Alberta Basic Driving Rules

• The basic speed limit outside a city, town, or village on a primary highway is 100 km/h unless otherwise posted.
• When backing a passenger vehicle to the left, a driver needs to look over the left shoulder with occasional glances to the front.
• When approaching an intersection and facing a traffic control light showing a green right-turn arrow and a red light, a driver may proceed when safe, without stopping, in the direction of the arrow.
• In Alberta, a fully licensed driver's license is suspended when they accumulate 15 demerit points.
• When passing a large truck on a two-way highway, a driver should return to their lane when the truck is no longer visible in any rear-view mirrors.
• When turning right at a red traffic light, the driver must signal, ensure there is no sign prohibiting the turn, stop, look left and right, and yield the right-of-way, then proceed.
• A sign with a green circle and a black diamond inside indicates a dangerous goods route.
• A single solid white line between driving lanes in an urban area means lane changing is not permitted.
• According to the Basic Licence Driver's Handbook, a "parking lane" is a portion of a primary highway between the edge of the roadway to the right of the direction of traffic and the nearest solid white line, not being the center line, marked on the roadway.
• Shoulder checking means glancing towards the blind spot in the direction the driver intends to move.
• A traffic sign depicting a construction vehicle indicates uneven pavement.
• A traffic-lane control light with an illuminated red “X” means travel is not permitted in that lane.
• A parent has the right to withdraw previously given "parental consent" for someone under 18 years old with respect to an operator's license, provided the person is still under 18 and is not self-supporting or married.
• When approaching a Yield sign, you must yield the right-of-way to traffic not facing the sign and all pedestrians in the intersection.
• "Over-driving" your headlights at night means the driver is traveling at a speed that doesn't allow them to see an object in time to stop.
• A driver will receive 2 demerits under the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program for having more passengers than there are seat belts.
• The 2-second rule to judge a safe following distance when driving is accurate at any speed.
• A traffic sign depicting an arrow turning to the right indicates a curve to the right.
• A driver approaching a flashing red traffic light must stop and proceed only when safe to do so.
• A traffic sign depicting an upside-down triangle within a triangle indicates a warning of a yield sign ahead.
• Alberta law states it is the driver's responsibility to ensure all passengers under 16 years of age are properly restrained in the vehicle.
• When parallel parking, the vehicle's wheels closest to the curb must be within 50 centimeters from the curb.
• The driver is responsible and legally obligated to report any medical condition, change in health, or physical disability that may affect a driver's ability to drive.
• A traffic sign showing a road narrowing indicates that the road narrows to the left.
• A traffic sign with a bumpy road image indicates a bump.
• Under the Graduated Driver Licensing program, the minimum amount of time a person must serve as a probationary Class 5 driver is 2 years.

Driving Conditions & Regulations

• A large “X” painted on the pavement indicates a railway crossing ahead.
• A driver must report all collisions to the police when persons have been injured or killed, or when combined damage to all vehicles or property is more than $1000.
• When stopping behind another vehicle in traffic, a driver should allow sufficient space to move into another lane without reversing.
• If another vehicle is following too closely, a driver should slow down gradually and encourage the other vehicle to pass.
• When recovering from a skid, a driver should steer in the direction the driver wants the front of the vehicle to go.
• A "slow-moving vehicle" sign must be displayed on the rear of any vehicle that normally travels at speeds less than 40 km/h.
• A driver attempting to turn left at a steady green traffic light must not cross the path of an approaching vehicle unless it is safe.
• A "Weave Zone" is a place on a highway where the entrance and exit lanes are close together; vehicles slowing to exit must drive between vehicles accelerating to enter the highway.
• A road test will be refused by a driver examiner if the vehicle is not mechanically safe.
• A driver is never allowed to exceed the speed limit when passing another vehicle.
• A traffic sign depicting two people walking indicates a school area.
• The speed limit in a construction zone must be obeyed at all times.
• In a vehicle without anti-lock brakes, threshold braking refers to applying even braking force to the point just before the wheels lock, and easing off slightly if the wheels lock.
• When approached by an emergency vehicle sounding a siren from any direction on a two-way road, a driver needs to drive as close as possible to the right curb or edge of the road and stop.
• The recommended braking procedure for a normal, smooth stop involves applying brake pressure, easing off slightly just before the vehicle stops, then re-applying sufficient pressure to stop.
• Alberta law requires that seat belts must be worn properly at all times.
• A traffic sign depicting a car and a bicycle over a red circle indicates that it means do not pass.
• A driver entering a traffic circle must yield to vehicles already in the traffic circle.
• A deceleration lane is a lane where vehicles reduce speed when exiting a highway.
• When turning left from a two-way road onto a one-way road, the vehicle should enter the lane nearest the curb on the left side of the one-way road.
• When two vehicles approach an uncontrolled “T” intersection at right angles at approximately the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield the right-of-way.
• Unless otherwise permitted, a driver must be in the left lane nearest the left curb to turn left from a one-way road.
• To reverse in a straight line, place the left hand at the top of the steering wheel and look over the right shoulder through the rear window.
• An acceleration lane is a lane with broken line markings
• A traffic sign where a lane merges indicates lane ends, loss of right lane
• Under the Graduated Driver Licensing program, a learner with a Class 7 licence is not permitted to drive a vehicle between midnight and 5:00 A.M.
• A flashing yellow traffic light means proceed with caution.
• School zone speed limits are in effect on school days between 8:00A.M. to 9:30A.M., 11:30 A.M. to 1:30P.M. and 3:00P.M. to 4:30 P.M., unless otherwise posted.
• A traffic sign showing a person walking indicates a pedestrian crosswalk.
• When driving in the right lane on a highway and another vehicle attempts to merge from an acceleration lane on the right, the driver should move into the left lane if it is safe to do so, or be prepared to adjust speed.
• When parked uphill on a two-way road with a curb, a vehicle's front wheels should be turned to the left.
• When approaching the rear of a stopped school bus that has its alternately flashing red lights activated, a driver must stop behind the bus and wait until the alternating red lights stop flashing.
• Drivers should scan the road approximately 12 to 15 seconds ahead when traveling in urban areas.
• A traffic sign with a T shape indicates a T intersection.
• A traffic sign with a winding arrow indicates a winding road ahead.
• Before leaving a parallel parking space on the right side of a road, a driver should shoulder check to the left.
• When approaching the top of a hill on a two-lane highway, drivers must stay to the right portion of the lane.
• Playground zones are in effect from 8:30 A.M. to 1 hour after sunset.
• A traffic sign showing two arrows merging into one lane indicates merging traffic.
• According to the Basic Licence Driver's Handbook, most skids are the result of driver error.
• A driver can legally park a vehicle 5 metres away from a Stop sign.
• Parking in a space reserved for persons with disabilities is permitted when the vehicle has a proper identifying placard or licence plate.
• Headlights must be dimmed at night when approaching another vehicle from behind at a minimum distance of 150 metres.
• Dual turns are permitted at an intersection only when indicated by pavement markings or traffic control signs.
• A sign with two arrows going in opposite directions indicates two-way traffic.
• Under the Graduated Driver Licensing program, a learner with a Class 7 operator's license is suspended when they accumulate 8 demerits.
• Speed limit signs indicate the maximum speed permitted when conditions are favorable.
• An "uncontrolled intersection" lacks both traffic control signal lights and traffic signs.
• A traffic sign showing a sharp turned arrow indicates a double lane left turn.
• When facing a Merge sign, a driver should watch for a gap in traffic on the highway they are entering, adjust to highway speed in the acceleration lane, and blend in smoothly.
• In reduced visibility from fog, smoke, or snow, use headlights on low beam.
• A sign with an "X" indicates railway crossing.
• Turning right at a red traffic control light is permitted if the driver reduces speed and there is no traffic or pedestrian in the intersection, with no sign prohibiting such a turn.
• A traffic sign showing a diamond indicates a lane is reserved for use by the specified vehicles, with a time that it should be used for.
• When a vehicle is stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the road, other vehicles approaching from the rear must not pass the stopped vehicle, in accordance to the Basic Licence Driver's Handbook.
• When a head restraint is raised to the proper position, the center of the head restraint should be level with the top of the ears.
• A traffic sign showing the colours of the horizontal traffic lights indicates a traffic control signal advance warning.
• A vehicle with a "PASSING LANE AHEAD” sign, the driver needs to move into the right lane when safe.
• When approaching the rear of a school bus displaying alternating flashing amber lights, a driver should be prepared to stop as this warns the alternating flashing red lights will come on once the bus has stopped.
• In the Basic Licence Driver's Handbook, “nighttime” is defined as beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before the following sunrise.
• A traffic sign with an arrow splitting left and right indicates straight through or right turn.
• A vehicle exiting a parking lot needs to come to a complete stop before proceeding onto the roadway.
• When approaching a railway crossing with flashing red light and a bell activated, stop at least 5 metres from the nearest rail until the train has passed.
• The recommended method for traveling through a curve on a highway is to reduce speed before the curve, stay in the lane, and gently accelerate after entering the curve.
• Traffic sign with a triangle indicates a Slow moving vehicle.
• It is unsafe to pass a loaded log-haul truck that is turning due to the overhang of the logs from the tail end of the truck could block all the lanes on a highway during the turn.
• Traffic sign with people at a bus indicates a school bus stop ahead.
• When encountering a funeral procession crossing an intersection, yield the right-of-way and do not break through the procession.
• If a vehicle's right tires travel off the paved portion of the roadway, accelerate slightly, then turn the steering wheel sharply to return to the paved portion of the roadway.
• A traffic sign showing people walking indicates school crosswalk ahead.
• When completing an angle park, the vehicle's front wheel must be within 50 cm maximum distance from the nearest curb.
• In an urban area, when a pedestrian is standing at a crosswalk with their arm raised at approximately right angles to their body, drivers must stop and yield to the pedestrian.
• A traffic sign showing a checkered white and black background indicates Dead end.
• A traffic sign showing two roads turning into one lane in both directions indicates divided highway begins.
• When approaching an intersection displaying a steady yellow traffic light, stop before the intersection unless the stop cannot be made in safety.
• A solid yellow line together with a broken yellow line marked on the center of a highway means if the broken line is on your side, passing is permitted.
• At 9:00 A.M. on a school day, the maximum speed permitted in a school zone in a rural area, unless otherwise posted, is 30 km/h.
• On a two-lane highway & when passing other vehicles traveling in the same direction, should pass on the left when safe.
• A traffic sign with a Green "H" indicates Hospital services.
• A vehicle needs to be parked 5 metres away from a fire hydrant.
• A traffic sign showing a person digging indicates construction sign, people working ahead.
• If a driver is being followed by a vehicle attempting to pass on a two-way road, the driver should stay in the lane and move to the right portion of the lane.