Chapter 2-1: Traffic control signals

The Alberta Class 7 written test assesses new drivers’ understanding of essential road rules, with a key section focused on “Traffic control signals.”

Alberta Driving Test - Chapter 2-1: Traffic control signals

1 / 20

When facing a solid red light and planning to turn right, a driver may do so only if:

The intersection is empty, even if a “NO RIGHT TURN ON RED” sign is posted

The driver signals the turn at least 30 metres in advance

There is no sign prohibiting the turn and the vehicle has first come to a complete stop

There is no oncoming traffic, regardless of signs

2 / 20

When a driver is already in the intersection and the light turns yellow, the driver must:

Back up to the stop line

Stop immediately in the middle of the intersection

Safely clear the intersection

Stay in place until the light turns green again

3 / 20

When facing a flashing green light, opposing traffic will generally be facing:

No traffic signal

A green light

A flashing yellow light

A red light

4 / 20

A solid green traffic control light means drivers:

May only go straight through the intersection

May travel through the intersection without stopping, but must yield when turning to pedestrians and oncoming traffic

Can proceed in any direction without yielding

Must stop, then proceed when safe

5 / 20

A green arrow displayed with a red traffic control light means drivers:

May turn in the arrow’s direction only after the light turns yellow

Must stop and wait for a solid green light

May proceed in any direction after stopping

May enter the intersection and proceed without stopping only in the direction of the arrow

6 / 20

When approaching an intersection with a solid yellow light and there is a safe opportunity to stop before the stop line, the driver must:

Enter the intersection and wait for green

Bring the vehicle to a complete stop

Proceed only if turning right

Speed up to clear the intersection quickly

7 / 20

A “stale” green light is one that:

Is followed by a flashing green light

Is flashing instead of solid

Has just turned green

Has been green for a while and will likely turn yellow soon

8 / 20

The order of lights on a horizontal traffic control signal from left to right is:

Yellow on the left, red in the centre, green on the right

Red on the left, yellow in the centre, green on the right

Red on the left, green in the centre, yellow on the right

Green on the left, yellow in the centre, red on the right

9 / 20

A flashing red traffic control light means drivers must:

Continue if no other vehicles are present

Slow down and proceed with caution

Wait for a police officer’s directions

Stop before the stop line or crosswalk and proceed only when safe, treating it like a stop sign

10 / 20

A flashing yellow traffic control light means drivers:

Must treat it the same as a red light

May proceed with caution after yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles in the intersection

May ignore the light if the road appears clear

Must come to a complete stop before the intersection

11 / 20

A solid yellow traffic control light means drivers must:

Treat it the same as a green light

Stop only if turning left

Prepare to stop, and stop before the stop line or crosswalk unless stopping cannot be done safely

Speed up to clear the intersection

12 / 20

A traffic control light showing a green arrow together with a solid green light means drivers:

Must stop before turning

May proceed in the arrow’s direction without yielding, and may also proceed in other directions when safe and legal

May turn only after yielding to all traffic in every direction

May only go straight

13 / 20

The order of lights on a vertical traffic control signal from top to bottom is:

Red at the top, green in the centre, yellow at the bottom

Red at the top, yellow in the centre, green at the bottom

Yellow at the top, green in the centre, red at the bottom

Green at the top, yellow in the centre, red at the bottom

14 / 20

The only left turn permitted at a red light is:

From a one-way street onto a two-way street, when no traffic is present

From a two-way street onto a one-way street, without stopping

From a one-way street onto a one-way street, after stopping and when safe

From any street onto a one-way street

15 / 20

If there is no visible stop line or crosswalk at a red light, drivers must:

Stop past the intersection

Continue through if traffic is light

Stop before the intersection

Stop in the middle of the intersection

16 / 20

When all directions at an intersection are facing flashing red lights, the intersection becomes:

A yield-controlled intersection

A two-way stop

A four-way stop

A pedestrian-only crossing

17 / 20

A solid red traffic control light means drivers must:

Come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the light turns green, unless safely turning right where allowed

Slow down and proceed with caution

Stop only if there is other traffic nearby

Proceed if no pedestrians are present

18 / 20

A flashing green traffic control light means drivers:

Must stop and then proceed

May go through, turn left, or turn right without stopping, but must yield to pedestrians and lawful traffic in the intersection

Must treat it like a flashing yellow light and stop

May turn right only

19 / 20

Before turning right at a red light, a driver must:

Sound the horn and proceed through the turn

Stop only if pedestrians are present

Slow down and turn if traffic is clear

Come to a complete stop before the stop line or crosswalk and turn only when safe

20 / 20

A good way to anticipate when a green light may soon change is to:

Listen for a buzzer sound

Wait for a countdown timer on the traffic light

Check the pedestrian signal: “DON’T WALK” means be ready to stop

Watch the traffic in the cross street

Your score is

This part evaluates knowledge of standard signals, including red, yellow, and green lights, as well as arrow signals and pedestrian lights. Test-takers must recognize what each signal means, when to proceed, stop, or yield, and how to respond to flashing or lane-control signals. Understanding these rules is crucial for safe and legal driving in Alberta. Mastery of traffic control signals helps ensure smooth traffic flow, reduces accidents, and is an important step toward obtaining a learner’s license.