Signs, signals and markings in Northwest Territories
Half of the NWT knowledge test is about road signs, and you will read signs, signals and lines every minute you drive. The good news is that shapes and colours follow a pattern, so you can often tell what kind of message is coming before you can read it.
Remember one rule above all: directions from a police officer override any sign or signal.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can recognise a sign's message type from its shape and colour.
- You can respond correctly to every traffic light, steady or flashing.
- You can read yellow and white pavement lines and know when passing or lane changes are allowed.
- You can spot signs you are likely to see on northern roads.
What you need to know and understand
- A red octagon means stop; a white triangle with a red border means yield.
- A red circle with a slash means the action shown is prohibited; a green circle means it is permitted.
- Yellow diamonds warn of hazards; orange diamonds warn of construction; a fluorescent yellow-green pentagon marks a school area.
- A flashing red light means stop, then go when safe; a flashing amber means proceed with caution.
- A flashing green arrow lets you turn in the direction shown; yield to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection.
- Yellow lines separate opposite directions; white lines separate traffic going the same way.
- A solid yellow line on your side means no passing; a solid white line means no lane changes.
- An X painted on the road marks the approach to a railway crossing.
Reading shapes and colours
On NWT roads you may also see moose and other animal crossing signs, snowmobile crossing signs and signs showing where motorized snow vehicles are allowed or prohibited.
- Red octagon: stop.
- White triangle with red border: yield.
- White rectangle: regulatory rule, such as a speed limit.
- Yellow diamond: warning of a hazard ahead.
- Orange diamond: construction warning. Obey flag persons.
- Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon: school area.
- Green rectangle: direction and distance. Blue or brown squares: services and recreation.
Traffic lights, steady and flashing
Steady red: stop at the stop line, before the crosswalk, or before the intersection, and stay stopped unless a turn on red is allowed. Steady amber: stop if you can do so safely; amber is there to clear the intersection. Steady green: go, but turning drivers yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.
Flashing red works like a stop sign. Flashing amber means slow and go with caution; with school or pedestrian signs it means slow to the posted speed. A red X over a lane means do not enter or stay in it; a downward green arrow means you may use that lane.
Lines on the road
The deeper NWT Driver's Manual study guide goes through every sign group in more detail.
- Broken yellow: passing is allowed when the way is clear.
- Solid yellow (single or double, in rural areas): no passing.
- Solid and broken yellow together: you may pass only if the broken line is on your side.
- Broken white: lane changes allowed. Solid white: no lane changes.
- Diamond markings: lane reserved for certain vehicles. Painted islands: never drive over them.
Common mistakes
- Speeding up on a steady amber light. Stop if you can do so safely.
- Treating a flashing red like a yield. It means a full stop first.
- Passing over a solid yellow line on your side because the road looks empty.
- Ignoring construction zone signs when no workers are visible. The posted speed still applies.
Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in Northwest Territories
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: Driver's Manual (Basic): a guide to safely operate cars and light trucks, revised August 2022, Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Infrastructure, Chapter 2. Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with your province or territory.