Know The Rules Before You Book a Road Test: Guide For Traffic Lights in Alberta January 22nd, 2025 • 4 min read When you book a road test in Edmonton, it’s essential to have mastered the basic rules of the road. One of the most common occurrences you’ll come across is a controlled intersection with traffic lights. Placed at busy intersections where a stop sign doesn’t suffice, traffic lights can pose a challenge if you’re unfamiliar with the rules. Failure to safely navigate a traffic light can result in deductions on your road test, or even an automatic fail. Worse than that, it can end in a collision. Here are the most common scenarios you’ll face during your road test: Safety Proceeding on Green When entering an intersection on a green light, be sure you aren’t blocking any other drivers with the right of way. When turning, always use your signal to indicate. Going straight: When going straight, you have the right of way. Proceed normally. Turning right: When turning right, yield to any pedestrians. If the crosswalk is clear, proceed, turning into your lane. Turning left: When turning left on a solid green light, yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. You’re free to turn if traffic is clear and there are no pedestrians. If you have a flashing green arrow, you have the right of way and may proceed. Once the pedestrian crossing light has changed to a flashing hand (known as a stale green), be prepared for a yellow light. Use your best judgment to determine whether you should stop or proceed, and always check for emergency vehicles and be prepared to stop. Safety Approaching Yellow A yellow light indicates it will soon be turning red. When approaching a yellow light, be aware of your surroundings as you decide if you should proceed. Clearing the intersection: If you decide to proceed on a yellow light, you must clear the intersection before the light turns red. Turning: If the light turns red while waiting to turn on a previously yellow light, you may complete your turn and clear the intersection when it’s safe. Safely Stopping on Red Whenever you approach a red light, you must come to a complete stop. Failure to do so will result in an automatic fail on your road test, and a possible collision. Going straight: Remain at a complete stop until the light turns green. Turning right: Come to a complete stop. Proceed once the way is clear of pedestrians and oncoming traffic. Turning left: If you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, come to a complete stop, then proceed when it’s safe. Remain stopped in all other circumstances. In any driving situation, it’s important to be aware of those around you. Whether you have the right of way or not, always be prepared to stop and proceed with caution. For more information, see the Driver’s Guide Spring 2023 edition — Cars and light trucks, chapter 2, traffic control. Book a Road Test in Edmonton Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to book your road test with Registrations Are Us in Edmonton. Contact us to start your journey to becoming a licensed driver. Need a vehicle for your road test? Registrations Are Us can help with our road test rental cars. For more information on changes to Alberta’s GDL program and license requirements, click here.
