Victorian Road Signs: Regulatory, Warning and Direction Signs Explained

Regulatory signs

These are usually black and white, sometimes with red to show danger or a restriction. A few, such as the Safety Zone sign and the Pedestrians Crossing sign, are black and yellow. They include:

• signs about direction: No Entry, Left Turn Only, Keep Left, No Left Turn
• Stop and Give Way signs
• hand-held Stop signs, often used at work sites and sometimes at school crossings
• Keep Left Unless Overtaking: where this sign is shown, or on multi-lane roads over 80 km/h, stay out of the right lane unless you are overtaking, turning right, making a U-turn, avoiding an obstruction or the traffic is congested (see keep left and lane discipline)

Warning signs

A warning sign alerts you to possible danger ahead. The handbook says to take notice of the advice, which usually means slowing down. Examples:

• Curves and bends: a normal bend, sharp bends or a winding road
• Intersection warnings: cross-road, T-intersection, staggered side road, roundabout ahead, traffic lights ahead, Stop sign ahead, end of divided road, two lanes for oncoming traffic
• Changing conditions: dip in the road, gravel road, slippery when wet
• Advisory speed signs: shown with another warning sign, they give the maximum speed that is safe in good conditions
• Rail crossing and pedestrian signs, including the Children Crossing sign
• Road work signs: usually temporary. Slow down and drive carefully, because road workers may not be visible

Direction signs

Green signs with white lettering give road names, destinations along a route and distances. Freeway exit number signs can also help you navigate and give emergency services a location reference.

A sign worth knowing

In a built-up area you must give way to a bus showing a Give Way To Bus sign that is signalling to pull out from the kerb into the left lane. See buses and transit lanes.

Based on the Victorian Road to Solo Driving handbook and the VicRoads learner and probationary pages. Rules change from time to time, so check vicroads.vic.gov.au for the latest.