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 signs on our roads can be divided into three types:
You must be able to recognise and understand each type of sign.
Some examples of these signs are shown on the following pages.
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 tell you what you must or must not do.
They are usually red or blue.
 Turn right |
 Keep going straight ahead |
 Keep left |
 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 – 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 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:
Both types of sign are usually diamond shaped.
Permanent warning signs are yellow and black.
 Pedestrian crossing |
 Look out for children |
 Slippery surface |
 Road narrows |
Temporary warning signs are orange and black.
 Road works |
 Left lane closed |
 Slips |
 Gravel surface |
 Stop on request |
 Other hazard |
Note: this sign will always be displayed with another sign explaining the hazard, eg ‘Flooding’ |
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 |
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.
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
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
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.
New Zealand Road Code Test Questions, practise online with instant answers for learner license theory test.
