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Category: Canada

  • Railway crossing rules in Canada for learner drivers

    Railway crossing rules in Canada for learner drivers

    Photo: Dillan Payne, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    At a railway crossing in Canada, trains always have the right-of-way. When a train is coming or the signals are working, you stop at least 5 metres from the nearest rail. This guide explains the crossbuck, flashing lights and gates, the stopping distances in each handbook, the vehicles that must stop at every crossing, and what to do if your car stalls on the tracks. It also shows where provincial rules differ, such as Saskatchewan and Manitoba allowing a careful crossing after a full stop at some flashing-light crossings without gates. It is for learner drivers in every province and territory.

    Key facts

    • Stop at least 5 metres from the nearest rail when a train is coming, the lights are flashing, a gate is down or a flag person signals.
    • At a crossing with a stop sign: stop between 5 and 15 metres from the nearest rail (BC, NWT and PEI handbooks).
    • Never drive around, under or through a gate that is down, coming down or going up. It is illegal.
    • Do not change gears on the tracks.
    • A train can need about 2 kilometres to stop (Ontario and BC handbooks).
    • Stalled on the tracks: get everyone out and away, then call the number on the back of the crossing sign, or 911.
    • School buses must stop at all railway crossings, so be ready to stop behind them.

    Railway crossing signs, signals and markings

    What you see What it means What you do
    Yellow diamond with a crossing symbol Advance warning: tracks ahead. The symbol shows the angle the tracks cross the road Slow down, look and listen. Check both ways along the angle shown
    Advisory speed tab under the warning sign The safe speed is lower than the posted limit Slow to that speed
    Large painted X on the pavement Approach to a crossing Be ready to stop
    Crossbuck (white X, red border) The crossing itself. Yield to all trains Slow, look both ways, stop if a train is near
    Number tab under the crossbuck More than one track Watch for a second train
    Stop sign at the crossing Every vehicle must stop Stop, then cross only when safe
    Flashing red lights and bell A train is approaching Stop at least 5 m from the nearest rail
    Gates Used with lights at busier crossings Stay stopped until the gates are fully up and the lights and bell stop

    Saskatchewan’s handbook notes that the crossbuck has the same colours and meaning as a yield sign: give the right-of-way and stop if necessary. Some Saskatchewan crossings also have an advance flashing amber light warning of a train at a hidden crossing.

    How far from the tracks do you stop?

    Jurisdiction Stopping rule in the handbook
    Ontario If a train is coming, stop at least 5 m from the nearest rail or gate
    British Columbia Stop no closer than 5 m and no further than 15 m from the nearest rail
    Manitoba At least 5 m from the nearest rail in a restricted speed area (towns and cities), at least 15 m elsewhere
    Northwest Territories Stop sign: 5 to 15 m. Flashing lights and bell: no closer than 5 m
    Newfoundland and Labrador Signal device or flag person warning of a train: no less than 5 m
    Prince Edward Island Signals or flag person: no less than 5 m. Stop sign: 5 to 15 m

    If your province is not listed, check its handbook for the distance. Stop at the stop line if one is painted.

    Prince Edward Island has no railways

    PEI’s handbook points out there are no railways on the Island, but its learners still need these rules for driving elsewhere in Canada.

    Flashing lights without gates: where the rules differ

    Most handbooks simply say: stop, and do not go until the lights stop flashing or the train has passed. Two provinces spell out an exception.

    • Saskatchewan: at crossings without gates, you may cross after stopping while the red lights flash if it is safe. If a train is closely approaching, or a signal person tells you to stop, you must stop and wait.
    • Manitoba: you may cross while the warning lights flash only if you have come to a complete stop, the crossing has no gates or barriers, it is in a restricted speed area, the train is stopped or a safe distance away, and you can cross safely.

    Elsewhere, and whenever in doubt, wait. Gates are never optional: driving around a lowered gate is illegal everywhere.

    Habits that keep you safe at crossings

    1. Expect a train at any time. Trains do not keep to fixed schedules, and they are not required to sound a whistle at every crossing (BC handbook).
    2. Trains are faster than they look. Passenger trains travel at up to 160 km/h in Canada (BC handbook). Many drivers wrongly assume trains slow down at crossings.
    3. Never get trapped. Do not start across until there is room for your whole car on the far side. If traffic is backed up, wait before the crossing.
    4. Watch for a second train. When one passes, check that another is not coming on a second track, often from the other direction.
    5. Stay in gear. With a manual transmission, shift down before the crossing and do not change gears on the tracks.
    6. Take extra care at night. BC and Manitoba note that half of all night-time crossing collisions involve a vehicle hitting the side of a train. Slow down at the advance sign so you can stop within your headlights.
    7. Look out for cyclists and motorcycles who may swerve to cross the tracks at a safer angle.
    8. Never make a U-turn near a crossing (NWT manual).

    Vehicles that must stop at every crossing

    Expect the vehicle ahead to stop, even when no train is in sight:

    • School buses: in Ontario they must stop at all railway crossings, and they do not use the upper red lights for these stops. Newfoundland and Labrador requires a school bus carrying a child to stop no less than 5 m from the rail.
    • Buses and other vehicles carrying passengers for pay, which in Ontario must stop at crossings not protected by gates, signals or a stop sign.
    • Vehicles carrying explosives, flammable liquids or other dangerous goods (Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba).

    Leave extra space behind buses and trucks near crossings and do not pass them there. Newfoundland and Labrador forbids passing at a railway crossing.

    Stalled on the tracks: what to do

    1. Get everyone out at once. Do not try to restart the car first if a train could be coming.
    2. Move away from the tracks. BC’s handbook says at least 30 metres. NWT’s manual says that if a train is coming, move away from the track and the oncoming train, so you are not hit by flying debris.
    3. Call for help. Use the emergency phone number and crossing location shown on the back of the crossing sign or nearby, or call 911 or local police.
    4. Only if no train is in sight: post lookouts well down the track in both directions while you try to move the vehicle off (NWT manual).

    Report damaged signs or signals that are not working to the number on the sign or to police.

    Parking near railway crossings

    Jurisdiction No parking within
    Manitoba 30 m of the nearest rail, unless posted otherwise
    British Columbia 15 m of the nearest rail
    Newfoundland and Labrador 15 m of a railway crossing

    Common questions

    How far do you stop from railway tracks in Canada?

    At least 5 metres from the nearest rail. Where a stop sign is posted, BC, the NWT and PEI say no further than 15 metres. Manitoba asks for at least 15 metres outside towns and cities.

    Can I cross if the lights are flashing but I cannot see a train?

    In most provinces, no: wait until the lights stop. Saskatchewan and Manitoba allow it at some crossings without gates, after a full stop and only when safe. Never go around a gate.

    Why does the bus in front stop at a crossing with no train?

    School buses and many passenger and dangerous-goods vehicles must stop at crossings by law. Be ready to stop behind them.

    Do trains have to blow the horn at every crossing?

    No. BC’s handbook says trains are not required to sound a whistle at every crossing, so do not rely on hearing one.

    Is shifting gears on the tracks really illegal?

    Manitoba’s handbook lists shifting gears while crossing railway tracks as illegal. Other handbooks say to avoid it. Either way, choose your gear before the crossing.

    Are railway crossings on the road test?

    If your route includes one, the examiner will watch your scanning, speed and stopping position. Practise crossings with your supervisor.

    Related: learning to drive in Canada (full guide), school bus stopping rules across Canada, Canadian road signs compared, Ontario traffic signs and pavement markings, BC road signs, signals and markings.

    Sources

    • Government of Ontario, “Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Stopping” (stopping at railway crossings, school buses) (ontario.ca)
    • ICBC, “Learn to Drive Smart”, chapter 3 railway signs, chapter 4 parking and chapter 6 railway crossings (icbc.com)
    • Manitoba Public Insurance, “Driver’s Handbook, Chapter 6: Railway Crossings” (apps.mpi.mb.ca)
    • SGI, “Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook 2026-27”, sections 4.2 and 4.11 (sgi.sk.ca)
    • Government of the Northwest Territories, “NWT Driver’s Manual”, Chapter 8 Railway crossings (idmv.inf.gov.nt.ca)
    • Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Motor Registration Division, “Driver’s Handbook”, Traffic Signs, Rules of the Road and Commercial Drivers chapters (gov.nl.ca)
    • Government of Prince Edward Island, “Driver’s Handbook”, February 2022, Chapter 3 (princeedwardisland.ca)
  • Can new drivers tow a trailer in Canada? Rules by licence

    Can new drivers tow a trailer in Canada? Rules by licence

    Photo: Bull-Doser, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Whether a new driver can tow a trailer in Canada depends on the province or territory and on your graduated licence stage. Manitoba learners and Yukon learners and novices may not tow at all. Ontario G1, G2 and G drivers, and BC Class 7 drivers, may tow trailers up to 4,600 kg, with the usual stage rules still applying. This guide shows the rule in each jurisdiction where an official source is clear, the weight limits on a car licence, the trailer equipment the law requires, and how to handle a trailer safely. It is for learners and novices, and for parents lending them a car with a hitch.

    Key facts

    • No towing: Manitoba learners (towing allowed from the Intermediate Stage), and Yukon learners and novices.
    • Towing allowed: Ontario G1, G2 and G (trailer up to 4,600 kg); BC Class 5 and Class 7 (up to 4,600 kg).
    • Learner conditions still apply when towing: supervisor, passenger, curfew and zero-alcohol rules.
    • Trailers must be registered and plated before use on a public road.
    • Trailer brakes are required at 1,360 kg (Ontario and NWT handbooks).
    • Nobody may ride in a trailer being towed (Ontario, Saskatchewan and NWT handbooks).

    Can a learner or novice tow a trailer? Province by province

    Jurisdiction Learner Novice / probationary Car-licence weight limit
    Manitoba No towing Towing permitted (Intermediate Stage) Check MPI’s Class Licence System
    Yukon No towing No towing n/a until full licence
    Ontario G1 may tow G2 may tow Trailer up to 4,600 kg gross
    British Columbia Class 7 permits towing Class 7 permits towing Trailers up to 4,600 kg
    Saskatchewan No towing ban in the handbook’s GDL rules As learner Class 5: towed units up to 4,600 kg
    Alberta Class 7 may drive any Class 5 vehicle, including one towing a trailer, with a qualified supervisor Class 5-GDL: same vehicles as a full Class 5 A two-axle vehicle towing a trailer with one or more axles, as long as the trailer has no air brakes (Driver’s Guide, Spring 2023, p. 13)
    Northwest Territories No towing ban in the manual’s GDL conditions As learner Class 5: towed vehicles up to 4,500 kg
    Prince Edward Island No towing ban in the handbook’s GDL restrictions Check Stage 2 rules Class 5: towed vehicle up to 4,500 kg
    Newfoundland and Labrador No towing ban on the GDL page As learner Class 5 endorsement: two axles, up to 4,500 kg
    Nunavut Check with Motor Vehicles Check with Motor Vehicles Class 5 includes towing within 4,500 kg total. A trailer over 680 kg gross needs brakes and two separate hitches (Nunavut Driver’s Manual, p. 68)
    Nova Scotia May drive for training with a supervising driver (N.S. Reg. 226/2026, s. 6). Check towing limits with Service Nova Scotia 5N is defined by Class 5 vehicles (N.S. Reg. 226/2026, s. 3) Class 5 covers a motor vehicle towing a light trailer (4,500 kg or less) with a combined gross vehicle weight of 14,000 kg or less (N.S. Reg. 226/2026, s. 2; N.S. Reg. 221/2026, s. 3). A heavy trailer needs a heavy trailer endorsement (N.S. Reg. 226/2026, s. 10)
    Quebec, New Brunswick Check with SAAQ or Service New Brunswick Check with SAAQ or Service New Brunswick Check with SAAQ or Service New Brunswick

    “No towing ban” means the official GDL restrictions do not list one. It is not a promise that no rule exists. Ask your licensing office before you hitch up, especially in the provinces marked “check”.

    Stage rules still apply

    Towing does not suspend any learner condition. An Ontario G1 towing a boat still needs a qualified accompanying driver, and still may not drive on 400-series highways with a limit over 80 km/h (unless the accompanying driver is a driving instructor) or between midnight and 5 a.m. A BC L driver still needs a supervisor. For each stage’s conditions, see Canadian graduated licensing compared.

    When a car licence is not enough

    A standard car licence (Class 5 in most provinces, Class G in Ontario) has a towing weight limit. Heavy travel trailers can exceed it.

    • Ontario: a G licence covers a vehicle and towed vehicle up to 11,000 kg combined, provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kg. The handbook also notes a pickup towing a house trailer over 4,600 kg is treated as a Class G vehicle if the combined weight stays within 11,000 kg. Larger loads may need a higher class or an oversize permit.
    • British Columbia: above 4,600 kg you need a Class 1, 2 or 3 licence, or a Class 4 or 5 with a heavy trailer endorsement (code 20) or house trailer endorsement (code 07).
    • Saskatchewan: towing more than 4,600 kg moves you into a higher licence class.
    • NWT, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut: the car-class limit is 4,500 kg.

    The weight that counts is the trailer plus its load, not the empty trailer. Check the plate on the trailer and weigh a loaded camper if you are unsure.

    Trailer equipment the law requires

    Item Rule Where it is stated
    Registration The trailer must be registered and plated before use on a public road Ontario (one-time fee), NWT (plate renewed yearly), PEI, Alberta (registered and plated, with the registration carried)
    Brakes Required if the trailer and load weigh 1,360 kg or more. NWT also requires brakes if the trailer’s GVWR is 50% or more of the towing vehicle’s weight. Alberta: brakes are needed unless the trailer’s gross weight is 910 kg or less, or less than half the unloaded weight of the towing vehicle Ontario, NWT, Alberta (Driver’s Guide, p. 120)
    Second attachment Two separate means of attachment. Safety chains crossed under the tongue (Alberta: all trailers except fifth-wheel trailers) Ontario, NWT, Alberta
    Lights Tail lights, brake lights and turn signals worked from the towing vehicle (NWT). Ontario also requires a white licence plate light and two rear red reflectors, plus clearance lights on trailers wider than 2.05 m Ontario, NWT
    Mirrors Extra or extension mirrors if the trailer or load blocks your view to the rear (Alberta: extension mirrors when the trailer is wider than the towing vehicle) Ontario, NWT, PEI, Alberta
    One trailer only Towing more than one trailer behind a non-commercial vehicle is illegal Ontario
    Passengers No one may ride in a trailer being towed, including house and boat trailers Ontario, Saskatchewan, NWT

    Hitching up: a pre-trip checklist

    1. Confirm your licence stage allows towing and that the loaded trailer is within your class limit.
    2. Check the hitch class matches the trailer’s gross weight, and the ball sits level when coupled.
    3. Latch the coupler, cross the safety chains under the tongue, and hook up any breakaway brake system as the maker instructs.
    4. Plug in the lights. Have someone confirm tail, brake and both turn signals work.
    5. Load so more weight sits in front of the trailer axle. Ontario’s handbook suggests about 5 to 10% of the trailer’s total weight on the hitch.
    6. Strap everything down, inside and out. A load that can fall off is an offence.
    7. Check tire pressures with the trailer loaded and the tires cold.
    8. Adjust or fit mirrors so you can see past the trailer on both sides.

    Driving with a trailer: what changes

    • Following distance: PEI’s handbook says to increase your gap to four seconds when pulling a trailer. You need more time to stop, and a sudden stop can jackknife the trailer.
    • Merging and passing: you accelerate slowly and the rig is much longer. Only pass with plenty of room, and do not cut back in too soon, which can start a sway.
    • Turns: for a right turn, move ahead until the front wheels are well past the curb before turning. For a left turn, drive well into the intersection and swing wide. Watch the trailer’s wheels cut inside the path of the car.
    • Lanes: keep out of fast lanes and stay right on multi-lane highways.
    • Being passed by trucks: the wall of wind from a large truck or bus can push the trailer sideways. Ontario’s handbook says do not brake; steer back into position, and a slight increase in speed may help.
    • Holding up traffic: signal, pull over safely and let vehicles pass.

    Backing up a trailer

    Back very slowly, with someone outside guiding you. Steer the opposite way to where you want the back of the trailer to go: to back to the right, steer left. Use small steering movements and do not hold a turn for long, or the trailer jackknifes. Practise in an empty parking lot before you need to do it at a boat launch or campsite.

    Towing a broken-down car

    Use a tow truck. Ontario’s handbook warns that towing a car with power steering and brakes whose engine will not run is difficult and can lead to a collision, and that trying to start a car by towing it is dangerous.

    Common questions

    Can a G1 driver tow a trailer in Ontario?

    Yes. Ontario’s handbook says a G1, G2 or G licence lets you tow a trailer with a gross weight up to 4,600 kg. All G1 conditions still apply.

    Can a Manitoba learner tow a utility trailer?

    No. MPI’s handbook says no towing is permitted in the Learner Stage. Towing is permitted once you reach the Intermediate Stage.

    Can a Yukon novice tow a camper on a summer trip?

    No. Yukon does not allow towing in the learner or novice stage.

    Does my trailer need its own insurance?

    Rules vary. Newfoundland and Labrador’s handbook, for example, says an insurance certificate is not required when licensing a trailer. Ask your insurer how the trailer is covered before the trip.

    Is a trailer part of the road test?

    Not for a standard car road test. Do not bring a trailer, and check the vehicle rules in road test vehicle requirements across Canada.

    Do I need special mirrors?

    Yes, if the trailer or load blocks your rear view. Extension mirrors are required when the trailer is wider than the towing vehicle (NWT manual).

    Related: learning to drive in Canada (full guide), Canadian graduated licensing compared, Manitoba learner stage rules, Yukon novice drivers, buying your first car in Canada.

    Sources

    • Government of Ontario, “Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Towing” and “Getting your driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
    • Manitoba Public Insurance, “Driver’s Handbook: Graduated Driver Licensing Class 5” (apps.mpi.mb.ca)
    • ICBC, “Learn to Drive Smart”, chapter 9, licence classes and towing (icbc.com)
    • SGI, “Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook 2026-27”, licence classes and rules of the road (sgi.sk.ca)
    • Government of Alberta, “Class 7 learner’s licence” and “Alberta Driver’s Guide”, Spring 2023 (alberta.ca)
    • Government of Nova Scotia, N.S. Reg. 221/2026 and N.S. Reg. 226/2026 (novascotia.ca)
    • Government of Nunavut, “Nunavut Driver’s Manual” (gov.nu.ca)
    • Government of the Northwest Territories, “NWT Driver’s Manual”, Chapter 1 and Chapter 10 Towing a Trailer (idmv.inf.gov.nt.ca)
    • Government of Prince Edward Island, “Driver’s Handbook”, February 2022 (princeedwardisland.ca)
    • Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Motor Registration Division, “Driver’s Handbook” and “Graduated Driver Licencing Program” (gov.nl.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Get a driver’s licence” (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Nunavut, “Driver’s Licence Regulations, Consolidation of” (nunavutlegislation.ca)
  • Yukon impaired driving and demerit points for new drivers

    Yukon impaired driving and demerit points for new drivers

    Photo: Bo Mertz, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

    In Yukon, learner and novice drivers must have zero alcohol and zero drugs in their system, and so must the co-driver beside a learner. Graduated licence drivers lose their licence at 7 demerit points, compared with 15 for other drivers. This explainer sets out the Yukon roadside suspensions, the federal Criminal Code limits that apply on top, how demerit points add up, and what one bad night or one big speeding ticket costs a new driver. It is for Yukon learners, novices and their parents.

    Key facts

    • Zero alcohol and drugs for learners, novices and the learner’s co-driver. Breaking it can lead to a licence suspension.
    • If police believe you have taken a substance that impairs your driving: 24-hour roadside licence suspension, and the vehicle is impounded.
    • At or over .08 blood alcohol: 90-day roadside suspension, and the vehicle is impounded for at least 30 days.
    • The Criminal Code applies to every driver: 80 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood within two hours of driving, or impairment to any degree.
    • Graduated licence drivers are suspended at 7 demerit points. Other drivers at 15.
    • Demerit suspensions: 1 month for the first, 3 months for a second within a year, 6 months for three or more within two years.

    Zero tolerance for Yukon learners and novices

    Both Yukon graduated licence stages carry the same alcohol and drug rule: none at all while driving. The rule also covers the co-driver supervising a learner. A co-driver who has been drinking puts the learner in breach, so agree on this before every practice drive.

    The Government of Yukon lists a breach of the zero-tolerance rule as one of the reasons a graduated licence driver can be suspended. The handbook says you may get an immediate suspension and police may impound the vehicle. The charge stays on your driver’s record for all time, your GDL clock resets to zero and you restart your stage. Check the current suspension length with Yukon Motor Vehicles.

    What counts as “drugs”?

    Cannabis is the obvious one, but some prescription and over-the-counter medicines also affect driving. Read the label, ask a pharmacist, and do not drive if a medicine makes you drowsy.

    Yukon roadside suspensions

    Situation Licence Vehicle
    A peace officer thinks you have consumed substances that impair your driving Suspended for 24 hours Impounded
    Blood alcohol of .08 or more 90-day roadside suspension Impounded for at least 30 days
    Learner or novice with any alcohol or drugs Can be suspended immediately under the graduated licence rules; GDL clock resets to zero Police may impound it

    Roadside suspensions are administrative. They start immediately and do not need a court conviction. Criminal charges are separate and can follow as well. The Government of Yukon has announced Motor Vehicles Act amendments to strengthen impaired and dangerous driving laws, so check the current details with Yukon Motor Vehicles.

    Impoundment hits whoever owns the car

    The vehicle is impounded even if it belongs to your parents. Yukon’s vehicle impound page explains how to get a car back. The owner will have to follow that process to get the vehicle back.

    The Criminal Code layer

    Federal law applies to every driver in Yukon, whatever their licence. Under section 320.14 of the Criminal Code it is an offence to:

    • operate a vehicle while your ability is impaired to any degree by alcohol, a drug or both;
    • have 80 mg or more of alcohol per 100 mL of blood within two hours of driving;
    • have a blood drug concentration at or over the regulated level within two hours of driving (with a lesser offence for a lower drug level).

    The Criminal Code treats any vehicle propelled by something other than muscle power as a motor vehicle, so it also covers snowmobiles and ATVs. A conviction is a criminal offence, on top of the Yukon penalties. For the national picture, see impaired driving in Canada for new drivers.

    A conviction also brings a Yukon disqualification that can outlast the court’s prohibition. To get your licence back you may have to pay for a remedial driving program and an ignition interlock, on top of impound, towing, storage and reinstatement costs. Your insurer could deny claims from a crash, and other countries could refuse you entry. A Criminal Code driving conviction may also add 10 demerit points.

    How Yukon demerit points work for new drivers

    Graduated licence (learner and novice) Other licence holders
    Suspended at 7 demerit points or more 15 demerit points or more
    Demerit suspension Length
    First 1 month
    Second within 1 year 3 months
    Three or more within 2 years 6 months

    After a demerit suspension, a graduated licence driver comes back with a balance of 3 points (7 for other drivers), and those points stay on your record for two years. The suspension also resets your GDL clock to zero, and there is a fee to get your licence back. With fewer than 6 points, a GDL driver can take a defensive driving course to remove up to 3. You can only appeal a demerit suspension by showing the points were assigned in error.

    A second demerit point suspension is one of the reasons a driver is referred to Yukon’s Driver Control Board, which can review your driving privileges.

    Speeding: the quickest way to 7 points

    Yukon raised its speeding fines on 1 July 2025. As of November 2026:

    Offence Fine Demerit points
    Up to 15 km/h over the posted limit $100 2
    16 to 30 km/h over $200 3
    31 to 50 km/h over $300 4
    More than 50 km/h over $500 6
    Speeding in a school or playground zone $150 (up to 15 km/h over) to $550 3 to 6
    Unreasonable speed for conditions $400 4

    Worked examples

    Two tickets in one summer

    A novice gets 20 km/h over on the Alaska Highway (3 points), then 35 km/h over a month later (4 points). That makes 7 points, a 1-month suspension and a restart of the novice stage. A second suspension within a year would be 3 months.

    One ticket

    A novice is caught more than 50 km/h over: $500 and 6 points. The next ticket of any size ends in a suspension.

    After a party

    A novice has one beer and drives home. That breaks zero tolerance, whatever the reading, and if police believe the driver is impaired the licence goes for 24 hours and the car is impounded on the spot. If the reading is .08 or more, it is a 90-day suspension, at least 30 days of impound, and possible Criminal Code charges.

    Phones and other devices

    Yukon learners and novices may not use hand-held or hands-free electronic devices while driving. If caught, you must restart the GDL program. The fine and points for a phone ticket are on Yukon’s distracted driving page; check the current figures there, and remember any points count toward your limit of 7.

    Common questions

    Can my co-driver have a drink with dinner before we practise?

    No. Zero tolerance applies to the co-driver as well as the learner.

    Do demerit points stop at the territorial border?

    Ask Yukon Motor Vehicles how tickets from other provinces or states are treated, and drive by the local rules wherever you are. See driving in another province on a learner or novice licence.

    Does a suspension reset my novice time?

    Yes. A demerit suspension or an alcohol or drug violation resets your GDL clock to zero, and you restart the stage you are in.

    Is there a lower “warn” range for fully licensed Yukon drivers?

    Yukon’s roadside rules include a 24-hour suspension for suspected impairment and a 90-day suspension at .08 or more. Ask Yukon Motor Vehicles how a reading between those levels is handled.

    What happens to the car if I am suspended at the roadside?

    It is impounded, even if you do not own it: for a 24-hour suspension, and for at least 30 days after a 90-day suspension.

    Does impaired driving on a snowmobile count?

    Yes, under the Criminal Code. It defines a motor vehicle as any vehicle propelled by something other than muscle power, apart from railway equipment.

    Related: learning to drive in Yukon (full guide), Yukon novice drivers, Yukon learner licence rules, Yukon handbook study guide, impaired driving in Canada.

    Sources

    • Government of Yukon, “Find out about driving impaired consequences” (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Find out how your licence could become suspended” (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Learn what to do if your vehicle is impounded” (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Learn about the Driver Control Board” (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Learn about the penalties for speeding” (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Increased fines for dangerous driving offences” fact sheet, in effect 1 July 2025 (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “The Motor Vehicles Act amendments will strengthen impaired and dangerous driving laws” (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Get a driver’s licence” and “Learn about distracted driving” (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Canada, Justice Laws, “Criminal Code”, sections 2 and 320.11 to 320.14 (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca)
  • Yukon Driver’s Basic Handbook study guide: rules and signs

    Yukon Driver’s Basic Handbook study guide: rules and signs

    Photo: James Badger, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    The Yukon Driver’s Basic Handbook (cars and light trucks) is the book the Yukon learner’s knowledge and sign tests are based on. This guide is a checklist for working through it: what the signs chapter covers, the Yukon school zone, playground and school bus rules, the right-of-way basics, and the Yukon numbers worth memorizing, including the speeding fines and demerit points in force since 1 July 2025. It is for anyone 15 or older preparing for the Yukon learner’s test, and for parents helping them.

    Key facts

    • Current edition: the 2023 Yukon Driver’s Basic Handbook, cars and light trucks, free from yukon.ca. Yukon says it prepares you for the sign and knowledge tests.
    • It was prepared from British Columbia’s Learn to Drive Smart material, but Yukon rules differ in places. Study the Yukon book, not the BC one.
    • School zones: 30 km/h, in effect Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. when children are in class. If unsure, assume it is in effect.
    • Stop for a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing.
    • Ignoring a regulatory sign is an offence under the Yukon Motor Vehicles Act.
    • Graduated licence (learner and novice) drivers are suspended at 7 demerit points; other drivers at 15.

    Which handbook do you need for the Yukon learner’s test?

    Use the Yukon Driver’s Basic Handbook: Cars and light trucks. The yukon.ca listing shows the 2023 web edition, updated 5 February 2023. It runs to about 157 pages in 10 chapters. There is a separate commercial vehicle handbook and a motorcycle guide (Learn to Ride Smart); you do not need them for a Class 5 learner’s licence.

    The companion workbook, Tuning Up for Drivers, is for the road test stage. You can skim it now to see where the handbook rules lead, but the knowledge test comes from the handbook. For test format, fees and what to bring, see Yukon written knowledge test and learner licence rules.

    Why not just use BC’s Learn to Drive Smart?

    Yukon’s book borrows BC material, but the details that turn into test questions are territorial. One example: BC’s handbook shows school zone limits in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days, while Yukon’s school zones run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Penalties, demerit points and graduated licence rules are also different. Study the Yukon edition.

    Study checklist: work through the handbook in this order

    Tick each item off as you finish it. The order puts the most heavily tested material first.

    1. Signs, signals and road markings (Chapter 3). The whole of the sign test, plus many knowledge questions. Detail below.
    2. Rules of the road. Right-of-way, intersections, four-way stops, yield signs, turns, passing, speed, school buses, emergency vehicles, parking.
    3. Your licence. Learner and novice conditions: co-driver, passenger limits, curfew, zero alcohol and drugs, no electronic devices, no towing. The handbook says Chapters 9 and 10 (licensing, GDL and penalties) are not tested, but you must follow them from your first drive, so learn them anyway.
    4. Sharing the road. Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles, large vehicles, school zones and playgrounds.
    5. Personal strategies and impairment. Alcohol, drugs, fatigue and distraction. See Yukon impaired driving and demerit points.
    6. Hazards and emergencies. Winter roads, gravel, wildlife, skids, breakdowns. Yukon conditions are covered in driving the Alaska Highway and Yukon winter roads.
    7. The rest of the book. Vehicle checks and equipment, then a final read of anything you skipped.

    The ten chapters are: 1 You in the driver’s seat; 2 You and your vehicle; 3 Signs, signals and road markings; 4 Rules of the road; 5 See-think-do; 6 Sharing the road; 7 Impairment and high risk behaviour; 8 Preventing and handling emergencies; 9 Graduated Driver Licensing; 10 Licensing requirements. Chapter 7 also explains how to register with the Yukon Organ Donation Program. For extra practice on Chapters 5 and 6, which come from BC material, try see-think-do and sharing the road, but take your rules and numbers from the Yukon book.

    Chapter 3: signs, signals and road markings

    Yukon’s signs chapter covers these groups. Make sure you can name every sign in each.

    Section What to know
    Regulatory signs Signs that state the law, such as the fastest you may drive in good conditions. Disregarding them is an offence under the Yukon Motor Vehicles Act.
    Warning signs Hazards ahead: curves, hills, intersections, animals, road conditions.
    Construction signs You must follow their instructions. Yukon says there is no stopping or passing in a construction zone unless traffic controls direct otherwise.
    School and playground signs Tabs under the sign set the speed and hours. See the next section.
    Railway signs Crossbucks and advance warnings. See railway crossings in Canada.
    Lane control signals Overhead signals that open or close lanes. If the signals over all lanes are flashing yellow, slow down and proceed with caution.
    Traffic lights Steady, flashing and arrow signals have different meanings. Learn each one.
    Road markings White lines, yellow lines and reserved-lane markings.

    Learn the shapes first

    Canadian provinces and territories use uniform traffic signs (as Prince Edward Island’s handbook notes), built on the same basic shapes: the octagon for stop, the downward triangle for yield, the diamond for warnings and the pentagon for school zones. Learning the shapes lets you answer some sign questions before you read the words. For a cross-Canada view, see Canadian road signs compared.

    Yukon school zones, playgrounds and school buses

    • School zones: slow to 30 km/h. Yukon says school zones are in effect when children are in class, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you are unsure, assume the zone is in effect.
    • Read the tab: the handbook’s examples also show a school zone limit of 50 km/h that applies from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on school days when children are on the roadway or shoulder. Obey whatever the sign and tab show.
    • Playground zones: 30 km/h. The handbook’s examples include playground limits that apply around the clock, so check the sign every time.
    • School buses: amber lights mean get ready to stop. On a street or undivided highway, stop in either direction for a bus with its upper red lights flashing, and wait until it moves on or the driver turns the lights off and pulls in the stop sign. For other provinces’ rules, see school bus stopping rules across Canada.

    Right-of-way basics from the Yukon handbook

    • Four-way stop: the first vehicle to arrive and come to a full stop goes first. If two arrive together, the vehicle on the right goes first.
    • Yield sign: let traffic on the through road have the right-of-way. You may enter without stopping if no pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles are on the through road.
    • Unmarked T-intersection: treat it like any other uncontrolled intersection.

    Uncontrolled intersection: yield to a vehicle that got there first. If you arrive together, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.

    Yukon speeding fines and demerit points

    Yukon raised these fines on 1 July 2025. The figures below are from the Government of Yukon’s speeding penalties page as of November 2026.

    Offence Fine Demerit points
    Up to 15 km/h over the posted limit $100 2
    16 to 30 km/h over $200 3
    31 to 50 km/h over $300 4
    More than 50 km/h over $500 6
    Speeding in a school or playground zone $150 (up to 15 km/h over) to $550 3 to 6
    Unreasonable speed for conditions $400 4

    As a learner or novice, you are suspended at 7 points. One ticket for more than 50 km/h over (6 points) leaves you one point from a suspension.

    More handbook rules to learn

    Topic The rule
    Speed 50 km/h unless a sign says otherwise
    Following distance At least 3 seconds; increase to 4 in bad weather
    Looking ahead Scan at least 12 seconds: one to two blocks in town, half a kilometre on the highway
    Parking Within 50 cm of the curb. Not within 1.5 m of a driveway; 5 m of a hydrant, crosswalk, intersection, stop sign or traffic light; or 15 m of a railway crossing
    Hill parking Wheels left uphill with a curb. Wheels right uphill without a curb, and downhill with or without one
    U-turns Illegal near a hill crest where traffic cannot see you within 150 m, on a municipal roadway between intersections, and where a by-law bans them
    Emergency vehicles With lights and siren, pull over to the right and stop, clear of intersections. Stay at least 150 m behind a fire truck. Slow down for stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights and change lanes if you can
    Railway crossings Trains always have the right-of-way. Where you must stop, stay 5 to 15 m from the nearest rail. Stuck on the tracks? Get everyone out and at least 30 m away
    Changing lanes and merging Vehicles already in the lane have the right-of-way. Always signal. On a ramp, use the acceleration lane to reach traffic speed within the limit. It is illegal to speed up while someone is passing you
    Cyclists Leave at least 1 m when passing
    Roundabouts Yield to pedestrians and traffic already inside, go counter-clockwise, signal right before you exit
    Headlights Required at night and when visibility is under 150 m. Dim high beams within 300 m of oncoming traffic and 150 m when following
    Winter signs Winter tires or chains must be used where the regulatory sign is displayed
    Tires At least 1.6 mm of tread. Never over 80 km/h on a space-saver spare
    Child seats Rear-facing until at least 10 kg and walking; forward-facing with a tether over 10 kg; booster over 22 kg until 145 cm tall or 45 kg
    Attitude When friends push you to take a risk, identify the problem, think through the consequences, find an alternative and follow through. Do not return another driver’s aggression: give them room, avoid eye contact and call 911 if needed, having a passenger make the call if you can
    Crashes Stay at the scene, help, and exchange details. Report to police if anyone is hurt or damage is over $1,000

    Yukon numbers to memorize

    • 15: minimum age for a learner’s licence.
    • 30 km/h: school zones and playground zones.
    • 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: school zone hours on school days.
    • Midnight to 5 a.m.: learners may not drive; novices need a co-driver.
    • 6 months and 50 hours: the minimum learner period and the logged practice before the road test.
    • 18 months: the minimum novice stage.
    • Zero: alcohol and drugs for learners, novices and their co-driver.
    • 80 per cent: the knowledge test pass mark.
    • 7 and 15: demerit points that trigger suspension for graduated licence drivers and for other drivers.

    The graduated licence figures are explained in learning to drive in Yukon and Yukon novice drivers. Yukon is rewriting its Motor Vehicles Act, so check the current stage lengths with Motor Vehicles before you plan dates.

    A two-week study plan

    1. Days 1 to 3: Chapter 3. Make flash cards of every sign: picture on one side, meaning and action on the other.
    2. Days 4 to 7: rules of the road. After each section, write two questions you think the test could ask.
    3. Day 8: licence rules and the numbers list above.
    4. Days 9 to 11: sharing the road, impairment, hazards and emergencies.
    5. Days 12 to 13: re-test yourself on the sign cards and your own questions. Re-read anything you miss.
    6. Day 14: a final skim of Chapter 3, then book the test.

    Common questions

    How many questions are on the Yukon knowledge test, and what is the pass mark?

    It is multiple choice, with a pass mark of 80 per cent. Ask Motor Vehicles how many questions to expect.

    Is there a printed copy of the Yukon handbook?

    The handbook is free online at yukon.ca. Ask at a Motor Vehicles office whether printed copies are available.

    Can I study from BC’s handbook instead?

    No. Yukon adapted BC material, but school zone hours, penalties and graduated licence rules differ. The Yukon test is based on the Yukon book.

    What does a flashing yellow lane control signal mean?

    If the signals over all lanes flash yellow, slow down and proceed with caution.

    Can I pass in a Yukon construction zone?

    No. There is no stopping or passing in a construction zone unless traffic controls tell you otherwise.

    Does the school zone limit apply in July?

    School zones apply when children are in class. Outside school days the posted daytime limit applies, but playground zones can apply every day, so read each sign.

    Related: learning to drive in Yukon (full guide), Yukon knowledge test and learner rules, Yukon road test, Yukon impaired driving and demerits.

    Sources

    • Government of Yukon, “Yukon Driver’s Basic Handbook: Cars and light trucks”, 2023 web edition (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Yukon driver’s basic handbook” listing page (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Learn about school bus and school zone safety” (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Learn about construction zone safety” (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Learn about the penalties for speeding” (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Increased fines for dangerous driving offences” fact sheet, in effect 1 July 2025 (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Find out how your licence could become suspended” (yukon.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Get a driver’s licence” (yukon.ca)
    • ICBC, “Learn to Drive Smart”, chapter 3 school and playground zone signs (icbc.com)
    • Government of Prince Edward Island, “Driver’s Handbook”, February 2022, Chapter 3 (uniform traffic signs across Canada) (princeedwardisland.ca)
  • Newfoundland and Labrador written test study guide: rules, signs

    Newfoundland and Labrador written test study guide: rules, signs

    Photo: Ycleymans, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    The Newfoundland and Labrador written test asks about the rules of the road, safe driving practices and road sign recognition, and you need 85% to pass. This study guide covers the handbook topics that test those three areas: sign shapes and colours, the signs specific to Newfoundland and Labrador (moose and weather warnings), right-of-way, default speed limits, passing, school buses, parking distances and move-over rules. It is for anyone preparing for the Class 5 Level I (learner) test.

    Key facts

    • Pass mark: 85% on the written test (Motor Registration Division).
    • With no speed sign: 100 km/h on paved parts of the Trans-Canada Highway, 80 km/h on other paved highways, 60 km/h on gravel roads, 50 km/h through communities and unmarked school zones.
    • Uncontrolled intersection: yield to traffic on your right.
    • School bus with flashing lights or stop sign: stop in both directions. Passing it costs 6 demerit points.
    • Move over: slow to at least 30 km/h below the limit (no more than 30 km/h in zones of 60 km/h or less). Failing to do so costs 4 demerit points.
    • Fines are doubled in construction zones.
    • Railway crossing with signals or a flag person warning of a train: stop no less than 5 metres from the nearest rail.

    What is in the Newfoundland and Labrador written test?

    The Motor Registration Division says the written test covers rules of the road, safe driving practices and road sign recognition. Ask about the number of questions when you book. Study from the province’s Driver’s Handbook (formerly the Road User Guide), available free from gov.nl.ca. The chapters that matter most for the learner test are:

    1. Licensing and Registration: graduated licensing levels, the Class 5I rules, ID.
    2. Road Safety: impaired and distracted driving, fatigue, emergencies, animals on the road.
    3. Traffic Signs and Pavement Markings: the signs section of the test.
    4. Rules of the Road: right-of-way, turns, roundabouts, passing, signals, parking, speed, school buses, emergency vehicles.

    The Motorcycle Safety and Commercial Drivers chapters are not needed for a Class 5 learner test. For the format, retakes and what to bring, see Newfoundland and Labrador written test.

    Sign shapes and colours

    Learn the shapes first. The handbook says several of them are used for only one sign, so you can name the sign even if snow covers the words.

    Shape or colour Meaning in the NL handbook
    Octagon (red, white letters) Stop. Come to a full stop at the stop line or crosswalk. No other sign has this shape.
    Inverted triangle (white, wide red border) Yield. Slow down, be ready to stop, give the right-of-way.
    Crossbuck (X shape) Railway crossing. Be ready to stop.
    Pentagon (blue or fluorescent yellow) School zone. Slow down and watch for children.
    Diamond (yellow, black symbols) Warning of a hazard ahead.
    Vertical rectangle or square (white) Regulations that must be obeyed: speed, parking, turns, passing.
    Horizontal rectangle (green, white letters) Directions and distances to communities and routes.
    Brown rectangle Tourist information: rest areas, parks, historic sites, chalets.
    Orange (diamond, square or rectangle) Road construction and maintenance.

    Two symbols appear on regulatory signs. A green circle means the action shown is allowed or required. A red circle with a diagonal stroke means it is not permitted.

    Watch the school sign colour

    Many Canadian handbooks show only the fluorescent yellow-green school pentagon. The Newfoundland and Labrador handbook describes a blue pentagon with white figures of students, and says the sign may also be fluorescent yellow. Both mean a school zone.

    Newfoundland and Labrador signs to know

    Regulatory signs

    • Speed limit, and “change in speed ahead”.
    • Keep right except to pass.
    • Shared centre left-turn lane, and two-way left turns.
    • No U-turn, no left turn, do not enter, one-way.
    • Accessible parking: the space is painted blue in whole or part and is only for a permit holder or someone accompanying one.
    • Passing lane 2 km ahead. Oncoming vehicles may also have the right to use a passing lane first. If several are coming toward you, expect one to use it and yield to them.

    Warning signs

    • Moose crossing: moose cross this stretch regularly. Slow down and drive with caution. See moose on Newfoundland roads.
    • Pavement ends, gravel road ahead.
    • Roundabout ahead (may show a recommended speed).
    • Steep hill: you may need a lower gear and engine braking.
    • Right lane ends; two lanes merge with traffic entering from the right.
    • Divided highway begins, and divided highway ends (two-way traffic, keep right).
    • Slow-moving vehicle triangle: required on the back of the vehicle when it is driven on a highway.

    Weather and hazard signs

    Hazardous conditions signs give advisories, closures or detours because of bad weather. They may be black on yellow, sometimes with flashing yellow lights, or digital signs with yellow or orange text on black. The handbook’s examples are wind warnings in the Wreckhouse area and closure of the highway from Holyrood to St. John’s in winter weather. Obey them strictly.

    Construction signs

    Orange signs with black letters or symbols mark construction and maintenance. Speeds are reduced to protect workers and fines for speeding are doubled. Construction signs still apply when no workers or equipment are visible, because the road itself may be the hazard. Unless the signs at the start of the zone show a lower limit, the Highway Traffic Act sets a maximum of 60 km/h in a construction zone; where the signs show a different maximum, that posted figure applies. When a flag person holds up a STOP sign or flag, stop before the work area and stay stopped until that person waves you on, even if the car ahead has moved. Expect cars ahead to stop suddenly. Zipper merge signs tell you to use both lanes up to the merge point, then take turns.

    The handbook describes two merge methods for lane closures. An early merge, where you leave the closed lane well before it ends, suits light traffic at higher speeds. A late (zipper) merge suits heavy, slow traffic: stay in your lane to the marked merge point, then alternate.

    Traffic lights and pavement markings

    Signal What you do
    Solid green Go straight or turn right. Turn left only after yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
    Solid amber Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise go through with caution. If you are turning right, the Act lets you continue the turn with caution after yielding to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection, unless a sign prohibits it. This does not apply to going straight.
    Solid red Stop. Right turn allowed after a complete stop and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it. A left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street into another one-way street, after the same full stop and yielding.
    Green with green arrow Go in the direction of the arrow, or straight ahead or right unless a sign forbids it. When the arrow goes off, follow the solid green rule.
    Red with green arrow Go only in the direction of the arrow, after yielding. When the arrow goes off, wait for green.
    Flashing amber Slow down and proceed with caution.
    Flashing red Come to a complete stop; go only when safe.
    Lights not working Treat as a four-way stop.
    • A police officer’s directions override the lights, even if you are waved through a red.
    • Yellow lines separate traffic going in opposite directions; white lines separate traffic going the same way.
    • A solid line on your left: do not pass. A broken yellow line on your left: you may pass if the way is clear.
    • You may cross a solid line with caution only to turn left into, or come out of, a private road or driveway. That does not let you overtake across it.
    • Painted islands (two solid yellow lines around diagonal yellow lines): never drive over them or use them to pass.
    • No stop line or crosswalk at an intersection: stop as close to the corner as possible, then yield.
    • If the road beyond the intersection is blocked, stop before entering and wait.

    Right-of-way rules in Newfoundland and Labrador

    • No lights, signs or officer: yield to any vehicle already in the intersection. If two vehicles enter at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the one on the right.
    • Turning left: yield to oncoming vehicles.
    • Entering a main highway from a side road or driveway: yield to traffic and pedestrians.
    • Passing lane merging back: traffic in the through lane has the right-of-way.
    • Four-way stop: first to stop goes first. Two arrive together: the vehicle on the right goes first. If you are behind a car at the stop sign, you must make your own complete stop once it has moved on.
    • Crosswalk with no working signals: yield to a pedestrian crossing in it, whichever direction you are coming from. A pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk must yield to vehicles, but you must still take care to avoid them.
    • Signal changes while someone is crossing: a pedestrian who started crossing before the amber or DON’T WALK signal has the right-of-way to finish.
    • Emergency vehicles with lights and siren: pull as far right as possible, stop clear of the intersection, and stay stopped until it passes. You do not have to stop if it is on the other roadway of a highway with separate roadways.
    • A pedestrian who extends a white cane intends to cross: give them the right-of-way. Some people walk with a guide dog in a rigid harness. Hybrid cars are almost silent when slowing or stopping, so take extra care.
    • Never pass a vehicle stopped at a stop sign, traffic light or crosswalk.

    Turning lanes

    For a right turn, approach and turn as close as practicable to the right curb or edge. For a left turn from one two-way road into another, keep just right of the centre line as you approach and as you leave. Where two or more lanes are marked for the same turn, start in one of them and finish in the matching lane of the road you enter; do not drift into the other turning car’s lane.

    Changing lanes, U-turns and backing

    • Changing lanes: keep at least a two-second gap behind the car ahead, and make sure the new lane is clear for about two seconds ahead and two behind. Check your mirrors, signal, look over your shoulder, then move without delay. Do not change lanes at an intersection.
    • Shared left-turn lane (solid and broken yellow lines on each side): use it only to turn left, in either direction. You may cross the solid yellow line to enter it, but do not use it to pass or as a driving lane, and do not travel in it for more than 100 metres.
    • U-turns are not allowed at an intersection, near the top of a hill, on a curve, where a sign forbids them or where you would interfere with traffic. Where one is allowed, stop at the far right, signal left, check front, rear and your blind spot, and turn in one swing.
    • Turning around on a narrow road: the handbook prefers a two-point turn, backing into a side road and then leaving it to the left. For a three-point turn, signal right, pull to the far right, turn sharply left across the road and stop at the edge, back up with the wheel turned right, then drive off the way you came.
    • Backing: check behind the vehicle from outside before you get in, because children and small objects are hard to see. Turn and look out the rear window, go slowly, and stop to check again before crossing a sidewalk or crosswalk. Back into the nearest lane going the way you want to go.

    Entering and leaving a divided highway

    Signal and use the acceleration lane to match the speed of traffic. Drivers already on the highway may move left to let you in, but the handbook calls that a courtesy: it is your job to merge only when there is a safe gap. If you miss your exit, do not stop or back up on the highway. Carry on and take the next exit.

    Leaving by the deceleration lane: signal right, move into the lane, then slow to the limit posted on the ramp. At a cloverleaf, all turns are right turns. In a weave zone, where one lane serves both the entrance and the exit, vehicles exiting have the right-of-way over vehicles entering. An added lane sign means the entering road gets its own new lane, so keep going without merging; a merge sign means two roads become one lane, so entering drivers must find a gap.

    Roundabouts

    Traffic goes counterclockwise. Entering traffic yields to everyone in the roundabout. In a two-lane roundabout, use the left lane if you are going at least halfway round (second exit or later) and the right lane for the first exit. Do not change lanes inside. Never stop inside a roundabout for an emergency vehicle: take your exit, clear the splitter island, then pull right. Signal right before you leave the roundabout; for the second exit or farther, the handbook also has you signal left as you approach. If you cannot exit safely, stay in your lane and go around again. Give large vehicles plenty of room, as they may need more than one lane.

    Speed limits in Newfoundland and Labrador

    Road (when no speed sign is posted) Limit
    Paved portions of the Trans-Canada Highway 100 km/h
    Other paved highways 80 km/h
    Gravel roads 60 km/h
    Through communities or settlements 50 km/h
    Unmarked school zones 50 km/h

    Marked school zones are usually 30 to 50 km/h. Under the Highway Traffic Act, the 50 km/h school zone limit applies between the two posted school zone signs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on days when school is regularly held, and a lower posted limit still applies. Speeding in a school zone carries 6 demerit points. The posted limit is the maximum for ideal conditions: in fog or at night, drive at a speed that lets you stop within what you can see.

    Passing, signals and following distance

    When you may not pass

    • When weather limits your view
    • On a curve, a blind hill or near the top of a hill
    • At an intersection or railway crossing
    • Within 30 metres of a crosswalk
    • On a narrow bridge
    • With a solid line on your left, or where a sign prohibits it

    Passing cyclists and pedestrians

    Leave at least 1 metre when you pass a cyclist or a pedestrian where the speed limit is 60 km/h or less, and at least 1.5 metres where it is above 60 km/h. The speed limit sets the distance, not the speed you slow to. If you cannot leave that gap safely, stay behind until you can. The handbook lists penalties of $100 to $400, 2 to 14 days in prison and 2 demerit points. Around cyclists, slow down, keep a safe following distance and avoid using the horn. Yield to an oncoming cyclist when turning left and to a cyclist on your right when turning right.

    Dooring: before you or a passenger opens a door, do a shoulder check. Reaching across with the hand farthest from the door turns your body and makes you look back.

    You may pass on the right only when the driver ahead is turning left, on roads with two or more lanes each way, and on one-way streets, and never by driving off the roadway. Never go over the limit to pass. Move back in once you can see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rear-view mirror. If you are being passed, do not speed up.

    When you must signal

    Before you stop or suddenly slow down, turn, change lanes, pass, leave the roadway, or pull out from a parked position. Use hand signals if your lights fail.

    Following distance

    The handbook gives two methods: at least one vehicle length for every 15 km/h (double it on slippery roads), or the three-second rule, counted from a fixed point. Three seconds lets you react at highway speed but is not enough to stop, so add more in poor conditions.

    School buses, emergency vehicles and moving over

    • School bus loading or unloading (flashing lights and/or stop sign): you must stop in both directions and stay stopped until the bus moves, the driver signals you on, or the lights and sign are off. On multi-lane undivided highways, all traffic in all lanes stops. On a divided highway with a physical median, only traffic behind the bus must stop; a painted line is not a median. You may also pass without stopping on a controlled-access highway where the bus is in a loading zone and pedestrians are not allowed to cross the road.
    • Move over: applies to police, fire, ambulance, search and rescue, tow trucks and roadside assistance, enforcement vehicles and public utility or service vehicles, and to vehicles of volunteer firefighters or medical responders answering an emergency, when stopped with lights flashing or other warning signs or equipment in use. Slow to at least 30 km/h below the posted limit, or to no more than 30 km/h where the limit is 60 km/h or less. Change lanes to leave a full lane free when it is safe. If you cannot change lanes, stay in your lane and leave as much room as you can. If the stopped vehicle is in your lane, change lanes when safe, yielding to other traffic, or stop and wait until you can pass safely.

    For how these rules compare across provinces, see school bus stopping rules across Canada.

    Parking distances to memorize

    Do not park within Distance
    A stop sign or other traffic control signal 10 m
    A crosswalk 6 m
    The point opposite a fire hydrant 1 m
    A bus stop 20 m
    A railway crossing 15 m
    A fire station entrance 7 m
    The entrance to a public building (school, church) 6 m

    If you must stop on a highway, use the right shoulder and make sure the vehicle can be seen from 60 metres in either direction. Parking on a hill: facing uphill with a curb, turn wheels toward the centre of the street; uphill with no curb, or any downhill, turn them toward the edge. Never block a sidewalk, intersection, traffic lane, driveway or emergency exit, double-park, or park on a bridge or in a tunnel. When parallel parked, your wheels should be within 30 cm of the curb. Before pulling out, check traffic and signal.

    More numbers from the handbook

    • Headlights on from half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunrise, and whenever you cannot see people and vehicles clearly at 150 metres.
    • Dim high beams within 150 metres of an oncoming vehicle, or of one you are following or passing.
    • No daytime running lights on your vehicle: use low beams at all times.
    • Fog: slow down, use low beams and follow the lane markings. In zero visibility, move as far off the road as you can, stop, turn on hazard and dome lights and turn off your headlights until it clears.
    • Tires: at least 1.5 mm of tread. No metal studs from May 1 to October 31.
    • Windows: no aftermarket tint on the windshield or front side windows, and no sign or object that blocks your view. Clear all ice and snow before you drive.
    • Collisions: if you damage a traffic control device, parking meter or other public property, report it to police immediately. Stay at the scene if police are called, exchange names, contact and insurance details, and do not discuss fault.
    • Railway crossing with a signal device, lowered gate or flag person warning of a train, a train close by that you can see or hear, or a stop sign at the crossing: stop no less than 5 metres from the nearest rail. Never drive through, around or under a gate while it is down or moving.

    How to reach 85%

    1. Do the signs first. Shapes and colours are quick marks. Cover the descriptions in the handbook and name each sign aloud.
    2. Make a numbers card. Default speeds, parking distances, move-over speeds, 150 m headlight distances, 5 m at railways, 30 m from a crosswalk for passing, and the demerit values above.
    3. Learn your own GDL rules. Questions on learner conditions are easy marks: see Newfoundland and Labrador novice rules.
    4. Read the Rules of the Road chapter twice, the second time asking “what would a question about this paragraph look like?”
    5. Test yourself with the questions below, then go back to the handbook for any you got wrong.

    Quick self-test (unofficial practice)

    These original questions are not from the official test. They check the same handbook knowledge.

    1. There is no speed sign on a paved highway that is not the Trans-Canada. What is the limit?

      A) 60 km/h B) 80 km/h C) 90 km/h D) 100 km/h

      Answer: B. The handbook sets 80 km/h on paved highways other than the Trans-Canada (Rules of the Road: Speed).

    2. You and another car reach a four-way stop at the same moment. The other car is on your right. Who goes first?

      A) You B) The other car C) Whoever is turning left D) Whoever is bigger

      Answer: B. When two arrive together, the vehicle on the right goes first (Rules of the Road: Four-way stop).

    3. How close to a crosswalk may you pass another vehicle?

      A) No closer than 10 m B) No closer than 15 m C) No closer than 30 m D) Any distance if it is clear

      Answer: C. Passing is not permitted within 30 metres of a crosswalk (Rules of the Road: Safe passing).

    4. A police car is stopped on the shoulder with lights flashing in a 100 km/h zone. What is the most you may drive past it?

      A) 30 km/h B) 50 km/h C) 70 km/h D) 90 km/h

      Answer: C. Slow to at least 30 km/h below the posted limit (Rules of the Road: Slow down and move over).

    5. A blue pentagon sign with white figures of students means:

      A) Playground B) Pedestrian corridor C) School zone D) Tourist information

      Answer: C. The pentagon warns of a school zone (Traffic Signs: school ahead sign).

    6. What is the minimum distance you may park from a railway crossing?

      A) 5 m B) 10 m C) 15 m D) 30 m

      Answer: C. No parking within 15 metres of a railway crossing (Rules of the Road: Parking).

    Common questions

    How many questions are on the Newfoundland and Labrador written test?

    Ask about the number of questions at the office when you book. The pass mark is 85%, and the three topic areas are rules of the road, safe driving practices and road signs.

    Is the Road User Guide the same as the Driver’s Handbook?

    Yes. The Driver’s Handbook replaced the Road User Guide name. Download the current version from gov.nl.ca rather than an old copy from another site, which may be out of date.

    Is the handbook available in French?

    The province has announced a French version alongside the English one. Check the Motor Registration Division page for the current files.

    What is the speed limit on a gravel road with no sign?

    60 km/h.

    Do I have to stop for a school bus on the other side of a divided highway?

    No. The Highway Traffic Act says you need not stop for a school bus on a different roadway of a highway with separate roadways. RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador explain this as a divided highway with a physical median, where only traffic behind the bus must stop. On an undivided road, including one with several lanes, all traffic in all lanes stops.

    Can I turn right on a red light in Newfoundland and Labrador?

    Yes, after a complete stop and after yielding to pedestrians and other traffic, unless a sign prohibits it.

    Related: learning to drive in Newfoundland and Labrador (full guide), the written test, novice rules, demerit points for novice drivers, moose on Newfoundland roads.

    Sources

    • Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Motor Registration Division, “Graduated Driver Licencing Program” (gov.nl.ca)
    • Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Motor Registration Division, “Driver’s Handbook” (formerly Road User Guide), chapters Traffic Signs and Pavement Markings, Rules of the Road and Road Safety (gov.nl.ca)
    • Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, “Public Advisory: Road User’s Guide Now Available in French”, 2025 (gov.nl.ca)
    • House of Assembly Newfoundland and Labrador, “Highway Traffic Act”, RSNL 1990 c H-3 (assembly.nl.ca)
    • Royal Canadian Mounted Police, “Forteau RCMP tickets driver who failed to stop for school bus”, 15 April 2026 (rcmp.ca)
  • Manitoba road signs test study guide: MPI handbook Chapter 4

    Manitoba road signs test study guide: MPI handbook Chapter 4

    Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    The signs section of the MPI knowledge test comes from Chapter 4 of Manitoba’s Driver’s Handbook: sign shapes and colours, warning, construction, regulatory and guide signs, traffic signals, the transit priority signal and pavement markings. This study guide goes through Chapter 4 group by group, adds the crosswalk, school zone and railway rules from Chapters 6 and 7 that the signs point to, and flags the signals Manitoba learners most often mix up. It is for anyone preparing for the Class 5 learner knowledge test in Manitoba.

    Key facts

    • Shape tells you the type of sign, even in the dark or in snow: octagon = stop, downward triangle = yield, diamond = warning, pentagon = school area.
    • Times on Manitoba signs use the 24-hour clock: 15:00 is 3 p.m.
    • You may turn right on a red light after a full stop, unless a sign prohibits it.
    • A green left arrow shown with a red light means left turn only. Turning right is illegal then, even with no sign.
    • Speed fines double in designated construction zones.
    • No parking within 3 m of a crosswalk, 15 m of a pedestrian corridor or 30 m of a railway crossing.

    Sign shapes and colours in Manitoba

    Shape Meaning What you do
    Octagon (8 sides) Stop. Used only for stop signs Come to a complete stop
    Triangle, point down Yield the right-of-way Slow down; stop if needed
    Diamond Warning of possible danger on or near the road Slow down and keep full control
    Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon School area Drive cautiously; children may be crossing
    Triangle with the tips cut off Slow-moving vehicle Expect a much slower vehicle ahead
    Crossbuck (X shape) Railway crossing Slow down, look both ways, yield to trains
    Square or rectangle Regulates traffic and directs drivers Obey the instruction shown

    The 24-hour clock on Manitoba signs

    Times from 1 a.m. to noon read the same. After noon, subtract 12: 13:00 = 1 p.m., 16:00 = 4 p.m., 18:00 = 6 p.m., 23:00 = 11 p.m. 0:00 is midnight. Expect a question that asks whether a time-restricted sign applies right now.

    Warning signs

    Warning signs tell you about a hazard immediately ahead. Most are diamond-shaped. The handbook’s examples fall into five groups:

    • Road shape: very sharp right turn, sharp right curve with a recommended maximum of 40 km/h, right curve, winding road, steep hill, bump, pavement ends, road ends (exit right or left).
    • Lanes and merging: right lane ends, left lane ends, merging roadways, divided highway begins, divided highway ends, two-way traffic, traffic island ahead, reserved bus lane ahead.
    • Intersections and control: hidden intersection, stop ahead, traffic signals ahead, roundabout ahead, maximum speed limit change ahead, prepare to stop.
    • People and animals: pedestrian crosswalk ahead, school crosswalk ahead, playground ahead, school area (the yellow-green pentagon), deer crossing.
    • Structures and surfaces: narrow bridge, bridge ices, low clearance (for example 4.1 m), road slippery when wet, hazard marker showing an obstruction, railway crossing ahead.

    Signs learners mix up

    • Recommended speed vs speed limit. The 40 km/h shown on a sharp curve or exit warning sign is a recommended maximum for that curve. A regulatory maximum speed sign is the legal limit.
    • Prepare to stop. When its amber lights flash, the traffic signal ahead is red or about to turn red. Be ready to stop.
    • Railway advance warning. The track symbol shows the angle at which the tracks cross the road.
    • Reserved lane ahead in the cross-street. If the reserved lane is the curb lane and you are turning right, enter the second lane from the curb. If the reserved lane is in the median, turn into the curb lane.

    Construction and maintenance signs

    These warn of road construction and maintenance ahead. Slow down to a safe speed, obey any posted maximum, and follow flag persons’ instructions.

    • designated construction zone: speed fines double
    • construction zone ends
    • maximum 40 km/h when meeting traffic
    • detour ahead, barricade ahead, flagperson ahead, road work, construction area
    • overhead wires, flying stones, part of the roadway removed, pavement edge drop-off, bump
    • trucks entering on the right

    Regulatory signs

    Regulatory signs are the law. They tell you about speed limits, permitted turns, stopping and parking, and are usually square or rectangular.

    Group Signs in Chapter 4
    Turns No turns, no U-turn, no right turn, no left turn, no right turn on red signal, no right turn during the times shown, all traffic must turn right, all traffic must turn left
    Lanes This lane must turn right or left, this lane may go through or turn right only, keep right of this sign, keep right except to pass, slower traffic keep right, through traffic not permitted in this lane (must turn left at the next street or approach)
    Entry and direction Do not enter, do not enter except buses and cyclists, one way, two-way traffic, no trucks, truck route, buses only
    Speed Maximum speed signs (for example 90 km/h), maximum 60 km/h ahead, reduced speed school zone, school zone with restricted hours, school zone ends, speed fines doubled in designated construction zones
    Passing Do not pass, passing permitted
    Stopping and parking Stop here for red signal, parking permitted as shown, parking prohibited, parking for disabled persons only, do not stop to wait, snow route (no stopping during a declared snow emergency)
    Pedestrians Pedestrian crosswalk, school crosswalk, pedestrian corridor
    Reserved lanes Overhead sign reserving the curb lane for buses and cyclists at the times shown; this lane must turn right at the times shown except buses and cyclists

    Guide and information signs

    These tell you where you are and how to get places, and vary in size and colour. Examples in the handbook: Trans-Canada Highway (eastbound), Provincial Trunk Highway (westbound), Provincial Road (southbound), City Route, “A” for an alternative route that returns to your route, hospital, airport with scheduled service, travel information, camping and picnic sites, access for disabled persons, and cul-de-sac (dead end with a turnaround). One information sign also reminds you to stop for a school bus when its signals are flashing.

    Stop, four-way stop and yield signs

    • Stop sign: come to a complete stop at the correct place. Yield to pedestrians wanting to cross. Then move slowly forward for a better view and go when it is safe.
    • Four-way stop: the vehicle that stops first goes first. If two or more stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right. After stopping and yielding to pedestrians, roll slowly forward to show you are going.
    • Yield sign: slow down as you approach, check for pedestrians and traffic, and stop if needed. Yield signs are usually where a lane or road merges. Watch that you do not run into the car ahead while you look for traffic.

    Traffic signals in Manitoba

    Signal What it means
    Red Stop before the marked crosswalk or, if there is none, before the sidewalk. After a full stop you may turn right, unless a sign prohibits it. You may also turn right or left from a one-way street onto another one-way street
    Amber The light is about to turn red. Slow down and stop; never speed up to make it. If you are already in the intersection, continue
    Green Go, but yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and vehicles already in the intersection. For a left turn, you may enter and wait, yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic; you may finish on amber or red
    Flashing red Come to a complete stop and go only when safe
    Flashing amber Slow down, be ready to stop, yield to pedestrians
    Green arrow (steady or flashing) Go only in the direction of the arrow, from the proper lane
    Amber arrow Oncoming traffic may get a green next. Slow down and stop, or finish your turn if already in the intersection
    Flashing green left arrow Left turn only, unless another signal allows other moves
    Green U-turn arrow U-turn allowed after yielding to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection
    Green left arrow with a red light Left turn only. Turning right or going straight is illegal, even with no sign
    Green left arrow alone (no red) You may also turn right, if safe and no sign prohibits it
    Transit priority signal (white vertical bar on black) Only buses may go. Always shown with a steady red, so everyone else stays stopped

    The green-arrow-plus-red rule is the one learners get wrong most. If the red light is lit, the only legal move is the turn the arrow shows.

    Pedestrian signals, crosswalks and pedestrian corridors

    • Pedestrians have the right-of-way at marked and unmarked crosswalks. An unmarked crosswalk is the extension of the sidewalk across an intersection.
    • Stop and yield to pedestrians crossing, unless they are on the far side of a divided highway separated by a median. A double solid line is not a physical separation.
    • Never pass a vehicle that is slowing or stopped for pedestrians.
    • Go only when pedestrians have safely crossed or reached the median of a divided road. All pedestrians may use school crosswalks.
    • The walking figure lets pedestrians start crossing. The orange hand means do not start; those already crossing may finish, and they still have the right-of-way.
    • At many signals, the walking figure appears only after someone presses the button for that crosswalk, so a person at the curb may be waiting for it. Pedestrians must not cross where a Pedestrian Prohibited sign is posted. At a pedestrian corridor, they signal by pressing the control button, if there is one, and extending an arm.
    • Pedestrian corridors have large lit overhead signs with flashing amber lights and wide painted bars across the road.
    • No parking or stopping within 3 m of a crosswalk, or within 15 m of a pedestrian corridor.

    Pavement markings

    Marking Meaning
    Yellow lines Traffic moving in opposite directions
    Broken yellow line Passing permitted
    Solid and broken yellow together No passing if the solid line is on your side
    Double solid yellow No passing either way
    White lines Traffic moving in the same direction
    Solid white line No lane changes
    Broken white line Lane changes permitted
    White stop line Stop before this line
    Painted left-turn islands No traffic allowed inside them

    You may turn left across a single or double solid line into a private road or driveway.

    Reserved lanes (diamond lanes)

    • With-flow reserved lane: a curb lane for designated vehicles, marked by double broken white lines and white diamonds. Drivers turning right may enter it anywhere in the block before the turn, and must then turn at the next intersection. Watch for cyclists using diamond lanes.
    • Turning right onto a street with a diamond lane: turn into the first lane, as close to the curb as practicable, then signal and move out of the diamond lane as soon as it is safe.
    • Contra-flow reserved lane: a curb lane on a one-way street where designated vehicles travel against the flow, marked by double solid yellow lines and white diamonds.

    Cycling markings

    • Bike lane: white lane lines with a diamond and bicycle symbol. Drivers may cross it to park or turn, but must watch for cyclists already in it, especially at intersections. Cyclists may leave it to turn or change lanes.
    • Sharrow: a chevron with a bicycle symbol. It means share the lane; it is not a bike lane.
    • When passing a cyclist or power-assisted bicycle, keep at least one metre of space. You may need to change lanes to do it.

    School zones and railway crossings

    School and playground areas

    • It is illegal to pass a moving vehicle in a school area within 15 minutes of classes opening or closing, or whenever children are on the school grounds or near the road.
    • Reduced-speed school zone limits can be as low as 30 km/h where the normal limit is under 80 km/h, and as low as 50 km/h where it is 80 km/h or more. Signs show whether they apply during school hours or at all times.
    • Speeding in a school zone can bring a significant fine and a move down the Driver Safety Rating scale.

    Railway crossings

    • Trains always have the right-of-way.
    • When stopping, stay at least 5 m from the nearest rail in a restricted speed area (such as Winnipeg or another urban municipality) and at least 15 m elsewhere.
    • Do not shift gears on the tracks, drive around a closed or moving gate, or enter the crossing without room on the other side.
    • Do not cross while the warning signals are on. The only exception: at a crossing with no gates inside a restricted speed area, you may cross after a complete stop if the train is stopped or a safe distance away and you can cross safely. If in doubt, wait.
    • No parking within 30 m of the nearest rail unless a sign allows it.
    • The number on the small sign under a railway crossing sign shows how many tracks there are. After a train passes, check for a second train before you cross.
    • When the lights flash and the bells ring on a railway crossing sign, a train is approaching. Most crossings have no electronic signals, so checking is your job. Drivers often misjudge how fast a train is moving.
    • Slow down at the advance warning sign so you can stop in time. About half of night-time crossing collisions involve a vehicle hitting a train.
    • Buses, school buses and vehicles carrying hazardous materials may stop at every crossing, so be ready to stop behind them. If traffic is backed up past the tracks, wait at least 5 m from the crossing until there is room.

    More rules from these chapters: sharing Manitoba roads, railway crossings in Canada, school bus stopping rules.

    Test yourself: unofficial practice questions

    These are original practice questions written from Manitoba’s handbook. They are not official MPI test questions.

    1. A sign shows “No right turn 16:00 to 18:00”. Can you turn right at 5:30 p.m.? A) Yes B) No C) Only on a green arrow D) Only if no pedestrians. Answer: B. 17:30 is inside 16:00 to 18:00 (Chapter 4, sign shapes and the 24-hour clock).
    2. You face a red light and a green left arrow. What can you do? A) Turn left only B) Turn left or right C) Go straight if clear D) Turn right after stopping. Answer: A. With the red lit, only the arrow’s turn is legal (Chapter 4, traffic control signals).
    3. Two cars stop at a four-way stop at the same time. Who goes first? A) The car on the left B) The car on the right C) The larger vehicle D) Whoever signals first. Answer: B. The car on the left yields to the car on the right (Chapter 4, four-way stop signs).
    4. What does a fluorescent yellow-green pentagon mean? A) Playground ahead B) School area C) Pedestrian corridor D) Slow-moving vehicle. Answer: B. (Chapter 4, sign shapes and colours.)
    5. A signal shows a white vertical bar on a black background with a steady red. What do you do? A) Go straight B) Turn right C) Stay stopped; it is for buses D) Treat it as a flashing red. Answer: C. (Chapter 4, transit priority signal.)
    6. A solid yellow line is on your side and a broken line on the other. Can you pass? A) Yes, if clear B) No C) Only at night D) Only to pass a cyclist. Answer: B. (Chapter 4, pavement markings.)
    7. How close to a crosswalk may you park? A) 1 m B) 3 m C) 5 m D) 15 m. Answer: B. No parking or stopping within 3 m (Chapter 7, crosswalks).
    8. You stop for a railway crossing in a rural area outside any town. How far from the nearest rail? A) At least 2 m B) At least 5 m C) At least 15 m D) At least 30 m. Answer: C. 15 m in a non-restricted speed area (Chapter 6, railway crossings).

    Format and pass mark for the real test: MPI knowledge test.

    Common questions

    Can you turn right on a red light in Manitoba?

    Yes, after a complete stop, unless a sign prohibits it. You may also turn left on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street.

    What does a flashing amber light mean in Manitoba?

    Slow down, be prepared to stop, and yield to pedestrians.

    What is the speed limit in a Manitoba school zone?

    It is set by the posted signs. It can be as low as 30 km/h where the normal limit is under 80 km/h, and 50 km/h where it is 80 km/h or more.

    Are construction zone fines higher in Manitoba?

    Yes. Speed fines double in designated construction zones.

    What is a sharrow?

    A painted chevron and bicycle telling drivers and cyclists to share the lane. It is not a bike lane.

    Which Manitoba handbook chapter covers signs?

    Chapter 4, Signs and Signals. Crosswalks and school zones are in Chapter 7, and railway crossings in Chapter 6.

    Related: learning to drive in Manitoba, Manitoba learner stage rules, Manitoba lane changes, curves and turning, Canadian road signs compared.

    Sources

    • Manitoba Public Insurance, “Driver’s Handbook, Chapter 4: Signs and Signals” (sign shapes and colours, warning, construction and maintenance, regulatory, guide and information, stop, four-way stop and yield signs, traffic control signals, transit priority signal, pavement markings, reserved lanes, cycling pavement markings) (apps.mpi.mb.ca)
    • Manitoba Public Insurance, “Driver’s Handbook, Chapter 6: Railway Crossings” (apps.mpi.mb.ca)
    • Manitoba Public Insurance, “Driver’s Handbook, Chapter 7: Crosswalks, Pedestrian Corridors, School and Playground Areas” (apps.mpi.mb.ca)
  • Saskatchewan stunting, speeding and distracted driving penalties

    Saskatchewan stunting, speeding and distracted driving penalties

    Photo: SriMesh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    In Saskatchewan, stunting, racing or driving 50 km/h or more over the limit gets the vehicle you are driving impounded for 30 days, even if you do not own it. Learner and novice drivers may not use any phone at all, hands-free included, and a second device ticket within 12 months means a 7-day impoundment. This guide covers sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the SGI Driver’s Handbook and shows how one ticket affects your graduated licence and your insurance.

    Key facts

    • Where no limit is posted, the speed limit is 80 km/h.
    • Pass stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks with lights flashing, and highway equipment with lights flashing at no more than 60 km/h.
    • Speeding fines triple when passing workers in a work zone.
    • 30-day impoundment for stunting, racing, going 50 km/h or more over, or going double the posted limit or more.
    • GDL drivers (learner, Novice 1, Novice 2) cannot use hand-held or hands-free phones.
    • Any conviction puts a new driver into SGI’s GDL Improvement program, and a Novice 2 driver restarts the 12-month incident-free period.

    Speed limits in Saskatchewan

    • On most provincial highways and in urban areas, limits are posted. With no sign, the limit is 80 km/h.
    • A town or city’s limit signs at its entrances apply everywhere inside its boundaries unless another limit is posted.
    • The limit is the fastest you may go in ideal conditions. You must slow down for weather, traffic and animals on or near the road.
    • Driving too slowly can also be hazardous. Do not block traffic unless you have taken proper safety precautions.

    Special speed zones

    Situation Rule
    Passing a tow truck, emergency vehicle or Ministry of Highways equipment with lights flashing Maximum 60 km/h
    Work zones No faster than the posted speed through the zone, and 60 km/h or less when passing a worker, flag person or occupied equipment. Some cities apply work zone limits through the entire construction area by bylaw. Fines triple when passing workers or occupied equipment. Workers include anyone within 3 km of a traffic control person, survey crew or highway workers sign
    School zones Set by each city or town’s bylaws, so watch for signs. Slow down near schools even without signs
    Photo radar Used in some work zones, school zones and high-risk locations. The ticket goes to the registered owner

    More on the 60 km/h rule: slow down, move over.

    What counts as stunting in Saskatchewan?

    SGI lists these as actions that can lead to a ticket, licence suspension and impoundment:

    • racing side by side with another vehicle while breaking the speed limit
    • chasing another vehicle
    • speeding in and out of lanes to pass unsafely
    • trying to lift some or all tires off the road (including wheelies on a motorcycle)
    • trying to make a vehicle spin or circle
    • driving while not sitting in the driver’s seat
    • driving to stop another vehicle from passing
    • stopping or slowing down to interfere with another vehicle

    It is also illegal for you or any passenger to perform stunts or other activities that distract, startle or interfere with other road users, and to make loud, unnecessary noise with a vehicle.

    Saskatchewan vehicle impoundments for speeding and stunting

    Offence Impoundment
    Stunting 30 days, each offence
    Excessive speeding: 50 km/h or more over the limit 30 days, each offence
    Excessive speeding: double the posted limit or more 30 days, each offence
    Contest of speed or race with other vehicles 30 days, each offence
    Race, contest or stunt on a bet or wager 30 days, each offence
    Failing to stop for a peace officer 7 days, each offence
    Driving while suspended or without a valid licence 30 days; 60 days for a second time in two years
    Any Criminal Code offence that is also an offence under The Traffic Safety Act 30 days, each offence
    Driving an unregistered vehicle, with a conviction in the previous 12 months 7 days
    A device ticket or a “driving without due care or reasonable consideration” ticket within 12 months of a conviction for either 7 days
    Second time driving as a learner without a supervisor within 12 months 3 days

    The vehicle is impounded even if you are not the owner. The owner pays all towing and storage costs, and can recover that money from the driver. Driving the family car to a race costs your parents too.

    Double the limit matters on slow roads. At 30 km/h in a school zone, 60 km/h is double. At 50 km/h, 100 km/h is double and also 50 over.

    Distracted driving rules in Saskatchewan

    Phones and devices

    • Holding, viewing or manipulating a hand-held phone or mobile device while driving is illegal for every driver.
    • GDL drivers (learner, Novice 1 and Novice 2) cannot use any phone, hand-held or hands-free.
    • Experienced drivers (not in GDL) may use hands-free phones that are voice-activated or one-touch and mounted on the dash, visor or a cradle, plus Bluetooth and built-in systems.
    • Every driver, new or experienced, may call 9-1-1 while driving, or make a call while parked at the side of the road.
    • SGI’s tips: put your phone in the back seat, switch it off or use airplane mode. Don’t use a phone while refuelling.

    Other distractions

    SGI names passengers, things outside the vehicle, looking for something in the car, adjusting the radio, climate or controls, smoking, and eating or drinking as common distractions. Over 2020 to 2024, distracted driving caused an average of 2,977 collisions a year in Saskatchewan, with 717 injuries and 13 deaths.

    Distracted driving fines

    Saskatchewan’s penalties set from 1 February 2020 are:

    Offence Ticket Other penalty
    First $580 4 demerits
    Second within a year of the first conviction $1,400 4 more demerits and an immediate 7-day vehicle seizure
    Third within a year of the first conviction $2,100 4 more demerits and another 7-day seizure

    The province said towing and impound fees for a seizure would be about $400 or more. Check the current amounts with SGI before relying on these figures.

    Compare other provinces in distracted driving penalties across Canada.

    What one ticket does to a new Saskatchewan driver

    GDL Improvement program

    Any driver in a GDL stage who is at fault in a collision, convicted or suspended goes into the GDL Improvement program:

    1. First incident rated 2 points or fewer: a warning letter.
    2. First incident rated 3 to 6 points: a Traffic Safety Education session.
    3. Each later incident, in order: Defensive Driving course, Driver Improvement training, then 30-day, 90-day and 180-day suspensions, then an interview and further action.

    SGI publishes the points assigned to each offence on its new driver improvement page. Check how many points your ticket carries there or by calling SGI.

    Novice 2 restart

    To graduate, a Novice 2 driver needs 12 months free of at-fault collisions, traffic convictions and suspensions. A ticket restarts that 12 months from the conviction date. Details: Saskatchewan Novice 1 and Novice 2 rules.

    Safe Driver Recognition penalties

    Convictions also move you down SGI’s Safe Driver Recognition scale. New drivers start at zero. Once you drop below zero into the Penalty Zone, you pay $50 for each point, up to $1,000 for most incidents, on top of the ticket. The province’s 2019 announcement gave the example of a driver starting at zero who gets three distracted driving tickets in a year owing $1,200 in SDR penalties. You drive your way back out: each incident-free year moves you one point toward zero. See SGI GDL Improvement program and Safe Driver Recognition.

    If police stop you

    • Police can signal with red and blue lights, a special stop light, voice or hand signals. Pull over as close to the right edge as you can, and stop before the next intersection.
    • Show your licence and registration when asked. If you don’t have them, police may allow up to 48 hours to produce them.
    • Police can require a safety inspection, and can order an unsafe vehicle off the road until it is repaired. A vehicle parked in the travelled part of a road can also be impounded if it presents a hazard.
    • A ticket shows the offence, date, time and location, and where and when to appear in court. Tickets for stunting, racing and excessive speed bring an immediate roadside suspension.
    • For some less serious offences the ticket shows a fine you can pay if you plead guilty. To plead not guilty, you must appear in court. You may want to consult a lawyer first.
    • You may be arrested for driving an unregistered vehicle or without a licence, failing to stop for police, driving without care and attention, tampering with a vehicle, failing to give information to police, or a Criminal Code offence, or if police believe you will not appear in court.

    Criminal Code driving offences

    Besides impaired driving, these include criminal negligence (reckless disregard for life and safety), dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, and driving while disqualified. A conviction cancels your licence, with an automatic disqualification of 1, 3 or 5 years based on your Criminal Code convictions in the last 10 years. A court can add a driving prohibition across Canada, and the longer of the two applies. Cities, towns and some villages also have bylaws, which must complement The Traffic Safety Act.

    Scenario: one Friday night

    Jordan, 17, on Novice 1, drives a parent’s car with one friend on a road posted at 80 km/h and hits 135 km/h. That is 55 km/h over, so police impound the car for 30 days and the parent pays the tow and storage. Jordan’s conviction triggers the GDL Improvement program and a move down the SDR scale. Once Jordan reaches Novice 2, a further conviction would restart the 12-month incident-free clock.

    Common questions

    Can novice drivers use hands-free in Saskatchewan?

    No. Learner, Novice 1 and Novice 2 drivers cannot use any cellphone, hand-held or hands-free. Calling 9-1-1 is allowed.

    What is the speed limit in Saskatchewan if there is no sign?

    80 km/h, unless you are in a town or city whose entrance signs set a different limit.

    How fast can you pass a tow truck in Saskatchewan?

    No more than 60 km/h when it is stopped with its amber, or amber and blue, lights flashing.

    Will my parents’ car be impounded if I am caught stunting?

    Yes. The vehicle is impounded for 30 days whoever owns it, and the owner pays the towing and storage.

    Can passengers be charged for distracting the driver?

    Saskatchewan says it is illegal for you or any of your passengers to perform stunts or activities that distract, startle or interfere with other road users.

    Do photo radar tickets affect my licence?

    Photo radar tickets go to the registered owner of the vehicle. Ask SGI how a photo radar ticket is recorded if you are the owner.

    Related: learning to drive in Saskatchewan, zero tolerance for new drivers in Saskatchewan, excessive speeding across Canada, Saskatchewan rural and gravel road driving.

    Sources

    • SGI, “Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook: A guide to safe driving 2026-27”, sections 2 (GDL), 3.1, 3.2, 8.4, 8.5 and “Vehicle impoundments” (sgi.sk.ca)
    • Government of Saskatchewan, “Heads Up: Distracted Driving Penalties Are Getting Tougher”, 19 November 2019 (saskatchewan.ca)
    • SGI, “New Distracted Driving Penalties” backgrounder (sgi.sk.ca)
  • Alberta parallel parking, backing and lane rules for new drivers

    Alberta parallel parking, backing and lane rules for new drivers

    Photo: Milan Suvajac, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Alberta law says a parallel-parked car must sit with its right wheels no more than 50 cm (500 mm) from the curb, you must park at least 5 metres from a fire hydrant, crosswalk or stop sign, and on any slope you must turn your front wheels toward the curb or edge and set the parking brake. This guide covers parallel, angle and hill parking, backing, lane rules, passing and merging under Alberta’s Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation, and what the Class 5 road test examiner marks you on.

    Key facts

    • Parallel parking: sides parallel to the curb, wheels within 500 mm of it.
    • Angle parking with no painted lines: 30 to 60 degrees to the curb, one front wheel within 500 mm.
    • No stopping or parking within 5 m of a hydrant, the near side of a marked crosswalk, or a stop or yield sign you are approaching; within 1.5 m of a driveway; or on a crosswalk, sidewalk or bridge.
    • In a town or city you may not back into or through an intersection or crosswalk.
    • No passing uphill, on a curve, or within 30 m of a level railway crossing on a two-lane road.
    • The Class 5 road test is a fail at more than 75 points, and poor observation is the main way points add up.

    Before you move: Alberta’s pre-drive routine

    1. Walk round the car: look for children and objects in your path, tire inflation and leaks underneath. Beside a road, walk facing oncoming traffic.
    2. Lock the doors.
    3. Adjust the seat so you are at least 25 cm (10 in) from the steering wheel, can see over it, and can push the pedals fully (and the clutch to the floor in a manual).
    4. Adjust the head restraint: its centre level with the tops of your ears, ideally less than 10 cm from your head.
    5. Set the mirrors: rear window framed in the inside mirror, and just a sliver of your own car in each side mirror.
    6. Fasten your seat belt: lap belt low and snug over the hips, shoulder belt across the chest. The law requires it, airbags or not.

    Hands at about 9 and 3 o’clock (10 and 2 if the wheel design needs it), and use hand-over-hand steering for corners. Press the accelerator gradually, then hold it steady at the speed you want: smooth acceleration is safer and uses less fuel. Before pulling out, check your path, mirrors and blind spot, and signal left from the right side of the road.

    Stopping distance and braking

    Total stopping distance is perception distance plus reaction distance plus braking distance. Perception takes about three-quarters of a second and reaction about another three-quarters, before the brakes do anything, and new drivers often take longer. Brake early and smoothly. To stop fast without ABS, use threshold braking: firm pressure just short of locking the wheels, easing off slightly if they lock.

    Manual transmissions

    Start the engine in neutral with the clutch pressed. Find the friction point and release the clutch slowly. Take your foot off the clutch after each change (no “riding the clutch”), and do not coast to a stop with it pressed.

    Parallel parking in Alberta: the rule and the method

    What the law requires

    • The sides of the vehicle must be parallel to the curb or edge of the roadway.
    • The right wheels must be no more than 500 mm (50 cm) from the right curb or edge.
    • On a one-way street where parking is allowed on both sides, the wheels closest to the curb must be within 500 mm, and the car must face the direction of travel.

    A step-by-step method

    1. Check mirrors, signal right and stop beside the car in front of the space, about one metre out, with your rear bumpers roughly level.
    2. Shoulder check, then reverse slowly while watching all around.
    3. When your rear wheel lines up with the other car’s rear bumper, turn the wheel fully right.
    4. When your car is at about 45 degrees and your front bumper clears the other car’s rear, straighten the wheel and keep backing.
    5. When the front of your car is clear, turn fully left to swing the front in.
    6. Straighten up, centre the car in the space and check you are within 50 cm of the curb.
    7. Leaving: signal left, mirror and shoulder check, and pull out only when there is a safe gap.

    Signalling when you pull out is a legal duty in Alberta: from a space on the right side of the road, signal left before you move into traffic.

    Angle and reverse-angle parking

    • Painted lines: park between and parallel to two of the lines, with one front wheel no more than 500 mm from the curb.
    • No painted lines but a sign permits angle parking: park at 30 to 60 degrees to the curb, with one front wheel within 500 mm.
    • Angle parking is only allowed where a sign says it is permitted or required.

    Backing out of an angle space is one of the riskiest moves for a new driver. Back out very slowly, check both ways over your shoulder and keep checking until you are fully out.

    Hill parking: which way to turn your wheels

    Alberta’s rule is short: on any grade or slope, turn the front wheels toward the nearest curb or edge of the roadway so the car cannot roll, and set the parking brake.

    Situation Turn the front wheels Why
    Downhill, with a curb Right, toward the curb If it rolls, the front tire stops against the curb
    Uphill, with a curb Left, away from the curb, and let the car roll back gently until the rear of the front tire rests on the curb The curb blocks the tire from rolling backward
    Uphill or downhill, no curb Right, toward the edge of the road If it rolls, it rolls off the road, not into traffic

    The table matches the diagrams in Alberta’s Driver’s Guide (Spring 2023, chapter 3) for parking on the right side of the road. Parked on the left side, turn the wheels the opposite way.

    Hill parking, uphill or downhill, is on the Class 5 road test. Always set the parking brake, and shift to Park (or a low gear in a manual car).

    Perpendicular parking

    Approach slowly, about 2 m out from the rear of the vehicle to the right of the space. When your front bumper is level with that vehicle’s left side, look through the space, turn fully right and drive in slowly, checking your left front corner and right side. Centre the car completely in the stall. Entering a stall on the left is easier, but only do it in a parking lot. Perpendicular parking is on the road test too.

    Getting in and out beside traffic

    Before opening your door, check mirrors and shoulder check for traffic and cyclists. Open it no wider than you need, get out quickly and walk round the rear facing traffic. To get in, approach from the front of the car.

    Where you cannot stop or park in Alberta

    Unless a sign, a peace officer or traffic conditions direct otherwise, you must not stop or park:

    • on a sidewalk, boulevard or crosswalk
    • inside an intersection (except next to the curb in a “T” intersection)
    • within 5 m of the corner property line at an intersection, unless a meter or sign allows it
    • within 5 m of a stop sign or yield sign on your approach
    • within 5 m of a fire hydrant (or the point on the curb nearest it)
    • within 5 m of the near side of a marked crosswalk
    • within 1.5 m of a garage, private road or driveway access
    • beside a parked car (double parking), or beside a street excavation where it would block traffic
    • on a bridge, in a subway, or on the approaches to either
    • at the scene of a fire, collision or emergency if you would obstruct traffic or responders
    • on a divided highway, to the left of the yellow line, except in an emergency

    Outside towns and cities, park off the roadway if you can. On a provincial highway, you may only stop on the road, shoulder or parking lane if the vehicle cannot move, there is an emergency, or the law allows it. If you must stop on the road, leave room for traffic to pass and make sure your car can be seen from 60 m in both directions.

    Backing up safely, and where it is illegal

    Reverse at a crawl. For a straight line, put your left hand at the top of the wheel, turn onto your right hip and look over your right shoulder, glancing forward now and then. Correct with no more than a quarter turn, steering the way you want the rear to go. Backing out of a driveway, reverse into the nearest lane only, never into a second lane.

    • You may only back up if it can be done safely without interfering with other traffic.
    • In an urban area, you must not back into or through an intersection or crosswalk.
    • Before backing: walk around the car if you cannot see behind it, check both mirrors, then turn your head and look over your right shoulder through the rear window.
    • Back slowly, keep looking where you are going, and stop if a pedestrian or car appears.

    Back-up cameras help, but the examiner wants to see you turn and look. A missed shoulder check is a point deduction.

    U-turns in Alberta

    A U-turn must be safe and must not interfere with other traffic. It is illegal:

    • on a curve, or near the crest of a hill, if drivers approaching within 150 m cannot see you
    • in an urban area between intersections, at an alley intersection, or at an intersection that is an entrance to a public or private facility
    • where a sign prohibits it
    • at an intersection with traffic lights, unless a sign or signal specifically allows it

    Lane driving: lines, signals and following distance

    What the lines mean

    Marking What you may do
    Double solid line Never cross it from one lane to another
    Single solid line, in a town or city Do not cross, except to pass
    Single solid line, outside towns and cities Do not cross
    Solid line beside a broken line Cross only from the broken-line side, only to pass, then return
    Broken line on a two-lane, two-way road Cross to pass a vehicle, then return as soon as safely past
    Broken lines between same-direction lanes Change lanes when safe

    Unless a sign prohibits it, you may cross a single solid line (or, outside towns, a double solid line) to turn left into or out of a driveway or onto a road.

    Changing lanes

    1. Check your mirrors.
    2. Signal early enough to warn other drivers. Alberta law requires a signal before moving from one lane to another, or from a curb or parking lane into traffic.
    3. Shoulder check the blind spot on the side you are moving to.
    4. Move over smoothly, keeping your speed.
    5. Cancel the signal.

    Following distance and slower traffic

    • Alberta law says you must not follow more closely than is reasonable and prudent, given the speed, traffic and road conditions. Leave more room in snow, rain and at night.
    • If you are driving slower than normal traffic, use the right lane or keep as close as practicable to the right edge, except when passing or getting ready to turn left.

    Lane position, blind spots, curves and hills

    • Drive in the centre of your lane. Choose your lane early and avoid last-minute changes.
    • Mirrors never show everything beside and just behind you. Shoulder check through the rear side windows before every lane change.
    • Slow down before a curve, not in it, look well round it and hold a steady speed. Never pass on a curve on a two-lane highway.
    • Near the crest of a hill, move to the right of your lane and never pass. Going down a steep hill, slow down, and in a manual change to a lower gear to save your brakes.
    • When a passing lane is ending, drivers in the right lane merge left and drivers in the left lane let them in.
    • Missed your exit? Carry on to the next one. Never stop or reverse on a highway or its shoulder.

    Passing in Alberta

    • Pass on the left at a safe distance, and return to the right only when you are safely clear.
    • Only pull left of the centre line if the view ahead is clear and there is enough space to finish without interfering with oncoming traffic.
    • No passing when going uphill, on a curve, or within 30 m of a level railway crossing, unless there are two or more lanes in your direction.
    • Passing on the right is allowed only when the vehicle ahead is turning left (or has signalled to), on a one-way road wide enough for two lines of traffic, or on a multi-lane road with a lane free on the right.
    • When someone is passing you: move right to give them room and do not speed up until they are past.

    Merging and exits, and stopped vehicles with flashing lights

    • On an entrance ramp, signal, check mirrors and shoulder check, and use the ramp to match the speed of traffic before you merge into a safe gap.
    • When you pass a stopped vehicle with its flashing lamps on (such as police, an ambulance or a tow truck), you must not drive in its lane or the lane next to it if there is another lane further away you can move into safely. Drivers in that further lane must let you in.
    • To exit, signal early, move into the exit lane before the ramp and slow down on the ramp, not on the highway.

    Alberta’s rule for passing emergency vehicles and tow trucks, and the speed limit beside them, is covered in slow down, move over.

    What the Alberta Class 5 examiner looks for

    Alberta’s examiners add points for errors. More than 75 points on a Class 5 test is a fail. The Government of Alberta gives these examples:

    Type of error How it shows up in parking and lane driving
    Missing a driving skill No mirror or shoulder check before parking, backing, pulling out or changing lanes
    Breaking a rule of the road Parking within 5 m of a hydrant, crossing a solid line, an illegal U-turn
    Doing a manoeuvre poorly Signalling too early or too late, being too hesitant or too aggressive when merging

    An automatic fail is given for endangering a pedestrian or another driver, driving unsafely or breaking traffic laws. Full scoring details: Alberta Class 5 road test.

    Practice plan for a Class 7 learner

    1. Empty parking lot: angle parking and backing in a straight line, 20 times each.
    2. Quiet residential street: parallel parking between two cars, then pulling out with a signal and shoulder check.
    3. A street with a slope: hill parking up and down, with and without a curb.
    4. Four-lane city roads: lane changes with the full mirror, signal, shoulder check routine.
    5. Highway with your supervisor: merging, passing and exiting.

    Remember the Class 7 rules while you practise, including the midnight to 5 a.m. ban and a supervisor aged 18 or older with a full licence. See Alberta Class 7 learner rules.

    Common questions

    How close to the curb do you have to park in Alberta?

    Within 500 mm (50 cm). The car must also be parallel to the curb.

    How far from a fire hydrant can you park in Alberta?

    At least 5 m. If the hydrant is set back from the curb, measure from the point on the curb nearest it.

    Is parallel parking on the Alberta road test?

    Alberta’s Driver’s Guide lists perpendicular, uphill or downhill, and parallel parking among the road test skills (drivers over 65 do not have to parallel park). Confirm the details with your registry when you book.

    Can you pass on the right in Alberta?

    Only when the vehicle ahead is turning left, on a wide one-way road, or on a road with two or more lanes in your direction.

    Can I cross a solid line to turn into a driveway?

    Yes, a single solid line, and outside towns a double solid line, unless a sign prohibits it.

    Can I make a U-turn at a traffic light in Alberta?

    Not unless a sign or signal specifically allows it.

    Related: learning to drive in Alberta, Alberta Driver’s Guide study plan, Alberta intersections and traffic circles, Alberta school and playground zones.

    Sources

    • Government of Alberta, “Driver’s Guide to Operation, Safety and Licensing: Cars and Light Trucks”, Spring 2023 edition (alberta.ca)
    • Alberta King’s Printer, “Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation”, Alberta Regulation 304/2002, consolidated to August 2025 (kings-printer.alberta.ca)
    • Government of Alberta, “Driver’s road test” (alberta.ca)
    • Government of Alberta, “Driver’s Guide to Operation, Safety and Licensing: Cars and Light Trucks” (open.alberta.ca)
  • Quebec demerit points table: SAAQ points and limits by licence

    Quebec demerit points table: SAAQ points and limits by licence

    Photo: Eastmain, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    In Quebec, the SAAQ revokes a learner’s or probationary licence when you reach 4 demerit points, and a regular licence at 8, 12 or 15 points depending on your age. This page lists the points for the offences new Quebec drivers get most often, explains how speeding points climb and double for excessive speed, and shows how long points stay on your record. It is for learner and probationary drivers and their parents.

    Key facts

    • Learner’s and probationary licence: revoked at 4 demerit points, for at least 3 months.
    • Regular licence: revoked at 8 points if you are under 23, 12 points at 23 or 24, and 15 points at 25 or older.
    • Points stay on your record for 2 years from the date of conviction.
    • Using a hand-held phone: 5 points. Failing to stop for a school bus: 9 points. Running a red light or stop sign: 3 points.
    • Excessive speeding doubles the points, so one ticket can cost a learner the licence.
    • Photo radar tickets go to the vehicle owner and carry no demerit points.

    Demerit point limits by licence type and age

    Licence holder Points that lead to revocation
    Learner’s licence 4
    Probationary licence 4
    Regular licence, under 23 8
    Regular licence, 23 or 24 12
    Regular licence, 25 or older 15

    For a learner or probationary driver, reaching 4 points means the licence is revoked and you cannot get a new one for at least 3 months. Revocations for regular licence holders last longer when they happen again. Check the revocation periods that apply to you with the SAAQ.

    The under-23 limit matters even after you finish the probationary period. If you get your regular licence at 18, you still lose it at 8 points until you turn 23.

    Demerit points for common offences in Quebec

    Offence Demerit points Notes
    Using a hand-held phone or other portable electronic device 5 Fine $300 to $600. Repeat offence: $600 fine and immediate licence suspension
    Failing to stop for a school bus or minibus with flashing lights or stop sign on, or passing it illegally 9 Fine $200 to $300
    Failing to obey a red light or stop sign 3
    Failing to stop before a right turn on red where it is allowed 3 Right on red is banned everywhere on the island of Montreal
    Crossing a solid line where prohibited 3 Fine $200 to $300
    Driving with any alcohol as a learner, probationary or under-22 driver 4 Plus an immediate 90-day suspension and a fine of $300 to $600
    Breaking the probationary night passenger limit (drivers 19 or under) 4 Applies midnight to 5 a.m. in the first 12 months
    Speed or action likely to endanger life or property (Highway Safety Code s. 327) 4 Fine $1,000 to $3,000

    The SAAQ’s full table has many more offences. Check the current version on saaq.gouv.qc.ca before you rely on a figure.

    How many demerit points for speeding in Quebec?

    Speed over the limit Demerit points
    11 to 20 km/h 1
    21 to 30 km/h 2
    31 to 45 km/h 3
    46 to 60 km/h 5
    61 to 80 km/h 7
    More than 80 km/h Higher again; check the SAAQ table

    How the speeding fine is worked out

    The Government of Quebec sets a $30 base fine plus an amount for each full 5 km/h over the limit: $10 per 5 km/h up to 20 over, $15 from 21 to 30 over, $20 from 31 to 45 over, $25 from 46 to 60 over and $30 beyond that. Its examples: 70 km/h in a 50 zone costs $70, and 125 km/h in a 90 zone costs $170, before fees.

    Excessive speeding doubles the points

    Quebec calls it grand excès de vitesse. The points and the fine are doubled when you drive:

    • 40 km/h or more over in a zone of 60 km/h or less
    • 50 km/h or more over in a zone above 60 up to 90 km/h
    • 60 km/h or more over in a 100 km/h zone

    Excessive speeding also brings an immediate 7-day licence suspension. The SAAQ notes that a single excessive speeding conviction can carry more than 30 demerit points. More in excessive speeding and stunt driving across Canada.

    Worked examples for new Quebec drivers

    Example 1: two small tickets

    A probationary driver is caught at 25 km/h over (2 points) in March, then at 15 km/h over (1 point) in June. Total: 3 points. One more point within 2 years of the first conviction reaches 4, and the licence is revoked for at least 3 months.

    Example 2: one phone ticket

    A learner picks up a phone to read a text while driving. A hand-held device ticket is 5 points. That is over the 4-point limit, so the learner’s licence is revoked.

    Example 3: excessive speed in a 50 zone

    A probationary driver does 92 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, 42 km/h over. The base points for 31 to 45 km/h over are 3, doubled to 6 because it is 40 or more over in a zone of 60 or less. The licence is suspended at the roadside for 7 days, and the 6 points then revoke it.

    Photo radar and red-light cameras

    Tickets from photo radar and red-light cameras are sent to the vehicle’s owner. They carry no demerit points because the driver is not identified. You still pay the fine. See driving in Montreal as a new driver.

    How long do demerit points stay on your record in Quebec?

    2 years from the date of conviction. Points are counted over that rolling 2-year window, so an old ticket drops off and stops counting towards your limit once 2 years have passed.

    What happens when you reach the limit

    1. The SAAQ revokes your licence.
    2. Learner and probationary drivers cannot get a new licence for at least 3 months.
    3. After the revocation you must apply again and meet the SAAQ’s conditions. Ask the SAAQ which tests or steps apply to you.

    Related rules: Quebec learner’s licence rules, Quebec probationary licence, zero alcohol in Quebec until 22, Quebec Highway Safety Code rules for learners, right turn on red in Quebec. The overview is learning to drive in Quebec.

    Common questions

    How many demerit points can a probationary driver have in Quebec?

    Fewer than 4. At 4 points the licence is revoked for at least 3 months.

    Do photo radar tickets give demerit points in Quebec?

    No. They go to the vehicle owner and carry a fine only.

    How many points is a cellphone ticket in Quebec?

    5 points and a fine of $300 to $600. For a learner or probationary driver, that alone reaches the 4-point limit.

    I am 21 with a regular licence. What is my limit?

    8 points, because you are under 23. It rises to 12 at 23 and to 15 at 25.

    Sources

    • Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, “Demerit Points: Driver’s Licence” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, “Demerit Points: Penalties” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, “Speeding: Fines and demerit points” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, “Avoid distractions: driving requires your full attention” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, “Your obligations around schools and school buses” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • Gouvernement du Québec, “Règlement sur les points d’inaptitude”, C-24.2, r. 37 (legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca)
    • Gouvernement du Québec, “Speed limits” (quebec.ca)
  • Learner driver FAQ for Canada: 30 questions new drivers ask most

    Learner driver FAQ for Canada: 30 questions new drivers ask most

    Photo: Adam Moss, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    These are the 30 questions Canadian learner drivers and their parents ask most, each answered in a few lines for every province and territory where the rules differ, with a link to the full guide. Licensing in Canada is provincial, so an answer that is right in Ontario can be wrong in BC. Start with your own province, then use the links for the detail.

    Key facts

    • You can start at 14 in Alberta, 15 in Yukon, the NWT and Nunavut, and 16 in most other places.
    • The learner stage usually lasts 12 months, often less with approved driver education.
    • Getting from learner to full licence takes at least 2 years almost everywhere.
    • Every jurisdiction requires zero alcohol for new drivers.
    • Driver education is mandatory only in Saskatchewan and Quebec.

    Getting started

    1. How old do you have to be to get a learner’s licence in Canada?

    16 in most provinces. Alberta allows 14. Yukon, the NWT and Nunavut allow 15, as does Saskatchewan for high school driver education students, and Manitoba allows 15 and a half for students in high school driver education. Applicants under 18 (under 19 in Newfoundland and Labrador) need a parent or guardian’s consent. Full table: learning to drive in Canada.

    2. Do I need to take a driving course?

    Only in Saskatchewan and Quebec. Saskatchewan requires high school training (30 hours in class, 6 in the car) or an SGI-certified instructor (6 and 6). Quebec requires the SAAQ’s Road Safety Education Program at a recognized driving school. See SGI driver education and Quebec’s mandatory driving course.

    3. Does a driving course shorten the learner stage?

    Yes, in several provinces. Ontario cuts G1 from 12 to 8 months, Nova Scotia from 12 to 9, and New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador from 12 to 8. PEI cuts 365 days to 275. In BC an approved course cuts the N stage from 24 to 18 months for drivers under 25. Alberta driver training can take up to 6 months off the probationary period. See Ontario BDE, ICBC approved courses.

    4. How much does it cost to get a licence?

    Official fees differ by province, and lessons are the biggest cost. For example, ICBC charges $15 for the knowledge test and $10 for the learner licence. Province-by-province totals: cost of a driver’s licence in Canada.

    5. I am an adult. Do I still go through graduated licensing?

    In most provinces, yes, whatever your age. BC is the main exception, with shorter L and N stages for drivers 25 and older. See learning to drive as an adult in Canada.

    6. I just moved to Canada. Can I swap my licence?

    It depends on your country and province. Some licences exchange without tests, others go into graduated licensing. You also get a limited time to switch, for example 60 days in Ontario and 90 days in BC and Saskatchewan. See exchanging a foreign or out-of-province licence, new to Ontario, moving to BC, Quebec exchanges and international students and newcomers.

    The knowledge test

    7. How many questions are on the learner’s test?

    It varies. ICBC’s test has 50 questions. Alberta’s has 30 and you need 25 to pass. Nova Scotia’s has two parts of 20 questions, with 16 correct needed in each. Newfoundland and Labrador needs 85%. Every province compared: knowledge tests compared across Canada.

    8. Can I take the knowledge test online?

    In BC, yes: ICBC offers it online or in an office, for the same $15 fee. See ICBC knowledge test. Other provinces are listed in the comparison guide above.

    9. Can I take the test in a language other than English?

    Often, yes. ICBC offers 12 languages, including French, Punjabi, Mandarin, Cantonese and Arabic. Alberta offers many languages too. See Alberta Class 7 test and taking the SAAQ tests in English or another language.

    10. What should I study?

    Your province’s official handbook. The questions come from it. Study guides: Ontario signs, BC signs, Alberta Driver’s Guide, Manitoba signs, SGI written test, Nova Scotia signs, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, Yukon, NWT, Quebec signs in French.

    Driving as a learner

    11. Who can supervise me?

    A fully licensed driver with a set amount of experience: 4 years in Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador, 3 years in Manitoba (Class 5F) and New Brunswick, and 2 years in Quebec and Yukon. BC requires a supervisor aged 22 or older. Full table: supervising a learner driver in Canada.

    12. Can I drive at night on a learner’s licence?

    Most learner curfews run from midnight to 5 a.m. The NWT’s runs 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., and PEI’s 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. for drivers under 21. See Canadian graduated licensing compared.

    13. Can I carry passengers as a learner?

    Not in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador or the NWT, apart from your supervisor. BC allows one besides the supervisor (immediate family exempt). Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan allow passengers up to the number of seatbelts. In Saskatchewan, from midnight to 5 a.m., they must be immediate family. Carrying children: child car seat and booster rules.

    14. Can a G1 driver go on the highway in Ontario?

    Not on 400-series highways or high-speed expressways, unless the accompanying driver is a driving instructor. See Ontario G1 rules.

    15. Do I need an L sign?

    In BC, yes, on the back of the car. Yukon learners also show an L sign, PEI Stage 1 drivers a yellow L decal, and Newfoundland and Labrador novices a “NOVICE DRIVER” sign. See BC learner rules.

    16. Can I use my phone on hands-free?

    Not in BC (L and N), Saskatchewan (all GDL stages) or Yukon (learner and novice), where new drivers may not use any device. Every province bans hand-held use for all drivers. See distracted driving penalties across Canada.

    17. Can I drive in another province or the US on my learner’s licence?

    Licensing is provincial, so rules for out-of-province learners vary, and the US has its own rules. Read driving in another province on a learner or novice licence and driving in the US on a Canadian novice licence before you travel.

    18. How many hours should I practise?

    Yukon requires 50 logged hours. ICBC suggests at least 60 hours in BC, and SGI recommends at least 36 in Saskatchewan. See Yukon co-driver rules and the 50-hour log.

    The road test

    19. When can I take my road test?

    After the minimum learner period: 12 months in most provinces (less with driver education), 9 months in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, 6 months plus 50 hours in Yukon. See your provincial pillar: Ontario, Quebec, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, Yukon, NWT, Nunavut.

    20. What do I bring to the road test?

    Your learner licence, ID if required, and a registered, insured, roadworthy car with its papers. Some provinces add proof of driver education or a declaration form. Province-by-province list: road test day checklist.

    21. Can I use my parents’ car, and does it have to be automatic?

    Yes, if it passes the examiner’s check and is registered and insured. An automatic is fine for a Class 5 or G licence. See road test car checklist and automatic or manual for your road test.

    22. How is the road test scored?

    Each province has its own system. In Alberta, more than 75 points on a Class 5 test is a fail. In Quebec, the pass mark is 75%. Both provinces also have automatic fails for dangerous or illegal driving. See Alberta, SAAQ, Ontario G2, ICBC, SGI, Manitoba.

    23. What happens if I fail?

    You rebook and pay again. In Ontario you can retake after at least 10 days. See booking, rescheduling and failing a DriveTest road test.

    24. Is there still a second road test?

    Only in Ontario (the G test). BC replaced its Class 5 road test with a Driving Record Assessment on 19 October 2026, and Alberta dropped its advanced road test on 1 April 2023. See Ontario G road test and BC drops the Class 5 road test.

    After you pass

    25. What rules apply on a novice licence?

    Zero alcohol everywhere, plus passenger limits, night rules and lower demerit limits that differ by province. See Canadian graduated licensing compared, Ontario G2, BC N, Alberta GDL, Quebec probationary, Saskatchewan novice, Manitoba intermediate, Nova Scotia 5N, New Brunswick Level 2, Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, NWT.

    26. How many demerit points can a new driver have?

    Far fewer than a fully licensed driver. Quebec revokes a learner or probationary licence at 4 points. Alberta suspends GDL drivers at 8. Ontario suspends G1 and G2 drivers at 9. Manitoba and Saskatchewan use rating scales. See Quebec demerit table, Ontario, Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador.

    27. Until what age is the zero-alcohol rule?

    21 and under in Ontario and Saskatchewan. Under 22 in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI and the NWT. Manitoba keeps it for the first 36 months of a full licence. See zero alcohol in Quebec until 22, Saskatchewan zero tolerance, impaired driving in Canada.

    28. What counts as stunt or excessive speeding?

    In Ontario, 40 km/h over on a road posted under 80 km/h, or 50 km/h over anywhere. BC impounds for 7 days at 40 km/h over, and Saskatchewan for 30 days at 50 km/h over. See excessive speeding and stunt driving across Canada and Saskatchewan speeding and stunting.

    29. Do I need my own insurance?

    The car you drive must be insured. ICBC asks owners to list a learner on the policy. BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec have public auto insurers. See car insurance for new drivers in Canada.

    30. What do I need to buy my first car?

    A safety inspection where your province requires one, registration in your name and insurance. Ontario needs a Safety Standards Certificate to plate a used car. See buying your first car in Canada.

    Common questions

    Where can I find what a term like Class 7 or DSR means?

    In the Canadian driving licence glossary.

    What winter rules should a learner know?

    Quebec requires winter tires from 1 December to 15 March, and every province teaches winter skills. See winter driving in Canada and Quebec winter tire law.

    Do the school bus and move-over rules differ by province?

    The basics are the same: stop for flashing red school bus lights on undivided roads, and slow down and move over for stopped emergency vehicles. The details differ. See school bus rules and slow down, move over.

    What should I do after a collision?

    Stop, help anyone injured, exchange information and report it where required. Thresholds differ by province. See collision reporting rules by province and moose, deer and caribou.

    Sources

    • Government of Ontario, “Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers” and “Official MTO Driver’s Handbook” (ontario.ca)
    • ICBC, “Preparing for your driver licensing tests”, form MV2022, October 2026 (icbc.com)
    • ICBC, “Learn to Drive Smart” (icbc.com)
    • Government of Alberta, “Get a driver’s licence: steps” and “Driver’s road test” (alberta.ca)
    • Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, “Passenger vehicle licence” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • Manitoba Public Insurance, “Driver’s Handbook” (apps.mpi.mb.ca)
    • SGI, “Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook 2026-27” (sgi.sk.ca)
    • Service Nova Scotia, “Learner’s (Beginner’s) Licence” (novascotia.ca)
    • Government of New Brunswick, “Graduated licences” (gnb.ca)
    • Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, “Graduated Driver Licensing Program” (gov.nl.ca)
    • Government of Prince Edward Island, “Driver’s Handbook”, February 2022 (princeedwardisland.ca)
    • Government of Yukon, “Get a driver’s licence” (yukon.ca)
    • Government of the Northwest Territories, “NWT Driver’s Manual” (inf.gov.nt.ca)
    • Government of Nunavut, “Apply for a driver’s licence” (gov.nu.ca)