Narrow bridge sign
What the Narrow bridge sign means: The bridge ahead is narrower than the road, so slow down and be ready to give way to oncoming traffic.
- 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 and look through to the far side before you commit.
- Work out whether two vehicles can pass, and give way if the road is signed for it or if a vehicle is already on the bridge.
- Do not overtake on the approach or on the structure.
- Watch the edges, since the kerb or rail sits closer to your wheels than usual.
Where you see it
On country roads over creeks and rivers, on old timber bridges, on causeways and at single lane crossings in national parks and farmland.
Across the states and territories
Single lane bridges are still common on rural roads in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Some carry a give way or a priority plate showing which direction yields, and where none is posted the ordinary give way rules and common sense decide, so read the approach rather than assuming you have priority.
Tell it apart from these
- Narrow bridgethis pageRoad narrows
Road narrows means the sealed width shrinks. A narrow bridge means a fixed structure with no room to move sideways at all.
Road narrows: The road ahead gets narrower, so slow down and hold your position in the lane.
- Narrow bridgethis pageNo overtaking
Overtaking on a narrow bridge is unsafe whether or not the ban is signed, and many bridges carry both signs.
No overtaking: You must not overtake another vehicle on this length of road.
How the knowledge tests use it
Questions test who gives way when two vehicles arrive at once, and the answer starts with reading the signs at each end rather than with speed.
What does this sign mean?
The two upright bars in the diamond show the sides of a bridge closing in. There may be very little room beside your vehicle on the structure.
State and territory driver handbooks, warning signs
Common questions
- What does the Narrow bridge sign mean?
- The bridge ahead is narrower than the road, so slow down and be ready to give way to oncoming traffic.
- What should you do when you see a Narrow bridge sign?
- Slow down and look through to the far side before you commit. Work out whether two vehicles can pass, and give way if the road is signed for it or if a vehicle is already on the bridge. Do not overtake on the approach or on the structure. Watch the edges, since the kerb or rail sits closer to your wheels than usual.
- Where is the Narrow bridge sign used?
- On country roads over creeks and rivers, on old timber bridges, on causeways and at single lane crossings in national parks and farmland.
- What is the Narrow bridge sign confused with?
- Road narrows: Road narrows means the sealed width shrinks. A narrow bridge means a fixed structure with no room to move sideways at all. No overtaking: Overtaking on a narrow bridge is unsafe whether or not the ban is signed, and many bridges carry both signs.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the Narrow bridge sign?
- Questions test who gives way when two vehicles arrive at once, and the answer starts with reading the signs at each end rather than with speed.
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.