NWT Class 7 Test key terms

A sign that states a legal requirement or prohibition, such as a stop, yield, speed limit, or no-parking sign. Drivers must obey it; ignoring one is an offence under territorial law.

A sign, usually yellow diamond-shaped, that alerts drivers to an upcoming hazard or change in road conditions such as a curve, hill, or slippery surface. It advises caution rather than imposing a rule.

An eight-sided red sign requiring a vehicle to come to a complete halt at the stop line or crosswalk, then proceed only when the way is clear and right-of-way rules allow.

An inverted triangular sign meaning the driver must slow down and give way to traffic on the intersecting road, stopping if necessary before entering or crossing it.

A yellow sign showing a recommended maximum speed for a specific hazard such as a sharp curve or ramp. It is a suggestion for safe conditions, not the posted legal limit.

A white rectangular sign displaying the maximum legal speed permitted on that road under normal conditions. Driving above it is a speeding offence even if road or weather conditions seem fine.

Painted lines, arrows, or symbols on the road surface that guide or regulate traffic, such as lane dividers, stop lines, crosswalks, and turn arrows. They carry the same authority as signs.

A continuous painted line that generally may not be crossed by a driver. A solid yellow line separates opposing traffic; a solid white line marks the edge of a lane or roadway.

A dashed painted line that may be crossed when it is safe and legal to do so, for example to pass or change lanes. White dashes separate lanes moving in the same direction.

An electrically operated signal with red, yellow, and green lenses that controls the movement of vehicles and pedestrians at an intersection or other controlled location.

A solid red signal requiring vehicles to stop completely behind the stop line or crosswalk and remain stopped until the light turns green, unless a permitted turn on red applies.

A blinking yellow signal warning drivers to slow down and proceed with caution, often used at intersections where the cross traffic has a flashing red or where a hazard exists.

A rule allowing a driver to turn right after a complete stop at a red light, provided no sign forbids it, the way is clear, and pedestrians and cross traffic are given the right-of-way.

The legal priority to proceed through a location before other road users. It is given or yielded, never taken; drivers must follow the specific rules for each situation.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs. Vehicles stop fully and proceed in the order they arrived; if two arrive at the same time, the one on the right goes first.

An intersection with no signs or signals controlling it. Drivers must slow down, be ready to stop, and yield to traffic already in the intersection or approaching from the right.

The gap a driver keeps behind the vehicle ahead, measured in seconds. A minimum of two seconds is recommended in good conditions, and more when roads are slippery or visibility is poor.

A method of checking following distance by counting the seconds between the vehicle ahead passing a fixed object and your own vehicle reaching it. Fewer than two seconds means you are too close.

The total distance a vehicle travels from the moment a hazard is seen until it comes to rest. It combines perception, reaction, and braking distance and grows with speed and poor surface conditions.

A quick glance over the shoulder into the blind spot before changing lanes or merging, used together with mirrors to confirm no vehicle or cyclist is hidden beside you.

The area around a vehicle that cannot be seen in the mirrors or by direct forward vision. Every vehicle has them, and large trucks have much larger ones than passenger cars.

A marked or unmarked portion of the roadway intended for pedestrians crossing. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk and must not pass a vehicle stopped at one.

A person travelling on foot, including someone using a wheelchair or other mobility aid. Pedestrians generally have the right-of-way at crosswalks and at intersections where a vehicle is turning.

The large blind areas around a heavy truck where the driver cannot see a nearby vehicle. Drivers should avoid lingering beside or directly behind a truck and pass quickly and safely.

A large truck, bus, or tractor-trailer that needs far more room to turn, stop, and change lanes. It has long stopping distances and wide turning paths that other drivers must allow for.

A turn taken by a large vehicle that swings left before turning right, or right before turning left, to clear curbs and corners. Drivers should not squeeze alongside a turning truck.

A thin, nearly transparent layer of ice on pavement that looks like wet road or bare asphalt. It is most common on bridges, shaded stretches, and early morning, and it sharply reduces traction.

A loss of tire grip where the vehicle slides rather than following the steering. Recovery involves easing off the accelerator and brakes and steering gently in the direction you want to go.

A tire made with a softer compound and deeper tread designed to grip ice and cold pavement. It performs far better than an all-season tire below about seven degrees Celsius.

The grip between tires and the road surface that allows steering, accelerating, and braking. It falls sharply on ice, snow, gravel, and in rain, so speed and inputs must be reduced.

A condition in blowing snow where sky and ground blend and visibility drops severely. Drivers should slow down, use low-beam headlights, and pull off safely if they cannot see ahead.

The forward lamps required to be on when visibility is reduced, at night, and in poor weather. Low beams are used in snow and fog because high beams reflect back and worsen glare.

Lights that switch on automatically when the engine starts to make a vehicle visible in daylight. They usually do not turn on tail lights, so full headlights are still needed in poor light.

Operating a vehicle while alcohol, drugs, or fatigue reduces the ability to drive safely. It is a criminal offence, and a driver can be charged even below the legal blood alcohol limit if ability is affected.

The percentage of alcohol in the blood, used to measure impairment. Any amount of alcohol affects driving ability, and novice drivers are typically restricted to zero or near-zero levels.

Any activity that takes the driver's eyes, hands, or attention away from the road, such as texting, eating, or adjusting a device. It is a ticketable offence and a leading cause of collisions.

A pattern of dangerous behaviour such as tailgating, speeding, cutting off other drivers, or weaving through traffic. It raises crash risk and can lead to serious charges and licence penalties.

A staged system where new drivers move through learner and novice stages with restrictions such as zero alcohol, passenger limits, and supervised driving before earning a full licence.

Penalty points added to a driver's record for convictions such as speeding or failing to stop. Accumulating enough points within a set period leads to suspension of the licence.

The temporary removal of a driver's privilege to drive, imposed for offences, demerit point totals, or unpaid fines. Driving while suspended carries its own serious penalties.

The official record and plate that authorize a vehicle to be driven on public roads. It must be kept current, and driving an unregistered vehicle can lead to fines and impoundment.

A check of a vehicle's brakes, lights, steering, tires, and other safety equipment to confirm it is roadworthy. It is required at certain intervals or before a vehicle can be registered or sold.

A restraint worn across the lap and shoulder that keeps occupants in place during a collision. Wearing it is required by law, and drivers are responsible for ensuring passengers are properly restrained.

A specially designed seat or booster used for young children that positions the seat belt correctly. It must match the child's age, height, and weight and be installed as the manufacturer directs.