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Learner's licence test questions and answers (K53)

By the Phasa team · Checked against official Department of Transport sources · Updated

Practise 27 questions in the format of South Africa's computerised learner's licence test (CLLT), with the answer, the reason and the official source for each. Tap Show the answer after you've chosen.

The real test has 64 questions in three sections, and you must pass each section on its own. These questions are written in our own words from the official Department of Transport learner manuals and the National Road Traffic Act; they are not the official test questions, which are not published.

Vehicle controls questions

In the real test this section has 8 questions and you need 6 right. Controls questions use a numbered picture of a car's interior like the one below.

1. Which control do you use to make the vehicle go faster?

Use the numbered car interior above.

  1. 10
  2. 8
  3. 9
Show the answer

A. 10 Control 10 is the accelerator.

Source: Vehicle Controls manual §3.6

2. Which of these controls is not found in a vehicle with an automatic gearbox?

Use the numbered car interior above.

  1. 8
  2. 6
  3. 10
Show the answer

A. 8 Automatic vehicles have no clutch (8).

Source: Vehicle Controls manual §3.5 · Vehicle Controls manual §3.6

3. Which control stops the engine from stalling just before you come to a complete standstill?

Use the numbered car interior above.

  1. 8
  2. 7
  3. 9
Show the answer

A. 8 Depress the clutch (8) just before stopping so the engine does not stall.

Source: Vehicle Controls manual §3.6

4. Which controls must you use when there is a sharp turn in the road?

Use the numbered car interior above.

  1. 1, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10
  2. 4 and 11 only
  3. 5, 7 and 11 only
Show the answer

A. 1, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10 Check the mirror (1), slow down (9), change gear (6 and 8), steer (4) and accelerate out of the turn (10).

Source: Vehicle Controls manual §3.6

5. When you use the brake, the distance it takes to stop is: (i) longer on a wet road than on a dry road; (ii) longer at a higher speed; (iii) longer when the vehicle is loaded. Which are correct?

Use the numbered car interior above.

  1. All of them
  2. Only (iii)
  3. Only (i) and (ii)
Show the answer

A. All of them Wet roads, higher speeds and heavier loads all increase stopping distance.

Source: Vehicle Controls manual §3.6

Road signs, signals & markings questions

In the real test this section has 28 questions and you need 23 right.

6. You reach this sign and there is a stop line across your lane. Where must you stop?

  1. With your front wheels on the line
  2. Behind the stop line
  3. Past the line, where you can see better
Show the answer

B. Behind the stop line Bring your vehicle to a stop behind the stop line, then proceed only when it is safe.

Source: Road Traffic Signs manual p.4 (R1)

7. Several vehicles stop at an intersection with this sign on every approach. Which vehicle moves off first?

  1. The largest vehicle
  2. The vehicle approaching from the right
  3. The vehicle that stopped first
Show the answer

C. The vehicle that stopped first At a 3-way or 4-way stop, vehicles move off in the order in which they stopped.

Source: Road Traffic Signs manual p.4 (R1.4)

8. Where is this sign usually found?

  1. Just before a railway level crossing
  2. At the end of a one-way street or an off-ramp
  3. Outside schools, but only during school hours
Show the answer

B. At the end of a one-way street or an off-ramp It is placed where traffic would otherwise drive against the flow, such as the exit end of a one-way street or an off-ramp.

Source: Road Traffic Signs manual p.5 (R3)

9. What does this sign mean?

  1. The next town is 60 km away
  2. The minimum speed is 60 km/h
  3. The maximum speed is 60 km/h
Show the answer

C. The maximum speed is 60 km/h Do not exceed the speed shown on the sign.

Source: Road Traffic Signs manual p.11 (R201)

10. What does this sign mean?

  1. Excessive noise is prohibited; do not use your hooter for 100 metres after it
  2. Sound your hooter at the next bend because the road narrows
  3. Hooting is compulsory for 100 metres to warn pedestrians
Show the answer

A. Excessive noise is prohibited; do not use your hooter for 100 metres after it It is often used near hospitals, churches and homes for the aged.

Source: Road Traffic Signs manual p.11 (R206)

11. What does this sign mean?

  1. Do not stop, except to obey a robot or traffic officer or to avoid a collision
  2. Stopping is allowed briefly to drop off or pick up passengers
  3. A bus stop ahead where only buses may stop to load
Show the answer

A. Do not stop, except to obey a robot or traffic officer or to avoid a collision Stopping is prohibited to keep traffic flowing and stop stationary vehicles from blocking drivers' view.

Source: Road Traffic Signs manual p.12 (R217)

12. If no other sign or marking says otherwise, whom do you give way to at the traffic circle ahead?

  1. Traffic approaching from the right; vehicles in the circle have right of way
  2. Traffic approaching from the left; vehicles entering have priority
  3. No one; vehicles entering the circle always have right of way
Show the answer

A. Traffic approaching from the right; vehicles in the circle have right of way With no other indication, give way to traffic approaching from your right.

Source: Road Traffic Signs manual p.25 (W201) · Road Traffic Regulations reg 301

13. You see this sign and a train is approaching. What must you do?

  1. Stop in time, but not within the railway crossing reserve
  2. Speed up so you cross before the train arrives
  3. Stop on the tracks so the train driver sees you
Show the answer

A. Stop in time, but not within the railway crossing reserve Look left and right for trains. If one is approaching, stop in time and outside the railway reserve.

Source: Road Traffic Signs manual p.28 (W318)

14. What does this road marking (a yield line) mean?

  1. Give way to anyone crossing your path, even if there is no yield sign
  2. Stop every time, even when no one is crossing
  3. You have right of way over traffic crossing your path
Show the answer

A. Give way to anyone crossing your path, even if there is no yield sign A yield line on its own still requires you to give way.

Source: Road Traffic Signs manual p.48 (RTM2)

15. The light changes to steady amber as you approach. What must you do?

  1. Speed up so you get through before it turns red
  2. Stop, unless you cannot do so safely
  3. Hoot and continue, because amber means proceed
Show the answer

B. Stop, unless you cannot do so safely Amber means stop, except where it cannot be done safely.

Source: Road Traffic Signs manual p.56

16. What does a flashing amber light mean?

  1. Stop and wait until the light turns green
  2. Drive on carefully, but yield to pedestrians who may be crossing
  3. The road ahead is closed, so turn around
Show the answer

B. Drive on carefully, but yield to pedestrians who may be crossing Pedestrians may cross when the amber disc flashes, so give way to them.

Source: Road Traffic Signs manual p.56

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Rules of the road questions

In the real test this section has 28 questions and you need 22 right.

17. For how long is a learner's licence valid?

  1. 12 months from the day you pass the test
  2. 24 months from the day you pass the test
  3. 5 years, the same as a driving licence card
Show the answer

B. 24 months from the day you pass the test The validity period was extended from 18 to 24 months in 2010.

Source: Rules of the Road manual §3 · Government Gazette 32959

18. When must the headlamps of a car be switched on?

  1. Only on freeways and unlit rural roads
  2. Only when it is completely dark outside
  3. Between sunset and sunrise, and whenever people and vehicles are not clearly visible at 150 metres
Show the answer

C. Between sunset and sunrise, and whenever people and vehicles are not clearly visible at 150 metres Headlamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps must be lit at those times.

Source: Rules of the Road manual §6.1.2 · Road Traffic Regulations reg 157(1)(b)

19. When may you use your hooter?

  1. To greet friends or to say thank you
  2. Only when it is necessary on the grounds of safety
  3. To tell slow drivers ahead to hurry up
Show the answer

B. Only when it is necessary on the grounds of safety The hooter is a safety device, not a way to express frustration.

Source: Rules of the Road manual §6.15 · Road Traffic Regulations reg 310A

20. How does the law define a child for seatbelt purposes?

  1. Anyone under the age of 18
  2. A person aged 3 to 14, unless taller than 1.5 metres
  3. Anyone shorter than 1.2 metres, whatever their age
Show the answer

B. A person aged 3 to 14, unless taller than 1.5 metres A child taller than 1.5 m is treated as an adult, whatever their age.

Source: Rules of the Road manual §6.17 · Road Traffic Regulations reg 213(1)(b)

21. Unless a sign shows otherwise, what is the speed limit on a public road in an urban area?

  1. 100 km/h
  2. 80 km/h
  3. 60 km/h
Show the answer

C. 60 km/h The general limits are 60 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h outside urban areas and 120 km/h on freeways.

Source: Rules of the Road manual §6.27 · Road Traffic Regulations reg 292

22. When may you drive on the shoulder of a road with one lane in each direction?

  1. Whenever traffic is slow and the shoulder is clear
  2. At night, to let faster vehicles pass you
  3. Between sunrise and sunset, while being overtaken, if it is safe and you can see at least 150 m
Show the answer

C. Between sunrise and sunset, while being overtaken, if it is safe and you can see at least 150 m Otherwise, no person may drive on the shoulder of a public road.

Source: Rules of the Road manual §6.39 · Road Traffic Regulations reg 298A

23. What is the minimum following distance for a light motor vehicle?

  1. Two seconds
  2. One car length
  3. One second
Show the answer

A. Two seconds Keep at least a 2-second gap in light vehicles and on motorcycles, and more in bad conditions.

Source: Rules of the Road manual §6.49 · Road Traffic Regulations reg 308(1)(b)

24. May you hold a cellphone in your hand while driving?

  1. No
  2. Yes, at a red robot
  3. Yes, if you drive slowly
Show the answer

A. No You may not drive while holding a cellular phone or other communication device in your hand or with any part of your body.

Source: Rules of the Road manual §6.52 · Road Traffic Regulations reg 308A(1)(a)

25. A pedestrian is crossing within a pedestrian crossing on your half of the road. What must you do?

  1. Yield right of way, slowing down or stopping if necessary
  2. Hoot so they hurry up and clear the crossing
  3. Drive around them on the side they have passed
Show the answer

A. Yield right of way, slowing down or stopping if necessary Yield to pedestrians on a crossing who are on your half of the road or close to it.

Source: Rules of the Road manual §6.53 · Road Traffic Regulations reg 315(2)

26. When may you stop on a freeway?

  1. When a sign or traffic officer requires it, in a marked stopping area, or for a cause beyond your control
  2. To make a phone call or check directions
  3. To pick up a hitch-hiker or drop off a friend
Show the answer

A. When a sign or traffic officer requires it, in a marked stopping area, or for a cause beyond your control Otherwise, stopping on a freeway is prohibited.

Source: Rules of the Road manual §6.56 · Road Traffic Regulations reg 323(2)(c)

27. What is the legal limit of alcohol in the blood for an ordinary (non-professional) driver?

  1. Less than 0.05 g per 100 ml
  2. Less than 0.5 g per 100 ml
  3. There is no limit if you feel fine
Show the answer

A. Less than 0.05 g per 100 ml It is an offence to drive with 0.05 g or more of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.

Source: Rules of the Road manual §6.65 · National Road Traffic Act s65(2)

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Frequently asked questions

Are these the real learner's licence test questions?

No. The official question bank is not published. These questions are written from the same official sources (the Department of Transport learner manuals and the National Road Traffic Act and Regulations) and follow the same format and topics.

How many questions are in the learner's licence test?

The computerised learner's licence test has 64 questions: 8 on vehicle controls, 28 on road signs, signals and markings, and 28 on rules of the road. You have 60 minutes.

What are code 8, code 10 and code 14 learner's questions?

Those are the old names for driving licence codes (code B, C1 and EC). For the learner's licence, cars and light vehicles fall under the code 2 learner's licence; code 3 covers heavy vehicles. The rules-of-the-road and road-signs sections are the same for everyone.

Is there a PDF of learner's licence questions?

Instead of a static PDF, Phasa gives you timed 64-question mock tests that mark each section like the real test and show you which questions you keep getting wrong. The free 20-question test is a good place to start.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from these official documents. Phasa is independent and not affiliated with the Department of Transport or the RTMC.

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