Driver’s Education - Alberta Edition

Alberta Road and Highway system

• Driving is a privilege NOT a right
• Independence and freedom comes
with Great Responsibility

Safe and responsible vehicle operation

requires:
• Knowledge of the rules of the road
• Skills to operate a vehicle
• Responsible attitude
Day 1 - What do we know already?
1. Pre-test - (link here)
2. Introductions
3. Expectations
Day 1 - Expectations for the Course
You may want to acquire your own copy of the Alberta
Driver’s Manual (online version here)

These are my expectations for the course:

→ Attendance - BE HERE!
→ Punctuality - BE HERE ON TIME!
→ Participation - ACTUALLY BE HERE!

Review material at home BEFORE class when asked

please!
Day 1 - What we will accomplish by the END
• Licensing
○ What is the process of gaining your license?
○ What conditions must be met?
○ What penalties there are when conditions are not met?
• Driver attitude
○ How does the driver’s actions and attitudes affect the
task of driving?
• Vehicle – Getting to know your car
• Rules of the Road
○ How do you safely and legally share the road with other
road users
• Collision Avoidance
• Fuel Efficiency
Day 1 - The Process of Licensing
At the end of this section, you should be familiar with:

• Conditions and restrictions of a Class 7 license

• Conditions and restrictions of a Class 5-GDL license
• Process to obtain a full Class 5

• Insurance and Registration

• Laws that govern driving in Alberta

• Types of penalties that can be imposed on drivers
• Demerit system

• Criminal Code driving offences

Day 1 - The Process of Licensing
How to get a full Class 5 license?

Stage 1 Learner

Stage 2 Probationary

Stage 3 Fully licensed

Day 1 - The Process of Licensing
What are some things that you WANT/NEED to do that
require a license?

Places outside of Canada you would like to travel that require

a license?

Careers you might pursue that require a license?

Class 7 - Learner’s License and GDL
Class 5
Class 7 - Learner’s License
● Pass vision test
● Pass knowledge test
Tests
● Be at least 14 years old with
parental consent
● Can only drive with a fully
licensed (non-GDL) driver who
is at least 18
● Cannot drive between midnight
Conditions and 5am
● Must hold Learner’s license for
at least 1 year
● Must be at least 16 to exit this
GDL: Probationary Class 5
● Pass the Class 5 Basic road test
● Be at least 16 years old
● Must hold GDL license for at least
2 years
● Must be suspension-free for the
last 12 months prior to exiting
GDL
● Must be at least 18 to exit this
stage
Shared conditions of a Class 7 and Class
5-GDL

Class 5-GDL AND Class 7

• Subject to Alberta Zero Alcohol/Drug

Tolerance program
• Every passenger must wear a seat belt
• License suspended at 8 demerits
• Cannot upgrade to a commercial license
• Cannot be an accompanying driver
FULL Class 5 - Not GDL
To get your FULL Class 5 license, you:

➔ Must be at least 18 years old

➔ Have no suspensions for 12 consecutive months prior to exiting
➔ Be in the probationary stage for a minimum of two years
◆ You can reduce your probationary stage to 6 months if you
successfully complete an approved driver training course

It is a CRIMINAL offense to
drive without valid insurance,
licensing and registration
How can you lose your license?
• Parents
• Demerits
• Suspensions
• Accidents
• Driving under the influence Your parents can legally cancel your
license because they have signed off
on your original license as the
parent/guardian
Have you been a party to any of the
following?
• Failing to remain at the scene
• Failing to stop for a red light at an
of a collision
intersection
• Careless driving
• Impeding passing vehicle
• Failing to stop for a school
• Improper passing
bus
• Stunting
• Failing to stop for a peace
• Failing to obey instruction of traffic
officer
control device
• Failing to yield right of way to
• Improper backing up
a pedestrian in a crosswalk
• Improper U turns
• Following too closely
• Traffic lane violation
• Driving left of the yellow line
• Speeding – 15km/h → 51km/h
• Driving in the wrong direction
• Having more passengers than
on a one-way highway
seatbelts
• Failing to report a collision
• Supervisor not fully qualified
• Failing to stop at an
• Driving after curfew
intersection controlled by a
stop sign
Homework: Read Chapter 1 -
Driver’s Guide
Day 2 - Traffic Laws

a in a Wha
we g t
ow d o
r n er ’s in w are so
H L ea hich me o
7 you f
Class icense? can the wa
L licen lose ys
se? your

What is the difference

between a Class 7 and GDL? D L a nd
s s 5 G
Cla l as s 5
C e s??
e r en c
dif f
Did You Know? If you want to drive in
another country look it
up because you might
Did you know that if need a IDP (International
you move to another Drivers Permit)
province (not for
school) you have 90
days to change your If you are driving
license? people and earning a
profit you need a
class 4 license
Day 2 - Traffic Laws
Alberta Traffic Safety Act
Traffic Safety Act - Open Government

- Use of Highway and Rules of the Road regulation

- Operator licensing and Vehicle Control Regulations
- Vehicle Equipment Regulation

Criminal Code of Canada

Criminal Code ( RSC , 1985, c. C-46)

Infractions that can lead to a criminal conviction:

- Impaired driving
- Leaving the scene of a collision
- Refusing to provide a breath or blood sample
Demerit Point System
If you are FULL Class 5, and receive:
● 0 - 7 demerits → No restrictions/consequences
● 8 – 14 demerits → Consequence letter
● 15 + demerits → License will be suspended

If you are on a Graduated License (GDL), and receive:

• 3 demerits → No restrictions/consequences
• 4 – 7 demerits→ Consequence letter
• 8 + demerits → License will be suspended

These demerit points, for fully-licensed and

GDL drivers, remain on the driver’s record for
2 years from the date that driving privileges are
reinstated.
The different classes of Licenses
Class 7 – Learner’s License for cars and motorcycles
Class 6 – Motorcycles and mopeds
Class 5 – Standard driver’s license for cars, light trucks and motorhomes
Class 4 – Professional license for taxi, ambulance and small bus
Class 3 – Vehicles with 3 axles plus – trucks
Class 2 – Professional license for buses
Class 1 – Professional license to drive any vehicle
Driver’s License Conditions
A → Adequate lenses
B → Special conditions
C → Periodic medical
D → Periodic Vision report
E → Periodic Driver’s examination
F → Valid Temporary license
H → Daylight driving only
J → Outside mirrors
K → Automatic transmission
L → Hand controls
T → Special Medical
Day 2 - Traffic Controls and Signage
Traffic control signals are lights that use the colors green, yellow and
red to control the flow of traffic at intersections or where roadways
merge.

• The color of the light determines which

stream of traffic has the right of way

• The traffic control can be vertical or

horizontal
Day 2 - Traffic Controls and Signage
Solid Red Light
• Vehicles must come to a complete stop before the stop line or
crosswalk that is directly in front of the vehicle
• Must remain STOPPED until it turns green

Right turn on a red light?

• Unless a sign prohibits the turn, you CAN turn after
stopping completely

Left turn on a red light?

• The only left hand turn permitted at a red light is
ONTO a one way street from a one way
Traffic Controls and Signage
Solid Yellow Light
• When a light changes to yellow, it warns that the light will soon
change to red and drivers need to prepare to stop and clear the
intersection

• If you are approaching the intersection

and see a yellow solid light, you must
stop before the intersection UNLESS
you have hit a point where stopping
becomes dangerous
Traffic Controls and Signage
Solid Green Light
• Permitted to travel through the intersection without stopping,
unless you are required to yield to oncoming traffic or to a
pedestrian in the crosswalk

• If you are unsure of when the

green light will turn to yellow,
look at the crosswalk symbols
Did you know that when
a light has been green
for a while and the red
hand is flashing this is
called a stale green light
Traffic Controls and Signage
Green arrow with green light
• May enter the intersection and proceed without
yielding in the direction of the arrow

Green arrow with red light

● May enter the intersection and proceed without
stopping only in the direction of the arrow

Flashing Red light

• Must stop before the stop line or crosswalk, and
proceed only when safe to do so → STOP SIGN
Flashing yellow light
• May proceed with caution after yielding to pedestrians and
other vehicles
Traffic Controls and Signage
Lane Reversal Signals

• Used to control the direction of traffic on specific

lanes
• Commonly used in busy areas to change the flow of
traffic during different times of the day.
Sign Shapes and Colors
Words or symbols on traffic regulation signs tell the driver what can or cannot be
done at a specific location or time.

Activity Regulatory Indicates Indicates lane

permitted message such school zone control
within circle as speed limit or crosswalk
Sign Shapes and Colors

Action or Provides Provides Indicates fuel,

activity construction information food, lodging
within the area like distance to information
circle not information destinations
permitted
Sign Shapes and Colors

Indicates Come to a Yield the right You going the

caution or complete stop, of way to wrong way!
warning of proceed when traffic not
hazard safe facing the sign
Sign Shapes and Colors

Do not enter Railway

crossing
Speed Limit Signs
Speed limits do not indicate the maximum speed drivers should travel.
→ They are the maximum speed permitted when conditions are ideal

100 km/h – MAX speed on a provincial

highway located outside an urban area

80 km/h – MAX speed limit on a provincial

highway inside the city limits

50 km/h – MAX speed limit on a roadway

located within an urban area
Homework: Read Chapter 3 -
Driver’s Guide
Basics of Driving
Walking around your vehicle before entering it is important so that
you can check for children, pedestrians and anything else that might
be in your vehicle’s path.

• Tires for proper inflation

• Fluid leaks under your vehicle
• Adjusting your seat and seat belt
• Adjusting inside/outside rearview mirrors

Do you think it is important to lock your vehicle’s doors when you are ready to
begin driving?
Head Restraints
→ How do you use your head restraint properly?
→ Why it is important???

• Positioned so that the center is level

with the top of your ears
• If your head restraint tilts, tilt it
forward so you have less than 10 cm
between your head and the restraint

Head Restraint Video

2021 Kia Sedona
Automatic Transmission System
A vehicle with an automatic transmission allows the driver to place the vehicle in a
gear that will allow the transmission to change the vehicle’s forward gears
automatically as speed increases and decreases.
● Does the shift changes for you!

P – Park
R – Reverse
N – Neutral
D – Drive

2, 3, 4 – Gear
Manual Transmission System
Shifting gears in a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission requires skills that
use a clutch pedal with your left foot while using a gear lever with the right hand to
manually select the gear

- Connection between transmission and wheels is

disengaged
- Meaning the engine power to wheels doesn’t work
- Change gears

Slowly release the clutch once in gear, will re-engage the

transmission and wheel connection
Steering
For best control, place hands at 9 and 3 o’clock.

- When turning a corner, steer using the hand-over-

hand method
- Let the steering wheel slide through your hands
back into position by loosening your grip slightly
Signalling
You MUST use your signal light when you are:

• Moving away from the curb or parking lane

• Turning left or right
• Changing lanes

Remember to turn off your signal light if it does not

turn off automatically.

Do not confuse other drivers by signaling too early

or too late.
Stopping Time and Distance
Perception time: how long it takes to recognize a situation needs a change
Perception distance: how far a vehicle travels during this time

Reaction time: how long it takes to

respond and move your foot off one
pedal
Reaction distance: how far a vehicle
travels during this time

Braking time: how long it takes a vehicle to stop after the brakes are applied
Braking distance: how far a vehicle travels during this time
Stopping Time and Distance

When stopping, begin breaking early,

- Release pressure on the accelerator

before apply the brake

- To finish braking smoothly, release

pressure on the brake pedal slightly
and then reapply
Reversing
All reversing must be done at a crawl or slow walking
speed!!!

BEFORE reversing, look behind the vehicle and only

drive in reverse when your path is clear.

5 Tips For Reversing A Car-Driving Tips

Remember: The front of the vehicle will move in the

opposite direction from the direction the rear of the
vehicle is moving.
Parallel Parking
To park in a space between two vehicles at the right-side curb, follow these steps:
Angle Parking
Angle parking is most often used in parking lots.
Hill Parking
Make sure that you pay attention to the curb type and the direction of your wheels
when parking on a hill.
When parking uphill WITH a curb you want front tires to the left, this
way if your car brakes fail your front tires will hit the curb to prevent
your car from going into oncoming traffic
When parking uphill WITHOUT a curb you want front tires to the right,
this way if your car brakes fail your front tires will drive your car onto
the grass and prevent your car from going into oncoming traffic
When parking uphill WITH or WITHOUT a curb you want front tires to
the right, this way if your car brakes fail your front tires will either hit
the curb, or drive your car onto the grass and prevent your car from
going into oncoming traffic
Parking - DO NOT Park Zones

Do not park within 5 m on EITHER side

of a fire extinguisher

Do not park within 5 m of a stop sign

or a pedestrian walkway
 Review: Reaction times!

Distracted Driving Activity

Intersections and Turns
Intersections controlled by signs:
- Stop sign indicates your vehicle must come to a complete stop, then proceed
Intersections and Turns
3 and 4 way stops:
- Often referred to as “courtesy corners”
- The vehicle that arrived first can proceed first
- If two come at the same time, the vehicle on the right can
proceed first

Yield Signs:
- Must allow other vehicles that do not have a yield the right
of way
- Reduce speed and be prepared to stop if unsafe
- If there are no pedestrians or traffic that you need to stop
for, you don’t necessarily need to come to a complete stop
Intersections and Turns
Uncontrolled Intersections:
- Yield the right of way to a vehicle on your right!

A yields to B A yields to B
A yields to B
Intersections and Turns
Intersection Reminders

▪ A driver turning left across a path of approaching traffic cannot turn left until
it is safe

▪ Parking lots have intersections without signs or signals and the right of way
rules apply

▪ All intersections have crosswalks that may be marked or unmarked and you
must not pass another vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian

• You may never back into an intersection or crosswalk

Intersections and Turns
Traffic Circles and Roundabouts
How to yield, enter and exit when using a roundabout
Intersections and Turns
Traffic Circles and Roundabouts
Homework: Read Chapters 4
Driver’s Guide
Highways and Freeways
All major roadways and highways are divided into lanes with lines
on the road to indicate where your vehicle should travel.

→ Choose the lane that best meets your needs for safety
→ Plan ahead
→ Do not leave lane changes to the last minute
Highways and Freeways
Blind SPOTS!

Your inside and outside rearview mirrors show you

the traffic that is behind your vehicle

● They can’t show you everything that is to

the side
● Blind Spots
● SHOULDER CHECKS
Highways and Freeways
Changing Lanes

1. Signal
2. Mirror check
3. Shoulder check
4. Mirror check

Proceed when safe, while

maintaining speed !!!

What is wrong with this picture?

Highways and Freeways
Passing on a MULTI-LANE highway

- Slower traffic should use the furthest

lane to the right

- Passing lanes are added to allow passing

slower vehicles
Highways and Freeways
Passing on a TWO-LANE highway

- Passing another vehicle should be done very

carefully and precisely
- Pass only when permitted
- Check all of your mirrors

It is ILLEGAL to exceed the speed

limit when passing another vehicle

- When being passed, move to the right side of

your lane to help the other car pass quicker
Highways and Freeways
Emergency stopping lane

- Do not drive in the emergency stopping lane of a highway

- Do not pass or assist another vehicle to pass you by using this lane
Highways and Freeways
MERGE

- Two roadways join into one and the traffic on the main
roadway MUST cooperate to allow space for vehicles
to enter

NEITHER merging or vehicle in the

highway have the right of way!!
SHARING is caring Zipper Merge Demon
stration
- Avoid reducing your speed abruptly or stopping when
merging
- Bring your vehicle to posted speed and ease your way into
the oncoming traffic
Highways and Freeways
When is it illegal to pass another vehicle?
● oncoming vehicles are too close.
● a solid yellow line is on your side of the centre line
● a sign indicates a no passing zone
● you are in a school or playground zone during school or
playground zone times
● another vehicle is stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross at a
marked or unmarked crosswalk
● a school bus has flashing red lights and the stop arm
extended indicating the school bus has stopped.
Emergency Stopping Lane

The portion of a primary highway that lies

between the edge of the roadway and the
first lane of travel, sometimes referred to as
the shoulder, is for drivers who need to stop
due to an urgent situation or because they
have problems with their vehicle.

* Always move over when passing stopped

vehicles*
 Passing Emergency Vehicles
In Alberta, when an emergency vehicle with its lights and sirens activated approaches from any
direction, you must:
1. Yield the Right of Way: Pull over to the right-hand side of the road and come to a complete stop.
2. Stay Put: Remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.
3. Proceed with Caution: After the emergency vehicle has passed, check carefully before merging
back into traffic

When approaching a police car with its lights activated in Alberta, it is important to:
4. Reduce Speed: Slow down and approach the police car cautiously.
5. Move Over Safely: If possible, change lanes to provide space for the police car.
6. Obey Instructions: If the police officer signals you to stop or pull over, do so promptly and
safely.
 Curves on the road
Curves require special attention. Here are some things to remember about curves:
● If you need to reduce your speed, do it before entering the curve, and stay
centered in your lane.
● To stay centred in your lane, look well ahead and around the curve. This
will assist you with steering and speed control.
● Maintain a safe and steady speed after entering the curve.
● Do not pass vehicles on curves on highways with one lane in each direction.
It is unsafe and illegal.
● Curves become more dangerous when wet or icy as these conditions make
them slippery.
Homework: Read Chapters 5 - 6
Driver’s Guide
Emergency Situations
• Emergency Braking
• ABS Brakes
• Threshold Braking
• Skid Recovery
• Power Skid Create a 2 minute presentation on the board
• Braking Skid
• defining and explaining the following
Corner Skid
• Off road recovery situations.
• Brake failure
• Hydroplaning
• Black ice
Emergency Situations
Driving at Night
- It is important for you to put on your headlights whenever it is
nighttime OR you cannot see 150m ahead of you
- How to Drive at Night - Tips and Tricks
Day 8 - Emergency Situations
Animals

To reduce the chance of collisions with an animal, do the

following:
• Reduce your speed, look well ahead
• Scan the sides of the roads for “eye specks”
• Dusk and dawn are often the most common times for
animals
• If you see one, there is likely another ahead of close
behind!
Emergency Situations
Collisions
If you have been in a collision or are the first person at the scene of an accident, stop
away from the collision in a SAFE place and Protect yourself FIRST !!!

• Exchange names and contact info

• Witnesses
• Do not discuss whose fault
• Record name and location and other
important details

Required to report to police

- Anyone has been injured/killed
- Overall damage exceeds $2000 or public property
Emergency Situations
Motorists must reduce speed to 60km/h or the posted speed, whichever is slower
when passing an emergency vehicle or tow truck

When an ambulance, fire or police

emergency vehicle is approaching, you
must yield the right of way:

● Safely move your vehicle over to allow

them to pass
● Drive as close to the right curb as
possible
● Stop until the vehicle has passed and
not other vehicle is approaching
Emergency Situations
Maintenance and Construction Vehicles

Signs will be posted well before a

construction zone warning you of a lane
reduction, lane closure or workers ahead.

Speed fines DOUBLE

when workers are present
Emergency Situations
Driving Statistics

Activity

I want you to find a RELIABLE driving

statistic to share with the class.

Could be a positive, negative, neutral

statistic but should be a statistic that affects
you.
Homework: Read Chapters 7
Driver’s Guide
Day 9 - Responsible Driving
Rules of the Road:

In groups of 4, explain what is

going to happen in each of the
situations and describe a solution
to prevent any injury or accident.
Day 9 - Responsible Driving
Rules of the Road:

In groups of 4, explain what is

going to happen in each of the
situations and describe a solution
to prevent any injury or accident.
Day 9 - Responsible Driving
Rules of the Road:

In groups of 4, explain what is

going to happen in each of the
situations and describe a solution
to prevent any injury or accident.
Day 9 - Responsible Driving
Rules of the Road:

In groups of 4, explain what is

going to happen in each of the
situations and describe a solution
to prevent any injury or accident.
Day 9 - Responsible Driving
Rules of the Road:

In groups of 4, explain what is

going to happen in each of the
situations and describe a
solution to prevent any injury
or accident.
Day 9 - Responsible Driving
There are 14 causes of crashes listed below. Put the numbers 1 – 14 in the spaces next
to the causes. (1) Most often (14) Least often

___ Following too closely ___ Improper Lane change

___ Backed unsafely ___ Left turn across the path
___ Drove off the road ___ Disobeyed traffic signal
___ Stop sign violation ___ left of the yellow line
___ Improper turn ___ Yield sign violation
___ Other ___ Improper passing
___ Failed to yield to a pedestrian
___ Failed to yield at an uncontrolled intersection
Homework: Read Chapters 7
Driver’s Guide
Day 10 - Responsible Driving
SAFE Driving

See – identify potential hazards or adverse situations

Analyze – what are the potentials risks?
Find – determine the best course of action
Escape – execute the best course of action

Using collision avoidance keywords - Ground search - Use the horn

and the SAFE method to write a - Mirror check - Signal left
SAFE assessment for each photo: - Blind spot check - Signal right
- Following distance - Cover brakes - Hazard signals
- Stopping distance - Apply brakes - Increase speed
- Eye lead time - Tap brakes - Change lanes
- Ground search - Stop
- Cover the horn
Day 10 - Responsible Driving
SAFE Driving

See –
Analyze –
Find –
Escape –
Day 10 - Responsible Driving
SAFE Driving

See –
Analyze –
Find –
Escape –
Day 10 - Responsible Driving
SAFE Driving

See –
Analyze –
Find –
Escape –
Day 10 - Responsible Driving
SAFE Driving

See –
Analyze –
Find –
Escape –
Day 10 - Responsible Driving
Quick Quiz:
Based on 2016 statistics, which type of road surface condition resulted in the majority
of casualty collisions – dry, slush, snow/ice?
● Dry 70%, Slush 15%, Snow 15%

Which month has the highest number of injury collisions?

● June

Which month has the highest number of fatal collisions?

● July

Which is the most collision prone day of the week?

● Friday
Homework: Read Chapter 8
Driver’s Guide
Day 11
How to Change a Tire | Change a flat car tire step by step
Day 11
How to properly install a child's car seat
Sharing the Road
School Buses – Why are they so important to understand for YOU?
Sharing the Road
Sharing the Road
Homework: Read Chapters 9
Driver’s Guide
Day 12
You are to create TWO separate digital Public Service
Announcements on TWO of the following concepts:

• Driver fatigue
• Drugs and Medication
• Alcohol
• Demerit Points
• Criminal Code of Canada – Traffic Division
• License suspensions (AALS)
• AZAT
• IRS
• Ignition Interlock program Use statistics, pictures, diagrams, visuals,
textboxes etc. to make the important information
POP OUT!
Homework: Read Chapters 10
Driver’s Guide
Day 13 - Practice TESTS
Alberta Driving Test Practice: Learners Test Prep 2022

Pass Your Alberta Driving Test - Free Learners Practice Test - DrivingTest

FREE Alberta Learner Practice Tests - Pass Your Written Test

Homework: Study EVERYTHING
Driver’s Guide
Day 14
Final Exam