Practice questions
Learner's licence practice questions, with answers
All 186 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 (79 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?
- What is the general speed limit on a South African freeway?
- What is the maximum speed limit for a goods vehicle with a gross vehicle mass over 9 000 kg?
- What is the minimum safe following distance behind the vehicle in front in good conditions?
- How should your following distance change on a wet road?
- What is the legal blood alcohol limit for an ordinary driver in South Africa?
- What is the legal blood alcohol limit for a professional driver?
- How long is a South African learner's licence valid for?
- How often must a South African driving licence card be renewed?
- Who must accompany a learner driver in a light motor vehicle?
- What is the minimum age to apply for a learner's licence for a motorcycle under 125 cc (code 1)?
- What is the minimum age to apply for a code 2 (light motor vehicle) learner's licence?
- Two vehicles reach a four-way stop at exactly the same moment. Who has right of way?
- Who has right of way at a traffic circle?
- What must you do when a traffic light turns amber as you approach it?
- A traffic officer directs you to go while the traffic light is red. What do you do?
- On which side do you normally overtake another vehicle in South Africa?
- What does a solid white barrier line in the centre of the road mean?
- What does a broken white line in the centre of the road mean?
- Who must wear a seatbelt in a motor vehicle?
- May you use a cellphone while driving in South Africa?
- When must you switch on your headlights?
- When should you use your hazard lights?
- An ambulance approaches from behind with lights and siren on. What must you do?
- What must you do at a level crossing when the red lights are flashing?
- A pedestrian is waiting to step onto a marked pedestrian crossing ahead of you. What must you do?
- Where must you place your emergency warning triangle if your vehicle breaks down on the road?
- What is the minimum legal tyre tread depth in South Africa?
- Within what period must you report an accident to the police if nobody was injured and details were not exchanged?
- When may you legally use your hooter?
- How often must a motor vehicle licence (the disc on the windscreen) be renewed?
- What is the rule about reversing a vehicle?
- You want to turn right across oncoming traffic at an intersection. What must you do?
- What must you do before changing lanes?
- How must you park alongside the edge of a public road?
- May you drive in the yellow lane on the left of the roadway to let a faster vehicle pass?
- Is private motor vehicle insurance compulsory in South Africa?
- What is the difference between stopping and parking?
- When is a roadworthy certificate normally required?
- What does the law require for a child under the age of three travelling in a car?
- May you overtake on a blind rise or a sharp curve?
- Your vehicle begins to skid on a wet road. What is the correct response?
- Total stopping distance is made up of which two parts?
- What happens to your braking distance if you double your speed?
- On a one-way road with two or more lanes, may you pass another vehicle on its left?
- A scholar patrol holds up a sign at a school crossing. What must you do?
- You approach a low-water bridge covered in flowing water. What is the safest action?
Road Signs (66 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?
- What does an eight-sided (octagonal) red sign mean?
- What does a red-bordered triangle pointing downwards mean?
- What do green road signs generally indicate in South Africa?
- What does a diamond-shaped sign with a yellow background indicate?
- A round sign with a red circle and a single white horizontal bar means:
- A round sign showing two cars, the right-hand one in red, inside a red circle means:
- A blue circular sign with a white arrow pointing left means:
- How is a speed limit shown on a South African road sign?
- What does a number inside a blue circle mean?
- A red-bordered triangle showing two children means:
- A triangular warning sign showing a car with wavy skid lines means:
- You see a warning sign indicating the tarred surface ends ahead. What should you do?
- A triangular sign showing a T shape means:
- A triangular sign showing three curved arrows in a circle warns of:
- A triangular warning sign showing a cow or kudu means:
- A blue rectangular sign with a single white arrow indicates:
- A blue circular sign with a red border and a single red diagonal line means:
- A red circle containing a U-shaped arrow with a line through it means:
- Which shape is used for most South African warning signs?
- What does a blue rectangular sign usually convey?
- A triangular sign showing a steam locomotive warns of:
- A triangular sign showing a walking figure on a crossing means:
- What does a solid white line painted across your lane at an intersection mean?
- What does a broken yellow line along the left edge of the roadway usually indicate?
- A red X displayed above your lane on a freeway means:
- A green downward arrow above a lane means:
- A triangular sign showing a vehicle on a steep downward slope warns of:
- A triangular sign showing two vertical arrows, one up and one down, warns of:
- Signs showing services such as a hospital, fuel or a rest area are usually:
- What should you do when a sign indicates the road narrows ahead?
- What does a sign with a black diagonal line through a previous symbol indicate?
- A blue rectangular sign marked with a bus symbol above a lane means:
- A warning sign showing a raised bump in the road surface means:
- A sign showing a road with a closed end indicates:
- Signs applying only to goods vehicles usually show:
- A red circle containing a motorcycle symbol means:
Vehicle Controls (41 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?
- What is the purpose of the clutch pedal in a manual vehicle?
- In a manual left-hand-drive-free South African car, what is the order of the pedals from left to right?
- What is the main purpose of the handbrake (parking brake)?
- What is the recommended hand position on the steering wheel?
- The temperature gauge moves into the red zone while you are driving. What should you do?
- A red oil warning light comes on while driving. What does it indicate?
- How often should you check your mirrors while driving?
- What must you do with your bright (main beam) lights when a vehicle approaches from the front?
- When should you switch on your indicator before turning?
- Why should you select a lower gear before a long, steep descent?
- What is engine braking?
- How often should tyre pressures be checked?
- What does ABS (anti-lock braking system) do?
- A red battery warning light stays on while driving. What does this usually mean?
- How should the driver's seat be adjusted?
- How should the head restraint be positioned?
- On a motorcycle, which control operates the front brake?
- On a motorcycle, which control operates the rear brake?
- On a manual motorcycle, where are the clutch and gear controls?
- How is the throttle operated on a motorcycle?
- What is the correct way to brake normally on a motorcycle?
- What protective equipment is legally required when riding a motorcycle in South Africa?
- In a vehicle with air brakes, what should you do if the low air pressure warning activates?
- What is the purpose of a retarder or engine brake on a heavy vehicle?
- Compared with a car, the blind spots on a heavy vehicle are:
- Who is responsible for ensuring a load is properly secured?
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.