Chapter 3 / Alberta Class 7
The basics of driving practice questions
Prepare the vehicle and practise Alberta parking, reversing and signalling rules.
20 questions · Choose an answer, then check your understanding.
Before getting into a parked car, what check should you make?
Study the answers
Open a question to read its explanation and check the official source.
Before getting into a parked car, what check should you make?
Walk around it to look for people, obstacles and vehicle problems
A walk-around can reveal children, obstructions, tire problems and leaks before you move.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 44 · Pre-drive basics
What minimum distance from the steering wheel does the guide recommend?
25 centimetres
The guide recommends at least 25 centimetres while still being able to reach the controls.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 44 · Adjust your seat
Where should the centre of an adjustable head restraint sit?
Level with the top of your ears
Correct head-restraint height helps protect the head and neck in a collision.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 45 · Adjust your head restraint
How should the lap portion of a seat belt fit?
Low and snug over the hips
The lap belt belongs across the hips, while the shoulder belt crosses the chest and shoulder.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 45 · Fasten your seat belt
Your car has airbags. Must you still wear a seat belt?
Yes
Airbags do not replace the legal requirement to wear a seat belt.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 45 · Fasten your seat belt
Before pulling away from a right-side curb, what should you do besides checking mirrors and signalling?
Check over your shoulder for blind-spot traffic
A shoulder check reveals traffic that may not appear in mirrors.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 45 · Pre-drive basics
Which hand positions does the guide recommend when the wheel design allows?
9 and 3 o’clock
The guide recommends 9 and 3 for control, with 10 and 2 as an alternative for some wheel designs.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 48 · Steering
When is signalling required?
When leaving the curb, turning or changing lanes
Signals communicate each of these intended movements to other road users.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 49 · Signalling
What is a good way to move off in normal conditions?
Increase accelerator pressure smoothly
Smooth acceleration improves control and should be adjusted to road, weather and traffic conditions.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 49 · Accelerating
Which distances make up total stopping distance?
Perception, reaction and braking distances
The vehicle travels while you recognize danger, react and then brake.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 50 · Stopping time and distance
What can happen if you lock the wheels while braking?
You can lose steering control
Locked wheels reduce steering control; threshold braking aims to avoid locking them.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 50 · Braking
At what pace should reversing be done?
A crawl or slow walking speed
Slow reversing gives more time to respond to pedestrians, traffic and obstacles.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 51 · Reversing
Is reversing into an intersection or crosswalk legal in Alberta?
No
The guide prohibits reversing into either an intersection or a crosswalk.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 51 · Reversing
While reversing, which way should you steer to move the rear of the car left?
Left
Steer in the direction you want the rear to move, and watch the front swinging the other way.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 51 · Reversing
How far from the curb may the wheels be when parallel parked?
No more than 50 centimetres
Alberta’s guide states a maximum wheel-to-curb distance of 50 centimetres.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 52 · Parallel parking
Before opening a door beside traffic, what should you check for?
Approaching vehicles and cyclists, including in the blind spot
Mirrors and a shoulder check help prevent opening a door into someone’s path.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 53 · Entering and exiting a vehicle
When backing out of an angle parking stall, who must yield?
The driver leaving the stall
Reverse slowly, check behind and yield to traffic as you leave the stall.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 54 · Angle parking
Parked uphill on the right side beside a curb, which way should the front wheels point?
Left, toward the road’s centre
With wheels left and the right front tire against the curb, the curb helps prevent rolling into traffic.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 55 · Hill parking
Parked downhill on the right side, which way should the front wheels point?
Right, toward the road’s edge
Turning right directs a rolling vehicle toward the edge; also use the parking brake and appropriate gear.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 55 · Hill parking
What minimum clearance must you leave from access to a driveway?
1.5 metres
The guide prohibits parking within 1.5 metres of driveway, garage or private-road access.
Alberta Driver’s Guide: Cars and light trucks, Spring 2026, p. 55 · Do not park here