NIT Driving Guide Kenya · NTSA Revision
Kenya Road Signs
& Markings
Classes A–D · meanings · signals · driver action
A precise learner guide to Kenya road signs, traffic signals and road markings — what each one means, how to recognise it and the correct action to take.
Read the road in four parts
How should you study road signs for the NTSA test?
Do not memorise the name of a sign only. For every sign or road marking, know what it is, what it means and what you should do.
Kenya’s Traffic Act requires driving tests to cover the rules of the road, recognised road signals and signs, and the authorised road or highway code.
Statutory classification
Road-sign classes in Kenya
Kenya’s Traffic Signs Rules classify traffic signs into four statutory classes. In everyday learning, you will also hear signs described by function — regulatory, warning, information and roadworks.
| Class | Category | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Regulatory signs | Orders, restrictions, prohibitions and priority. |
| Class B | Warning signs | Hazards and changing road conditions. |
| Class C | Traffic-light signals | Control vehicle movement. |
| Class D | Carriageway and kerb markings | Control and guide traffic on the road surface. |
Class A–D is the statutory classification. Regulatory, warning, information and roadworks describe what signs do in practice.
Class A
Regulatory signs: what you must or must not do
Regulatory signs are instructions. Priority signs control who must stop or give way, prohibitory signs tell you what you must not do, and mandatory signs tell you what you must do.
STOP
A complete stop is required. Stop before the controlled junction, check properly and proceed only when it is safe.
GIVE WAY
Give priority to traffic on the road you are entering or crossing. Approach slowly enough to judge the situation and stop when necessary.
NO ENTRY
Vehicles must not enter from that direction. Do not proceed beyond the sign.
SPEED LIMIT
The displayed number is the maximum permitted speed where the restriction applies. It is not a target speed.
NO OVERTAKING
Remain behind the vehicle ahead while the restriction applies. Overtake only when it becomes legally permitted and safe.
NO U-TURN
Do not make a U-turn at that point. Continue until changing direction is permitted.
NO LEFT / RIGHT TURN
The indicated turn is prohibited. Choose another lawful direction early enough to avoid a sudden manoeuvre.
NO PARKING
Do not leave the vehicle parked where the restriction applies. Check nearby signs and kerb markings too.
NO STOPPING
Stopping is prohibited except where traffic conditions or another lawful requirement makes stopping necessary.
NO MOTOR VEHICLES
Motor vehicles are prohibited beyond the sign where the restriction applies. Check whether the symbol targets a specific vehicle type.
KEEP LEFT / KEEP RIGHT
Pass on the side indicated. Move into the correct position before reaching the island, obstruction or controlled point.
STRAIGHT AHEAD ONLY
Continue straight. Do not turn left or right while the instruction applies.
HEIGHT, WIDTH & WEIGHT
Do not proceed if the vehicle exceeds the dimension or weight displayed.
At STOP, make the prescribed complete stop before proceeding. At GIVE WAY, approach under control, yield to priority traffic and stop when necessary.
Class B
Warning signs: adjust before you reach the hazard
A warning sign tells you what is ahead. The useful habit is simple: see it early → identify the hazard → adjust early.
Bend Ahead
Ease off the speed before entering the bend and hold the correct road position.
Series of Bends
Set an appropriate speed before the first bend and expect further changes in direction.
Crossroads Ahead
Scan both sides and be ready for vehicles entering or crossing.
T-Junction Ahead
Approach under control and prepare to turn, stop or give way according to the controls at the junction.
Side Road Ahead
Watch the joining road while maintaining awareness of the traffic around you.
Roundabout Ahead
Check your lane early, reduce speed where necessary and observe the signs and markings controlling entry.
Road Narrows
Allow enough clearance from approaching traffic, cyclists, pedestrians and roadside objects.
Two-Way Traffic
Stay correctly positioned and expect approaching vehicles.
Pedestrians
Watch the road edges and approach at a speed that allows you to stop safely.
Children / School Area
Reduce speed early and expect unpredictable pedestrian movement.
Speed Hump
Slow down before reaching the hump, not once the vehicle is already on it.
Uneven Road
Adjust your speed and keep the vehicle stable.
Slippery Road
Increase following distance and avoid harsh braking, sharp steering or sudden acceleration.
Steep Descent
Choose an appropriate gear before the descent and keep the vehicle under control.
Steep Ascent
Select an appropriate gear and maintain steady control.
Falling Rocks
Scan the road ahead and avoid unnecessary stopping in the danger area.
Animals
Reduce speed and prepare to stop; do not assume an animal will move predictably.
Railway Crossing
Approach cautiously and cross only when the line is clear and the applicable signals or barriers permit movement.
Traffic Signals Ahead
Look for the lights early and be ready for the sequence to change before you reach the junction.
Roadworks Ahead
Expect workers, machinery, temporary lanes, altered surfaces or changed traffic movement.
Direction and temporary control
Information signs and roadworks signs
Information signs help drivers find destinations, routes and services. They may show towns, road numbers, hospitals, parking areas, fuel stations, distances or junction directions.
Use this sequence: destination → arrow → correct lane → signal when required → position early. Finding the correct destination does not justify an unsafe last-second lane change.
Roadworks can temporarily change the normal road layout. You may encounter lane closures, diversions, temporary traffic lights, narrowed lanes, STOP/GO control, construction vehicles or temporary speed restrictions. Treat temporary controls as real traffic instructions.
Class C
Traffic-light signals
Kenya’s Traffic Signs Rules provide for the sequence Red → Red and Amber → Green → Amber.
| Signal | Meaning | Correct response |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Stop | Stop before the stop line and remain there. |
| Red + Amber | Stop; prepare | Remain stopped. Green is coming next, but you are not yet permitted to move. |
| Green | Proceed if clear | Move only when the road ahead is clear and the junction can be cleared. |
| Amber | Stop unless unsafe to do so | Stop at the line unless you are already so close that sudden stopping would create danger. |
| Green arrow | Directional movement permitted | Move only in the direction shown and check that the path is clear. |
Class D
Road and kerb markings
Road markings are traffic controls, not decoration. Ministry guidance describes them as serving control, warning, guidance or information. Yellow separates opposing traffic flows, while white is used for other carriageway markings; yellow may also be used on kerbs for parking or stopping restrictions.
Read the line before you cross it
Common road markings and what they mean
Yellow Centre Line
Separates traffic travelling in opposite directions. Check whether the line is continuous or broken.
Continuous Yellow Line
Crossing or straddling is restricted unless an applicable lawful exception allows otherwise.
Broken Yellow Centre Line
Cross only where it is lawful and safe. A broken line does not automatically mean “overtake.”
Broken White Lane Line
Commonly separates lanes moving in the same direction. Change lanes only when it is safe.
Continuous White Line
Crossing or straddling is restricted where the marking applies.
Continuous + Broken Lines
Read the line nearest your vehicle. Continuous restricts crossing; broken may permit it when lawful and safe.
Edge Line
Marks the boundary of the usable carriageway and helps drivers judge the road edge.
Stop Line
Shows where the vehicle should stop when controlled by a STOP sign or traffic signal.
Give-Way Line
Identifies the position associated with yielding to priority traffic.
Lane Direction Arrows
Show how traffic in a lane should proceed. Choose the correct lane before the junction.
Hatched / Chevron Areas
Separate traffic streams or protect space that should normally remain clear.
Pedestrian Crossing
Approach at a speed that allows you to respond safely to pedestrians using or entering the crossing.
Parking Bays
Park inside the marked space and check nearby signs for time limits or other restrictions.
Yellow Kerb Marking
Indicates a stopping or parking restriction under the applicable traffic controls.
At a junction, read the upright sign together with the stop or Give Way line, lane arrows, traffic lights, centre and lane markings, and actual traffic conditions. A sign rarely works alone.
Fast recognition
Recognise a road sign in seconds
| Clue | What to check | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Triangle, circle, rectangle, octagon or inverted triangle. | Often signals the sign family before you read the symbol. |
| Colour | Check the prescribed colour combination. | Helps distinguish a warning, prohibition or instruction. |
| Symbol | Identify the hazard, restriction or direction shown. | Tells you exactly what the sign refers to. |
| Action | Decide what you must do before reaching it. | Turns recognition into correct driving behaviour. |
High-value revision
Road signs learners commonly confuse
| Pair | First item | Second item |
|---|---|---|
| STOP vs GIVE WAY | STOP: complete stop required; check after stopping. | GIVE WAY: approach under control, yield and stop when necessary. |
| No Parking vs No Stopping | No Parking: leaving the vehicle parked is prohibited. | No Stopping: stopping itself is prohibited subject to lawful exceptions. |
| Keep Left vs No Left Turn | Keep Left: mandatory road position. | No Left Turn: prohibits a turning movement. |
| Red + Amber vs Amber | Red + Amber: remain stopped; green is coming next. | Amber: stop unless sudden stopping would be unsafe. |
| Continuous vs Broken Line | Continuous: crossing or straddling is restricted. | Broken: crossing may be permitted, but only when lawful and safe. |
| Pedestrian warning vs crossing | Warning sign: pedestrians may be encountered ahead. | Crossing marking: identifies a specific crossing facility. |
NTSA preparation
How to revise road signs for the NTSA driving test
Kenya’s Traffic Act specifically includes recognised road signals and signs among the subjects covered by a driving test. Do not prepare by memorising pictures alone.
| Step | Question | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is it? | STOP, Slippery Road, continuous centre line. |
| 2 | Which category or class? | Class A, Class B or Class D. |
| 3 | What does it mean? | State the restriction, hazard or control clearly. |
| 4 | What should I do? | Give the correct driver action. |
STOP → Class A regulatory sign → complete stop required → stop, observe and proceed when safe.
Slippery Road → Class B warning sign → reduced grip may occur → adjust speed and avoid sudden steering or braking.
Continuous centre line → Class D road marking → crossing is restricted → remain on the correct side.
Avoid these errors
Common road-sign test mistakes
| Mistake | Better approach | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Knowing the name only | Learn the driving response with the sign. | The road requires action, not vocabulary alone. |
| STOP = GIVE WAY | Know when a complete stop is required. | The controls impose different obligations. |
| Moving on Red + Amber | Remain stopped until green. | Red + amber is not a go signal. |
| Accelerating on amber | Stop unless sudden stopping would be unsafe. | Amber warns of the end of the green phase. |
| Treating the speed limit as a target | Reduce speed when conditions demand it. | The safe speed may be below the posted maximum. |
| Ignoring markings | Revise Class D as seriously as upright signs. | Lines, arrows and crossings control real road movement. |
| Reacting too late | Read the sign early. | Correct driving action should start before the hazard. |
Quick revision drill
Can you state the action without looking back?
No Entry: What must you do? Children: What should change in your driving? Red + Amber: Can you move? Continuous centre line: Can you cross it freely? Lane arrow: What does it control? Stop line: Where should the vehicle stop?
If you recognise the sign but cannot explain the correct action, revise it again.
Final check
What to know before your NTSA test
- Identify Classes A, B, C and D.
- Distinguish priority, prohibitory and mandatory signs.
- Recognise common warning signs quickly.
- Understand information and temporary roadworks signs.
- Read the full traffic-light sequence.
- Distinguish yellow and white road markings.
- Understand continuous and broken lines.
- Recognise stop and Give Way lines, lane arrows and pedestrian crossings.
- Explain the correct action for each sign or marking.
Connect each one to a driving decision: See it early. Understand it correctly. Act before you reach it.
Ready to learn to drive?
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Primary references
Sources and review
This guide is based primarily on Kenya’s Traffic Act and Traffic Signs Rules together with Ministry of Roads and Transport guidance on road signs, road markings and traffic signals.
- Kenya Traffic Act — Kenya Law
- Ministry of Roads and Transport — Road Signs
- Ministry of Roads and Transport — Road Markings
- Ministry of Roads and Transport — Traffic Signals
Prepared by: Newton Institute of Technology Editorial Team · Institutional / Technical review: Engineer Simon Barongo · Last reviewed: 16 September 2026