Road signs in South Africa

Road signs in South Africa are based on the SADC-Road Traffic Sign Manual, a document designed to harmonise traffic signs in member states of the Southern Africa Development Community. Most of these signs were in the preceding South African RTSM.

A white background signifies the sign is permanent, while a yellow background signifies that the sign is temporary. Warning signs are an upwards-pointing red triangle and contain a black pictogram describing the danger or obstruction. Speed limit signs are a red circle with the limitation in black. South Africa drives on the left.

Historic road signs
In 1993, South Africa began replacing the blue signs with a permanent white background, or a temporary yellow one was included.

In 1977, the pre-RTSM manual signage was replaced by signs compliant with the RTSM manual released in 1970.