BC Class 7 Test key terms

The legal priority to proceed first at an intersection, crosswalk, or narrow passage. It is granted by signs, signals, or rules rather than taken by assertion or courtesy.

A red-and-white triangular sign requiring you to slow or stop and let traffic on the intersecting road, or pedestrians, pass before you enter or cross.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs. Vehicles proceed in the order they arrived, and simultaneous arrivals yield to the vehicle on the right.

A crossing with no signs or signals controlling it. Drivers must slow down, look carefully, and yield to traffic already in the intersection or approaching from the right.

A green signal that has been showing for some time and may soon change. A cautious driver approaching one prepares to stop instead of speeding up.

The position at which a vehicle can no longer stop safely before an intersection line. Once past it on a yellow light, the driver should continue through rather than brake abruptly.

A signal warning that the green phase is ending and red will follow. It means stop if you can do so safely, not accelerate to beat the change.

A signal that functions like a stop sign: come to a complete stop, yield to cross traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when the way is clear.

A signal warning of a hazard such as a school crossing or an intersection where cross traffic has a stop sign. Slow down and proceed with caution.

A signed area near a school where lower speed limits apply during posted hours. Drivers must watch for children, crossing guards, and stopped school buses.

The extendable stop sign on the side of a school bus. When it is out with red lights flashing, traffic in both directions must stop unless separated by a median.

A marked or unmarked portion of roadway where pedestrians have priority. Drivers must yield, and must not pass a vehicle stopped at one.

A circular intersection where traffic flows one way around a central island. Entering vehicles yield to traffic already circulating, and drivers signal when exiting.

An acceleration lane allowing a vehicle to build speed and join moving traffic. The merging driver adjusts speed and gaps rather than expecting others to move over.

Moving from one travel lane to another. It requires signalling, checking mirrors, shoulder checking for blind spots, and confirming space before moving gradually.

The area beside and behind a vehicle that mirrors do not show. Drivers must turn their head to check it before changing lanes, merging, or reversing.

A brief glance over the shoulder toward the blind spot before a lateral move. It supplements mirror checks and is essential before lane changes and merges.

The gap between your vehicle and the one ahead. It should grow with speed and poor conditions so there is time to react if traffic stops suddenly.

A method of judging following distance by counting seconds between the vehicle ahead passing a fixed object and your own vehicle reaching it. Increase the count in bad weather.

The total ground covered from perceiving a hazard to coming to rest. It combines perception, reaction, and braking distance and rises sharply with speed and slippery surfaces.

Loss of tyre contact with the road when water builds under the tread. Steering and braking become ineffective; ease off the accelerator and avoid hard braking until grip returns.

Sliding of tyres with reduced or lost traction. The recovery is to ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go.

The grip between tyres and road surface that allows steering, accelerating, and braking. It is reduced by rain, ice, gravel, worn tread, and abrupt control inputs.

A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on the road, often in shaded areas, on bridges, and at dawn. It offers very little traction and requires gentle, slow inputs.

A system that rapidly releases and reapplies brake pressure to prevent wheel lock-up. In an emergency, press firmly and hold while steering; do not pump the pedal.

Braking as hard as possible just short of locking the wheels. It produces maximum stopping force while preserving steering control in vehicles without anti-lock brakes.

Operating a vehicle while affected by alcohol, cannabis, medication, or fatigue. It slows reactions and judgement and is a criminal offence with severe penalties.

Any activity that takes your eyes, hands, or attention away from driving, such as texting, eating, or adjusting devices. Even brief glances away can cause a collision.

Physical and mental tiredness that degrades attention, reaction time, and judgement. The safe response is to stop and rest; fresh air and loud music do not restore alertness.

The buffer of clear space kept around your vehicle on all sides. It gives room to swerve or brake and is maintained by adjusting speed and lane position.

A proactive style of driving that anticipates mistakes by others and prepares an escape route. It involves scanning ahead, managing space, and avoiding assumptions about other drivers.

The skill of recognising developing risks early, such as a pedestrian near the kerb or a car edging out of a driveway, so you can adjust speed in time.

The principle that drivers must cooperate with pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and large vehicles. It requires patience, predictable behaviour, and generous space for vulnerable users.

A road user with little physical protection, such as a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcyclist. Drivers owe them extra care because collisions cause them far greater harm.

The minimum lateral gap a driver should leave when overtaking a cyclist, commonly at least one metre on low-speed roads and more at higher speeds.

The extensive area around a truck or bus that the driver cannot see, especially along both sides and directly behind. Avoid lingering there and never pass on the right.

A place where the road crosses train tracks. Drivers must slow, look both ways, obey signals and gates, and never stop on the tracks or attempt to beat a train.

Parking between two vehicles along a kerb. It involves signalling, aligning alongside the front vehicle, reversing at an angle, and straightening while checking all around.

A manoeuvre to reverse direction on a narrow road using forward and backward movements. It requires full lock control, constant observation, and only safe, legal locations.