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Alberta school zones and playground zones are both 30 km/h unless otherwise posted. School zones apply on school days from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.; playground zones apply every day from 8:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset. When a school bus shows flashing red lights, traffic in both directions must stop unless the road is divided by a median. These rules appear on the Class 7 knowledge test and are checked on the Class 5 road test.
Alberta school zone and playground zone times
| School zone | Playground zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Sign | School sign with a maximum speed sign | Playground sign with a maximum speed sign |
| Speed limit | 30 km/h unless otherwise posted (urban and rural) | 30 km/h unless otherwise posted (urban and rural) |
| When it applies | School days only: 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. | Every day, 8:30 a.m. to 1 hour after sunset |
| Passing | No passing vehicles going the same way while in effect | No passing vehicles going the same way while in effect |
| Ends at | A sign showing a higher speed or the end of the zone | A sign showing a higher speed or the end of the zone |
Local times can differ. Municipalities can set different hours by bylaw. When they do, the times are posted beneath the sign. Always read the tab under the sign.
Where a school zone or playground zone sign has rapidly flashing yellow lights, the zone speed applies while the lights flash.
School zone vs school area, playground zone vs playground area
- Zone: the school or playground sign has a speed sign attached. The reduced limit is the law during the set times.
- Area: the sign has no speed sign. There is no special limit, but children may be crossing, so drive with extra care.
Worked examples
- Saturday, 2 p.m., playground zone: 30 km/h applies. Playground zones run 7 days a week.
- Saturday, 2 p.m., school zone (no playground): the school zone speed does not apply because school is not held, unless local signs say otherwise.
- Winter evening, playground zone: the zone ends 1 hour after sunset, so on a short December day it can end in the late afternoon. In summer, the same zone runs well into the evening.
- School day, 10:00 a.m., school zone: outside the set times, so the normal limit applies, unless a municipal bylaw sets different hours on the sign.
Speeding in a school or playground zone
Speeding fines in Alberta rise with how far over the limit you are, and demerits are 2 points for 1 to 15 km/h over, 3 for 16 to 30, 4 for 31 to 50 and 6 for 51 or more (a mandatory court appearance). For a learner or GDL driver, 8 points means a suspension. See Alberta demerits and Immediate Roadside Sanctions.
School bus rules in Alberta
Flashing amber lights
The bus is slowing to stop. Slow down. If you do pass, pass cautiously. This applies to traffic behind the bus on a divided highway, and to traffic from either direction on an undivided road.
Flashing red lights and stop arm
- Undivided road: traffic in both directions must stop before reaching the bus.
- Road divided by a median: only traffic behind the bus must stop. Oncoming traffic on the other roadway does not.
- Stop about 20 m (four to five car lengths) back from the bus, so drivers behind you can see the lights and the children.
- Stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing or the bus driver signals you to go.
Some municipalities have bylaws that do not require buses to use their flashing lights in town. There, you do not have to stop, but you must still watch for children getting on and off. Treat any stopped school bus with caution.
Alberta’s Driver’s Guide lists 6 demerit points for failing to stop for a school bus. Check the current fine with the Government of Alberta. Compare the rules across provinces in school bus stopping rules across Canada.
What the road test examiner watches for
Knowing school and playground zone times and speed limits is one of the listed road test skills. Examiners expect you to:
- spot the sign and read any time tab beneath it
- slow to 30 km/h before the zone starts, not inside it
- not pass while the zone is in effect
- resume speed only at the end-of-zone or higher-speed sign
More on the test in the Alberta Class 5 road test guide.
Common questions
Are Alberta playground zones in effect on weekends?
Yes. They apply every day from 8:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset, unless local signs say otherwise.
Are school zones in effect in summer?
School zone limits apply only on days school is held.
Are Alberta school zones always 30 km/h?
The default is 30 km/h in urban and rural areas, but a different speed can be posted.
Do I stop for a school bus on the other side of a divided highway?
No, if the road is divided by a median. On an undivided road, you stop from either direction.
Can I pass a car in a playground zone?
No, not while the zone is in effect.
Back to learning to drive in Alberta. See also Alberta Class 7 knowledge test.
Sources
- Government of Alberta, “Driver’s Guide to Operation, Safety and Licensing: Cars and Light Trucks”, Spring 2023 edition (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “School and playground zones” (alberta.ca)
- Alberta King’s Printer, “Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation, AR 304/2002” (kings-printer.alberta.ca)
- Alberta Transportation, “Information Bulletin: School Bus Safety Rules” (transportation.alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Roadside worker safety” (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Speeding fines in Alberta” (alberta.ca)
- Alberta Transportation, “Information about the Class 5 Road Test for New Drivers” (transportation.alberta.ca)