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 sign
The 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.
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 |
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
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 |
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