Alberta Basic Licence Driver Assessment Guide

• This material pertains to the Alberta Basic Licence Drivers Assessment

Speed Limits

• The basic speed limit outside a city, town, or village on a primary highway is 100 km/h unless otherwise posted.

Backing Up

• When backing a passenger vehicle to the left, look over the left shoulder, glancing to the front.

Intersections

• When approaching an intersection with a green right-turn arrow and a red light, proceed safely without stopping in the direction of the arrow.

Demerit Points

• In Alberta, a fully licensed driver's license is suspended upon accumulating 15 demerit points.

Passing Trucks

• When passing a large truck on a two-way highway, return to your lane when the truck is fully visible in the rear-view mirror.

Right Turns on Red

• When turning right at a red light, signal, ensure no signs prohibit the turn, stop, look left and right, yield, and then proceed.

Signage

• A sign with a green circle and a black diamond indicates a dangerous goods route.
• A single solid white line between driving lanes in an urban area means that lane changing is not permitted.
• A "parking lane" is on a primary highway between the roadway's edge to the right of traffic direction and the nearest solid white line, excluding the center line and marked on the roadway.
• A sign with a vehicle on an uneven road means that the pavement is uneven.

Shoulder Checking

• Shoulder checking involves glancing towards the blind spot in the direction you intend to move.

Traffic Lights

• A traffic-lane control light with an illuminated red “X” means travel is not permitted in that lane.

Parental Consent

• A parent can withdraw previously given "parental consent" for someone under 18 regarding an operator's license if the person is under 18, not self-supporting, or married.

Yield Signs

• When approaching a Yield sign, yield the right-of-way to traffic not facing the sign and all pedestrians in the intersection.

Over-driving Headlights

• "Over-driving" headlights means traveling at a speed that prevents seeing an object in time to stop.

GDL Program

• Under the Graduated Driver Licensing program, a driver will receive 2 demerits for having more passengers than there are seat belts.

Following Distance

• The 2-second rule is accurate at any speed for judging a safe following distance when driving.

Road Signs

• A yellow diamond sign with an arrow curving to the right indicates a curve to the right.
• A red and white inverted triangle indicates warning; yield sign ahead.

Passenger Restraints

• In Alberta, drivers are responsible for ensuring all passengers under 16 years old are properly restrained.

Parallel Parking

• When parallel parking, the vehicle's wheels closest to the curb must be within 50 centimetres of the curb.

Reporting Medical Conditions

• An Alberta driver is legally obligated to report any medical condition, health change, or physical disability affecting their driving ability.

Narrow Road Sign

• A yellow diamond sign with converging lines indicates the road narrows, left.

Bumps

• A yellow diamond sign with a curved humped line indicates a bump.

Probationary Period

• Under the Graduated Driver Licensing program, the minimum time to serve as a probationary Class 5 driver is 2 years.

Road Markings

• A large “X” painted on the pavement means a railway crossing ahead.

Reporting Collisions

• A driver must report collisions to the police if there are injuries or fatalities. Also, if combined damage to all vehicles or property exceeds $1000.

Stopping Distance

• When stopping behind another vehicle in traffic, allow sufficient space to move into another lane without reversing.

Following Too Closely

• If another vehicle is following too closely, slow down gradually, and encourage the other vehicle to pass.

Recovering from a Skid

• When recovering from a skid, steer in the direction the driver wants the front of the vehicle to go.

Slow Vehicle Sign

• Display a "slow-moving vehicle" sign on the rear of vehicles normally traveling at speeds less than 40 km/h.

Turning Left at Green Light

• A driver attempting to turn left at a steady green traffic light must not cross the path of an approaching vehicle unless safe.

Weave Zone

• A "Weave Zone" is on a highway where entrance and exit lanes are close, requiring merging between vehicles entering and exiting.
• A road test is refused if the vehicle is not mechanically safe.

Exceeding the Speed Limit

• A driver is never allowed to exceed the speed limit when passing another vehicle.

School Zone Signs

• A pedestrian walking between 2 lines with a yellow background indicates a school area.

Construction Zones

• The speed limit in a construction zone must be obeyed at all times.

Threshold Braking

• Threshold braking involves applying even braking force to the point just before the wheels lock, and easing off slightly if the wheels lock. Use it in vehicles without anti-lock brakes.

Emergency Vehicles

• When approached by an emergency vehicle with a siren on a two-way road, drive as close to the right curb or edge of the road and stop.

Smooth Stops

• The recommended braking procedure for a smooth stop is to apply brake pressure, ease off just before stopping, and then re-apply sufficient pressure.

Seatbelt Laws

• In Alberta, the law requires that seat belts must be worn properly at all times.

No Passing

• A red circle with a car passing another indicates do not pass.

Roundabout

• Drivers entering a traffic circle must yield to vehicles already in the traffic circle.

Deceleration Lanes

• A deceleration lane is a lane where vehicles reduce speed when exiting a highway.

Turning Lanes

• When turning left from a two-way road onto a one-way road, enter the lane nearest the curb on the left side of the one-way road.
• Unless otherwise permitted, the lane to be in to turn left from a one-way road is the left lane nearest the left curb.

Uncontrolled Intersections

• At an uncontrolled “T” intersection, the vehicle on the left must yield the right-of-way.

Reversing

• To reverse in a straight line, place the left hand at the top of the steering wheel, look over the right shoulder through the rear window.

Lane Ends

• A sign with 2 lines converging into 1 with a yellow background indicates lane ends, loss of right lane.

Class 7 Licence

• A learner with a Class 7 license is not permitted to drive a vehicle between midnight and 5:00 A.M.

Flashing Lights

• A flashing yellow traffic light means to proceed with caution.

School Zones

• Unless otherwise posted, school zone speed limits are in effect on school days from 8:30 A.M. to 1 hour after sunset.

Merging

• When driving in the right lane on a highway, if another vehicle attempts to merge from an acceleration lane on the right, move into the left lane if safe or prepare to adjust speed.

Parking on Hills

• When parked uphill on a two-way road with a curb, turn the vehicle's front wheels to the left.

School Buses

• When approaching the rear of a stopped school bus with alternately flashing red lights, stop and wait until the lights stop flashing.

Urban Driving

• When traveling in urban areas, drivers should scan the road approximately 12 to 15 seconds ahead.

Road Signs

• A capitalized "T" with a yellow background indicates a T intersection.
• A curved arrow with a yellow background indicates a winding road ahead.

Parallel Parking

• Before leaving a parallel parking space on the right side of a road, shoulder check to the left.

Approaching a Hill

• When approaching the top of a hill on a two-lane highway, stay to the right portion of the lane.

Playground Zones

• Playground zones are in effect from 8:30 A.M. to 1 hour after sunset.

Driver Error

• Most skids are the result of driver error, as per the Basic Licence Driver's Handbook.

Parking Near Stop Signs

• Drivers are not permitted to park their vehicle any closer than 5 metres to a Stop sign.

Parking for People with Disabilities

• Parking in a space reserved for persons with disabilities is permitted when the vehicle has a proper identifying placard or license plate.

Headlights

• Headlights must be dimmed at night when approaching another vehicle from behind, at a minimum distance of 150 metres.

Dual Turns

• Dual turns are only permitted when indicated by pavement markings or traffic control signs.

Two-Way Traffic

• 2 straight lines flowing in opposite directions indicates a 2 way traffic zone.

GDL Suspension

• Under the Graduated Driver Licensing program, a learner with a Class 7 operator's license is suspended when they accumulate 8 demerits.

Speed Limits

• Speed limit signs indicate the maximum speed permitted when conditions are favorable.

Uncontrolled Intersections

• An "uncontrolled intersection" has no traffic control signal lights or traffic signs.

Double Turn

• A black background with white arrows that sharply vear to the upper left means a double turning lane is ahead.

Merging

• When facing a Merge sign, watch for a gap in traffic on the highway they are entering, adjust to highway speed in the acceleration lane and blend in smoothly.

Visibility

• In reduced visibility due to fog, smoke, or snow, use headlights on low beam.

Railway Crossing

• A red X indicates a railway crossing.

Right Turns on Red

• A driver is allowed to turn right at a red traffic control light if the driver reduces speed and there is no traffic or pedestrian in the intersection, and no sign prohibits such a turn.

Lane Usage

• A sign with the word TAXI and various restrictions indicates a lane reserved for use by the specified vehicles.

Stopped Vehicles

• 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; it is illegal.

Head Restraints

• A properly raised head restraint should be level with the top of the ears.

School Zone

• A sign with three vertically aligned lights with a school bus inside indicates traffic control signal advance warning.

Passing Lane Ahead

• When a "PASSING LANE AHEAD" sign is posted, the driver of a slower-moving vehicle should move into the right lane when safe.

School Buses

• When approaching the rear of a school bus displaying alternating flashing amber lights, drivers should prepare to stop as a warning that the alternating flashing red lights will come on once the bus has stopped.

Nighttime

• As per the Basic Licence Driver's Handbook, “nighttime” begins 1 hour after sunset and ends 1 hour before the following sunrise.

One-Way Streets

• A vehicle exiting a parking lot onto a roadway must come to a complete stop.
• Straight through or right turn indicates turns from a 1 way to a 1 way street is permitted.

Curve

• Reduce speed before the curve, stay in the lane and gently accelerate after entering the curve is the recommended method for traveling through a curve on a highway.

Slow Vehicles

• A slow-moving vehicle is indicated with a triangle with an orange background.

Log Haul Trucks

• It is unsafe to pass a loaded log-haul truck that is turning due to a danger zone from the logs' overhang.

School Bus Stops

• A sign with children is a school bus stop ahead.

Funeral Processions

• When encountering a funeral procession crossing an intersection, yield the right-of-way and do not break through the procession.

Tires off Pavement

• 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.

Crosswalks

• If a person raises their hand at a street corner, it means you must stop and yield to the pedestrian.

Parking

• When completing an angle park, the vehicle's front wheel must be within 50 cm of the nearest curb.

Merging Roads

• A sign with diverging lines indicates a divided highway begins.

Yellow Lights

• When approaching an intersection displaying a steady yellow traffic light, stop before the intersection unless the stop cannot be made in safety.

Passing

• A solid yellow line alongside a broken yellow line marked on the centre of a highway indicates if the solid line is on your side, passing is not permitted.

School Zones

• At 9:00 A.M. in a rural area, the maximum speed permitted is 30 km/h unless otherwise posted.

Passing

• On a 2-lane highway, when passing other vehicles traveling in the same direction, drivers should pass on the left when safe.

Hospital

• The letter H on a green background means there are hospital services ahead.

Fire Hydrants

• A vehicle must be parked a minimum of 5 metres from a fire hydrant.

Road Work

• A man digging indicates construction sign, people working ahead.

Passed

• If a driver is being followed by a vehicle that is attempting to pass on a two-way road, drivers should stay in the lane and move to the right portion of the lane.