South Africa Learner's Licence (K53) — All Questions

A round sign with a red border and a red diagonal line is a:

• a.Warning sign
• b.Prohibition sign showing what you may not do✓
• c.Guidance sign to a town
• d.Freeway information sign

Round red-bordered signs are regulatory; a red diagonal line means the action shown is prohibited. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, road signs)

A red triangle standing on its point (inverted triangle) at a junction means:

• a.Yield: give way to traffic that has right of way✓
• b.Stop and switch off the engine
• c.No entry to all vehicles
• d.Freeway begins

The inverted red triangle is a YIELD sign; slow down and give way to traffic with right of way. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, control signs)

A triangular sign with a red border and a black symbol warns you of:

• a.A parking area
• b.A speed limit
• c.A no-overtaking zone
• d.A hazard ahead, such as a bend or crossing✓

Triangular red-bordered signs are warning signs alerting you to a hazard ahead so you can react early. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, warning signs)

A red eight-sided (octagonal) sign means:

• a.Yield if traffic is coming
• b.Speed limit ahead
• c.Come to a complete stop and give way before proceeding✓
• d.No stopping

The octagonal STOP sign requires a full stop at the line, then you give way before moving off. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, control signs)

At a four-way stop, the vehicle that may proceed first is generally the one that:

• a.Is the largest
• b.Arrived and stopped first✓
• c.Is turning right
• d.Has the loudest horn

At a four-way stop each driver stops, and the vehicle that stopped first proceeds first; if two arrive together, the vehicle on the left yields to the one on its right. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, intersections)

At a YIELD (give way) sign you must:

• a.Slow down and give way to traffic with right of way, stopping if necessary✓
• b.Always stop completely
• c.Speed up to merge
• d.Give way only to trucks

A YIELD sign requires you to slow, give way to traffic that has priority and proceed only when safe. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, yield)

When you turn right at an intersection, you must give way to:

• a.Vehicles behind you
• b.No one
• c.Oncoming traffic going straight or turning left✓
• d.Only pedestrians

A right-turning driver must give way to oncoming vehicles proceeding straight or turning left. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, turning)

In the K53 driving method, before you move off, change lanes or turn you must:

• a.Simply accelerate
• b.Only look ahead
• c.Rely on other drivers
• d.Observe by checking mirrors and blind spots, and signal your intention✓

K53 stresses defensive observation: check mirrors and blind spots and signal before every manoeuvre. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, defensive driving)

Traffic in South Africa keeps to the:

• a.Right
• b.Left, overtaking on the right when safe✓
• c.Centre of the road
• d.Side with less traffic

South Africa drives on the left; keep left and overtake on the right only when it is safe. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, rules of the road)

A safe following distance behind the vehicle ahead is best kept by using:

• a.At least a two-second gap, increased in poor conditions✓
• b.A fixed one metre
• c.The length of one car at any speed
• d.No gap on straight roads

Use at least a two-second gap and increase it in rain, mist or on gravel so you have room to stop. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, following distance)

When you approach a pedestrian crossing with people waiting, you should:

• a.Sound the hooter and continue
• b.Accelerate past
• c.Slow down and be ready to stop to let them cross✓
• d.Only stop for children

Give way to pedestrians at a crossing; slow down and stop if anyone is crossing or about to cross. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, pedestrians)

The learner's licence code that covers learning to drive a light motor vehicle (a car up to 3 500 kg) is:

• a.Code 1 (motorcycles)
• b.Code 3 (heavy vehicles)
• c.A professional driving permit
• d.Code 2 (light motor vehicles)✓

Learner's licences are issued in three codes: Code 1 for motorcycles, Code 2 for light motor vehicles up to 3 500 kg, and Code 3 for heavy vehicles. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, licence codes)

While you drive on a learner's licence you must:

• a.Drive alone to build confidence
• b.Be accompanied by a person who holds a valid licence for that class of vehicle✓
• c.Only drive at night
• d.Avoid all main roads

A learner driver must be supervised by a person holding a valid driving licence for that vehicle class. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, learner conditions)

Unless a sign shows otherwise, the general speed limit in an urban area is:

• a.60 km/h✓
• b.40 km/h
• c.80 km/h
• d.100 km/h

The default speed limit in a public urban (built-up) area is 60 km/h unless a sign shows otherwise. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, speed limits)

The general speed limit on a freeway, unless a lower limit is signed, is:

• a.100 km/h
• b.120 km/h✓
• c.140 km/h
• d.90 km/h

The general freeway speed limit is 120 km/h; outside urban areas on other public roads it is 100 km/h. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, speed limits)

On a public road outside an urban area that is not a freeway, the general speed limit is:

• a.60 km/h
• b.80 km/h
• c.100 km/h✓
• d.120 km/h

The general limit on a public road outside an urban area is 100 km/h unless signs show otherwise. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, speed limits)

In mist, rain or at night you should:

• a.Keep your usual speed
• b.Drive faster to get through
• c.Switch off your lights
• d.Reduce speed, switch on your lights and increase your following distance✓

Poor visibility and wet roads mean you should slow down, use your lights and leave a larger gap. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, driving conditions)

Exceeding the speed limit:

• a.Is an offence and increases both stopping distance and crash severity✓
• b.Is allowed on freeways
• c.Is fine when the road is empty
• d.Only matters near schools

Speeding is an offence; higher speed means a longer stopping distance and a more severe crash. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, speed)

The legal blood alcohol limit for an ordinary driver in South Africa is less than:

• a.0.08 g per 100 ml
• b.0.05 g per 100 ml of blood✓
• c.0.10 g per 100 ml
• d.There is no limit

It is an offence to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 g per 100 ml or more for an ordinary driver. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, alcohol)

For a professional driver (holding a professional driving permit), the blood alcohol limit is lower, at less than:

• a.0.05 g per 100 ml
• b.0.08 g per 100 ml
• c.0.02 g per 100 ml of blood✓
• d.0.10 g per 100 ml

A professional driver must have a blood alcohol concentration below 0.02 g per 100 ml, stricter than the ordinary limit. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, alcohol)

If you are found driving over the legal alcohol limit, you can expect:

• a.Arrest, a fine and possible imprisonment, with your licence at risk✓
• b.Only a warning
• c.No penalty for a first offence
• d.A parking fine only

Drink driving is a serious offence carrying arrest, fines, possible imprisonment and loss of your licence. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, penalties)

Using a hand-held cellphone while driving is:

• a.Allowed when stationary in traffic
• b.Allowed at low speed
• c.Only banned for trucks
• d.An offence; you should not hold a phone while driving✓

You may not drive while holding a cellphone or other communication device; it is an offence and a dangerous distraction. (K53 / National Road Traffic Act, distraction)