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

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

May only go straight

May turn only after yielding to all traffic in every direction

Must stop before turning

2 / 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, green in the centre, yellow at the bottom

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

3 / 20

A flashing yellow traffic control light means drivers:

May ignore the light if the road appears clear

Must come to a complete stop before the intersection

Must treat it the same as a red light

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

4 / 20

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

Must stop and wait for a solid green light

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

May proceed in any direction after stopping

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

5 / 20

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

Safely clear the intersection

Back up to the stop line

Stop immediately in the middle of the intersection

Stay in place until the light turns green again

6 / 20

A “stale” green light is one that:

Has just turned green

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

Is followed by a flashing green light

Is flashing instead of solid

7 / 20

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

Listen for a buzzer sound

Watch the traffic in the cross street

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

Wait for a countdown timer on the traffic light

8 / 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

Stop only if there is other traffic nearby

Proceed if no pedestrians are present

Slow down and proceed with caution

9 / 20

A solid yellow traffic control light means drivers must:

Stop only if turning left

Speed up to clear the intersection

Treat it the same as a green light

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

10 / 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:

Bring the vehicle to a complete stop

Proceed only if turning right

Enter the intersection and wait for green

Speed up to clear the intersection quickly

11 / 20

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

A four-way stop

A pedestrian-only crossing

A yield-controlled intersection

A two-way stop

12 / 20

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

There is no oncoming traffic, regardless of signs

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

13 / 20

The only left turn permitted at a red light is:

From any street onto a one-way street

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

14 / 20

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

Sound the horn and proceed through the turn

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

Slow down and turn if traffic is clear

Stop only if pedestrians are present

15 / 20

A flashing green traffic control light means drivers:

Must stop and then proceed

Must treat it like a flashing yellow light and stop

May turn right only

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

16 / 20

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

No traffic signal

A green light

A red light

A flashing yellow light

17 / 20

A solid green traffic control light means drivers:

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

Must stop, then proceed when safe

18 / 20

A flashing red traffic control light means drivers must:

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

Continue if no other vehicles are present

Wait for a police officer’s directions

Slow down and proceed with caution

19 / 20

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

Stop before the intersection

Stop in the middle of the intersection

Continue through if traffic is light

Stop past the intersection

20 / 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

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

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

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

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.