Practice session
Traffic signals and pavement markings
Loading…
Every question on this page
The whole pool, with the answer and the explanation for each one. Practise first, then read through anything you were unsure of.
Show all 25 questions with answers
1 of 25 · Traffic signals
You face this red light and want to turn right. No sign prohibits the turn. What may you do?
- A.Turn right without stopping if the road is clear
- B.Wait for the green light; turning right on red is not allowed
- C.Stop completely, then turn when it is safe, yielding to other traffic and pedestriansAnswer
- D.Turn right only once a green arrow appears
Explanation: Turning right on a red light is permitted unless a sign prohibits it. First come to a complete stop before the stop line or crosswalk, then turn when it is safe, yielding to pedestrians and any other traffic.
2 of 25 · Traffic signals
When may you turn left on a red light like this one?
- A.From any street, after a complete stop
- B.Only from a one-way street onto a one-way street, after a complete stopAnswer
- C.Whenever no oncoming traffic is in sight
- D.Only from a two-way street onto a one-way street
Explanation: Unless a sign prohibits it, the only left turn allowed on a red light is from a one-way street onto another one-way street. You must first stop completely before the stop line or crosswalk, then turn only when you can do so safely after yielding to other traffic.
3 of 25 · Traffic signals
The light turns solid yellow as you approach the intersection. What must you do?
- A.Speed up to get through before it turns red
- B.Stop at once, even if you are already in the intersection
- C.Treat it like a green light
- D.Stop before the stop line or crosswalk, unless you are too close to stop safelyAnswer
Explanation: A solid yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red. Stop before the stop line or crosswalk, or before the intersection if there is neither, unless you have reached a point where you cannot stop safely. If you are already in the intersection, clear it.
4 of 25 · Traffic signals
You face a solid green light and want to turn left. What must you do?
- A.Turn at once: the green light gives you the right-of-way
- B.Yield to oncoming traffic, and to pedestrians in the crosswalk, before turningAnswer
- C.Wait for a green arrow before turning
Explanation: A solid green lets you go through without stopping, but it does not protect a left turn. Yield to oncoming vehicles and to pedestrians in the crosswalk you will cross, then turn when there is a safe gap.
5 of 25 · Traffic signals
What does a flashing green light allow you to do?
- A.Go straight, turn left or turn right without stoppingAnswer
- B.Go straight only; turns are not permitted
- C.Turn left only, after stopping
- D.Stop, then go as you would at a stop sign
Explanation: Facing a flashing green light, you may go through, turn left or turn right without stopping, because opposing traffic faces a red light. You must still yield to pedestrians and to any vehicle lawfully in the intersection.
6 of 25 · Traffic signals
The signal shows a red light together with a green arrow. What may you do?
- A.Go in any direction, since the arrow is green
- B.Wait until the red light changes before moving
- C.Make a complete stop, then go in the arrow’s direction
- D.Go without stopping, but only in the direction of the arrowAnswer
Explanation: A green arrow shown with a red light lets you enter the intersection without stopping, but only in the direction the arrow points. Every other movement must wait for the red light to change.
7 of 25 · Traffic signals
The signal shows a solid green light with a green left-turn arrow. What does the arrow tell you?
- A.You may turn left without yieldingAnswer
- B.You must yield to oncoming traffic before turning left
- C.Left is the only direction you may go
Explanation: A green arrow with a solid green light lets you proceed in the arrow’s direction without yielding. Because the green light is also on, you may go in the other directions it allows, when that is safe and legal.
8 of 25 · Traffic signals
What does a flashing yellow light at an intersection mean?
- A.Stop completely, then proceed
- B.The light is about to turn red, so stop
- C.Proceed with caution after yielding to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersectionAnswer
- D.You have the right-of-way; continue at your speed
Explanation: A flashing yellow light calls for caution. You do not have to stop, but slow down and yield to pedestrians and to any vehicles already in the intersection before going through.
9 of 25 · Traffic signals
The traffic lights in every direction are flashing red. How do you treat the intersection?
- A.As an uncontrolled intersection
- B.As a yield sign: slow down and go if clear
- C.As a four-way stopAnswer
- D.As a signal failure: go without stopping if traffic is light
Explanation: A flashing red light is treated like a stop sign: stop before the stop line or crosswalk, yield the right-of-way, and go only when it is safe. When the lights in all directions flash red, the intersection becomes a four-way stop.
10 of 25 · Traffic signals
You approach a green light that has been on for a while, and the pedestrian signal for your direction shows this. What does it tell you?
- A.The light is about to turn yellow
- B.You must stop for the pedestrian signal
- C.The green light will stay green for nowAnswer
Explanation: A “stale” green has been on for a while and will turn yellow soon. A good check is the pedestrian signal: while it shows WALK, the light will stay green; once it shows DON’T WALK, be ready to stop.
11 of 25 · Traffic signals
A pedestrian has already started crossing when this signal appears. What may the pedestrian do?
- A.Keep crossing and clear the crosswalkAnswer
- B.Go back to the curb they started from
- C.Stop and wait on the centre line
Explanation: DON’T WALK tells pedestrians not to start crossing, but anyone already crossing may continue and clear the crosswalk. As a driver, expect them to finish crossing before you turn. Some signals add a countdown timer.
12 of 25 · Traffic signals
This lane reversal signal is shown over the lane you are driving in. What must you do?
- A.Keep going; the X applies only to buses
- B.Stop in the lane until the X changes
- C.Turn on your hazard lights and continue
- D.Move safely out of the lane: it is being used by oncoming trafficAnswer
Explanation: Lane reversal signals switch lanes between directions at different times of day. A red X means do not enter or remain in that lane, because oncoming traffic is using it; move safely into a lane showing a green arrow.
13 of 25 · Traffic signals
What does a downward-pointing green arrow above a lane mean?
- A.The lane is about to close
- B.You may drive in that laneAnswer
- C.Turn in the direction of the arrow
- D.The lane is for buses only
Explanation: With lane reversal signals, a green arrow pointing down at a lane means you are permitted to travel in it. The signals over a lane can change during the day, so keep watching them as you drive.
14 of 25 · Traffic signals
The yellow lights on this crossing sign are flashing. What must you do?
- A.Reduce speed to a maximum of 30 km/h and yield or stop for pedestriansAnswer
- B.Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing
- C.Keep to the posted speed; the lights are for pedestrians only
- D.Reduce speed to 50 km/h
Explanation: Yellow lights on a school, playground or pedestrian crossing sign call for caution. When they are flashing, slow to no more than 30 km/h and yield to pedestrians, or stop for them.
15 of 25 · Traffic signals
At a railway crossing the red lights are flashing and the bell is ringing. You are the first vehicle. Where must you stop?
- A.Just past the first rail, so you can go as soon as the train passes
- B.At least 5 metres back from the nearest railAnswer
- C.Anywhere, as long as you can see the train
Explanation: Flashing red lights and a bell mean a train is approaching. The vehicle nearest the crossing must stop at least 5 metres back from the nearest rail, and wait until the lights and bell stop and the train has passed or come to a stop. With more than one track, make sure every track is clear before crossing.
16 of 25 · Pavement markings
Two lanes of traffic going the same way are separated by a solid white line. What does the line mean?
- A.Lane changing is permitted with care
- B.Lane changing is not permittedAnswer
- C.Traffic on each side travels in opposite directions
- D.The lane to the right is reserved for buses
Explanation: White lines separate lanes moving in the same direction. A solid white line means lane changes across it are not permitted; a broken white line means you may change lanes when it is safe.
17 of 25 · Pavement markings
When you are driving on the correct side of the road, where should a yellow line always be?
- A.On your right
- B.Under the centre of your vehicle
- C.On your leftAnswer
Explanation: Yellow lines separate traffic travelling in opposite directions, so a yellow line should always be on the driver’s left. If it is on your right, you are on the wrong side of the road.
18 of 25 · Pavement markings
What do white lane lines tell you about the vehicles on each side of them?
- A.They are travelling in opposite directions
- B.One side is a parking lane
- C.One side is for cyclists only
- D.They are travelling in the same directionAnswer
Explanation: White lines divide lanes of traffic travelling the same way. Where traffic on each side of a line moves in opposite directions, the line is yellow.
19 of 25 · Pavement markings
The centre line is a solid yellow line beside a broken yellow line, and the broken line is on your side. What does this mean for you?
- A.You may pass when it is safe; drivers with the solid line on their side may notAnswer
- B.No one may pass in either direction
- C.You may pass only if the other driver signals you to
- D.Only drivers on the other side may pass
Explanation: When a solid and a broken yellow line run together, the line on your side decides. A broken line on your side lets you pass when the lane is clear and the pass can be completed safely; a solid line on your side means no passing.
20 of 25 · Pavement markings
You are driving within an urban area in Alberta, and the centre line is a single solid yellow line. May you pass across it?
- A.No, never
- B.Yes, if the pass can be made safelyAnswer
- C.Only if the vehicle ahead is going under 30 km/h
Explanation: Alberta has a specific rule here: within an urban area, passing safely across a single solid yellow line is permitted. Everywhere else, a single or double solid yellow line means passing is not allowed.
21 of 25 · Pavement markings
You are on a highway outside an urban area, and the centre line is double solid yellow. May you pass?
- A.Yes, if the road ahead is clear
- B.Yes, but only in daylight
- C.Yes, if the vehicle ahead is a slow-moving vehicle
- D.No, passing is not permittedAnswer
Explanation: Outside an urban area, single or double solid yellow lines mean passing is not permitted. Wait until a broken yellow line appears on your side and the pass can be completed safely.
22 of 25 · Pavement markings
What do diamond markings painted in a lane mean?
- A.The lane is reserved for specific vehiclesAnswer
- B.The lane ends ahead
- C.A pedestrian crossing is ahead
- D.Passing is permitted in this lane
Explanation: Diamond markings show a reserved lane, kept for particular vehicles such as buses, taxis or bicycles. Signs beside the road may give the times the restriction applies or the vehicles allowed.
23 of 25 · Pavement markings
When may a driver cross a painted island?
- A.To pass a slow vehicle
- B.To wait there for a gap before turning
- C.To enter or leave a driveway, alleyway or private driveAnswer
Explanation: A painted island is not to be used for travel by any road user. The one exception is crossing it to enter or leave a driveway, alleyway or private drive.
24 of 25 · Pavement markings
On a rural highway, a large X is painted across your lane. What does it warn of?
- A.An intersection with no signs
- B.The approach to a railway crossingAnswer
- C.A no-stopping zone
- D.A lane closed to traffic
Explanation: X markings on rural highways mark the approach to a railway crossing, and an advance warning sign will also be posted. Slow down, look and listen, and if you must stop for a train, stop before the stop line.
25 of 25 · Pavement markings
An intersection has no painted crosswalk lines. Is there a crosswalk there?
- A.No; a crosswalk exists only where lines are painted
- B.Only if there is a pedestrian signal
- C.Only near a school
- D.Yes, unless a sign indicates no crossingAnswer
Explanation: Crosswalk lines mark some pedestrian crossings, but crosswalks also exist at intersections that are unmarked, unless a sign indicates no crossing. Expect pedestrians there and yield to them just as you would at a painted crosswalk.