Practice test

South African learner's licence practice test

Free. No signup. Drawn from our SA-specific question bank. Sections: rules, signs, vehicle controls.

0 of 38 answered.

Road Signs
Q1. What does a red triangular road sign indicate?
- A. Regulatory instruction
- B. Warning of a hazard ahead
- C. Tourist information
- D. Direction to a city
Road Signs
Q2. A yellow diamond showing two children walking indicates what?
- A. A school crossing or school zone ahead
- B. A playground
- C. A bus stop
- D. A pedestrian-only zone
Vehicle Controls
Q3. What is the purpose of using your mirrors before changing lanes?
- A. To check your hair
- B. To check for traffic behind and beside you
- C. To signal to other drivers
- D. To clean the glass
Road Signs
Q4. What shape is the international Stop sign?
- A. Triangle
- B. Circle
- C. Octagon
- D. Square
Rules of the Road
Q5. Who has the right of way at a marked pedestrian crossing?
- A. The driver
- B. The pedestrian
- C. The vehicle on the right
- D. Whoever is first
Vehicle Controls
Q6. On most South African vehicles, which side of the steering column is the indicator stalk?
- A. Left
- B. Right
- C. Either, depending on model
- D. Top
Rules of the Road
Q7. May you use a handheld cellphone while driving?
- A. Yes, briefly
- B. Only in heavy traffic
- C. No — handheld use is illegal
- D. Yes, while at traffic lights
Vehicle Controls
Q8. What should you do if you have a tyre burst at high speed?
- A. Slam on the brakes
- B. Grip the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and slow down gradually
- C. Swerve into the next lane
- D. Switch off the engine immediately
Vehicle Controls
Q9. What is engine braking?
- A. Slamming the brake pedal
- B. Slowing the vehicle by easing off the accelerator and using lower gears
- C. Stopping the engine to slow down
- D. Using the handbrake on a moving vehicle
Vehicle Controls
Q10. How often should you check your tyre pressure?
- A. Once a year
- B. Only when the tyre looks flat
- C. At least once a month and before long trips
- D. Never — modern tyres don't need it
Road Signs
Q11. A horizontal arrow in a rectangular sign typically indicates what?
- A. A one-way street in the direction of the arrow
- B. Wrong way
- C. Stop ahead
- D. No entry
Rules of the Road
Q12. May you overtake another vehicle across a solid white line in the centre of the road?
- A. Yes, if the road ahead is clear
- B. Yes, if you signal first
- C. No, never
- D. Only at night
Vehicle Controls
Q13. When the fuel warning light comes on, approximately how much fuel is usually left?
- A. None — the tank is empty
- B. About 10-15% — enough to find a filling station, not a long detour
- C. Half a tank
- D. It depends on the speed
Vehicle Controls
Q14. What does ABS stand for, and what does it do?
- A. Automatic Brake Sensor — applies brakes for you
- B. Anti-lock Braking System — prevents the wheels locking during hard braking
- C. Advanced Brake Stabiliser — improves cornering
- D. Active Battery Saver — charges the battery
Rules of the Road
Q15. At a traffic circle (roundabout), who has the right of way?
- A. Vehicles entering the circle
- B. Vehicles already in the circle
- C. The largest vehicle
- D. The vehicle to your right
Road Signs
Q16. What does a yellow diamond sign showing a person walking mean?
- A. School zone
- B. Pedestrian crossing ahead
- C. Pedestrian-only road
- D. No pedestrians
Vehicle Controls
Q17. What is the primary purpose of the clutch pedal in a manual vehicle?
- A. To accelerate the vehicle
- B. To brake the vehicle
- C. To engage or disengage the engine from the gearbox when changing gear
- D. To start the engine
Rules of the Road
Q18. When must you switch on your headlights during the day?
- A. Only when very dark
- B. In rain, mist, fog or any condition that limits visibility
- C. Only at dusk
- D. Never during the day
Vehicle Controls
Q19. What should you do if the engine warning light comes on while driving?
- A. Ignore it
- B. Stop safely as soon as possible and check the vehicle
- C. Increase speed to clear it
- D. Switch off the ignition immediately
Road Signs
Q20. What does a yellow diamond sign showing a skidding car mean?
- A. Sharp curve ahead
- B. Slippery road surface
- C. Roadworks
- D. Unstable shoulder
Rules of the Road
Q21. What is the general speed limit on a rural public road outside an urban area?
- A. 80 km/h
- B. 100 km/h
- C. 120 km/h
- D. 140 km/h
Road Signs
Q22. What does a blue circular sign indicate?
- A. A prohibition
- B. A warning
- C. A command (you must do something)
- D. Information only
Rules of the Road
Q23. At a four-way stop, who has the right of way if two vehicles arrive at exactly the same time?
- A. The vehicle on the right
- B. The vehicle on the left
- C. The larger vehicle
- D. The vehicle going straight
Vehicle Controls
Q24. What does the tachometer (rev counter) show?
- A. Speed of the vehicle
- B. Engine revolutions per minute (RPM)
- C. Distance travelled
- D. Battery voltage
Road Signs
Q25. What does a yellow-and-black diamond sign mean?
- A. A regulatory sign
- B. A temporary warning, often for roadworks
- C. Tourist destination
- D. Highway entrance
Rules of the Road
Q26. Who is required to wear a seatbelt in a vehicle?
- A. Only the driver
- B. Only the front-seat passengers
- C. All occupants, including rear-seat passengers
- D. Only children under 14
Rules of the Road
Q27. What does a Yield (Give Way) sign require?
- A. A full stop in all cases
- B. Yield to vehicles in or approaching the intersection
- C. Sound the horn
- D. Reduce speed to 20 km/h only
Rules of the Road
Q28. What is the general speed limit in an urban area in South Africa?
- A. 40 km/h
- B. 60 km/h
- C. 80 km/h
- D. 100 km/h
Road Signs
Q29. What does a sign with a U-shaped arrow inside a red circle indicate?
- A. U-turn permitted
- B. No U-turn
- C. Roundabout ahead
- D. Two-way traffic
Rules of the Road
Q30. What is the minimum safe following distance behind another vehicle?
- A. 1 second
- B. 2 seconds
- C. 3 seconds
- D. 5 seconds
Vehicle Controls
Q31. What is the primary purpose of the handbrake (parking brake)?
- A. Emergency stops at speed
- B. Holding the vehicle stationary when parked
- C. Slowing the vehicle on a hill
- D. Replacing the foot brake when worn
Road Signs
Q32. What does a sign showing two cars side-by-side with a red border indicate?
- A. Overtaking permitted
- B. No overtaking
- C. Two-way traffic
- D. Carpool lane
Rules of the Road
Q33. What is the maximum blood alcohol concentration for a regular driver in South Africa?
- A. 0.00 g/100 ml
- B. 0.02 g/100 ml
- C. 0.05 g/100 ml
- D. 0.08 g/100 ml
Rules of the Road
Q34. What is the maximum speed limit on a South African freeway, unless otherwise indicated?
- A. 100 km/h
- B. 110 km/h
- C. 120 km/h
- D. 140 km/h
Rules of the Road
Q35. What must you do when approaching a stop sign?
- A. Slow down and proceed if clear
- B. Come to a complete stop, then proceed when safe
- C. Hoot, then proceed
- D. Stop only if traffic is approaching
Road Signs
Q36. What does a sign with a red circle indicate?
- A. A warning
- B. A prohibition (you may not do something)
- C. A direction
- D. A tourist site
Vehicle Controls
Q37. What does the speedometer show?
- A. Engine RPM
- B. Speed of the vehicle
- C. Fuel level
- D. Engine temperature
Rules of the Road
Q38. Children under what age must be secured in an approved child restraint?
- A. 1 year
- B. 3 years
- C. 5 years
- D. 10 years

This mock test draws from our SA-specific question bank. Real exam pass marks: 22/30 rules, 23/30 signs, 6 or 7 / 8 controls. Use this for repeated practice — each attempt randomises the order.