Cheat sheet
Traffic Signs
Regulatory, warning, information and construction signs -- the shapes, colours and meanings the G1 test asks you to identify.
The facts to remember, in one place. Drill them with mock exams and spaced repetition in G1 Knowledge Test.
Download on theApp StoreSign shapes and colours
- ◆ Stop sign: red octagon -- come to a complete stop.
- ◆ Yield sign: red-and-white downward triangle -- give the right of way.
- ◆ Warning signs: yellow diamond -- a hazard or change in the road ahead.
- ◆ Regulatory signs: usually white with black or red markings (a red circle and slash means prohibited).
- ◆ Construction/temporary signs: orange. Information and service signs: blue or green.
Regulatory signs you must obey
- ◆ A red circle with a slash means the action shown is prohibited (e.g. no left turn, no U-turn).
- ◆ A white rectangle with a number is the maximum speed limit in km/h.
- ◆ 'Do Not Enter' (red circle with white bar) means you cannot drive into that road or ramp.
- ◆ A 'No Parking' sign allows a brief stop to load; 'No Stopping' means you may not stop at all.
- ◆ A red 'X' over a lane means the lane is closed; a green arrow means the lane is open.
Warning signs to watch for
- ◆ A curved arrow warns of a bend; chevrons line a sharp curve and point the way it turns.
- ◆ Symbols of children, pedestrians, cyclists or deer warn that they may be on or crossing the road.
- ◆ A slippery-road or 'bridge ices before road' sign warns of reduced traction in wet or cold weather.
- ◆ Merge, added-lane and lane-narrows signs warn of changes to the number of lanes ahead.
- ◆ An orange-red triangle on a vehicle marks a slow-moving vehicle travelling under 40 km/h.
Pavement markings
- ◆ Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
- ◆ White lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.
- ◆ A broken line may be crossed when safe; a solid line should not be crossed.
- ◆ A solid line beside a broken line means passing is allowed only from the broken-line side.
- ◆ A white stop line shows where to stop at an intersection or crosswalk.
Traffic lights and signals
- ◆ A steady amber (yellow) light means stop if you can do so safely -- the light is about to turn red.
- ◆ A green arrow gives you a protected turn in the direction it points.
- ◆ A flashing green light in Ontario allows a protected left turn or means a pedestrian-controlled signal.
- ◆ A flashing red light means stop, then proceed when the way is clear.
- ◆ When signals are completely dark, treat the intersection as an all-way stop.
Construction zone signs
- ◆ Construction and temporary-condition signs are orange.
- ◆ Obey reduced speed limits posted through the work zone.
- ◆ Speeding fines are doubled in a construction zone when workers are present.
- ◆ Follow the directions of traffic-control people and their STOP/SLOW paddles.
- ◆ Watch for lane shifts, uneven surfaces, and workers close to the lane.
Parking and stopping rules
- ◆ Do not park within 3 metres of a fire hydrant.
- ◆ Do not stop on or near a crosswalk, or within 9 metres of an intersection where signed.
- ◆ Never park where a sign prohibits it or where you block traffic.
- ◆ When parking facing downhill, turn your wheels toward the curb.
- ◆ No Parking allows a brief stop to load; No Stopping means you may not stop at all.
Winter and bad-weather driving
- ◆ Reduce your speed and increase your following distance on snow or ice.
- ◆ Bridges and overpasses freeze before the rest of the road.
- ◆ Brake gently and early -- stopping distances are far longer on ice.
- ◆ Turn on your headlights in rain, snow, or fog so others can see you.
- ◆ Clear all snow and ice from your windows, lights, and roof before driving.
Railway crossings
- ◆ A white X-shaped crossbuck marks a railway crossing -- treat it like a yield sign.
- ◆ Stop when flashing lights, bells, or a lowered gate signal a train is coming.
- ◆ Never drive around a lowered gate or under one as it lowers.
- ◆ Do not start across the tracks unless you can clear the far side completely.
- ◆ Buses and some trucks must stop at every crossing, even when no train is near.