There are three main types of road signs in Australia: Legal Signs, Warning Signs, and Information Signs.
The more sides to the sign the more dangerous or important it is, although this is an older reason for the shapes and not always still true. For example, a stop sign has eight sides as it is on a dangerous intersection, while a give-way sign only has three sides as it is not as dangerous.
As a driver you MUST obey these signs at all times, doing as they direct. These are legal signs, failing to obey them can result in fines, demerits, and an instant fail on the test as it's breaking the law.
You can see a few common or unusual examples below.
These signs are NOT legal signs, drivers do not need to obey them. For example, a speed in yellow and black is recommending that speed for the conditions. But exceeding that speed is not illegal (unlike a speed sign). For example, you might see a sign saying 25km/h on a bend, or at a speed bump.
So technically a student could fail the test for exceeding the speed posted on a yellow and black sign, as by exceeding it they were driving unsafely for the conditions. It's incredibly rare that this would happen, but I've seen it and I supported it. Driving safely is part of the test.
These signs can be confusing, if not overwhelming, for a beginner. Introduce learners to simple signs first, like stop signs at smaller intersections. Then build up from there, adding more and more over time.
Below is an example of a simple road to a regular driver, yet one that would be too much for a beginner.
You can see the legal "No Standing" sign to the left. A warning sign at the top signalling red lights ahead. Next to a large green information sign giving directions. There's a lot to take in and account for, making it too difficult for those early in driving.
1. Legal Signs
Legal signs are Red, White, and Black. They can be a combination of any two colours, or of all three. As you can see in the pictures below.
 |
| Legal Signs |
As a driver you MUST obey these signs at all times, doing as they direct. These are legal signs, failing to obey them can result in fines, demerits, and an instant fail on the test as it's breaking the law.
2. Warning Signs
Warning signs are Black and Yellow, they can be square, diamond, or round. The more sides to the sign the more dangerous or important it is, although this is an older reason for the shapes and not always still true.You can see a few common or unusual examples below.
 |
| Warning Signs |
So technically a student could fail the test for exceeding the speed posted on a yellow and black sign, as by exceeding it they were driving unsafely for the conditions. It's incredibly rare that this would happen, but I've seen it and I supported it. Driving safely is part of the test.
3. Information Signs
Finally we come to the information signs. These can be brown, blue, green, or other colours. They're simply signs giving directions and information, like where the airport is, or how far until the exit on a free way.Combination & Multi-Signs
Signs can often be placed together or even combined in one. Below is an example of an intersection with several different signs together.These signs can be confusing, if not overwhelming, for a beginner. Introduce learners to simple signs first, like stop signs at smaller intersections. Then build up from there, adding more and more over time.
Below is an example of a simple road to a regular driver, yet one that would be too much for a beginner.
 |