Traffic signs are one of the most visual parts of the NSW Driver Knowledge Test. They also reward a smart study method. Instead of memorising hundreds of signs one by one, learn the families they belong to. Once you know whether a sign is regulatory, warning, roadworks or information, its shape and colour tell you most of what you need to know.
In the official question bank, traffic signs have their own section. In the in-person DKT they count towards the road safety part, where you can make very few mistakes. That makes this topic worth getting right.
Key Fact: Regulatory signs are the law, and breaking them is an offence. Warning signs are advice about what’s ahead. Knowing which is which answers a surprising number of DKT questions.
The Sign Families at a Glance
| Family | Typical look | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory | Mostly white with black and red; red circles for limits and bans | Must be obeyed by law |
| Stop and Give Way | Red octagon (Stop); red-bordered upside-down triangle (Give Way) | Stop, or slow and give way |
| Warning | Diamond, black symbols on yellow | Hazard or change ahead: slow down |
| Advisory speed | Yellow plate with a speed, usually under a warning sign | Recommended speed in good conditions; not law |
| Roadworks | Temporary signs at work sites | Speed limits are regulatory and must be obeyed |
| Railway crossings | Warning signs plus Stop, Give Way and flashing lights | Trains have priority |
| Parking and lanes | Permissive or restrictive signs with times and arrows | Where and when you can stop, park or drive |
| Electronic | Variable message signs and overhead lane signals | Information, or lane directions you must follow |
Regulatory Signs: The Ones You Must Obey
The NSW Road User Handbook says signs showing when you must stop, give way, turn or enter are regulatory signs and must be obeyed by law. So are speed limit, Keep Left and One Way signs.
Speed Limit Signs
A number in a red circle on a white background is the maximum speed allowed. It’s not a target and not a minimum. Drive slower when conditions are poor. Learner and P1 drivers must still keep to 90 km/h even where the sign shows more.
Turning and Direction Signs
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No right turn (arrow crossed out) | No right turn and no U-turn |
| No left turn | Don’t turn left |
| Arrow with “Only” | All traffic must go the way the arrow points |
| Right lane must turn right | If you’re in it, you must turn right |
| No entry | Don’t enter the road beyond the sign |
| One way / Two way | Direction of traffic ahead |
| Keep left | Stay to the left of the sign or island |
| Keep left unless overtaking | Use the right lane only for overtaking or another allowed reason |
DKT Tip: A crossed-out right-turn arrow also bans U-turns, because a U-turn starts like a right turn. This catches out lots of people.
Stop, Give Way and Roundabout Signs
- Stop: stop completely at the line every time, then give way.
- Give Way: slow down and be ready to stop. You only stop if traffic requires it.
- Roundabout: give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.
- Stop sign with three black dots: used at traffic lights. It applies only when the lights are off or flashing yellow.
For the full rules, see our guide to NSW give way rules.
Warning Signs: Slow Down, Something’s Ahead
The handbook describes warning signs as usually diamond-shaped, with pictures, symbols or words in black on a yellow background. They don’t create a legal limit. They warn you to adjust your speed and position.
Road Layout
- Cross road, T-intersection (the road you’re on ends, so give way to all vehicles) and side road ahead.
- Sharp turn and winding road.
- Road narrows, divided road begins (keep left of the median) and divided road ends (expect oncoming traffic on the other side of a centre line).
- Stop ahead and Give Way ahead: yellow signs with the symbol and an arrow.
Road Shape and Surface
- Crest: you can’t see far ahead, so slow down, keep left and don’t overtake.
- Dip and hump: sudden changes in the road surface.
- Steep descent: use a lower gear so you don’t rely only on your brakes.
- Slippery when wet: avoid sudden braking or steering.
- Floodwater depth indicator: shows how deep the water is. It’s still safer to turn around or wait than to drive through.
People, Animals and Vehicles
- Pedestrians, children, pedestrian crossing ahead and bicycles.
- Kangaroos and livestock: slow down, brake in a controlled way and don’t swerve. A plate underneath may show how far the hazard continues.
- Trucks entering and narrow bridge (be ready to give way to oncoming vehicles).
Advisory Speed Plates
A yellow plate with a speed, usually under a curve or crest sign, shows the recommended maximum speed for an average vehicle in good conditions. It’s advice, not law. In rain or at night, go slower.
Roadworks Signs
Temporary signs at roadworks warn you of workers and changed conditions. Key rules:
- Roadwork speed limits are regulatory. They apply even when you can’t see any workers, because hazards such as loose gravel, potholes and lane shifts may remain.
- Traffic controller ahead means be ready to stop.
- Handheld Stop/Slow bats: stop at “Stop” and wait until the controller signals you on.
- Temporary traffic lights: obey them like any other lights, and stop on red at the “Stop here on red signal” sign.
Railway Level Crossing Signs
| Sign or signal | What to do |
|---|---|
| Rail crossing warning sign | Slow down, look and listen both ways |
| Flashing lights ahead | Be ready to stop if they flash |
| Stop sign at the crossing | Stop every time, even with no train in sight |
| Give Way sign at the crossing | Slow down, look both ways, stop if a train is coming |
| Flashing red lights or boom gates down | Stop, and wait until the lights stop and the gates are fully up |
A second train may follow the first, so never go just because one has passed.
Parking, Lane and Tram Signs
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No stopping | Don’t stop at all, except in an emergency |
| No parking | Stop up to 2 minutes to pick up or drop off, staying within 3 m of the car |
| Clearway | No stopping during the times shown (buses and taxis may pick up or drop off) |
| Taxi zone | Only taxis may stop there |
| Accessible parking | Only with a displayed Mobility Parking Scheme permit |
| T2 / T3 transit lane | Vehicles with at least 2 or 3 people, including the driver |
| Bus lane / Bus-only lane | Bus lanes allow some other vehicles; bus-only lanes are for buses only |
Electronic Signs and Signals
Motorways and tunnels use electronic signs:
- Variable message signs show travel times and warnings, such as crashes, fog and closures. They’re information, not a speed limit.
- Variable speed limit signs show a legal speed limit that changes with conditions. You must obey them.
- Overhead lane signals:
- a red cross means the lane is closed;
- a white arrow pointing down-left or down-right means merge that way;
- a white arrow pointing up-left or up-right means the road ahead is closed and you must exit.
- School zone flashing lights mean the school zone limit, usually 40 km/h, is in force.
Road Markings Count Too
Some DKT “sign” questions are really about markings:
- Zig-zag lines warn of a pedestrian crossing ahead.
- Dragon’s teeth (painted triangles) mark school zones.
- Yellow kerb lines: a continuous line means no stopping, and a broken line marks a clearway.
- Keep clear areas must never be stopped in.
How to Study Signs
- Learn the families first. Use the table at the top of this post.
- Group the warning signs by layout, surface and hazards, rather than learning them as a long list.
- Focus on the pairs people mix up: No Stopping and No Parking, advisory and regulatory speed signs, T2 and T3.
- Test yourself with pictures. Signs are recognised visually, so practise with images, not just text.
Read our Traffic Signs study guide, then try the free mock test. The full set of Traffic Signs questions is in the app. The Learners Test app includes sign questions with clear images and an explanation for every answer. Download it here.
The Learners Test is an independent study app and isn’t affiliated with Transport for NSW or Service NSW.
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