Alberta Basic Driver's Assessment

1. Basic Speed Limits

• Default speed limit outside cities, towns, or villages on primary highways:
  100 km/h unless otherwise posted.

2. Backing a Passenger Vehicle

• When backing to the left, always look over the left shoulder with occasional glances to the front.
• Do not rely solely on mirrors; shoulder checks are essential for safety.

3. Traffic Control Lights and Turning

4. Demerit Point System in Alberta

• A fully licensed driver (not learner or probationary) will be suspended after accumulating 15 demerit points.

5. Passing Large Trucks on Two-Way Highways

• After passing, leave extra room before returning to your lane for safety.
• Do not return immediately when the truck’s headlights signal or when it disappears from mirrors; ensure a safe distance.

Remember: The basic speed limit outside urban areas on primary highways is 100 km/h unless posted otherwise.

1. Vehicle Control and Driving Techniques

a) Turning and Signaling

• Signal and reduce speed before turning to alert other road users.
• Look in the direction of the turn (right for right turns, left for left turns) to check for cyclists and vehicles.
• Yield to vehicles when required before proceeding with the turn.

b) Road Signs and Their Meanings

c) Road Markings

• A single solid white line between lanes in urban areas means lane changing is not permitted.
• This line separates lanes moving in the same direction, not opposite directions.

d) Parking Lane Definition

• A parking lane is the lane closest to the curb where parking is allowed.
• It includes the area between the edge of the roadway and the nearest solid white line (not the center line).
• It may be beside parking meters or in areas without meters.

e) Shoulder Checking

• Shoulder checking means glancing over your shoulder toward the blind spot in the direction you intend to move.
• This is essential before changing lanes or merging.

f) Traffic Signs for Road Conditions

g) Traffic-Lane Control Lights

• A red “X” above a lane means travel is not permitted in that lane.
• Drivers must move out of the lane immediately.

h) Parental Consent for Drivers Under 18

• Parents can withdraw previously given consent for a driver under 18.
• This affects the operator’s licence status for the minor.

Remember: Always signal and check your blind spots before turning or changing lanes to ensure safety.

1. Traffic Lights and Signals

Traffic lights and signals control the flow of traffic and ensure safety at intersections. Understanding their meanings and required actions is essential for safe driving.

a) Key Traffic Light Colors and Their Meanings

b) Special Traffic Signals

• Flashing Red Light:
  Stop completely, then proceed only when it is safe. Treat it like a stop sign.

• Flashing Yellow Light:
  Slow down and proceed with caution. No need to stop unless necessary.

c) Yield Sign Rules

• When approaching a Yield sign, you must:
  • Yield the right-of-way to all traffic not facing the sign and to all pedestrians in the intersection.
  • Do not assume other vehicles will yield to you.
  • You do not have to stop if the way is clear, but be prepared to stop if necessary.

d) Important Driving Concepts Related to Signals

• Over-driving headlights at night:
  Driving at a speed that does not allow you to stop within the distance illuminated by your headlights. This is dangerous because you cannot see obstacles in time to react.

• Safe following distance (2-second rule):
  Maintain at least a 2-second gap between your vehicle and the one ahead to ensure enough reaction time. This rule is accurate at any speed.

Remember: At a flashing red light, always stop and proceed only when safe; at a Yield sign, always yield to traffic and pedestrians before proceeding.

1. Demerit Points System

• Demerit points are assigned to drivers who commit traffic violations.
• Points accumulate on a driver's record and can lead to penalties.
• The more serious the offence, the higher the points assigned.
• Accumulating too many points can result in license suspension or other consequences.

2. Licensing and Probation

• Alberta uses a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program to help new drivers gain experience safely.
• After passing the basic driving test, a driver receives a probationary Class 5 license.
• The minimum probation period is 1 year.
• During probation, drivers must avoid serious offences and accumulating demerit points.

3. Key Legal Responsibilities for Drivers

4. Parking Rules

• When parallel parking, wheels closest to the curb must be within 30 centimetres.

5. Important Road Signs and Markings

6. Stopping and Following Distance

• When stopping behind another vehicle, maintain enough space to move into another lane without reversing.
• Keep a safe distance to avoid collisions.

> The driver is legally responsible for ensuring passenger safety, reporting medical conditions, and reporting collisions involving injury or significant damage.

1. Passing

• Passing means overtaking another vehicle traveling in the same direction.
• Always ensure safe passing conditions: clear visibility, no oncoming traffic, and enough space.
• Use turn signals before passing to alert other drivers.
• Return to your lane only when you can see the passed vehicle’s headlights in your rearview mirror.
• Never pass:
  • On hills or curves where visibility is limited.
  • At intersections, pedestrian crossings, or railroad crossings.
  • When signs or road markings prohibit passing.

2. Lane Management

• Lane discipline is crucial for safety and smooth traffic flow.
• Stay in your lane and avoid unnecessary lane changes.
• Use turn signals to indicate lane changes or turns.
• Maintain a safe following distance: about 1 metre from the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead.
• If a vehicle is following too closely (tailgating), slow down gradually to encourage them to pass safely.
• Weave Zone: an area on highways where entrance and exit lanes are close, requiring careful lane changes between accelerating and decelerating vehicles.

3. Key Rules for Safe Driving

Always maintain safe distances and signal intentions clearly to ensure safe passing and lane management.

1. Road Signs and Markings

a) Speed Limits When Passing

• Never exceed the speed limit when passing another vehicle.
  It is not permitted to go over the speed limit during passing maneuvers.

b) Common Road Signs

c) Construction Zones

• Speed limits in construction zones must be obeyed at all times, regardless of time of day or presence of workers.

d) Braking Techniques

• Threshold braking (without ABS):
  Apply firm, steady brake pressure just before wheels lock; ease off slightly if wheels lock to maintain control.
• Recommended smooth stop:
  Apply brake pressure steadily, ease off just before stopping, then reapply as needed for a smooth stop.
• Avoid pumping brakes unless ABS is not present and threshold braking is not possible.

e) Emergency Vehicles

• When approached by an emergency vehicle with siren on a two-way road:
  Drive as close as possible to the right curb or edge and stop to allow safe passage.

Always obey speed limits and road signs to ensure safety for all road users.

1. Right-of-Way Rules

• At a traffic circle (roundabout):
  Vehicles entering must yield to vehicles already in the circle.

• At an uncontrolled T-intersection:
  When two vehicles arrive at the same time at right angles, the vehicle on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.

• General rule:
  Yield to the vehicle on your right when arriving simultaneously at an intersection without signs or signals.

2. Lane Usage for Turns

3. Special Lanes

• Deceleration lane:
  A lane where vehicles reduce speed when exiting a highway.

• Right lane on a four-lane highway:
  Used by slower moving vehicles.

4. Important Notes

• Seat belts must be worn properly at all times, regardless of speed or location.

Always yield to vehicles already in a traffic circle and to the vehicle on your right at uncontrolled intersections.

1. Safe Following Distance

• Safe following distance is the space you maintain between your vehicle and the one ahead to allow enough time to react and stop safely.
• The two-second rule is a common method to estimate safe following distance: when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point, you should be able to count at least two seconds before you reach the same point.
• Increase following distance in poor weather, heavy traffic, or when driving a larger vehicle.
• Maintaining a safe following distance helps prevent rear-end collisions.

2. Speed and Its Impact on Safety

• Speed limits are set to ensure safety based on road conditions, traffic, and environment.
• Driving too fast reduces your ability to react to hazards and increases stopping distance.
• Driving too slow can disrupt traffic flow and cause accidents.
• Adjust your speed according to weather, visibility, and road conditions, even if below the posted speed limit.

3. Merging and Acceleration Lanes

4. Key Traffic Signs and Signals

5. School Zone Speed Limits

• School zone speed limits apply only during school days.
• Typical hours: 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. unless otherwise posted.
• Always slow down and watch for children during these times.

> Always maintain a safe following distance and adjust your speed to road and traffic conditions to ensure safe driving.

1. Parking Regulations

Front wheels positioning when parked uphill with a curb:

• Turn the front wheels away from the curb (to the right). This prevents the vehicle from rolling into traffic if brakes fail.

Approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights:

• Stop behind the bus and wait until the red lights stop flashing before proceeding.
• Do not pass the bus while lights are flashing.

Scanning distance in urban areas:

• Look 12 to 15 seconds ahead to anticipate hazards and traffic flow.

Leaving a parallel parking space on the right side:

• Signal right before moving.
• Perform a shoulder check to the left to ensure it is safe to merge into traffic.

Approaching the top of a hill on a two-lane highway:

• Stay to the right portion of your lane to allow safe passing by oncoming vehicles.
• Do not exceed the speed limit or hug the center line.

Playground zones operation times:

• Playground zones are active from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
• Drivers must reduce speed and be extra cautious during these hours.

Remember: When parking uphill with a curb, always turn your wheels away from the curb to prevent rolling into traffic.

1. Driver Responsibilities

• Most skids result from driver error, not just bad brakes, tires, or icy roads.
• Parking near a Stop sign: must be at least 5 metres away.
• Parking in spaces for persons with disabilities is only allowed if the vehicle displays a proper identifying placard or licence plate.
• Headlights must be dimmed when approaching another vehicle from behind at a minimum distance of 60 metres.
• Dual turns at intersections are permitted only when indicated by pavement markings or traffic control signs.
• Speed limit signs indicate the maximum speed permitted when conditions are favourable, not a recommended or minimum speed.
• A learner with a Class 7 license is suspended after accumulating 8 demerit points under the Graduated Driver Licensing program.

2. Key Traffic Signs

3. Important Distances and Rules

Always follow posted signs and rules to ensure safety and avoid penalties.

1. Seat Belts and Passenger Safety

Seat belts are the most effective safety device in vehicles to reduce injuries and fatalities in crashes. They keep occupants securely in place, preventing ejection and reducing impact with the vehicle interior.

a) Key Rules for Seat Belt Use

• All drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times when the vehicle is moving.
• Seat belts must be properly fastened and adjusted to fit snugly across the chest and hips.
• Children must use appropriate child safety seats or booster seats based on their age, weight, and height.

b) Benefits of Seat Belts

c) Passenger Safety Tips

• Ensure all passengers are buckled up before driving.
• Children under a certain age or size must be in child restraints.
• Avoid distractions by securing loose objects and ensuring passengers behave safely.
• Passengers should sit properly with seat belts fastened, not leaning or standing.

> Always wear your seat belt and ensure all passengers do the same to maximize safety in every trip.

1. Emergency Situations and Skid Recovery

Key rules when encountering pedestrians and stopped vehicles:

• Do not pass a stopped vehicle if a pedestrian is crossing.
• You may pass only if:
  • Eye contact is made with the pedestrian and the pedestrian stops.
  • The pedestrian crossing signal shows “Don’t Walk.”

2. Proper Head Restraint Position

• The center of the head restraint should be level with the top of the ears to provide effective protection.

3. Important Traffic Signs and Their Meanings

4. Passing Lane Rules

• When a “Passing Lane Ahead” sign is posted:
  • Drivers of slower vehicles must move into the right lane when safe to allow others to pass.

5. School Bus Warning Lights

• When approaching a school bus with alternating flashing amber lights:
  • Be prepared to stop; these lights warn that the bus will soon stop to load or unload students.

6. Definition of Nighttime (Basic Licence Handbook)

• Nighttime is defined as the period beginning at sunset and ending at the following sunrise.

Remember: Always adjust your driving behavior according to signs, signals, and the presence of pedestrians or school buses to ensure safety.

1. School Zones and Special Areas

• School zones are areas near schools where special driving rules apply to protect children.
• Playground zones are similar to school zones but located near playgrounds.
• In these zones, speed limits are reduced and must be obeyed strictly during specified times.
• Warning signs indicate the presence of school zones, playground zones, or pedestrian crossings ahead.
• Drivers must yield to pedestrians in these areas and be extra cautious.
• School bus stops require drivers to stop when the bus is loading or unloading children.
• Passing a loaded log-haul truck turning is dangerous because the logs may extend into adjacent lanes, creating a hazard.
• At railway crossings with flashing red lights and bells, drivers must stop at least 5 metres from the nearest rail until the train passes.
• When exiting a parking lot onto a roadway, a vehicle must come to a complete stop before entering traffic.
• The recommended way to drive through a curve on a highway is to reduce speed before the curve, stay in your lane, and gently accelerate after entering the curve.

Always stop for flashing railway crossing signals and obey reduced speed limits in school and playground zones to ensure safety.

1. Graduated Driver Licensing Program (GDL)

The Graduated Driver Licensing Program is designed to help new drivers gain experience and skills gradually under lower-risk conditions before obtaining full driving privileges.

2. Key Rules and Procedures

3. Important Traffic Signs

Remember: Always yield to funeral processions and pedestrians at crosswalks to ensure safety and respect.

1. Collision Reporting and Legal Requirements

• Stop at a steady yellow traffic light unless stopping cannot be done safely. Do not proceed or increase speed to clear the intersection.

• Road markings:

  • A solid yellow line with a broken yellow line at the center means:
    • Passing is allowed only if the broken line is on your side.
    • Passing is not allowed if the solid line is on your side.

• School zone speed limit:
  At 9:00 A.M. on a school day in a rural area, the maximum speed is 30 km/h, unless otherwise posted.

• Passing on a two-lane highway:

  • Pass on the left side when it is safe.
  • Do not pass on the right.
  • Do not pull out to pass until you are safely clear of the vehicle ahead.

• Parking near fire hydrants:
  Vehicles must be parked at least 5 metres away from a fire hydrant.

• Driver behavior when being passed on a two-way road:
  Stay in your lane and move to the right portion of the lane to allow the passing vehicle to pass safely.

Remember: Always follow traffic signals and road markings carefully to ensure safety and comply with legal requirements.