Children ahead sign
What the Children ahead sign means: Children may be near or on the road here, so slow down and be ready for them to step out.
- Group
- Warning signs
- Does this group carry the law
- Not enforceable on its own. It changes nothing about right of way.
- In the sign deck
- 3 questions ask about this sign
What to do when you see it
- Slow down well before the area and keep the speed down through it.
- Watch the gaps between parked cars, which is where children appear from.
- Expect a child who has seen you to keep moving anyway, because judging speed is a skill they have not developed.
- Be ready to stop rather than to swerve.
Where you see it
Near schools, playgrounds, sports fields, swimming pools and child care centres, and on residential streets where children play.
Across the states and territories
The warning is national and carries no speed of its own. In a school zone it is usually paired with a school zone speed sign, and that pairing differs between jurisdictions because the zone speeds and hours do.
Tell it apart from these
- Children aheadthis pageSchool zone
The school zone sign sets an enforceable limit during set hours. This one is a warning that applies whenever children are about.
School zone: The lower limit applies during the times shown on school days, so slow down and watch for children.
- Children aheadthis pagePedestrians ahead
Same idea, different risk. Children are shorter than a parked car and step out without checking.
Pedestrians ahead: People often cross the road here on foot, so slow down and look out for them.
How the knowledge tests use it
It appears in questions about stopping distance and about why a lower speed matters more around children than around adults.
What does this sign mean?
This warning appears near schools, playgrounds, parks and pools. It tells you to expect children, which is different from a speed zone or a marked crossing.
State and territory driver handbooks, warning signs
Common questions
- What does the Children ahead sign mean?
- Children may be near or on the road here, so slow down and be ready for them to step out.
- What should you do when you see a Children ahead sign?
- Slow down well before the area and keep the speed down through it. Watch the gaps between parked cars, which is where children appear from. Expect a child who has seen you to keep moving anyway, because judging speed is a skill they have not developed. Be ready to stop rather than to swerve.
- Where is the Children ahead sign used?
- Near schools, playgrounds, sports fields, swimming pools and child care centres, and on residential streets where children play.
- What is the Children ahead sign confused with?
- School zone: The school zone sign sets an enforceable limit during set hours. This one is a warning that applies whenever children are about. Pedestrians ahead: Same idea, different risk. Children are shorter than a parked car and step out without checking.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the Children ahead sign?
- It appears in questions about stopping distance and about why a lower speed matters more around children than around adults.
Try it in a question
Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.
More warning signs
Yellow diamond with a black symbol.