1. The driver must have full controll of the vehicle and have an unobstructed view of the road ahead.
2. Keep left, pass right.
The rule of the road is: Drive on the left side of the road
Don't endanger oncoming traffic by encraoching onto the right hand sife of the road.
Over take other vehicles on their right side only if:
it is safe to do so,
it is not prohibeted by a road sign or marking,
you may drive on the right hand side of a one way road.
On devided roads, don't drive over the deviding space or barier except at an itersection or opening where it is nor prohibited
by a road sign or traffic officer.
3. General Speed limits on public roads
60 km/h on urban raods. ( town or city )
100 km/h on rural and national roads (excluding freeways )
120 km/h on freeways
4. Vehicle class speed limits.
80 km/h for vehicles/combinations over 9000kg,
100 km/h for busses and minibusses conveying passengers,
5. Overtaking Safley
First make sure it is safe to overtake
Pass to the right of the vehicle you are overtaking
Don't endager oncoming traffic
Don't pass too close to the other vehicle
Make sure you are clear of the other vehicle before returning to the left side of the road.
When passing a stationary bus, keep a lookout for people moving away from the bus.
On freeways, only in the far right lane, you may flash the vehicle in front of you to indicate that you want to
overtake. It should then move over for you to overtake. Note: you may not stay in that lane if it is safe to move over even if you are already traveling at the given speed limit.
The other driver might have an emergency that you would be unaware of.
6. Overtaking on the left
you may pass on the left when it is safe to do so:
on a one urban way road wide enough for two vehicles to drive next to each other
if the vehicle you are passing is turning right
on a two way urban road with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction
Don't drive on the verge of a shoulder to overtake a car on the left.
Don't drive on the left of an edge line marking to overtake on the left.
7. Don't Overtake
If it will create a hazard to any vehicles, people or property
a vehicle stopped at a pedestrian crossing
by crossing a solid line
When approaching the crest of a hill or rise
on a curve
If your view of the road is obstructed
-Theobove three rules don't apply if:
the road is wide enough to overtake without encroaching onto the right hand side of the road
you are on a one way road
8. Being Overtaken
keep as far left as is safe to do.
Don't accelerate while being overtaken
If you are driving on the right side of the road, and a vehicle behind indicates that he wants to pass, carefully
move over to the left hand lane.
You may drive on the left hand shoulder of a single lane raod between sunrise and sunset to allow other vehicles to pass
if it is safe to do so, and other vehicles are visible for 150m
9. Traffic Lanes
Keep within the lane lines
Don't straddle the lane lines
Change lanes only when nessecary and safe to do so
Signal early enough before changing lanes
The last action before changing lanes is to check the blind spot
10. Intersections
Stop for pedestrians on or entering a pedestrian crossing
Don't block the traffic flow when:
entering an intersection
crossing a traffic lane
11. Turning left
Keep as far left as possible
adjust your speed to merge into the traffic flow safely
12. Turning right
Give way to approaching traffic when about to turn
Keep as far as possible to the right of the lane you are in to allow other cars to pass on your left.
Turn accross the centre line only if there is a clear space in oncoming traffic.
Keep to the left of any traffic island in the intersection and comply with road signs
Cross the centre line of the cross street before turning right, unless you are turning into another one way street.
13. Rules for signal
Always signal your intention, using hand signals, electric or mechanical indicators or stop lamps, before:
stopping
suddenly reducing speed
turning to the left or right
changing lanes
moveing to the left or the right of the road
Allow enough time to warn other so they can react if necessary
14. Passengers on trucks
Passengers are permitted on the back of a truck or bakkie if the sides of the rear body are:
350 mm above the seating surface
900mm above the standing surface
This does not apply to worker being transported in a working capacity
15. Alcohol and drugs
Don't drive or sit in the driver's seat with the engine running if you
are under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a narcotic drug
have a concentration of alcohol in your blood of 0.05g or more per 100ml
16. Freeways
Vehicles not allowed on freeways
Animal Drawn Vehicless
Pedal Cycles
Motor Cycles of 50cm3 or less
Electrically powered pedal and motorcycles
Motor Tricycles and quadrucycles
Tractors, except when doing freeway maintenace
Special vehicles of 230kg or less, designed for disabled people
Actions not allowed on Freeways (Does not apply to traffic officers on duty, or persons involved with emergency, rescue
salvage, construction, maintenance etc)
Stopping a vehicle, except in a designated stopping area
Hand signals, except in emergensies
Alighting from the vehicle, except
a. when acting in an emergency
b. within a designated stopping or parking area
17. No Stopping Areas
At or opposite an excavation where you will endanger other traffic
Inside, on or closer than 6m to :
a subway
a bridge
a section of a street that has been narrowed
a tunnel
Where it is prohibeted by a road sign
On the righthand side of a street, facing oncoming traffic
Alongside or opposite another vehicle where the road surface is less than 9m wide
Within the railway reserve at a railway crossing
Where the vehicle could be a danger or obstruction to traffic
Wtihin 9m of a pedestrian crossing, on the appraoch side, except to allow pedestrians to cross
On a freeway except
in a designated parking or stopping area
in accordance with a road sign or traffic officer
for a cause beyond your control
18. Compulsory Stops
Always stop:
When instructed to do so by a traffic officer or a road sign
When signalled to do so by someone leading or driving animals
When signalled to do so by a scholar patrol
If you are involved in a collision
19. Parking Definition: Stopping a vehicle with or without occupants for a longer period than is necessary to unload goods or passengers.
Always apply the handbrake to prevent your parked vehicle from moving without control.
20. No Parking Areas
You may not park
In any no stopping area
Where it is forbidden by a road sign or traffic officer
In a pedestrian mall or lane
closer than:
-- 1m to the road edge(or on the roadway) outside an urban area,
-- 1.5m on either side of a fire hydrant or opposite one,
-- 5m to an urban intersection
With the outer edge of any kerbside wheel more than 450 mm into the roadsign unless allowed by a roadsign
On, across or partially on
-- a traffic island,
-- a sidewalk or pavement,
-- a driveway or vehicle entrance,
-- the activating mechanism of a traffic light
Where the vehicle would obscure a road sign or marking
On a narrow road less than 5.5m wide unless:
-- in a oneway street,
where a road sign allows parking
21. Pedestrian Crossing
Give way to pedestrians who are on or about to enter the raodway at a pedestrian crossing.
22. Abandoned Vehicles
The following constitute abandoned vehicles:
parked Illegaly
parked in a no-stopping area
parked for more than 7 days in the same place on an urban raod or at a testing station
parked for more than 24 hours outside an urban area
likekely to cause a danger or obstruction
found on a public raod without a valid regstration number
whose owner cannot be identified
Abaondoned and illegally parked vehicles may be removed and impounded by a traffic officer.
23. Safe following Distance
Allow for at least 2 seconds of following distance(3 seconds for heavy vehicles)
Increase following distance when visibility is poor or when being tailgated
The stopping distance will be increased when traveling fast, when the road surface is wet or slippery, or when heavily loaded.
24. Reversing
Reverse only if it is safe to do so, and for as short a distance as is necessary
25. Passengers
Passengers must
not hamper the drivers ability to drive safe
not take control of the steering wheels or controls
not get in or out of the vehicle while it is moving
not have any part of the body protruding from the vehicle
each have 380mm of seat width
26. Driving Safely
Sit so that you have complete controll of the vehicle and a full view of the road and traffic ahead.
Move off from a parked position only if it is safe to do so and without interfering with the flow of traffic
Don't have any part of your body protruding from the vehicle except to give hand signals or for parking, examening or testing the vehicle.
27. Tyre Tread
All vehicle and truck tyres must have a tread across the entire width and around the entire circumference of the tyre that:
is at least 1mm deep, or
is not level with the tyre tread indicator if one is fitted
does not show any canvas fabric or steel belting
is not in a dangerous condition
All treads and wall sides must be free of:
breaks or cuts longer than 25mm or 10% of the tyre width, or deep enough to reach the inner cords
any lump or bulge
Motor cycles may not use retreaded tyres.
28. Towing of vehicles
Maximum distance apart is 3.5m
The towed vehicle must be securely attachedand under control
The towed vehicle does not need to be under the cotrol of a licensed driver if:
The steerable wheels are clear of the road
The vehicle is towed by a divice that controls the steering
If the vehicle is being controlled by a driver, that driver must hold a valid license for the code of vehicle
Use a solid bar to tow a vehicle if the brakes are defective
Don't exceed 30km/h when towing, unless a solid tow bar is being used
A vehicle carrying passengers may not be towed at a speed exceeding 30 km/h unless it is a semi trailer
29. Police and emergency vehicles.
Give way immediatley to any official vehicle sounding a warning device.(siren, bell, etc)
Example: ambulance, fire engine, traffic police
30. Running an engine
Dont let your engine run if:
it is emitting excessive smoke
the vehicle is unattended
the vehicle is not under the drivers control
if you are filling up with fuel or the tank is not closed
31. Side Walks
Dont move a vehicle along a sidewalk (pavement or verge), not even by pushing it.
32. Pollution
Don't deposit petrol, feul, oil, grease, ash or any other flammable or objectioneble matter on the road surface.
33. Motor Sports
You must obtain the approval of the provinsial MEC/local authority before organising any race, speed trial or sports meeting on a public road
34. Endangering traffic
Don't unnecessarily obstruct the free flow of traffic.
Don't leave any object on the road that could endanger or case damage to any traffic.
35. Hooting
Don't hoot except for safety reasons
Your hooter must be audible for at least 90m
The tone of the hooters pitch may not vary
36. Noisy Vehicles
Don't operate an excessivley noisy vehicle (eg. broken silencer) unless under temporary and exceptional circumstances.
37. Avaoiding Damage to roads
Don't in any way endanger or cause damage to other road users ot to the road surface.
38. Vehicle accidents/collision
If you are involved in a collision you
Must:
Immediatley stop your vehicle
See if anyone is injured and how serious it is
Assist the injured where possible
See what damage has been caused
Give the following details if requested by a person having reasonable grounds for requesting it:
a. your driving license,
b. your name and address,
c. the vehicle owners name and address,
d. the vehicle registration number.
Within 24 hours, report this information to a police officer
Must Not:
Take intoxicating liquot or narcotic drugs before reporting the collision, unless administered by a medical practitioner.
If someone has been injured or killed:
Summon a police officer immediatley
Moving of vehicles:
Don't remove or move the vehicles unless:
a. it's completely obstructing traffic flow and it's position is clearly marked on the road surface
b. you are authorised to do so by a traffic official.
If no one has been injured, you may remove the vehicle before reporting the collision to the police
Permission must be given by the driver,owner or authorised person before a vehicle may be removed
39. Emergency Red Triangles
At least one double-sided red triangle must be carried in all vans, bakkies, trucks, busses, trailers and caravans.
Where a vehicle is stationary on a roadway for any reason, the triangle must be displayed on the road at least 45m behind the vehicle.
40. Lights
Driving Lights
Switch the headlights on:
a. between sunset and sunrise
b. whenever visibility is not clear for at least 150m ahead
Use passing or dipped beams in urban areas and in dense traffic.
Use driving/bright beams only when there is no oncoming traffic.
The main beam must make vehicle and pedestrians visible 100m ahead
When dipped, the beam form the headlights should strike the road surface no more than 45m ahead
Motorcycle lights must be on at all times when driving, day or night
Parking Lights
Switch on your parking lights at night when your vehicle is standing:
a. on an urban road, outside a demarcated parking space,
b. on a public raod 12m or more from an illuminated street lamp
Never drive with only the parking lights on
Emergency Warning Flashers
Use emergency warning flashers when
a. When traveling in an emergency situation,
b. When stationary in a hazardous position
Adjustable spotlights
Are only allowed for official purposes(ambulance, firefighting, etc)
Doctors, vets and breakdown vehicles may also operate spotlights
41. Herding of animals
People hearding animals must carry a red flaf or a red light 150m ahead and behind the herd
42. Conveying Goods
Goods must be safely inside or securely fastened to the vehicle
Goods must not:
a. obscure the drivers view in any direction
b. touch the road
Maximum dimensions allowed:
Up to half the vehicle heigt when carried on the roof of a motor car, except bicycles carried on the roof.
Width, including vehicle:
a. vehicles less than 12 000 kg - 2.5m wide
b. vehicles more than 12 000 kg - 2.6m wide
Length - 300mm beyond the front and 1.8m beyond the rear.
Height from the road surface, including the vehicle and load, 4.3m
43. Seatbelts
Drivers and all passengers must wear seatbelts if they are fitted
Where no seatbelt is fitted on the front passenger seat, children up to the age of 14 must sit in the back seat
If seatbelts have been removed, the vehicle may not be used on a public road
If there is a vacant seat which has a seatbelt, no one may occupy a seat that is not fitted with one
You may unfasten your seatbelt while parking or reversing
44. Communication Devices
Don't hold or operate a handheld communication device while driving
You may use such a device if it is not being held in your hand or any other part of your body
45. You must have your drivers license with you while driving.
46. Unauthorised use of vehicles
Don't operate, enter, climb on or tamper with a motor vehicle without the consent of the person lawfully in charge of the vehicle
Don't alter the chassis or engine number without the written consent of the registering authority
Booking Details
Tel: 0860 428 8364
email for Learners
ll01@tswane.gov.za
email for Drivers
dl01@tswane.gov.za
We operate from: 98 Bruarfoss rd, Valhalla, Centurion, Pretoria. We book appointments anywhere in Gauteng and will take you to confirm your appointment.
You can also find us at South Africa Online
