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

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

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

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

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

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

2 / 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:

Proceed only if turning right

Enter the intersection and wait for green

Speed up to clear the intersection quickly

Bring the vehicle to a complete stop

3 / 20

A flashing red traffic control light means drivers must:

Slow down and proceed with caution

Continue if no other vehicles are present

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

4 / 20

A flashing green traffic control light means drivers:

May turn right only

Must treat it like a flashing yellow light and stop

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

Must stop and then proceed

5 / 20

A “stale” green light is one that:

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

Is flashing instead of solid

Is followed by a flashing green light

Has just turned green

6 / 20

A solid yellow traffic control light means drivers must:

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

Speed up to clear the intersection

Stop only if turning left

Treat it the same as a green light

7 / 20

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

Must stop and wait for a solid green light

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

May proceed in any direction after stopping

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

8 / 20

A flashing yellow traffic control light means drivers:

May ignore the light if the road appears clear

Must treat it the same as a red light

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

Must come to a complete stop before the intersection

9 / 20

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

A two-way stop

A four-way stop

A pedestrian-only crossing

A yield-controlled intersection

10 / 20

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

Back up to the stop line

Stay in place until the light turns green again

Stop immediately in the middle of the intersection

Safely clear the intersection

11 / 20

The only left turn permitted at a red light is:

From any street onto a one-way street

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

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

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

12 / 20

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

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

Listen for a buzzer sound

Watch the traffic in the cross street

Wait for a countdown timer on the traffic light

13 / 20

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

Stop in the middle of the intersection

Stop past the intersection

Continue through if traffic is light

Stop before the intersection

14 / 20

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

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

The driver signals the turn at least 30 metres in advance

There is no oncoming traffic, regardless of signs

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

15 / 20

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

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

Must stop before turning

May only go straight

May turn only after yielding to all traffic in every direction

16 / 20

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

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

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

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

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

17 / 20

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

A red light

No traffic signal

A green light

A flashing yellow light

18 / 20

A solid red traffic control light means drivers must:

Proceed if no pedestrians are present

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

19 / 20

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

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

Slow down and turn if traffic is clear

Sound the horn and proceed through the turn

Stop only if pedestrians are present

20 / 20

A solid green traffic control light means drivers:

Must stop, then proceed when safe

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

Can proceed in any direction without yielding

May only go straight through the intersection

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.