Rules of the Road for Your Learner's Test

The rules of the road keep traffic safe and orderly — and they're one of the three sections of the K53 learner's test. Here are the key rules you need to know.

Speed limits

Unless a sign says otherwise, the general speed limits in South Africa are:

A sign always overrides the default, and heavy vehicles have lower limits.

Following distance

Keep at least a two-second gap behind the vehicle in front in good conditions, and increase it in rain, fog or poor visibility. Heavy vehicles need an even bigger gap because they take longer to stop.

Right of way

• Four-way stop: the vehicle that stops first goes first. If two stop together, the one on the right goes first.
• Traffic circle: yield to traffic already in the circle (approaching from your right).
• Uncontrolled intersection: yield to traffic approaching from your right.
• Emergency vehicles with sirens and lights, and pedestrians at marked crossings, always get right of way.

Overtaking

As a rule you keep left and overtake on the right. Never overtake on a blind rise, on a sharp curve, or across a solid barrier line — anywhere you can't see far enough ahead to be sure it's safe.

Lane discipline & lights

• Keep to the left lane; use the right lane only to overtake.
• Switch on your headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is poor; dip your lights for oncoming traffic.
• In fog, use dipped headlights — bright lights reflect back and reduce visibility.

Parking & stopping

Don't park on or near a corner, intersection or pedestrian crossing, or anywhere you'd obstruct traffic or a clear view. When parking on a slope, turn your wheels appropriately and apply the parking brake.

Alcohol, seatbelts & phones

• The legal blood-alcohol limit is below 0.05 g per 100 ml (lower for professional drivers). The safest amount before driving is none.
• Seatbelts are compulsory for the driver and all passengers where fitted; children must use appropriate restraints.
• Using a hand-held cellphone while driving is illegal.

Defensive driving (the K53 system)

The K53 defensive driving system is about staying fully alert, scanning the road ahead and your mirrors, checking blind spots, and keeping a safe space cushion around your vehicle so you can always react in time to avoid a collision.

More guides: How the test works · Road signs explained · Vehicle controls