About signs
Main types of signs
Most of the signs you will see on New Zealand roads are international symbolic
signs. This means they use the same shapes and symbols as traffic signs all
over the world.
Symbolic signs are used because they are quick to read and easy for all drivers
to understand.
New Zealand's signs are generally made of reflective material, making them
easier to read at night.
The three types of symbolic sign
The symbolic signs on our roads can be divided into three types:
-
compulsory signs
-
warning signs
-
information signs
You must be able to recognise and understand each type of sign.
Some examples of these signs are shown on the following pages.
Please note: the examples shown are only a small sample of the
symbolic signs used on our roads. They are intended to familiarise you with the
three main types of symbolic sign rather than introduce you to all
of the signs you will see when driving.
Important
Road authorities (for example, local councils) may have special rules for road
users in specific areas. These restrictions should be indicated by signs or
markings.
Compulsory signs
Compulsory signs tell you what you must or must
not do.
They are usually red or blue.
Turn right
|
Keep going
straight ahead |
Keep left |
Pedestrians only |
You must not go
faster than 50 km/h |
You must not drive
into this road |
You must not
turn left |
You must not
make a U-turn |
You must stop
and then give way |
You must slow down
(or stop if necessary)
and give way |
School patrol ¨C you
must stop |
Some compulsory signs have red borders.
You must keep left
unless passing
|
Bus lane that can also
be used by cycles,
motorcycles, mopeds |
Bus lane that can only
be used by buses |
Transit lane, which can only
be used by passenger service
vehicles, cycles, motorcycles and
vehicles carrying at least the
number of people displayed
on the sign (eg, T2 means two
or more people, T3 means
three or more people) |
Warning signs
Warning signs alert you to a particular hazard on the road ahead. They warn you
to be careful for your own safety, the safety of other road users or the safety
of road workers carrying out maintenance.
There are two types of warning signs:
-
those that warn you of a permanent
hazard
-
those that warn you of a temporary hazard.
Both types of sign are usually diamond shaped.
Permanent warning signs
Permanent warning signs are yellow and black.
Pedestrian crossing
|
Look out for children |
Slippery surface |
Road narrows |
Temporary warning signs
Temporary warning signs are orange and black.
Information signs
Information signs give you useful information, for example, the distance to the
next town. They are all rectangular, but come in a range of different colours
and sizes.
You may turn left, but first
give way to any pedestrians
and vehicles |
Shows the state highway
number and the distance in
kilometres to places listed |
Shows directions to places
at the next intersection |
Shows the way to the nearest
information centre |
Shows the state highway number
and direction to places listed |
|
Vehicle mounted signs
When oversize vehicles or vehicles carrying very large loads use our roads, they
must have special signs mounted on them. They may also be accompanied by pilot
vehicles to warn other road users to take care.
If you see one of these signs or pilot vehicles when you are driving, you should
slow down. If the oversize vehicle or load is coming towards you, you may need
to pull over and stop to allow it to pass.
Oversize sign
The sign below will be displayed on the oversize vehicle itself. If you see this
sign when driving, you should drive cautiously. The vehicle may be very wide,
long or high, or a combination of all three.
Oversize vehicle
Pilot vehicles
When a vehicle is carrying a large load, it may be accompanied by a pilot
vehicle, with flashing yellow roof lights and a roof-mounted sign, to warn
other road users.
If the pilot vehicle is in front of the load,
the sign will either say ′Long load follows′ or ′Wide load follows′.
If the pilot vehicle is behind the load, the sign will either
say ′Long load ahead′ or ′Wide load ahead′.
Wide load follows
Extremely large loads
If a vehicle′s load is extremely large, two pilot vehicles will travel ahead of
it.
The first pilot vehicle will have flashing yellow and purple roof lights and a
roof-top sign that says ′Danger slow down′.
The second pilot vehicle will have flashing yellow roof lights and a roof-top
sign that says ′Wide load follows′.
Danger slow down
Important
If you see an ′Oversize′ sign or a pilot vehicle with flashing lights, slow down
and be prepared to pull over and stop.