Road narrows sign
What the Road narrows sign means: The road ahead gets narrower, so slow down and hold your position in the lane.
- 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 before the narrowing rather than in it.
- Hold your lane position and resist drifting towards the centre line.
- Check your mirrors for a vehicle trying to overtake as the space closes.
- Give way to oncoming traffic where the sealed width will not take two vehicles.
Where you see it
Where a sealed road loses a lane or a shoulder, on the approach to bridges and cuttings, on country roads that change surface width, and through roadwork.
Across the states and territories
Nationally consistent as a warning. The version that matters most is the transition from a sealed road to gravel, which is common in Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and outback Queensland and is signed separately, since loose surface changes braking as well as width.
Tell it apart from these
- Road narrowsthis pageNarrow bridge
The bridge version means a structure with fixed edges. Road narrows means the road itself gets tighter and may open out again.
Narrow bridge: The bridge ahead is narrower than the road, so slow down and be ready to give way to oncoming traffic.
- Road narrowsthis pageNo overtaking
A narrowing is a warning you judge for yourself. Where overtaking is actually banned through it, the red circle says so and removes the judgement.
No overtaking: You must not overtake another vehicle on this length of road.
How the knowledge tests use it
It is used alongside questions about lane position and about overtaking, both of which get harder as the road tightens.
What does this sign mean?
Both edges of the road are shown squeezing in. There may still be the same number of lanes, but there is less room either side of you.
State and territory driver handbooks, warning signs
Common questions
- What does the Road narrows sign mean?
- The road ahead gets narrower, so slow down and hold your position in the lane.
- What should you do when you see a Road narrows sign?
- Slow down before the narrowing rather than in it. Hold your lane position and resist drifting towards the centre line. Check your mirrors for a vehicle trying to overtake as the space closes. Give way to oncoming traffic where the sealed width will not take two vehicles.
- Where is the Road narrows sign used?
- Where a sealed road loses a lane or a shoulder, on the approach to bridges and cuttings, on country roads that change surface width, and through roadwork.
- What is the Road narrows sign confused with?
- Narrow bridge: The bridge version means a structure with fixed edges. Road narrows means the road itself gets tighter and may open out again. No overtaking: A narrowing is a warning you judge for yourself. Where overtaking is actually banned through it, the red circle says so and removes the judgement.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the Road narrows sign?
- It is used alongside questions about lane position and about overtaking, both of which get harder as the road tightens.
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.