Practice questions
Learner's licence practice questions, with answers
All 78 of our South African learner's questions, grouped by section. Every question has the correct answer and a plain-English explanation. Free, no signup.
The South African learner's test has three sections, and you must pass each one on the same day. Reading questions with the reasoning behind each answer is one of the fastest ways to prepare, you learn the rule, not just the answer. Work through the questions below by section, or take the timed full mock test when you're ready to check yourself under exam conditions.
Rules of the Road (33 questions)
Speed limits, right of way, following distance, alcohol limits and the rules that carry the most marks in the real exam.
- What is the general speed limit in an urban area in South Africa?
- What is the general speed limit on a rural public road outside an urban area?
- What is the maximum speed limit on a South African freeway, unless otherwise indicated?
- What must you do when approaching a stop sign?
- What does a Yield (Give Way) sign require?
- At a four-way stop, who has the right of way if two vehicles arrive at exactly the same time?
- May you overtake another vehicle across a solid white line in the centre of the road?
- What is the maximum blood alcohol concentration for a regular driver in South Africa?
- Who is required to wear a seatbelt in a vehicle?
- May you use a handheld cellphone while driving?
- Who has the right of way at a marked pedestrian crossing?
- When must you switch on your headlights during the day?
- What is the minimum safe following distance behind another vehicle?
- At a traffic circle (roundabout), who has the right of way?
- Children under what age must be secured in an approved child restraint?
- What does a broken yellow line on the edge of the road indicate?
- What does a solid yellow line on the edge of the road mean?
- May you overtake a vehicle on the left in South Africa?
- When are you allowed to use your hooter (horn) in a built-up area?
- What should you do when a traffic light turns amber (yellow)?
- What does a flashing red traffic light mean?
- What does a flashing amber traffic light mean?
- What must you do when an emergency vehicle (ambulance, fire truck, police) is approaching with sirens?
- What is the maximum speed when towing a trailer or caravan in South Africa?
- What happens if you accumulate too many demerit points in South Africa?
- You are at a stop sign when an emergency vehicle approaches from behind. What do you do?
- How far from an intersection must you park?
- When must you perform a blind-spot check?
- How should you adjust your following distance in wet or slippery conditions?
- When turning right at a multi-lane intersection, which lane should you end up in?
- What is the maximum speed allowed when towing another vehicle with a tow rope or cable?
- What is the maximum permitted length of a tow rope or cable in South Africa?
- When following an emergency vehicle responding to a call, what is the minimum following distance you must maintain?
Road Signs (30 questions)
Warning, regulatory, command and information signs, the section most learners fail on.
- What does a red triangular road sign indicate?
- What does a sign with a red circle indicate?
- What does a blue circular sign indicate?
- What shape is the international Stop sign?
- What does a yellow-and-black diamond sign mean?
- What does a sign showing two cars side-by-side with a red border indicate?
- What does a yellow diamond sign showing a person walking mean?
- A yellow diamond showing two children walking indicates what?
- What does a yellow diamond sign showing a skidding car mean?
- What does a sign with a U-shaped arrow inside a red circle indicate?
- A horizontal arrow in a rectangular sign typically indicates what?
- A yellow diamond with a curved line indicates what?
- A yellow diamond showing parallel lines that converge means?
- A white horizontal bar inside a red circle means?
- A white number inside a red circle (e.g. 60) indicates what?
- A white number inside a red circle with a diagonal line through it means?
- A yellow diamond showing a small traffic light symbol means?
- A yellow diamond showing a T-shape indicates?
- A yellow diamond with an 'X' and two diagonal lines indicates?
- A yellow diamond showing a silhouette of a cow means?
- A yellow diamond with a falling-rock symbol means?
- A right-pointing arrow inside a red circle with a line through it means?
- A blue circle with a white arrow pointing left and then up means?
- A white number inside a blue circle means?
- A blue rectangular sign showing a bus silhouette indicates?
- A white rectangular sign showing a walking figure on a black background at a crossing means?
- A yellow diamond showing a truck on a steep downward slope means?
- An 'N' on a speed-limit sign (e.g. 'N 120') means what?
- What is the key difference between a Yield sign and a Stop sign?
- White diagonal stripes on a yellow rectangular board at a curve are called?
Vehicle Controls (15 questions)
Pedals, gauges, warning lights, mirrors and the controls the examiner expects you to know by name.
- What is the primary purpose of the clutch pedal in a manual vehicle?
- What does ABS stand for, and what does it do?
- What is the primary purpose of the handbrake (parking brake)?
- What does the speedometer show?
- What does the tachometer (rev counter) show?
- What should you do if the engine warning light comes on while driving?
- What is the purpose of using your mirrors before changing lanes?
- What is engine braking?
- When the fuel warning light comes on, approximately how much fuel is usually left?
- How often should you check your tyre pressure?
- What should you do if you have a tyre burst at high speed?
- The red oil-can warning light comes on while you are driving. What should you do?
- In a manual vehicle, from left to right, what are the three pedals?
- When should you use your hazard lights (double indicator)?
- Your temperature gauge needle enters the red zone. What is the correct action?
Passed the theory? Book the real thing.
These questions get you through the learner's test. For the K53 driver's test, an instructor who knows your local DLTC's routes makes all the difference. Compare driving schools near you.