The Ultimate Alberta Driving Test Cheat Sheet: Pass With Confidence

The day of your Class 5 road test is here, and a quick review of the essentials can be the difference between a pass and a fail. This "cheat sheet" is your last-minute guide to the most critical rules, numbers, and maneuvers your Alberta examiner will be watching for.

Alberta by the Numbers: Critical Data to Remember

Your examiner will expect you to know these specific numbers from the Alberta Driver's Guide. Getting them right shows you're a knowledgeable and safe driver.

30 km/h: The maximum speed limit in Playground Zones and School Zones.
- Playground Zones: In effect every day from 8:30 AM to one hour after sunset.
- School Zones: In effect on school days during specific morning and afternoon hours (check the signs!).
- Rule: Speeding in these zones is a common reason for an automatic test failure.
50 km/h: The standard speed limit in urban areas (cities and towns) unless otherwise posted.
80 km/h: The standard speed limit on rural roads and highways outside of urban areas unless otherwise posted.
100-110 km/h: The maximum speed limits on major provincial highways and freeways (like the QEII or Deerfoot Trail). Always obey the posted signs.
2-Second Rule: The absolute minimum following distance you should maintain behind another vehicle in ideal, dry conditions. Increase this to 3-4 seconds in rain, snow, or fog.
5 metres: The minimum distance you must park away from a fire hydrant, stop sign, yield sign, or marked crosswalk.
50 points: On a standard Class 5 GDL road test, accumulating more than 50 demerit points will result in a failure. Serious errors can be 10-20 points each.

Key Maneuvers: What Your Examiner Expects

Your road test is a demonstration of your vehicle control. Practice these maneuvers until they are smooth and confident.

Parallel Parking

This is a required element. You will likely have to park between markers or cones.

Signal & Position: Signal right. Pull up next to the front marker, about 1 metre away.
Reverse & Turn: Look over your shoulder. Back up slowly. When your steering wheel aligns with the front marker, turn your wheel sharply to the right.
Straighten: Once your car is at a 45-degree angle, straighten the wheel and continue backing in.
Final Turn: When your front passenger-side mirror aligns with the rear corner of the front marker, turn the wheel sharply to the left.
Center: Straighten out. You should be about 15-30 cm from the curb. Hitting the curb hard is a fail.

Hill Parking

You will be tested on this. Know it perfectly.

Uphill with a curb: Turn your front wheels AWAY from the curb (left).
Downhill with a curb: Turn your front wheels TOWARD the curb (right).
No curb (uphill or downhill): Turn your front wheels TOWARD the edge of the road (right).
Always set your parking brake firmly.

Uncontrolled Intersections

This is a major focus in Alberta. These are intersections (often in residential areas) with no lights or signs.

Rule of Thumb: Yield to the vehicle on your right.
If you arrive first: Proceed with extreme caution, scanning left and right.
If you and another car arrive at the same time: The vehicle on the right has the right-of-way.
T-Intersections: Vehicles on the through road have the right-of-way.

Lane Changes (S-M-O-G)

This is a constant part of the test.

Signal: Signal your intention.
Mirrors: Check your rearview and side mirror.
Over the shoulder: Perform a physical head check into your blind spot. This is mandatory.
Go: When safe, move smoothly into the next lane.

Automatic Fails & Critical Errors

These are actions that will end your test immediately.

Speeding in a School or Playground Zone.
Failing to Stop for a School Bus with Flashing Red Lights.
Any Dangerous Action: Causing another driver to brake or swerve, or causing the examiner to intervene (verbally or physically).
Failing to Stop Completely: Rolling through a stop sign or a right turn on a red light where stopping is required.
Lack of Observation: Repeatedly failing to perform shoulder checks or scan intersections properly.
Hitting the Curb: A hard bump on the curb during parallel parking is often considered a fail.

This cheat sheet is your guide to the key testing points. The absolute best preparation is combining this knowledge with hours of real-world practice. Stay calm, drive safely, and you'll be on your way to earning that Alberta license. Good luck!