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Vehicles Exceeding 10 Tonnes GVM/GCM Only Road Sign – R102

The Vehicles Exceeding 10 Tonnes GVM/GCM Only road sign, designated R102, is a regulatory command sign used to indicate that a particular road, lane or route is intended for heavy vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM or GCM, where the command applies.

R102 is part of the South African regulatory road-sign system for controlling the movement of heavy vehicles. The official SARTSM describes R102 as applying to all heavy vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM/GCM. This includes buses exceeding 10 tonnes.

What Does the R102 Sign Mean?

The R102 sign communicates a mandatory instruction concerning heavy vehicles above the specified 10-tonne mass threshold.

Where R102 is used as a mandatory command, the applicable route, lane or roadway is designated for heavy vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM/GCM in accordance with the traffic-control arrangement.

Drivers must follow the instruction indicated by the sign together with any other applicable road signs, road markings and traffic-control measures.

What Is GVM?

GVM means Gross Vehicle Mass. It refers to the maximum permissible mass of a vehicle as specified for that vehicle.

GCM means Gross Combination Mass. It relates to the permissible maximum mass of a combination of vehicles, such as a towing vehicle and trailer, where applicable.

The South African regulatory signing system uses GVM/GCM terminology for vehicle-mass-related restrictions and commands.

Vehicles Covered by R102

R102 applies to heavy vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM/GCM. It is important not to confuse this sign with the separate R124 sign.

R102 applies to all heavy vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes, while R124 specifically applies to goods vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM/GCM. The SARTSM also notes that all heavy vehicles over 10 tonnes include buses over 10 tonnes.

R102 vs R124

The distinction between these two signs is important when selecting the correct traffic sign.

• R102: All heavy vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM/GCM only/must.
• R124: All goods vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM/GCM only/must.

R102 therefore has a wider heavy-vehicle application, while R124 specifically identifies goods vehicles.

Where R102 May Be Used

An R102 sign may be used where a particular lane, roadway or route is designated for heavy vehicles exceeding the specified mass threshold.

Applications can include traffic-management arrangements involving:

• Heavy-vehicle routes
• Designated heavy-vehicle lanes
• Industrial and freight routes
• Roads serving logistics and distribution areas
• Approaches to facilities handling heavy vehicles
• Specific lane-use arrangements
• Road networks where heavy-vehicle movements are managed

The actual use and placement of R102 depend on the road layout, traffic-management requirements and the applicable authority's signing arrangements.

R102 and Lane Use

R102 can be used as part of a lane-use control arrangement. The SARTSM explains that applying a mandatory command sign to a lane means that the lane is to be used only by the class of vehicle displayed on the sign.

Where R102 is used to control a specific lane, drivers should pay attention to the lane markings and any supplementary signs that explain where the restriction or command starts and ends.

Why Heavy-Vehicle Route Signage Is Important

Heavy vehicles can have different operating requirements from smaller vehicles, particularly when travelling through areas with different road layouts, lane arrangements or traffic-management requirements.

Clear regulatory signage helps communicate which vehicle classes are required or permitted to use a particular route or lane.

For freight, logistics and industrial traffic, clearly identified routes can also form part of a wider traffic-management arrangement designed around the movement of heavy vehicles.

R102 Sign Placement

The R102 sign should be positioned so that drivers approaching the controlled roadway or lane can clearly identify the applicable instruction.

Where the sign controls a specific lane, its position should clearly correspond with the lane to which the command applies. Additional signs, road markings or diagrammatic guidance signs may be used where drivers need further information.

The exact placement depends on the road layout and the particular traffic-control application.

R102 Sign Design and Appearance

R102 is a mandatory command sign. South African mandatory command signs use a circular design with a blue retroreflective background and white retroreflective symbols or legends, subject to the applicable sign specifications.

The R102 symbol identifies the applicable heavy-vehicle mass category so that approaching drivers can understand the vehicle-class instruction.

R102 on Public Roads

On public roads, the use of R102 forms part of the formal traffic-signing system and should be applied according to the applicable South African road-sign standards and requirements of the responsible road authority.

The correct sign should be selected according to the vehicle class being controlled. For example, an R124 sign is used where the requirement specifically concerns goods vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes rather than all heavy vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes.

R102 on Private Property

Businesses and property managers may also use heavy-vehicle signage as part of internal traffic-management arrangements on industrial, commercial and logistics properties.

Where an official regulatory road sign is being used on private property, the site's traffic-management requirements and any applicable property or authority requirements should be considered.

Benefits of Clear Heavy-Vehicle Signage

• Clearly communicates the applicable heavy-vehicle instruction.
• Helps drivers identify designated heavy-vehicle routes or lanes.
• Supports organised traffic movement around industrial and logistics areas.
• Helps distinguish heavy-vehicle requirements from goods-vehicle-specific restrictions.
• Can form part of a wider lane-use and traffic-management system.
• Provides clear information to commercial vehicle and fleet operators.

Vehicles Exceeding 10 Tonnes GVM/GCM Only FAQs

What does the R102 road sign mean?

R102 is a mandatory command sign for all heavy vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM/GCM where the command applies.

Is R102 for goods vehicles only?

No. R102 applies to all heavy vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM/GCM. The SARTSM specifically notes that this includes buses exceeding 10 tonnes.

What is the difference between R102 and R124?

R102 applies to all heavy vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes, while R124 applies specifically to goods vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes.

What does GVM mean?

GVM means Gross Vehicle Mass. It is the specified maximum permissible mass of the vehicle.

What does GCM mean?

GCM means Gross Combination Mass and relates to the permissible mass of a combination of vehicles where applicable.

Where can R102 be used?

R102 can form part of heavy-vehicle route and lane-use control arrangements where the movement of heavy vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes needs to be directed or controlled.

Can R102 be used for lane control?

Yes. The SARTSM includes R102 among the mandatory command signs that can be used for lane-use control. A mandatory command applied to a lane means that the lane is to be used by the vehicle class shown by the sign.

Can R102 be used on private property?

Heavy-vehicle signage can be used as part of traffic management on private properties, subject to the site's requirements and any applicable regulations or authority requirements.

Does R102 mean that vehicles under 10 tonnes cannot use the road?

The effect depends on the specific traffic-control application. R102 is a mandatory command identifying the heavy-vehicle class to which the route or lane applies. Drivers should follow the complete signing and road-marking arrangement at the location.

Get R102 Heavy-Vehicle Road Signs from Signs4SA

Signs4SA can assist with R102 Vehicles Exceeding 10 Tonnes GVM/GCM Only signs and other regulatory, heavy-vehicle and traffic-control signage for roads, industrial areas, logistics facilities and controlled sites.

Contact Signs4SA to discuss your heavy-vehicle signage requirements, provide your specifications and request a quotation.

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More About Vehicles exceeding 10 tonnes GVM only

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