All 64 questions, with the answer and the reason behind it
These are the 64 questions in the K53 Academia practice test, with the correct answer and the reason for it. The learner’s licence test is written in three sections and each section is passed or failed on its own — passing overall is not enough, you have to reach the mark in all three. Read the reason, not just the answer: the test rephrases the same rule in several ways.
Take the test interactively instead, with a timer and instant marking.
| Section | Questions | Needed to pass | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rules of the road | 28 | 22 | 79% |
| Road signs and markings | 28 | 23 | 82% |
| Vehicle controls | 8 | 6 | 75% |
Twenty-eight of the sixty-four questions come from the rules of the road. You must answer 22 correctly to pass this section.
Answer: 60 km/h
The speed limit in built-up areas is 60 km/h unless otherwise indicated by road signs.
Answer: 120 km/h
Light motor vehicles may travel up to 120 km/h on freeways.
Answer: 30 km/h
Residential areas have a speed limit of 30 km/h to protect pedestrians and residents.
Answer: 3 seconds
You must maintain at least a 3-second following distance in good conditions.
Answer: Not closer than 5 meters
You may not park closer than 5 meters from an intersection.
Answer: 9 meters
You may not park closer than 9 meters from a pedestrian crossing.
Answer: 6 meters
You may not park closer than 6 meters from a bridge.
Answer: Keep to the left and do not increase speed
When being overtaken, keep to the left and do NOT increase your speed.
Answer: No, never
A solid white barrier line means you may never cross it to overtake.
Answer: The vehicle that arrived first
At a four-way stop, the vehicle that arrived first has right of way.
Answer: Stop completely
A red traffic light means you must stop completely behind the stop line.
Answer: Zero - no alcohol
Learner and novice drivers must have ZERO alcohol in their blood - absolutely none.
Answer: Yes, if accompanied by a licensed driver
Learner drivers may drive on freeways if accompanied by a licensed driver seated next to them.
Answer: From sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility
You must use headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is poor (rain, fog, etc.).
Answer: 45 meters behind your vehicle on the road
Place the emergency triangle 45 meters behind your vehicle on the road itself (not shoulder).
Answer: Vehicles already in the circle
Vehicles already in the traffic circle have right of way over vehicles entering.
Answer: The left lane
When turning right, you must turn into the left lane of the road you're entering.
Answer: No, never
You may only use the hooter to warn of danger or prevent an accident - NOT to greet someone.
Answer: 100 km/h
The speed limit on rural roads outside built-up areas is 100 km/h.
Answer: Yes, all occupants in all seats
All vehicle occupants, front and back seats, must wear seatbelts at all times.
Answer: Yes, when the vehicle ahead is turning right
You may overtake on the left when the vehicle ahead is turning right and has signaled, or on one-way streets.
Answer: Stop and give them right of way
You must stop and give pedestrians right of way when they are on or about to enter a crossing.
Answer: 24 months
A learner's license is valid for 24 months (2 years) from the date of issue.
Answer: 17 years
You must be at least 17 years old to apply for a learner's license for a light motor vehicle.
Answer: No, except in an emergency
You may not park on a freeway except in case of emergency or breakdown.
Answer: The left side
In South Africa, you must drive on the left side of the road.
Answer: In poor weather, wet roads, or low visibility
Increase following distance in poor weather, on wet roads, at night, or in any condition with reduced visibility or traction.
Answer: Stop if safe to do so
A yellow light means stop if it is safe to do so - the light is about to turn red.
Twenty-eight questions cover road signs, signals and road markings. You must answer 23 correctly — the highest pass mark of the three sections.
Answer: No entry
A red circle with a white horizontal line is a 'No Entry' sign - vehicles may not enter.
Answer: Octagon (8-sided)
A STOP sign is octagonal (8-sided) with a red background and white text.
Answer: Inverted triangle (pointing down)
A YIELD sign is an inverted triangle (pointing downward) with a red border.
Answer: Yellow
Warning signs are yellow (or orange) with black symbols to alert you to hazards ahead.
Answer: Triangular
Most warning signs are triangular (equilateral triangle) pointing upward.
Answer: Prohibition or restriction
Circular signs with red borders are regulatory signs indicating prohibition or restriction.
Answer: Information or reservation
Blue rectangular signs provide information, guidance, or indicate reserved lanes/parking.
Answer: National route or freeway direction
Green rectangular signs indicate national routes, freeways, and major highway directions.
Answer: Tourist attraction or point of interest
Brown signs indicate tourist attractions, cultural sites, and points of interest.
Answer: Steep uphill
A warning sign with an upward arrow indicates a steep uphill ahead.
Answer: One way - go in direction shown
A circular blue sign with white arrow is a mandatory direction sign - you must proceed in that direction.
Answer: End of restriction
A red diagonal line through a sign means the end of that restriction.
Answer: Come to a complete stop
At a STOP sign, you must come to a complete halt, even if no traffic is visible.
Answer: Slow down and give way to traffic with right of way
At a YIELD sign, slow down and be prepared to stop. Give way to traffic that has right of way.
Answer: Maximum speed of 60 km/h
A number in a red circle indicates the maximum speed limit - in this case 60 km/h.
Answer: Children crossing or present - drive carefully
This warning sign indicates children may be crossing or playing near the road - reduce speed and be cautious.
Answer: Cattle may be on the road
This warning sign indicates that cattle may be on or crossing the road ahead.
Answer: No parking at any time
A P with red circle and diagonal line means no parking is allowed at any time.
Answer: Sharp curve to the left ahead
This warning sign indicates a sharp curve to the left ahead - reduce speed.
Answer: Parking area or parking permitted
A blue rectangular or circular P sign indicates parking is permitted or shows a parking area.
Answer: Speed hump ahead
This warning sign indicates speed humps or bumps ahead - slow down to avoid vehicle damage.
Answer: You may cross if safe to overtake
Broken/dashed white lines separate lanes going in the same direction and may be crossed when safe to overtake.
Answer: You may not cross or overtake
A solid white barrier line on your side means you may not cross it or overtake.
Answer: Edge of road - do not cross
A yellow edge line marks the left edge of the road - you should not drive over it.
Answer: No stopping at any time
A solid red line means no stopping at any time - not even briefly.
Answer: Crossroad (intersection) ahead
The + symbol indicates a crossroad (four-way intersection) ahead - prepare to stop or yield.
Answer: T-junction ahead
A T symbol indicates a T-junction ahead where the road ends and you must turn left or right.
Answer: No left turn allowed
An arrow crossed with a red diagonal line means that turning in that direction is prohibited.
Eight questions cover the controls of the vehicle and what each one does. You must answer 6 correctly.
Answer: To control the direction of the vehicle
The steering wheel is used to control the direction of the vehicle by turning the front wheels.
Answer: To slow down or stop the vehicle
The foot brake (service brake) is used to slow down or stop the vehicle.
Answer: To increase or decrease the speed of the vehicle
The accelerator controls engine speed and is used to increase or decrease the vehicle's speed.
Answer: To disengage the engine from the gearbox
The clutch pedal disengages the engine from the gearbox, allowing you to change gears.
Answer: To select different gears
The gear lever (gear stick) is used to select different gears to match engine power to vehicle speed.
Answer: To keep the vehicle stationary when parked
The parking brake (handbrake) keeps the vehicle stationary when parked and prevents rolling.
Answer: To signal your intention to turn or change direction
Indicators signal your intention to turn or change direction to warn other road users.
Answer: To see traffic behind and beside you
Mirrors (rear-view and exterior) allow you to observe traffic behind and beside your vehicle.
Answers follow the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996) and its regulations, and the sign questions follow the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual. K53 Academia is an independent study resource and is not endorsed by the Road Traffic Management Corporation. Confirm current section pass marks with your local driving licence testing centre.
Rules of the road · All South African road signs · Vehicle controls · Road markings