Signs, signals and markings in South Australia

By the end of this topic you can

• You can tell a regulatory sign from a warning sign and know which must be obeyed.
• You can act correctly on every traffic light colour and arrow.
• You can explain when you may cross each type of dividing line.
• You can use bus lanes, bicycle lanes and painted islands within the legal limits.

What you need to know and understand

• Regulatory signs, such as Stop, Give Way, No Entry and speed limits, must be obeyed. Warning signs give advice about conditions ahead.
• Speed limit signs have a red circle with the limit in black numbers.
• A yellow light means stop unless you are so close that you cannot stop safely.
• You may only turn left on a red light where a Left Turn on Red Permitted After Stopping sign is shown, and only after stopping and giving way.
• U-turns are not allowed at traffic lights unless a U-turn permitted sign is displayed.
• If traffic lights are not working, use the give way to the right rule or the T-intersection rule.
• On a managed motorway, a red X above a lane means it is closed; you must not drive under it.

Reading the lights

• Red light: do not enter the intersection; stop behind the stop line.
• Red arrow: do not turn in that direction. If it goes out leaving a green light, you may turn when safe, giving way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
• Green light: proceed if safe, giving way to pedestrians when turning, and to oncoming traffic when turning right. You may wait inside the intersection to turn right.
• Green arrow: you may go in the arrow's direction when safe.
• Flashing yellow: proceed with caution using the normal give way rules.
• White T or B light: signals for tram or bus drivers only.
• Bicycle storage box: do not let any part of your car enter it while the light is red.

Lines on the road

A broken dividing line can be crossed to overtake, enter or leave the road, or make a permitted U-turn, if it is safe. A single continuous line, or a continuous line on your side of a broken line, must not be crossed to overtake or U-turn, but you may cross it to enter or leave the road, avoid an obstruction, park in angle parking opposite, or give a bicycle rider enough room. Double continuous lines may only be crossed to avoid an obstruction or to pass a bicycle rider safely.

Stay entirely within marked lanes. You may drive in a bus lane for up to 100 metres and a bicycle lane for up to 50 metres only to enter or leave the road, pass a vehicle turning right or avoid an obstruction. Bus Only lanes, painted red or bordered by red lines, are for public buses and emergency vehicles only. A painted island bordered by a single continuous line may be driven on for up to 50 metres in limited cases, such as entering a turning lane that starts straight after it.

Signs you may meet in South Australia

• Koala crossings: red and white posts with flashing yellow lights; 25 km/h while flashing.
• Emu crossings: children's crossings with flags, inside school zones.
• Wombat crossings: raised pedestrian crossings, usually with a 40 km/h approach limit.
• Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle signs on the back of long trucks.

Common mistakes

• Speeding up on a yellow light. Unless stopping would be unsafe, you must stop.
• Turning left on red at any intersection. It is only allowed where the sign permits it, after a full stop.
• Crossing a continuous centre line to overtake a slow car. That is only allowed to pass a bicycle rider or avoid an obstruction such as a broken-down vehicle.
• Driving the full length of a bus lane to skip a queue.

Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in South Australia

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• High-Powered Vehicles and the U Class Licence in South Australia
• Learning to Drive in South Australia
• South Australia Health Professional Reporting