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Steep ascent ahead — South African Road Sign W323

The road ahead climbs a steep hill. Heavy and slow vehicles may struggle and lose speed on the climb. Select a lower gear in good time to keep the engine pulling steadily, keep a safe following distance, and be patient with slow-moving heavy vehicles on the climb.

Steep ascent ahead road sign

W323

At a glance

Sign code
W323
Type
Warning
Official meaning
Warning: a steep ascent (upward gradient) lies ahead.

What the Steep ascent ahead sign means

The road ahead climbs a steep hill. Heavy and slow vehicles may struggle and lose speed on the climb.

What you must do

Select a lower gear in good time to keep the engine pulling steadily, keep a safe following distance, and be patient with slow-moving heavy vehicles on the climb.

Know the mistake this sign turns on

Full access adds the confusion Steep ascent ahead is most often mistaken for and the hint for the test, on this sign and every other one — plus practice questions and timed mock papers. The practice sample and the readiness test are free.

See the free practice test

Sources

  • Road Traffic Signs chart, National Department of TransportThe official chart. Sign W323 was checked against it, artwork and meaning, before being published here.
  • National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000 — Schedule 1Where the prescribed meaning of each road traffic sign is set out.

Last updated 2026-08-23.

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