How are Road Signs in Australia Different From the rest of The World 
                     How are Road Signs in 
Australia Different 
From the rest of The 
World
How are Road Signs in Australia Different From the rest of The 
World
It shouldn't be too difficult for you to drive in Australia, but it's still a good idea to familiarise 
yourself with the local road signs before you start driving. There are several special road 
signs in Australia that you definitely need to be aware of, even though the majority of the 
country's traffic signs follow worldwide standards for warning signs and speed limits. 
Understanding the meaning of road signs could make the difference between life and death 
if you're travelling outside of the cities and into the bush. Therefore, it is advised that you 
review Australian road signs whether you are renting a car for the first time or are a frequent 
tourist and are familiar with the roads. There is one thing for sure: a kangaroo is not likely to 
be present.
The Australian version, which was adopted, differed from the American version in that it 
used red "give way" signs rather than yellow "yield" signs, said "no entry" instead of "do not 
enter," had round pedestrian crossing road signs (a holdover from the early days), had 
adopted some road signage designs from the United Kingdom, and so on.
Travelling in Australia comes with a lot of freedom and that is a perk you get only in 
Australia. There are a number of road signs you need to be aware of but still is 
comparatively peaceful and liberating to drive around in Australia.
1. Regulatory signs
The most significant road signs are those that relate to specific traffic regulations. The 
colour of a regulation sign typically serves as a good indicator. On a white backdrop, most 
have writing that is either red or black. Keep an eye out for these signs because failing to 
abide by them could result in a fine or perhaps the suspension or cancellation of your 
licence. Some of the most typical regulatory indicators are listed here.
a. Speeding signs: They keep drivers on their toes by letting them know when they 
are overspeeding. They’re in place for everyone’s safety and ignoring them can 
result in heavy fines. Pay special attention to road works areas, as the speed limit 
usually decreases for the safety of workers.
a. Zones where schools are around: In a school zone during prime drop-off and 
pick-up times, the standard Australian speed limit is 40 km/h. There are a few 
exceptions in a few states, though. In Victoria, for instance, a school zone's 
designated speed limit is 40 km/h during peak hours—but only if it is lower than 80 
km/h outside of school hours. The school speed zone during drop-off and pick-up 
times is indicated as 60 km/h if the speed limit outside of peak school hours is more 
than 80 km/h. When there are kids around, the school zone speed restriction in 
South Australia is 25 km/h. Pay close attention to these signs because the posted 
speed limit is only valid during specific times.
b. Stop signs: This simply means that you must stop your vehicle and give way to all 
traffic. There’s no excuse for missing it because it’s a big red sign with white letters.
a. Give Way: These signs mean you don’t need to completely stop if there’s no traffic. 
You do, however, need to be ready to stop. So, you should always approach a 
giveaway sign with caution.
b. Traffic flow signs: There are several road signs to help control the safe flow of 
traffic. These include restricted turn signs, ‘Keep Left’, ‘One Way’ and ’Two Way’ 
signs and ‘No Entry’.
c. Parking Signs: If you don’t want costly fines from parking inspectors, you need to 
follow these signs. ‘No Parking’ means exactly what it says. ‘No Standing’ means 
that you can’t even stop there for a short amount of time. There are also restricted 
zone signs for buses, taxis or loading zones.
d. Clearways: A clearway is a dedicated no-parking area during peak times of the 
day. You may see cars parked there at other times, but only during the hours stated 
on the sign.
2. Information Signs
They make sure that we get around easily
● Speed cameras: Most states display warnings where there are speed cameras in 
use, especially permanent 24 -hour cameras.
● Speed ahead: These white and black signs warn you of a change in speed ahead, 
giving you a chance to start slowing down.
● Guides and route markers: Particularly helpful for long journeys, these signs tell 
us where to exit highways and freeways. Route markers are also in place to direct 
us onto major driving routes like highways and tourist drives.
State-by-state
When driving in a new area, it’s extremely important to follow all road signs. However, some 
states have some unique signs you might not see every day in your hometown. For 
example, one of the most confusing road rules Victoria has is the ‘hook-turn’. You may also 
see these ‘Right Turn from Left Lane’ signs in parts of Queensland. Basically, it means to 
turn right, you need to wait in the far left-hand lane until the light changes or traffic is clear.
Road signs in Australia are a state responsibility, but they conform to national guidelines, so 
they are in effect the same right across the country. At the same time, the states and local 
councils can use signs that relate to particular situations in their areas, and you need to be 
alert to them. Even when local bodies erect signs they still follow the general theme of the 
national guidelines.
With the overall consistency of signs throughout the country, we can feel confident to drive 
anywhere in the country and still recognise and understand the traffic signs in use. There 
are three types of road signs in use in Australia: Regulatory signs, Warning signs, and 
Information signs. Remember in Australia, Always be prepared to stop, and give way to 
other traffic, before proceeding with caution when clear. Give Way signs are triangular in 
shape with the words ‘GIVE WAY’ in black inside a red triangle on a white background.
There are national guidelines for Australian road signs
This means that they’re similar no matter which state you’re driving in. But states and even 
local councils can use less-common signs for traffic conditions unique to their area.
In Australia, there are three main types of road signs: Regulatory, Warning and Information. 
In this article, we’ll explore what they mean, and also provide you with some unique state-
by-state tips for your holiday driving. 
What Colour are road signs in Australia?
Most road signs have a yellow and black colour scheme or red and black elements on a 
white background. These colours are recognisable for all drivers on Australian roads.
Always remember to keep this information in mind before going in for a drive in Australia. It 
might seem like driving in Australia is peaceful and amazing but that is only because a 
majority of drivers follow the rules that are required. Keep yourself informed and aware 
because it will only give you a better road experience and a happy ride to wherever you are 
going. Drive safe and to do that learn your road signs and follow them because it can 
sometimes cost your life.
THANK YOU
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