The Ultimate NWT Driving Test Cheat Sheet: Pass With Confidence

Your Northwest Territories road test is the final step to getting your Class 5 licence. For that crucial last-minute review, this "cheat sheet" boils down the most important rules, maneuvers, and numbers your NWT examiner will be looking for. Use this to walk into your test feeling prepared and confident.

The NWT by the Numbers: Critical Data to Remember

Your examiner will expect you to know these numbers from the NWT Driver's Manual.

30 km/h: The maximum speed limit in a School Zone. These are in effect on school days, typically from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Always check the signs.
45 km/h: The standard speed limit in most urban areas and communities unless otherwise posted.
90 km/h: The standard speed limit on most paved highways outside of communities unless a different speed is posted. Some highways may be 100 km/h.
70 km/h: A common speed limit for gravel highways. Always adjust your speed for the road conditions.
3 seconds: The recommended minimum following distance on paved roads in good weather.
4-6 seconds: The recommended following distance on gravel roads to avoid dust and flying rocks.
3 metres: You may not park within 3 metres of a fire hydrant.
5 metres: You may not park within 5 metres of a stop sign, yield sign, or crosswalk.
10 metres: You must not pass within 10 metres of a pedestrian crossing the road.
150 metres: The distance at which you must dim your high beams when approaching an oncoming vehicle.

Key Maneuvers: What Your Examiner Expects

Your road test is a demonstration of your control over the vehicle, especially in unique Northern conditions.

Parallel Parking

This is a required maneuver to test your precision.

Position: Pull up next to the front car/marker, about 1 metre away.
Reverse: Look over your shoulder. Back up slowly. When your rear wheels are even with the rear of the other car, turn your wheel fully to the right.
The 45-Degree Angle: Back up until your car is at a 45-degree angle to the curb.
Straighten & Final Turn: Straighten your wheel and back up until your front bumper clears the car in front. Then, turn the wheel fully to the left.
Center: Straighten out. You must be reasonably close to the curb without hitting it.

Uncontrolled Intersections

Extremely common in the NWT. Mastering this is crucial.

The Rule: At an intersection with no signs or lights, you must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on your right.
Scanning: Slow down on approach and scan thoroughly: left, centre, right, and left again before proceeding.
First to Arrive: If you are the first vehicle at the intersection, you may proceed with caution after scanning.

Hill Parking

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

Gravel Road Driving

Your examiner will be watching to see if you can handle this common Northern road type.

Slow Down: Reduce your speed before you hit the gravel.
Smooth Control: Avoid sudden braking, sharp turns, or hard acceleration, as these can cause you to skid.
Increase Following Distance: Stay well back from the vehicle in front to avoid rock chips and driving in a dust cloud.

Automatic Fails & Critical Errors

These are actions that will likely result in an immediate failure of your road test.

Any Dangerous Action: Causing another driver, cyclist, or pedestrian to take evasive action (brake or swerve).
Examiner Intervention: If the examiner has to physically grab the wheel or give a strong verbal warning.
Speeding in a School Zone.
Failing to Stop for a School Bus with its flashing red lights activated.
Lack of Observation: Repeatedly failing to perform shoulder checks (blind spot checks) for every lateral movement. This is a major and common error.
Failing to Yield: Not yielding correctly at an uncontrolled intersection or to a pedestrian is a critical mistake.
Losing Control: Skidding on gravel due to excessive speed, or bumping the curb hard during a parking maneuver.
Wildlife Inattention: Not slowing down or showing caution when wildlife is visible near the road shows a lack of awareness of Northern driving hazards.

This cheat sheet is your guide to the key testing points. The best preparation is to combine this knowledge with hours of real-world practice in all NWT conditions. Stay calm, drive safely, and good luck!