Alberta Class 7 Test (Canadian Learner Driver Knowledge Tests) key terms

A probationary Alberta licence for new drivers that requires a supervising fully licensed driver in the front passenger seat and bans driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

Alberta's staged system where new drivers progress from a learner stage to a probationary stage before earning a full licence, with restrictions easing at each stage.

The second GDL stage in Alberta that allows driving without a supervisor but limits passengers and requires zero alcohol, among other conditions.

A fully licensed adult who sits beside a learner and is legally responsible for the learner's driving; Alberta requires this person to hold a valid non-probationary licence.

A rule for Alberta novice drivers meaning any detectable alcohol in the body is a violation, regardless of the general legal limit for fully licensed drivers.

Penalties added to a driver's record for traffic convictions; accumulating enough points leads to licence suspension, and GDL drivers face suspension at a lower total.

A temporary removal of driving privileges by the province, after which the driver may not legally operate a vehicle until reinstatement conditions are met.

The legal priority to proceed through an intersection or roadway situation while others must yield; it is given by law, not taken by assertiveness.

A regulatory sign requiring a driver to slow or stop and let cross traffic or pedestrians go first before entering or merging.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs; vehicles proceed in the order they arrived, and ties are resolved by yielding to the right.

A red octagonal sign requiring a complete stop at the marked line or before the crosswalk, followed by yielding to traffic and pedestrians with priority.

An acceleration lane that lets a driver build speed to match highway traffic and enter smoothly, yielding to vehicles already on the roadway.

The gap between your vehicle and the one ahead; Alberta guidance uses a time-based gap of at least two seconds in good conditions, more when roads are slippery.

A method of checking following distance by counting seconds between when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point and when yours does.

The total distance a vehicle travels from the moment a hazard is seen until it fully stops, combining reaction distance and braking distance.

The brief delay between noticing a hazard and beginning to brake or steer, during which the vehicle keeps moving at its current speed.

A quick glance over the shoulder toward a blind spot before changing lanes or turning, to confirm no vehicle is hidden from the mirrors.

The area around a vehicle that cannot be seen in the mirrors; a shoulder check is needed to detect traffic there before moving sideways.

Moving from one marked lane to another, which requires signalling, mirror checks, a shoulder check, and yielding to traffic already in the target lane.

A vehicle lamp used to announce an intention to turn or change lanes; Alberta law requires signalling well before the manoeuvre.

The required advance warning before a turn or lane change; Alberta law specifies signalling a set distance or time before the movement.

The maximum lawful speed on a road; in Alberta it is 50 km/h in urban areas unless posted otherwise, and lower in school and playground zones.

A marked area near a school with a reduced speed limit during posted hours, where drivers must watch for children crossing.

A marked area near a playground with a reduced speed limit, in effect daily during posted hours, where children may be present.

Operating a vehicle while affected by alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs; it is a criminal offence and a leading cause of fatal collisions.

The percentage of alcohol in the blood; Alberta sets legal limits and imposes immediate roadside sanctions above certain levels.

Handling a phone, texting, or any activity that takes attention from the road; Alberta law bans hand-held device use while driving.

A restraint that holds occupants in place during a collision; Alberta law requires every occupant to be properly buckled.

A specially sized restraint for young children, required by Alberta law until the child meets age, height, or weight thresholds.

A marked or unmarked portion of road where pedestrians have priority; drivers must stop and yield to people crossing there.

A police, fire, or ambulance vehicle using lights or siren; drivers must pull to the right and stop to let it pass.

A place where a road meets train tracks; drivers must slow, look both ways, and stop when signals or gates indicate an approaching train.

A circular intersection where traffic moves counter-clockwise; entering drivers yield to vehicles already circulating.

Loss of tyre contact with the road because water builds up under the tyres, reducing steering and braking control in wet conditions.

A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on the road, common on bridges and shaded areas, that sharply reduces traction.

A loss of tyre grip where the vehicle slides; the correct response is to ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly rather than brake hard.