Lamps (Brake Light)

You may not drive a light motor vehicle or motorcycle on a public road unless it is fitted with stop lamps at the rear. When in use, they must emit a red light, which must be greater than that of the light emitted by the rear lamps and must be visible in normal sunlight at a distance of 30 metres to a person of normal eyesight.

Number Plate Lamp

You may not drive a motor vehicle on a public road, unless it is fitted with at least one number plate lamp at the rear, illuminating the number plate. Every letter and figure of such plate must be visible from a distance of 20 metres by a person of normal eyesight.

Fog Lamp

Front fog lamps and Rear fog lamps

• No vehicle may be driven on a public road while any fog lamp fitted to such vehicle is lit, except in conditions of poor visibility caused by: snow, fog, mist, dust, or smoke

Stop Lamp

A motor vehicle may not be used on a public road if it is fitted with a spot lamp, which can be so adjusted as to enable a beam of light to emit from it and be deflected in any direction

• You may not operate any motorcycle, on a public road unless all lamps fitted to such motorcycles are undamaged, properly secured and capable of being lighted at all times
• When riding a motorcycle on a public road, the headlamp must be lighted at all times (During night and day).

• Animal drawn vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles with an engine capacity of 50cc or less
• Electrically powered motorcycles with a mass of 230kgs or less (eg: used by people with disabilities)
• Motor tricycles or quad bikes
• Tractors (unless used for roadwork)
• Pedestrians are not allowed on freeways unless: They are in an area demarcated for stopping/parking
• Animals are not allowed on a freeway unless: Inside a vehicle or within an area demarcated for
• stopping/parking

You can not stop on a freeway except:

• When instructed to do so by a traffic officer or road sign
• In an area demarcated for stopping/parking

Important: Hand signals may not be used on a freeway unless in an emergency. These restrictions do not apply to maintenance/construction workers, emergency crews and officials on duty.

A learner driver may drive on a freeway, only if a licensed driver accompanies them

You may not operate a vehicle that is too noisy or has accessories that are too noisy

No person shall use the hooter of a vehicle except when such use is necessary on the grounds of safety

You may not use a light motor vehicle on a public road unless:

• It is equipped with a warning device (hooter), which is in good working order
• When used, capable of emitting a sound, which is clearly audible by a person of normal hearing from a distance of 90 metres
• Sirens or warning devices that play a tune may not be used in private vehicles

You may not hinder or interrupt the free flow of traffic on a public road

The driver must be seated to maintain control of the vehicle and have a clear view of the road ahead.

You may not:

• Travel backwards further than is necessary
• Follow another vehicle too closely
• Allow another person or animal to interfere with your control of the vehicle
• Allow another person to steer
• Leave the vehicle unattended without setting the parking brake or using alternative methods to prevent the vehicle from moving
• Allow any portion of your or passengers body stick out of the vehicle (except for hand signals)
• Run the engine if it is giving off excessive smoke or fumes
• Run the engine while fuel is being pumped or if the fuel tank cap is off
• Leave the engine running if the vehicle is unattended
• Deposit fuel, grease, oil or any other flammable matter or refuse onto or along side the road
• Allow passengers to get on or off while the vehicle is moving
• Drive, pull or push a vehicle onto a pavement
• Fail to give way to emergency vehicles
• Operate a communication device (cellphone or two way radio) you must use a hands free or headset

Vehicles abandoned on a public road or in a public place may be removed and impounded. The owner is liable for all costs (The vehicle may not be sold to settle these costs)

Abandoned vehicles include:

• Vehicle obstructing other traffic or standing in a way to cause potential danger
• Left more than 24 hours in the same place on a non-urban public road
• Left more than 7 days on a public urban road or testing station
• Found on a public road without a number plate or a false number plate
• Found without any means of identifying the owner
• Parked on a no-stopping or no-parking area

• You may not drag or spin the wheels of a vehicle on the surface of a road
• You may not use chocks or shoes between the wheels and the road

• The tread pattern must be clearly visible and have a depth of not less than 1mm across the tyres
• entire width and circumference (Motorcycles under 50cc must have a tread pattern visible on at least 80% of the tread width)
• Sidewalls must not have deep cuts and inner cords should not be visible
• The tyre should not be on such a state of disrepair or condition that may cause damage to the road or be a danger
• Motorcycles may not be fitted with re-treaded tyres
• Buses and taxis operating with a license issued by the Department of Transport must be fitted with commercial steel radial-ply tyres and the steerable wheels must be fitted with anti-burst stabilizer devices

Seatbelts are compulsory to wear when in a moving vehicle. A child is defined as a person between the ages of 3 and 14 years, except when such person is taller than 1,5 metres, then he or she is regarded as an adult, irrespective of age. A person older than 14 years is defined as an adult.

You may not ride a motorcycle or be a passenger on a motorcycle or in a sidecar attached to a motorcycle, on a public road, unless a protective helmet is worn.

Vehicles may not travel in convoy over weekends, long weekends and two-day holidays 25 and 26 December during 6pm the night before the weekend/holidays starts until 6am the morning after the weekend/holiday.

• Animals that are not under the control of someone are not allowed on public roads or in a place they may stray into public
• The people controlling animals on a public road must carry a warning at least 150m ahead of and beyond the herd as follows:
  • Sunset to sunrise: a red light
  • Sunrise to sunset: a 300mm square red flag
• If there are less than 10 animals only one light or flag is required

• At least one double-sided reflective triangle, SABS approved, must be carried at all times
• If the vehicle is broken down or stationary on a public road the triangle must be displayed at least 45m from the rear of the vehicle

• No one may drive, occupy or tamper with a vehicle without the owners' permission
• It is illegal to change a vehicles engine or chassis number without prior written consent of the registering authority

If a vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the driver will be prosecuted, irrespective of who had right of way

You may not conduct a race or sports meeting on a public road without the consent of the MEC or relevant local authority or with a modified vehicle that does not meet the specifications of the manufacturer or SABS

• Quad bikes and off road (unlicensed) motorcycles are not allowed on public roads
• The driver and passenger must wear a safety helmet
• Motorcycles must have their headlights on at all times (day/night) on a public road
• Both driver and passengers feet must be kept on the allocated footrests and sit astride the saddle
• You may not carry a passenger if the engine has a capacity of 50cc or less
• Not more than two people may travel on a motorcycle and not more than two adults may ride in a sidecar
• No person, animal or big objects may be carried on a motorcycle in a manner that obstructs the riders view or ability to control the motorcycle
• Motorcycles must ride in single file on the road
• Only one motorcycle at a time may overtake another vehicle travelling in the same lane
• Always keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times
• Ensure that all wheels stay in contact with the road at all times
• A motorcycle must have one number plate secured on the rear
• A motorcycle may not tow any kind of vehicle

Projection limits:

• Not more than 600mm to the front axle
• Not more than 900mm to the rear axle
• Not more than 450mm to the side of the motorcycles wheels
• Not more than 300mm to the side of the sidecar wheel

These provisions do not apply to mirrors or crash bars

No person, animal or object may be carried in front of the driver on the seat, fuel or handlebars

• No part of a load may touch the road surface
• The load must be securely fastened or be inside the vehicle without hindering the drivers control or view of the road ahead

Loads may not extend more than:

• 300mm beyond the front and 1.8m beyond the rear
• 4.3m high (from the ground) on goods vehicles
• 2.5m wide (2.6m for goods vehicles 12000kgs or more) abnormal loads require permission from traffic authorities
• Any fitted brackets: 150mm beyond the vehicles widest part

Loads that project 150mm or more to the side of the vehicle must be marked with:

• Daytime: 300mm square red flags attached to each corner (front and rear) of the load
• Night: white reflectors on each corner on front, red reflectors at each corner at the rear and yellow reflectors on the sides

Loads less than 600mm wide that project 300mm or more beyond the rear of the vehicle must be marked with:

• Daytime: a single 300mm square red flag attached to the rear of the load
• Night: white one red reflector at the rear of the load

In the event of an accident involving a vehicle, person, animal or property:

• Stop the vehicle immediately
• Check for any injuries
• Provide any assistance where possible to the injured
• Provide your name, address and address of the vehicle owner and vehicle registration number
• Report the accident to the police within 24 hours

In the event of someone being killed during the accident:

• Call the emergency services immediately
• Ensure that all vehicles involved are not moved without a traffic officer's authorization (unless the vehicles are blocking the road or standing in a way to cause potential danger) only after their positions have been marked on the roads surface

You may not drive in a manner that disregards the safety of the other road users or property.

No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a public road while the concentration of alcohol in a person's body is:

• 0,05 grams per 100ml of blood or more
• 0,02 grams per 100ml of blood or more in a case of a professional driver