40 km/h speed limit sign
What the 40 km/h speed limit sign means: You must not drive faster than 40 km/h from this sign until the limit changes.
- Group
- Speed limit signs
- Does this group carry the law
- Enforceable. The number is a maximum for good conditions.
- In the sign deck
- 3 questions ask about this sign
What to do when you see it
- Be at or under 40 km/h by the time you pass the sign, not shortly after it.
- Expect the reason for the limit: people crossing between parked cars, a shopping strip, roadwork or a school.
- Hold the speed until you see a sign changing it, because the limit does not end at the next corner.
Where you see it
Through high pedestrian areas and shopping strips, in school zones during the signed hours, in roadwork zones, and on narrow residential streets in some council areas.
Across the states and territories
Forty is the standard low speed limit nationally, and it is the number most school zones use. South Australia is the jurisdiction to check first, because its school zone limit is lower than the eastern states use. High pedestrian activity areas at 40 km/h are far more common in inner Sydney and inner Melbourne than in smaller centres.
Tell it apart from these
- 40 km/h speed limitthis pageSchool zone
A plain 40 sign applies at all times. A school zone sign shows the same number but only during the times printed on it.
School zone: The lower limit applies during the times shown on school days, so slow down and watch for children.
- 40 km/h speed limitthis pageRoadwork ahead
In a work zone the 40 is often temporary and posted on an orange sign, and it applies whether or not anyone is working.
Roadwork ahead: Work is going on in the road ahead, so slow down and watch for changed conditions.
How the knowledge tests use it
Questions often ask what happens if there are no children about in a school zone during school hours. The limit still applies.
What does this sign mean?
A red ring around a number is a speed limit sign and the number is a maximum. A recommended speed for a curve is shown on a yellow sign instead, and it has no red ring.
Australian Road Rules rule 20, obeying the speed limit
Common questions
- What does the 40 km/h speed limit sign mean?
- You must not drive faster than 40 km/h from this sign until the limit changes.
- What should you do when you see a 40 km/h speed limit sign?
- Be at or under 40 km/h by the time you pass the sign, not shortly after it. Expect the reason for the limit: people crossing between parked cars, a shopping strip, roadwork or a school. Hold the speed until you see a sign changing it, because the limit does not end at the next corner.
- Where is the 40 km/h speed limit sign used?
- Through high pedestrian areas and shopping strips, in school zones during the signed hours, in roadwork zones, and on narrow residential streets in some council areas.
- What is the 40 km/h speed limit sign confused with?
- School zone: A plain 40 sign applies at all times. A school zone sign shows the same number but only during the times printed on it. Roadwork ahead: In a work zone the 40 is often temporary and posted on an orange sign, and it applies whether or not anyone is working.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the 40 km/h speed limit sign?
- Questions often ask what happens if there are no children about in a school zone during school hours. The limit still applies.
Try it in a question
Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.
More speed limit signs
A number in a red circle on a white plate.