NS Class 7 Test key terms

Nova Scotia's staged licensing system for new drivers. A learner stage with supervision gives way to a novice stage with fewer limits, then a full Class 5 licence once the driver has gained experience.

The first GDL stage in Nova Scotia. Available at age 16 after written and vision tests, it allows driving only with a qualified supervising driver in the front seat and carries strict conditions.

An experienced, fully licensed driver who sits beside a learner and is responsible for how the vehicle is driven. Nova Scotia requires at least three years of driving experience and an appropriate class of licence.

The stage after a learner passes the road test. Novice drivers may drive unsupervised but keep GDL conditions such as a zero alcohol limit and a short minimum period before applying for a full licence.

A condition of the GDL that learner and novice drivers must have no alcohol in their blood at all. Even a small amount means suspension, regardless of the limit that applies to fully licensed drivers.

Points recorded against a driver's licence when convicted of certain traffic offences. They remain on the record for a fixed period, and too many points lead to a warning, a required course, or suspension.

The temporary removal of a person's right to drive, ordered for offences, demerit accumulation or administrative reasons such as a high alcohol reading. Driving while suspended is a separate offence with serious penalties.

An eight-sided red sign that requires a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk edge or intersection. The driver then yields to pedestrians and crossing traffic and moves on only when it is safe.

An inverted red-and-white triangle meaning the driver must slow down and give way. Traffic on the through road and any pedestrians have priority; the driver enters only when there is a safe gap.

A yellow diamond-shaped sign that tells drivers about a hazard ahead, such as a sharp curve, steep hill, railway crossing or merging traffic. It calls for reduced speed and extra attention, not a specific legal duty.

A sign that sets a legal requirement, such as a speed limit, a turn prohibition or a parking restriction. Ignoring one is an offence; they are usually white with black, red or green markings.

A signal head flashing red acts like a stop sign. The driver stops fully, yields to pedestrians and cross traffic, and continues when clear. At a railway crossing it means stop and go only when safe.

A flashing yellow light warns drivers to slow down and proceed carefully. It often marks a low-volume intersection where normal right-of-way rules still decide who goes first.

A line separating traffic moving in opposite directions. When the solid yellow line is on your side, passing is not allowed; a single line may be crossed only to turn into a driveway or entrance.

A dashed white line between lanes travelling in the same direction. Drivers may cross it to change lanes after checking mirrors and the blind spot, signalling, and confirming the move is safe.

The part of the road set aside for pedestrians to cross, marked by painted lines or understood at an intersection. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in it and must not pass a vehicle stopped there.

A crossing with no signs, signals or markings directing traffic. Drivers approach slowly, prepared to stop, and yield to vehicles already in the intersection and to traffic approaching from the right.

The legal priority to move first in a traffic situation. It is decided by signs, signals and rules such as yielding to the right, and it is something a driver gives up rather than insists on.

An intersection where every approach has a stop sign. Vehicles leave in the order they stopped; if two stop together, the one on the right goes first, and left-turning drivers yield to oncoming traffic.

A circular intersection with one-way traffic around a central island. Entering drivers yield to vehicles already circulating and to pedestrians at the crosswalk, then signal right before leaving.

A turn that must wait for a safe gap in opposing traffic and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. Signal early, position correctly, keep wheels straight while waiting, and turn only when clear.

A following-distance test: when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed landmark, count at least two seconds before you reach it. Increase the gap in poor weather, darkness, or behind large vehicles.

The margin of clear space kept around a vehicle, front, sides and rear. It buys time to react and room to steer when traffic ahead stops suddenly or another driver drifts into your lane.

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

A quick glance over the shoulder into the blind spot before a lane change, merge or turn. It reveals vehicles, cyclists and motorcyclists that the mirrors missed.

A blind spot around a large truck or bus where the driver cannot see a nearby car. A useful test is whether you can see the truck's mirrors; if not, the driver probably cannot see you.

The space a driver should leave when passing a cyclist: at least one metre on most roads, and more as speed rises. If that space is not available, follow behind until it is.

A motorcycle is entitled to the full width of a lane, and drivers of cars must not move into that space. Motorcycles are small, so look twice before turning or changing lanes.

Driving while alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs or some medications reduce your ability to control the vehicle. It is a criminal offence, and charges can follow even when a driver is under the usual legal alcohol limit.

Driving while your attention is pulled away by a phone, food, grooming, a screen or passengers. Nova Scotia bans hand-held devices while driving, and any distraction raises the chance of a crash.

A pattern of deliberate, risky behaviour such as tailgating, speeding, cutting people off, weaving or intimidating gestures. The safe response is to give the driver room and avoid reacting or making eye contact.

Water lifting the tires off the road so they no longer grip. Steering and braking fade; ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking or sharp turns, and hold a steady course until traction returns.

A slide in which the tires lose grip and the vehicle no longer follows the steering. Ease off the accelerator and brake, look and steer where you want to go, and avoid sudden corrections.

A system that rapidly releases and reapplies brake pressure so the wheels keep turning. In an emergency, press the pedal firmly and hold it, even if it pulses, and steer around the hazard.

A clear, thin ice layer that makes pavement look merely wet. It forms on bridges, overpasses and shaded stretches in cold weather, and grip disappears with almost no visible warning.

A police, fire or ambulance vehicle using flashing lights or a siren. Drivers must pull to the right and stop, or clear an intersection, and stay put until it has passed.

A law requiring drivers to slow down and, when it is safe, change lanes away from stopped emergency vehicles or roadside workers displaying flashing lights, giving them room to work safely.

Flashing red lights and a stop arm on a school bus mean stop in both directions on an undivided road. Remain stopped until the lights stop flashing, whether or not children are in sight.

A signed area near a school where the speed limit drops, usually to 30 km/h in Nova Scotia, while children are present or during posted hours. Watch for children, crossing guards and stopped buses.

Everyone in a vehicle must be properly restrained: a seat belt for adults and older children, an approved child seat or booster for younger, smaller children under provincial rules. Restraints are required by law.