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:

1. compulsory signs
2. warning signs
3. information signs

You must be able to recognise and understand each type of sign.

Some examples of these signs are shown on below.

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.

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
Five minute loading zone sign for goods vehicles	Parking for buses only, no time limit	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
Heavy vehicles prohibited (not allowed) on a section of road	This is the road classification sign for a Class C road. Heavy vehicles can drive on this road only to deliver or collect goods or passengers along the road	The red bordered compulsory sign tells you that you have a clearance under these cables of 4.6 metres Note: this multiple sign can apply to all vehicles, not just heavy vehicles

Some compulsory signs have red borders.

You must keep left unless passing	Bus lane that can also be used by cycles, motorcycles, mopeds	Maximum length for a heavy vehicle is 9.2 metres
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:

1. those that warn you of a permanent hazard
2. 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.

Slippery surface	Road narrows	This warning sign advises trucks to use a low gear to keep the vehicle under control (when going downhill)
This warning sign lets you know that if you are driving a heavy (or high-sided) vehicle, it could tip over as you drive around a curve. You need to keep your speed to 65 km/h or less to be safe	The yellow warning sign lets you know there are electric cables overhead	Two permanent warning signs combined ' narrow bridge with warning for wide vehicles

Temporary warning signs

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

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	This information sign, usually seen in urban areas, indicates a town/city centre bypass
This information sign is also found in urban areas and asks you to minimise noise by not using engine breaks