Ontario G1 Test key terms

A red octagonal sign meaning you must bring your vehicle to a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk or edge of the intersection, then proceed only when it is safe.

A red-and-white triangular sign meaning you must slow down and give the right-of-way to traffic on the road you are entering or crossing, stopping only if necessary.

A fluorescent yellow-green pentagon-shaped sign warning that you are entering a school area, where lower speed limits apply when the amber lights are flashing or during posted times.

A warning sign with a large black X and the letters RR that tells you train tracks are ahead; slow down, look both ways, listen and yield to any train.

A traffic signal that flashes red works like a stop sign: come to a complete stop, then go only after yielding to cross traffic and pedestrians.

A traffic signal that flashes yellow tells you to slow down and proceed with caution, watching for cross traffic, pedestrians or hazards before entering the intersection.

A traffic signal arrow that gives a protected turn in the direction shown because conflicting traffic is stopped; you may turn but must still yield to pedestrians.

A marked crossing, usually with overhead flashing amber lights and a sign, where drivers must stop and yield the whole roadway to pedestrians waiting to cross or already crossing.

A yellow diamond-shaped sign that alerts you to a hazard or change in road conditions ahead, such as a curve, hill, intersection or slippery surface.

A sign, usually white with black or red markings, that states a law or rule you must obey, such as a speed limit, turn restriction or parking prohibition.

An orange sign warning of roadwork, workers or a changed traffic pattern ahead; slow down, obey flag persons and be ready to stop or change lanes.

A sign marked with a diamond symbol that identifies a high-occupancy vehicle lane reserved for vehicles carrying the minimum number of people shown, such as two or more.

The legal priority to go first at an intersection or crossing; it must be given to others when required by signs, signals or rules, and is never simply taken.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs; the first vehicle to arrive goes first, and if two arrive together the vehicle on the right goes first.

An intersection with no signs, signals or police officer controlling it; slow down, yield to traffic already on the through road and to the vehicle on your right.

After coming to a complete stop, you may turn right at a red light unless a sign forbids it, but you must yield to pedestrians and cross traffic first.

In Ontario you may turn left on a red light only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it.

A way to judge a safe following distance in good conditions: when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, you should not reach it for at least two seconds.

The area beside and behind your vehicle that cannot be seen in your mirrors; always shoulder-check before changing lanes or merging to avoid a collision.

A driving style where you constantly scan ahead, anticipate what other road users might do and keep space and time to react to hazards.

When water on the road lifts your tires off the surface so they lose contact and grip; ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking and steer gently until traction returns.

A thin, often invisible layer of ice on the road, commonly on bridges, overpasses and shaded areas, that gives almost no traction and can cause sudden skids.

Any activity that takes your attention away from driving, such as texting, eating or adjusting a device; in Ontario handheld phone use while driving is illegal.

The buffer of empty road you keep around your vehicle so you have room and time to steer or brake if another road user makes a sudden move.

A braking system that automatically releases and reapplies brake pressure to stop wheels from locking, helping you keep steering control during hard braking on slippery surfaces.

A loss of tire grip in which the vehicle slides instead of following the steering; ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly in the direction you want the front to go.

A sudden loss of tire pressure while driving; hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator and avoid hard braking until you can pull off safely.

The grip between your tires and the road surface that lets you steer, accelerate and brake; it is reduced by rain, snow, ice, gravel and worn tires.

Parking on a slope: with a curb, turn the front wheels toward the curb when facing downhill and away when facing uphill; without a curb, turn wheels toward the edge.

Ontario's rule requiring drivers to slow down and move over, if safe, when passing stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks or roadside workers with lights flashing.

When a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, traffic in both directions must stop unless it is separated by a median or barrier.

When an ambulance, fire truck or police vehicle approaches with lights and siren, pull to the right and stop, or clear the intersection, until it has passed.

When passing a cyclist in Ontario, you must leave at least one metre of space between your vehicle and the bicycle wherever practical.

When a streetcar stops to load or unload passengers with its doors open, you must stop behind it and not pass until the doors close and it is safe.

The large blind spots in front, behind and beside a transport truck where the driver cannot see your vehicle; avoid lingering there when sharing the road.

Rules for Ontario's beginner licence: drive only with a fully licensed driver with at least four years' experience, no midnight-to-5 a.m. driving, no high-speed 400-series highways and zero alcohol.

Points added to your driving record when you are convicted of certain offences; accumulating too many points within two years leads to a warning letter and then a licence suspension.

Ontario law requires every driver and passenger to wear a seat belt or use an approved child seat, and the driver is responsible for passengers under 16.

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