Saudi Traffic Signs — Complete Picture Guide for 2025

Traffic signs are the most heavily tested topic in the Saudi driving computer exam — typically making up 8–10 of the 30 questions. Understanding the system behind the signs (shapes, colours, and categories) is more effective than trying to memorise each sign individually. This guide explains the complete Saudi traffic sign system.

How Saudi Traffic Signs Are Organised

Saudi Arabia uses the international traffic sign system based on the Vienna Convention, with some locally specific signs. All signs are organised into four main categories, each with a distinctive shape and colour combination:

• •Warning signs — triangular, white background, red border
• •Regulatory (prohibitory and mandatory) signs — circular
• •Right-of-way signs — special shapes (octagon and inverted triangle)
• •Information and guide signs — rectangular, various colours

Warning Signs (علامات التحذير)

Warning signs alert drivers to hazards or changed road conditions ahead. In Saudi Arabia, warning signs are triangular with a white or yellow background and a red border. The symbol inside describes the specific hazard.

Common warning signs you must know for the test:

• •Pedestrian crossing ahead — figure of person on crosswalk stripes
• •Children crossing / school ahead — two children figures
• •Camel crossing — camel silhouette (unique to Arabian Peninsula)
• •Slippery road — car with skid lines underneath
• •Sharp bend ahead — curved arrow
• •Road intersection ahead — cross or T-junction symbol
• •Speed bump ahead — bump profile shape
• •Traffic lights ahead — traffic light symbol
• •General hazard — exclamation mark (!)

Regulatory Signs — Prohibitory (حظر)

Prohibitory signs are circular with a white background and red border. A red diagonal slash through a symbol means that action is prohibited. These signs impose restrictions that all drivers must follow.

• •No entry — red circle with white horizontal bar
• •Speed limit — number inside red circle (e.g. 80 or 125)
• •No overtaking — two cars, one red, one black, with red slash
• •No parking — blue letter P with red border and red diagonal slash
• •No stopping — blue X inside red circle
• •No U-turn — U-turn arrow with red diagonal slash
• •No trucks — truck silhouette with red border and slash

Regulatory Signs — Mandatory (إلزامي)

Mandatory signs are circular with a blue background and white symbol. They require drivers to take a specific action — not following them is a traffic violation.

• •Ahead only — white upward arrow on blue circle
• •Turn right only — white right arrow on blue circle
• •Turn left only — white left arrow on blue circle
• •Keep right — diagonal arrow pointing down-right on blue
• •Roundabout — circular arrow on blue circle
• •Minimum speed — number inside blue circle (e.g. 35)

Right-of-Way Signs

Right-of-way signs have special shapes that make them recognisable from any angle, even from the back:

• •STOP sign — red octagon (8 sides) with white "STOP" text and Arabic "قف". Requires a complete stop — not just slowing down.
• •Give way sign — inverted triangle (pointing downward) with red border. Yield to traffic on the main road before proceeding.

Temporary Work Zone Signs

Temporary signs used during road works and construction are yellow with a red border — the same triangular warning shape but with a yellow background instead of white. They carry the same legal authority as permanent signs.

Guide and Information Signs

Rectangular information signs direct drivers to destinations and services:

• •Green background — highway direction and distance signs
• •Blue background — service information (petrol, hospital, airport) and urban direction signs
• •Brown background — tourist and cultural attraction signs

Practice Makes Perfect

Traffic signs questions in the exam always show a picture of the sign and ask what it means, what you should do when you see it, or which category it belongs to. The best way to prepare is to practise with real sign images under timed conditions.