Road 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 signs
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 below. The examples shown are only a small sample of the symbolic signs used on New Zealand’s 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

You must not go faster than 50km/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 and give way (or stop, if necessary)

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, mopeds 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 either yellow and black or green and black.

Pedestrian crossing

Look out for children

Slippery surface

Road narrows

Clearance height advance warning

Temporary warning signs

Temporary warning signs are orange and black.

Roadworks

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.