Give way (yield)
GIVE WAY
You must give way to all vehicles in, entering or approaching the intersection.
What to do: Slow down, stop if needed, and go only when there is a safe gap. Also give way to pedestrians crossing the road you turn into.
Priority and junctions
Stop
STOP
You must stop completely, then give way.
What to do: Stop at the stop line, or before the intersection if there is no line. Then give way to all vehicles in, entering or approaching the intersection.
Roundabout, give way to vehicles on it
Roundabout (give way)
Roundabout. Give way to all vehicles already on it.
What to do: Slow down, give way to every vehicle already on the roundabout, then drive clockwise. Indicate left as you leave.
Hook turn
RIGHT TURN FROM LEFT ONLY
To turn right here, you must make a hook turn from the left lane.
What to do: Move to the left lane and indicate right. Move forward along the left side of the intersection, clear of the pedestrian crossing, until you are near the far side of the road you are turning into. Wait until the lights on that road turn green, then turn right.
Left turn on red allowed after stopping
LEFT TURN ON RED PERMITTED AFTER STOPPING
At these traffic lights you may turn left on a red light, after stopping.
What to do: Stop at the red light first. Then turn left when clear, giving way to pedestrians and to traffic from the right.
Keep left
KEEP LEFT
You must pass to the left of the sign.
What to do: Drive to the left of the island or obstacle the sign stands on.
No entry
NO ENTRY
You must not drive into this road.
What to do: Do not turn in. Find another route.
Roundabout ahead
A roundabout is ahead.
What to do: Slow down and choose your lane.
Crossroads ahead
Cross road ahead
A crossroads is ahead.
What to do: Be ready to give way. If the crossroads has no signs, give way to vehicles approaching from your right.
Speed and cameras
Speed limit
Speed limit sign
The maximum speed in km/h.
What to do: Do not exceed it. It applies until the next speed sign.
Speed camera warning (NSW)
SPEED CAMERA 24 HOURS
A fixed speed camera is ahead.
What to do: Check your speed. The camera works 24 hours a day.
Electronic speed limit
Variable speed limit sign
The legal limit, which changes with traffic and conditions. Used in tunnels and on motorways and bridges.
What to do: Obey the number shown. It replaces the usual limit.
Default limit applies (NSW)
STATE LIMIT 100
The NSW default limit of 100 km/h applies from here.
What to do: Drive at no more than 100 km/h, and slower when conditions require.
Advisory speed
Advisory speed sign
The recommended top speed for the hazard shown, such as a bend or crest.
What to do: Slow to this speed or below. It is advice, not a legal limit.
Motorways and overtaking
Toll road
MOTORWAY TOLL
This road is a toll road. In Sydney, tolls are charged electronically and there are no booths.
What to do: Make sure the car has a tag, or set up a pass. In Sydney you can still pay within 72 hours after the trip.
End of motorway
END MOTORWAY
The motorway ends here.
What to do: Reduce your speed to suit the road ahead and watch for the new limit.
Warnings
School zone
SCHOOL ZONE
A 40 km/h limit applies on school days during the times shown.
What to do: Slow to 40 km/h during those times on school days. The lights flash during school zone times. An END SCHOOL ZONE sign shows the limit that follows.
Kangaroos ahead
Kangaroo warning sign
Kangaroos may be on or near the road.
What to do: Slow down, especially around sunrise and sunset. If one jumps out, brake firmly in a straight line and do not swerve.
Floodway
FLOODWAY
The road dips through a causeway that may be covered by water.
What to do: If water covers the road, read the depth on the white depth indicator post, marked in metres, and avoid driving through floodwater.
Livestock crossing
STOCK CROSSING
Farm animals may be crossing or standing on the road.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop.
Cattle grid
GRID
A row of metal bars across the road ahead.
What to do: Slow down before crossing the bars.
Blind crest
CREST
The top of a hill ahead, where you cannot see far beyond it.
What to do: Slow down and do not overtake.
Zones and parking
No stopping
NO STOPPING
You must not stop at all along the kerb in the direction of the arrows, except in an emergency.
What to do: Do not stop, even briefly to drop someone off.
Clearway
CLEARWAY
No stopping or parking during the times shown. Cars left there are towed.
What to do: Do not stop or park between the CLEARWAY sign and the END sign during the times shown.
Bus lane
BUS LANE
A lane for buses during the hours shown. Taxis, chauffeur-driven hire cars with HC number plates, bicycles and motorcycles may also use it. Ordinary rental cars may not.
What to do: Keep out, except for up to 100 metres to enter or leave the road, to enter a lane from the side of the road, or to pass a vehicle turning right.
Other signs
T-junction ahead, your road ends
T-intersection ahead
The road you are on ends at a T-intersection ahead.
What to do: Slow down. You must give way to all vehicles on the road you are joining.
Keep left unless overtaking
KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING
Stay in the left lane except to overtake.
What to do: Use the right lane only to overtake, turn right or pass an obstruction, then move back left. The same rule applies on any road with a limit over 80 km/h.
Shared zone
SHARED ZONE
Pedestrians and vehicles share the street, with a 10 km/h limit.
What to do: Drive at 10 km/h or less and give way to every pedestrian.
Transit lane (car pool lane)
TRANSIT LANE
During the times shown, only vehicles carrying at least 2 people (T2) or 3 people (T3), including the driver, may use this lane.
What to do: With fewer people, use it only for up to 100 metres to enter or leave the road, to enter a lane from the side, or to pass a vehicle turning right.
Words on the signs
| On the sign | Means |
|---|---|
| Give way | Yield |
| Hook turn | A right turn made from the far left lane, waiting on the left side of the intersection until the lights change Required where a RIGHT TURN FROM LEFT ONLY sign is shown, mostly in Melbourne's CBD. |
| Shared zone | A street shared by pedestrians and vehicles, limited to 10 km/h |
| School zone | The area around a school, limited to 40 km/h on school days at signposted times |
| Local traffic area | A group of local streets with a 40 km/h limit NSW. |
| Dragon's teeth | Road markings painted at school zones to make them more visible |
| Stock | Farm animals such as cattle and sheep As in 'Stock may be crossing ahead'. |
| Grid | A cattle grid: a row of metal bars across the road |
| Floodway | A dip or causeway that may be covered by water |
| Crest | The top of a hill, where you cannot see far ahead |
| Transit lane (T2, T3) | A car pool lane for vehicles with at least 2 or 3 people at signposted times |
Drawings follow the official designs described by Australia's road authorities. Real signs vary a little in size and lettering. The full guide to driving in Australia