Ontario Driver’s Handbook – Key Vocabulary

A vocabulary set covering Ontario traffic signs, driving rules, licence conditions, safety procedures, and penalties commonly tested on the G1/G2 written examination.

Right-Turn-Only sign

Regulatory sign indicating the driver must make a right turn; left turns and straight-through movement are prohibited.

No Left Turn sign

Regulatory sign indicating left turns are not permitted at the location.

Hidden Intersection Ahead sign

Warning sign alerting drivers that a seldom-seen intersection is approaching.

Traffic Island Ahead sign

Warning sign indicating an island or median in the roadway; keep to the indicated side.

Pass to Right of Traffic Island sign

Sign instructing drivers to keep to the right side of a median or obstruction.

Road Turns Right then Left sign

Warning sign showing a double bend—first right, then left.

Winding Road Ahead sign

Warning sign indicating a series of curves on the road ahead.

Slippery When Wet sign

Warning sign advising that the roadway becomes slippery under wet conditions.

Stop Sign Ahead sign

Advance warning that a full stop is required at an upcoming intersection.

Yield Right-of-Way sign

Regulatory triangular sign requiring drivers to slow or stop to give way to other traffic.

Dead End sign

Warning sign indicating the road terminates ahead with no outlet.

Slow-Moving Vehicle emblem

Orange triangular sign displayed on vehicles that travel at 40 km/h or less.

Construction Zone sign

Orange warning sign alerting drivers to road work; reduce speed and obey flagpersons.

No U-Turn sign

Regulatory sign indicating U-turns are prohibited.

Traffic Signals Ahead sign

Warning sign that signal lights control an upcoming intersection.

Bump Ahead sign

Warning of a sudden rise in the roadway surface at the stated distance.

Railway Crossing Ahead sign

Warning sign alerting drivers to an upcoming rail crossing.

Destination Board

Guide sign listing directions and distances to towns or attractions.

School Zone sign

Yellow-green pentagon sign advising drivers to watch for children and reduce speed.

Playground Zone sign

Warning sign indicating children may be playing nearby; drive with caution.

Provincial Park sign

Guide sign marking the entrance to a provincial park area.

Pedestrian Control ‘No Active Games’ sign

Sign indicating pedestrians should refrain from ball-playing or similar activities.

Four-Way Intersection Ahead sign

Warning sign that a crossroads is coming up.

Hospital Zone sign

Blue or white guide sign indicating proximity to a medical facility; reduce noise.

Pedestrian Crosswalk Ahead sign

Warning sign alerting drivers to a marked pedestrian crossing.

Give Right-of-Way (Yield) sign

Triangular sign instructing drivers to yield to cross traffic.

No Entry sign

Red circular sign indicating vehicles may not enter the roadway at that point.

Do Not Enter Unless Local Traffic sign

Regulatory sign limiting entry to residents or delivery vehicles only.

Traffic Circle Ahead sign

Warning sign indicating a roundabout is approaching.

Divided Highway Ahead sign

Warning sign showing traffic will separate by a median island.

Divided Highway Ends sign

Warning sign that the median is ending; opposing lanes will no longer be separated.

Narrow Bridge Ahead sign

Warning sign that bridge width is less than the roadway.

Road Under Construction sign

Orange sign alerting to major rebuilding of the road surface.

Lane Usage: Right Turn Only sign

Regulatory sign indicating that traffic in that lane must turn right.

Lane Usage: All Turns Permitted sign

Sign allowing any movement—including left turns—from the indicated lane.

No Parking Between Arrows sign

Regulatory sign banning parking in the span marked by directional arrows.

Advance Warning Danger sign

General orange warning sign highlighting a hazardous condition ahead.

Bumpy Road Ahead sign

Warning of a rough or uneven surface beyond the sign.

Pavement Ends sign

Warning that the paved surface will end and change to gravel or earth.

Steep Hill Ahead sign

Warning sign depicting a truck on a grade; prepares drivers for a downhill slope.

Right Lane Ends sign

Warning that the rightmost lane will merge into the adjacent lane.

Maximum Speed 50 km/h sign

Regulatory sign limiting speed to 50 kilometres per hour until the next speed sign.

End of 50 km/h Zone sign

Sign cancelling the previous 50 km/h speed restriction.

Low-Beam (Dim) Headlights

Front lights used when meeting/following another vehicle, in fog, or in built-up areas at night.

High-Beam (Bright) Headlights

Long-range headlights used on open roads when no oncoming traffic is present.

Parking Brake

Auxiliary brake used to secure a parked vehicle, especially on grades.

G1 Licence Restrictions

Beginner licence; zero BAC, supervise by 4-year licensed driver, no highways ≥ 80 km/h, no driving midnight–5 a.m.

G2 Licence Restrictions

Intermediate licence; zero BAC, seat-belt limit on passengers; fewer time and highway restrictions.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Zero

Legal requirement that G1/G2 drivers have 0.00 % alcohol in blood.

Emergency Vehicle Approach Rule

Law requiring drivers to pull to the right edge and stop for police, fire, or ambulance sirens.

School Bus Red Lights Law

Drivers must stop in both directions when a school bus displays flashing red signals.

Immediate 90-Day Suspension

Penalty for refusing a breath test or registering over the legal BAC limit at roadside.

Broken Centre Line

Road marking allowing passing when the way ahead is clear.

Solid Centre Line

Road marking indicating it is unsafe and unlawful to pass.

Pedestrian Right-of-Way in Intersection

Pedestrians crossing legally retain priority even if signal changes.

Stop Sign Rule

Drivers must come to a full stop and proceed only when the way is clear.

Streetcar Passenger Zone Rule

Drivers must stop 2 m behind the rear streetcar door when passengers are boarding or exiting.

Left Turn on Red (One-Way to One-Way)

Permitted after full stop when turning left from a one-way street onto another one-way street.

Yield Sign Procedure

Slow/stop and enter only when the intersection is clear of traffic and pedestrians.

Dark Signal Intersection Rule

Treat a non-functioning traffic light as an all-way stop.

Cyclist Overtake Procedure

Mirror, signal, shoulder-check; change lanes if safe and pass leaving ample space.

Following Distance (50 km/h)

Maintain at least a three-second gap or about three car-lengths at 50 km/h.

Flashing Amber Light

Proceed through the intersection with caution, yielding as necessary.

Flashing Red Light

Same as a stop sign; come to a full stop, proceed when safe.

Flashing Blue Light

Indicates snow-removal equipment on the roadway.

Hand Signal – Left Turn

Arm straight out horizontally from driver’s window.

Hand Signal – Right Turn

Arm out and upward at 90-degree angle.

Hand Signal – Slow/Stop

Arm out and downward at 90-degree angle, palm to the rear.

Skid Recovery

Release accelerator, steer in direction of skid, avoid hard braking.

Blowout Response

Grip wheel firmly, ease off accelerator, steer straight; brake gently after control regained.

Hydroplaning Risk Zone

First few minutes of light rain when oil rises and mixes with water on pavement.

Curve Driving Technique

Slow before the curve, accelerate gently as vision and traction improve.

Night Headlight Law

Lights must be on from ½ hour before sunset to ½ hour after sunrise or when visibility < 150 m.

Impaired-Driving BAC Limit

Criminal code defines impairment at 0.08 % blood alcohol concentration.

Demerit Point Suspension (G1/G2)

Licence may be suspended for 60 days upon reaching 9 or more demerit points in first 2 years.

Fine-Suspension-Points Triple Penalty

Speeding 50 km/h over limit or careless driving can bring demerit points, heavy fine, and suspension.

Driver Identification Cards

Police may request licence, ownership, and insurance card during traffic stop.

Seat-Belt Responsibility

Driver ensures passengers under 16 are properly buckled; failure carries penalties.

Safe Shoulder Recovery

If wheels drop off pavement, ease off gas, steer straight, return when speed reduced.

Commercial Vehicle Spacing

Large vehicles must keep at least 60 m apart outside built-up areas (except when passing).

Private Driveway Entry Rule

Yield to all highway traffic before entering from a driveway or private road.

Right-Lane-Must-Exit sign

Guide sign indicating the current right lane becomes an exit lane ahead.

No Trucks sign

Regulatory sign prohibiting truck traffic on the designated route.

Truck Route sign

Guide sign directing heavy vehicles along an approved roadway.

Maximum Rural Highway Speed (Unposted)

Unless posted otherwise, 80 km/h outside cities, towns, and villages.

Maximum Urban Speed (Unposted)

Default speed limit of 50 km/h in built-up urban areas unless signs show otherwise.

Flare Placement for Disabled Truck

Place flares or reflectors about 30 m front and rear on 60 km/h+ highways.

Safety Zone Around Fire Hydrant

Legal no-parking zone extends 3 m (10 ft) on either side of a hydrant.

Collision Reporting Threshold

Police report required when injury occurs or combined damage exceeds $1,000.