NU Class 7 Test key terms

A staged licensing system in which new drivers move from a learner stage through a probationary stage to a full licence, with restrictions that lift gradually as experience and a clean record build up.

The entry-level licence stage that lets a new driver practise only while a qualified accompanying driver is present, and while obeying every condition printed on the licence.

A fully licensed, experienced driver who rides in the front passenger seat while a learner drives, gives advice and takes responsibility for the vehicle, as the learner stage requires.

The stage after the learner stage in a graduated system, allowing unsupervised driving but keeping restrictions such as a lower alcohol limit and a tighter demerit point threshold.

Penalty points added to a driver's record after a traffic conviction; collecting enough points within a set period brings warnings, interviews, suspension or loss of the licence.

The amount of alcohol in a person's blood, shown as a percentage or as milligrams per 100 millilitres, and used to decide whether a driver is legally impaired.

A rule that sets the permitted blood alcohol level at zero for learner and novice drivers, so any measurable alcohol in the body counts as a violation with immediate consequences.

The legal priority to move through an intersection or other shared space; it comes from signs, signals or rules and should never be assumed, taken aggressively or given away carelessly.

An intersection where every approach has a stop sign; the first vehicle to arrive and stop goes first, and if two arrive together the one on the right proceeds.

An intersection with no signs, signals or markings saying who must stop; drivers slow down, prepare to stop, and yield to traffic already inside or approaching from the right.

A sign telling a driver to slow down and give priority to traffic on the crossing road, stopping only if that is what it takes to let vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians pass safely.

The solid white line painted across a lane at a stop sign or traffic signal; a driver must stop before it so crosswalks and crossing traffic stay clear.

A following-distance guideline: the driver notes a fixed roadside object, counts two seconds after the vehicle ahead passes it, and knows they are too close if they arrive sooner.

The area beside and behind a vehicle that cannot be seen in the mirrors; a driver must turn the head to check it before changing lanes, merging or backing up.

A quick glance over the shoulder toward the blind spot before moving the vehicle sideways, used together with mirrors and a signal to confirm the space is clear.

The flashing light on a vehicle that announces an intended turn or lane change; it must be switched on early enough for other road users to see and react.

Moving a vehicle from one marked lane to another; the driver signals, checks mirrors and the blind spot, matches the speed of traffic and leaves a safe gap.

Moving past a slower vehicle travelling the same way, done only where it is legal, with a clear view ahead and enough room to return to the lane safely.

The hinged sign that swings out from a stopped school bus loading or unloading children; traffic must stop as the law requires, with exceptions only where a median separates directions.

A police, fire or ambulance vehicle using lights and siren; drivers pull to the right and stop, or clear the way, and stay put until it has passed.

A marked or unmarked part of the road where pedestrians have priority; drivers slow down, prepare to stop and wait until the person has cleared their lane.

A place where the road crosses train tracks; drivers slow down, look both ways, obey lights, bells and gates, and never stop on the tracks.

A circular intersection where traffic flows one way around a central island; drivers entering yield to vehicles already in the circle and signal before leaving it.

Loss of tire contact with the road when water builds up under the wheels at speed, so steering and braking stop working; easing off the accelerator and avoiding sudden inputs helps recovery.

A thin, transparent layer of ice that looks like wet pavement, often forming on bridges, overpasses and shaded stretches, and offering almost no tire grip.

A loss of tire grip in which the vehicle slides instead of following the steering; the driver eases off the accelerator and brake and steers gently where they want to go.

A braking system that automatically releases and reapplies pressure to stop the wheels locking, so the driver can still steer while braking hard; the pedal may pulse underfoot.

A tire made with a softer rubber compound and deeper tread to keep grip in cold temperatures, snow and ice, where all-season tires harden and lose traction.

The lap and shoulder restraint that holds occupants in place during a sudden stop or crash; it must be worn correctly by every occupant and is required by law.

A seat designed to hold a young child securely, chosen by the child's weight and height, and installed following the manufacturer's instructions and the local rules.

The padded support at the top of a seat that limits how far the head snaps backward in a rear-end crash, cutting neck injury; it should reach about ear height.

The brightest headlight setting, for dark roads with no other traffic close by; it must be dimmed when a vehicle approaches or when following another vehicle.

The normal headlight setting for night driving and poor visibility, angled downward so it lights the road ahead without dazzling oncoming drivers.

Lights that come on automatically when the engine runs, making a vehicle easier to see in daylight; they do not replace full headlights after dark.

The drop in reaction time and attention caused by tiredness; drivers should stop, rest or hand over the wheel rather than rely on fresh air, coffee or loud music.

Any activity that takes a driver's eyes, hands or mind off the driving task, such as texting, eating or adjusting controls, sharply raising the chance of a crash.

The hazard of hitting animals such as moose, deer or caribou, greatest at dawn and dusk; drivers scan the shoulders and slow down where animals are likely.

The technique of turning the front wheels so the vehicle would roll into the curb if it moved, and setting the parking brake, when leaving a car on a slope.