Can a mobile patrol guard speed to an alarm call?

No. Security patrol vehicles are not emergency vehicles. You must obey speed limits and every other traffic law, like any other driver.

Should I go inside a building when an alarm shows signs of a break-in?

No. Stay outside in a safe spot, call police and your dispatch, and watch and report until police arrive.

Can I use my two-way radio while driving?

Distracted driving rules differ by province. Alberta, for example, allows two-way radio use only in some listed work situations. The safest habit is to pull over before a long radio or phone conversation.

How often should a lone patrol guard check in?

Your employer sets the interval based on the risk of the work. Higher-risk work needs shorter intervals. Follow your post orders and never skip a check-in.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace the security licence training required in your province or territory.

Mobile Patrol Course for Security Guards 2026

Question 1 of 25

What is the main job of a mobile patrol guard?

To observe, deter and report at several sites on a route
To replace the alarm systems at client sites
To give out provincial traffic tickets
To enforce the Criminal Code in the same way police do

Show answer

Answer: A. To observe, deter and report at several sites on a route

Like other guards, a mobile patrol guard protects sites mainly by watching, being seen and reporting what they find.

Question 2 of 25

In Ontario, which word must a marked security guard vehicle display?

ENFORCEMENT
RESPONSE
PATROL UNIT
SECURITY (or SÉCURITÉ)

Show answer

Answer: D. SECURITY (or SÉCURITÉ)

Ontario’s vehicle regulation under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 requires the word SECURITY or SÉCURITÉ in the required manner.

Question 3 of 25

In Ontario, which stripes may NOT appear on a security vehicle, except as part of a crest or logo?

Black or white stripes
Green or orange stripes
Grey or silver stripes
Red, blue, gold or yellow stripes

Show answer

Answer: D. Red, blue, gold or yellow stripes

Ontario sets a fine for a security vehicle with red, blue, gold or yellow stripes that are not on a crest or logo.

Question 4 of 25

In Alberta, who must approve a change to a security company’s vehicle markings before it is used?

The Alberta Motor Association
The Registrar at Security Programs
The client who hired the company
The local police chief

Show answer

Answer: B. The Registrar at Security Programs

Alberta’s Security Programs Policy Manual says the Registrar gives written approval for changes to uniforms or vehicles.

Question 5 of 25

Under Alberta’s Security Programs policy, can a guard on a training licence drive a company security vehicle?

Yes, after 10 shifts of training
No, training licensees may not drive a company vehicle
Yes, but only at night
Yes, if a supervisor rides along

Show answer

Answer: B. No, training licensees may not drive a company vehicle

The policy manual says security training licensees may not drive a company vehicle.

Question 6 of 25

During your start-of-shift walk-around, you find a new dent on the patrol car. What should you do?

Report it at the end of the week
Record and report it before you drive
Fix it yourself after your shift
Ignore it if the car still runs well

Show answer

Answer: B. Record and report it before you drive

Recording damage before you drive shows when it happened and who should answer for it.

Question 7 of 25

Under Alberta’s distracted driving law, may you hold your phone to read a message while stopped at a red light?

Yes, if your patrol lights are on
No, the ban applies even while stopped at a red light
Yes, if the light is red for more than 30 seconds
Yes, if the message is from your dispatcher

Show answer

Answer: B. No, the ban applies even while stopped at a red light

Alberta’s rules on hand-held devices apply while you are stopped in traffic, including at red lights.

Question 8 of 25

Which use of a hand-held phone does Alberta’s distracted driving law allow?

Texting dispatch at a red light
Calling 911 in an emergency
Typing an address into a GPS while driving
Reading a work email in slow traffic

Show answer

Answer: B. Calling 911 in an emergency

Calling emergency services such as 911 with a hand-held phone is allowed. The other uses are banned.

Question 9 of 25

Dispatch asks for a long update while you are driving. What is the safest choice?

Find a safe place to pull over, then give the update
Use your knee to steer while you talk
Hold the radio and keep driving slowly
Turn on your hazard lights and talk while driving

Show answer

Answer: A. Find a safe place to pull over, then give the update

Pulling over removes the distraction. Many provinces limit device use while driving, and work radios are only exempt in some situations.

Question 10 of 25

Do traffic laws apply to a security patrol vehicle on public roads?

No, patrol vehicles may speed on the way to alarms
Only when the guard is not on a call
Only during daylight hours
Yes, the guard must obey all traffic laws like any other driver

Show answer

Answer: D. Yes, the guard must obey all traffic laws like any other driver

Security vehicles are not emergency vehicles. Speeding to a call puts you and the public in danger and breaks the law.

Question 11 of 25

Why should a mobile patrol change the order and timing of site visits?

So the guard can skip quiet sites
So the client cannot check the guard’s work
So no one can predict when the guard will arrive
So the patrol uses less fuel

Show answer

Answer: C. So no one can predict when the guard will arrive

An irregular patrol is much harder for someone to watch and avoid than the same loop every time.

Question 12 of 25

Where is the best place to park when you arrive for a site check?

Behind a building where no one can see the car
In the fire lane right next to the door
Where you can see the area and leave easily, without blocking a fire lane
Across the main entrance to stop traffic

Show answer

Answer: C. Where you can see the area and leave easily, without blocking a fire lane

A good spot lets you watch the site and drive away if needed. Fire lanes must stay clear for emergency vehicles.

Question 13 of 25

Why should you note how a site looks on your first visit of the shift?

It replaces the need for later visits
It sets a baseline so you can spot changes later
It is only needed for new guards
It lets you skip the incident report

Show answer

Answer: B. It sets a baseline so you can spot changes later

Ontario’s guard training syllabus includes initial checks that set a benchmark, so later changes stand out.

Question 14 of 25

During a night check you smell natural gas near a building. What should you do first?

Wait and check again on your next visit
Flick the lights on and off to warn people
Move away to a safe place and call 911 and your dispatch
Go inside to find the leak

Show answer

Answer: C. Move away to a safe place and call 911 and your dispatch

A gas leak can explode. Get to a safe distance first, then call for help from there.

Question 15 of 25

Before you arrive at an alarm call, what is the most useful information to get from dispatch?

How many guards worked the site last year
The type of alarm and which zone or door set it off
How much the client pays for patrols
The owner’s home address

Show answer

Answer: B. The type of alarm and which zone or door set it off

Knowing the alarm type and zone tells you where to look and what danger to expect.

Question 16 of 25

At an alarm call, you see a smashed window and hear noise inside. What should you do?

Go in alone to catch the intruder
Shout into the building and wait for an answer
Reset the alarm and leave
Stay outside in a safe spot, call police and dispatch, and keep watching

Show answer

Answer: D. Stay outside in a safe spot, call police and dispatch, and keep watching

Signs of a break-in mean someone may still be inside. Your job is to stay safe, call police and report what you see.

Question 17 of 25

Why do many patrol guards stop a short distance from a building with an active alarm?

To save fuel
To watch the building safely before they get close
To give the alarm time to reset itself
To stay out of camera view

Show answer

Answer: B. To watch the building safely before they get close

Stopping back lets you look for people, vehicles and signs of entry before you are seen or trapped.

Question 18 of 25

You finish a site check at 9:40 p.m. How do you write the time in your log?

21:40
22:40
09:40
19:40

Show answer

Answer: A. 21:40

Security logs use the 24-hour clock. For times after noon, add 12 to the hour: 9 + 12 = 21.

Question 19 of 25

Under BC and Alberta safety rules, when is a worker “working alone”?

Only when they work in a vehicle
Only when they work more than 12 hours
When help would not be readily available if they were hurt or in an emergency
Only when no client staff are on site during the day

Show answer

Answer: C. When help would not be readily available if they were hurt or in an emergency

Both provinces define working alone by whether help is readily available in an emergency or if the worker is injured or ill.

Question 20 of 25

Under BC’s working-alone rules, when must a check be done in addition to the regular checks?

Once a month
Only after an incident
At the end of the work shift
Only when the worker asks for one

Show answer

Answer: C. At the end of the work shift

BC requires a check at the end of the work shift as well as checks at set intervals.

Question 21 of 25

In Alberta, what must an employer provide to a worker who works alone?

A partner on every shift
A company car for personal use
An effective way to call for help, with regular contact based on the risk
A higher hourly wage

Show answer

Answer: C. An effective way to call for help, with regular contact based on the risk

Alberta’s OHS Code requires an effective communication system with contact at intervals that suit the hazard.

Question 22 of 25

Why should a lone patrol guard tell dispatch when arriving at and leaving each site?

So someone knows where to send help if the guard stops responding
So dispatch can skip the next check-in
So the guard can take a longer break
So the client can bill for fuel

Show answer

Answer: A. So someone knows where to send help if the guard stops responding

Knowing your last location lets help reach you fast if a check-in is missed.

Question 23 of 25

In a check-in system, what is a code word used for?

To signal that you need help without alerting someone nearby
To log in to the patrol vehicle
To end your shift early
To unlock client buildings

Show answer

Answer: A. To signal that you need help without alerting someone nearby

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety suggests agreeing on a code word so a lone worker can ask for help quietly.

Question 24 of 25

How should a patrol guard handle client keys?

Make spare copies in case one is lost
Lend them to client staff who ask
Sign them out, keep them secure and never label them with the site address
Leave them on the dashboard for quick access

Show answer

Answer: C. Sign them out, keep them secure and never label them with the site address

If labelled keys are lost or stolen, anyone can use them to enter the site. Track and protect every key.

Question 25 of 25

Why should you read the pass-down log at the start of a patrol shift?

To learn about open issues and special instructions from the last shift
To check how many hours the last guard worked
To find out the client’s budget
Because it replaces your post orders

Show answer

Answer: A. To learn about open issues and special instructions from the last shift

Ontario’s guard training syllabus includes updating the next person on shift. The log tells you what still needs attention.

Mobile Patrol Course for Security Guards 2026

Quick answer

What you will learn

What to know before the test

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Related tests