NWT Class 7 Test cheat sheet

Sign shapes carry meaning: octagon = stop, inverted triangle = yield, diamond = warning, pennant = school zone or school crossing, rectangle = regulatory or information, circle = railway crossing advance warning.

Sign colours: red = stop, yield, prohibition; yellow = warning; orange = construction and maintenance; green = direction and distance; blue = service and information; white with black = regulatory; fluorescent yellow-green = school, pedestrian and cycling warning.

A flashing red signal is treated as a stop sign: full stop, yield to cross traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when safe. A flashing amber signal means slow down and proceed with caution, yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic.

A solid red light permits a right turn only after a full stop and yield, where no sign prohibits it; a left turn on red is permitted only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, if locally allowed.

A green arrow is a protected movement; traffic facing a red light must yield to the arrow movement. A green light without an arrow means yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to vehicles already lawfully in the intersection.

Solid white lines separate traffic moving in the same direction; solid yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. A solid line on your side means do not cross; a broken line on your side means crossing is permitted when safe.

A double solid yellow line prohibits passing and crossing for traffic in both directions, except for a left turn into a driveway or roadway where legal.

Stop lines, crosswalks, and dashed lane lines at intersections mark where to stop and where lane changes are prohibited; a solid white line at an intersection approach means lane changing is discouraged or prohibited.

Uncontrolled intersection rule: the first vehicle to stop or arrive has the right-of-way; if two arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first, and a vehicle turning left yields to oncoming traffic going straight or right.

Right turn on red: permitted after a complete stop and yield to pedestrians and cross traffic, unless a sign prohibits it. Left turn on red: only from a one-way to a one-way street where permitted.

Passing on the left is the normal rule; passing on the right is allowed only when the vehicle ahead is turning left, on a multi-lane road, or on a one-way street with room. Never pass on the shoulder or when a solid line is on your side.

Following distance: use at least a two-second gap in good conditions, three seconds or more at highway speeds or when following motorcycles, heavy vehicles, or in poor weather; increase further on ice and snow.

School buses with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm require traffic in both directions to stop, unless separated by a median or barrier on a divided highway.

Emergency vehicles with lights and siren: pull to the right and stop; if in an intersection, clear it first. Do not follow within 150 metres, and do not park within 100 metres of a fire station entrance.

Railway crossings: stop when lights flash or the gate lowers; if no signal, stop, look and listen. Do not stop on the tracks; a vehicle must not cross if there is not room on the far side.

Speed limits are maximums for ideal conditions; reduce speed for darkness, weather, road surface and visibility. Fines double in construction zones when workers are present, and passing a stopped school bus carries heavy penalties.

Scan 12 to 15 seconds ahead in urban areas and 20 to 30 seconds on highways; check mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds and before any lane change or braking.

Space cushion: keep a minimum two-second following gap, at least one escape route to the side, and avoid driving in other drivers' blind spots.

When a hazard appears, use the SIPDE sequence: Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute.

Hydroplaning occurs when water depth and speed lift tires off the road; ease off the accelerator, do not brake hard, and steer straight until traction returns.

Skids: for a rear-wheel skid, look and steer where you want to go and ease off the accelerator; do not slam the brakes. For a front-wheel skid, release the accelerator and reduce speed until tires regain grip.

Braking distance increases with the square of speed: doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance. Total stopping distance = perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance.

At night, use low beams within 150 metres of oncoming traffic or when following another vehicle; high beams are for unlit roads with no traffic ahead.

Tire blowout: grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking, and steer to a safe stop.

Before entering a curve, slow to a safe speed; brake before the curve, not in it, and accelerate gently out of it.

Pedestrians in a crosswalk, or at an intersection with the intent to cross, have the right-of-way; drivers must stop and remain stopped until they clear the driver's lane and the adjacent lane.

Cyclists are vehicles: give at least one metre of clearance when passing where practical, and more at higher speeds; do not squeeze a cyclist against the curb.

When turning right, check the right mirror and shoulder for cyclists and pedestrians before turning; a cyclist going straight has the right-of-way over a right-turning vehicle.

Heavy vehicles have large blind spots: directly in front, along both sides, and up to 20 metres behind. If you cannot see the truck driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.

Trucks need extra room to turn right because of off-tracking; never pass a truck on the right when it is turning, and stay back from the turning path.

When following a heavy vehicle, increase following distance so you can see past it and it can see you; heavy vehicles need longer stopping distances.

Motorcycles and cyclists are harder to see and judge speed; check twice at intersections and never share a lane with a motorcycle.

Pedestrians with a white cane or guide dog have the right-of-way at all times; yield and do not sound the horn.

Winter tires: use tires marked with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol; they remain effective below 7°C, where all-season rubber hardens and loses grip.

Black ice forms first on bridges, overpasses, shaded areas and intersections; slow down before these zones and avoid sudden steering or braking.

Increase following distance to at least four to six seconds on snow and ice; stopping distances can be many times longer than on dry pavement.

Use low beams in snow and fog; high beams reflect off snow and fog and reduce visibility.

Clear all snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights, roof and hood before driving; flying snow from a roof is a hazard to other drivers.

If you skid on ice, ease off the accelerator, steer gently in the direction you want to go, and avoid hard braking.

If stranded in winter, stay with the vehicle, run the engine briefly for heat with a window cracked, keep the exhaust clear of snow, and set out a marker.

Carry a winter emergency kit: shovel, sand or kitty litter, booster cables, blanket, food, water, flashlight, and a charged phone.

Frostbite and hypothermia risk rises quickly below -20°C; limit exposure and watch for numb skin and confusion.

Impaired driving includes alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, and prescription or over-the-counter medications that cause drowsiness; a driver can be charged even below the legal blood alcohol limit if ability is impaired.

A graduated licence holder in the NWT must have zero blood alcohol; any alcohol is a violation.

Refusing a breath or blood sample is an offence with penalties similar to or greater than impaired driving.

Distracted driving includes texting, holding a phone, programming a GPS, eating, and grooming; a phone may be used only hands-free with a single touch or voice command where permitted.

Aggressive driving includes speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and road rage; it raises crash risk and carries increased penalties.

Fatigue impairs reaction time and judgment like alcohol; take a break every two hours, and do not drive after 17 or more hours awake.

Cannabis and alcohol together multiply impairment; effects last hours after use, and there is no safe way to speed up sobriety other than time.

A driver who is impaired and causes a crash faces criminal charges, licence suspension, and vehicle seizure.

NWT graduated licensing: Class 7 learner stage, then Class 5 probationary stage, then full Class 5. Learner stage requires a supervising driver aged 25 or older with a full licence.

Learner and probationary drivers must have zero blood alcohol; probationary drivers face restrictions on passengers and night driving under NWT rules.

Vehicle registration and insurance must be current; driving an unregistered or uninsured vehicle is an offence and can lead to vehicle seizure.

Demerit points accumulate for convictions; at 6 points a warning letter may be issued, at 10 points a suspension may apply, and at 15 points a licence suspension follows.

New drivers can be suspended at a lower point total; probationary drivers face suspension after fewer points than fully licensed drivers.

Demerit points stay on the record for two years from the offence date in most Canadian jurisdictions.

A licence must be carried when driving; a change of name or address must be reported to the registrar within the required time.

Driving without a licence, or while suspended, is an offence with fines and possible vehicle impoundment.

Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants; the driver is responsible for passengers under 16. Children under 40 pounds or under 9 years must use an appropriate child restraint or booster seat.

A rear-facing child seat must never be placed in front of an active airbag; the safest position is the rear centre seat.

Head restraints should be adjusted so the top is level with the top of the ears and close to the back of the head to reduce whiplash.

Pre-trip check: tires, lights, brakes, mirrors, wipers, washer fluid, and fuel. Check tire pressure monthly when cold.

Tire tread must be at least 1.6 mm in the main grooves; winter tires need more tread for snow and ice grip.

An annual vehicle inspection is required in the NWT for most vehicles; a safety inspection is required when a vehicle changes ownership or is registered from out of territory.

Impaired or unsafe vehicles must not be driven; report defects and repair before driving.

Airbags supplement seat belts, not replace them; both must be used together for full protection.

A yield sign requires slowing and yielding to traffic and pedestrians; a stop is required only if traffic is present.

A stop sign requires a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the intersection, then yield before proceeding.

A yellow diamond warning sign tells you to slow down and prepare for a hazard ahead; the hazard symbol is inside the diamond.

A pennant-shaped sign marks a school zone or school crossing; reduce speed and watch for children.

Orange signs mark construction or maintenance zones; fines double when workers are present.

A red circle with a diagonal slash means the action is prohibited; a green circle means the action is permitted.

A solid yellow line on your side of the centre line means no passing; a broken yellow line on your side means passing is permitted when safe.

Railway crossing signs: a crossbuck means yield to trains; flashing red lights and a lowering gate mean stop.

At a four-way stop, the first to stop goes first; if two stop at the same time, the one on the right goes first.

A vehicle turning left must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right.

A vehicle entering a roadway from a driveway, parking lot, or private road must yield to traffic already on the road.

Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right-of-way; a driver must stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian clears the lane.

Passing is prohibited on a hill or curve where visibility is limited, at intersections, and at railway crossings.

A school bus with flashing red lights requires traffic in both directions to stop unless separated by a median.

Emergency vehicles with lights and siren have the right-of-way; pull to the right and stop.

Speed limits are maximums; reduce speed for weather, road and visibility conditions.

Winter tires marked with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol outperform all-season tires below 7°C.

Black ice forms first on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas; slow down before these zones.

Increase following distance to at least four to six seconds on snow and ice.

Use low beams in snow and fog; high beams reflect and reduce visibility.

Clear all snow and ice from windows, lights, and roof before driving.

If you skid, ease off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want to go.

Carry a winter emergency kit: shovel, sand, booster cables, blanket, food, water, flashlight.

If stranded, stay with the vehicle, run the engine briefly with a window cracked, and keep the exhaust clear of snow.

Impaired driving includes alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, and medications that cause drowsiness.

A graduated licence holder must have zero blood alcohol.

Refusing a breath or blood sample is an offence.

Distracted driving includes texting, holding a phone, and programming a GPS while driving.

Aggressive driving includes speeding, tailgating, and unsafe lane changes.

Fatigue impairs reaction time and judgment; take a break every two hours.

Cannabis and alcohol together multiply impairment; only time sobers a person.

Impaired driving causing a crash leads to criminal charges, licence suspension, and vehicle seizure.

NWT graduated licensing: Class 7 learner, then Class 5 probationary, then full Class 5.

A learner must be supervised by a driver aged 25 or older with a full licence.

Vehicle registration and insurance must be current; driving unregistered or uninsured is an offence.

Demerit points accumulate; 15 points leads to licence suspension.

New drivers can be suspended at a lower point total.

Demerit points stay on the record for two years in most Canadian jurisdictions.

A licence must be carried when driving, and address changes must be reported.

Driving while suspended is an offence with fines and possible vehicle impoundment.

Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants; the driver is responsible for passengers under 16.

Children under 40 pounds or under 9 years must use a child restraint or booster seat.

A rear-facing child seat must never be placed in front of an active airbag.

Head restraints should be level with the top of the ears and close to the head.

Pre-trip check: tires, lights, brakes, mirrors, wipers, and fuel.

Tire tread must be at least 1.6 mm in the main grooves.

An annual vehicle inspection is required in the NWT for most vehicles.

Airbags supplement seat belts, not replace them.