Nova Scotia Learner’s Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   Do airbags replace seatbelts?

   • ANo, you must still wear a seatbelt
   • BOnly for passengers
   • CYes, in the front seats
   • DYes, if the car has side airbags
   Show answer

   Answer: A. No, you must still wear a seatbelt

   Airbags work with seatbelts, not instead of them. The belt holds you in place so the airbag can protect you.

2. Question 2 of 25

   A front tire blows out while you are driving. What should you do?

   • ASteer sharply onto the shoulder to get off the road
   • BHold the wheel firmly, ease off the gas and slow down
   • CBrake hard right away to stop as soon as possible
   • DSpeed up to keep the car straight and in control
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Hold the wheel firmly, ease off the gas and slow down

   Grip the wheel, take your foot off the gas and steer straight. Slow down, then pull off the road when it is safe.

3. Question 3 of 25

   How far should a driver sit from the steering wheel airbag?

   • AAt least 25 cm (wheel centre to breastbone)
   • BAt least 1 metre, with arms straight
   • CAs close as possible to see the road
   • DAbout 5 cm, so you can reach easily
   Show answer

   Answer: A. At least 25 cm (wheel centre to breastbone)

   Transport Canada says sitting 25 cm from the driver airbag, measured from the centre of the wheel to your breastbone, gives a safe margin.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Signs with a white background and black letters or symbols, like this one, usually:

   • AMark temporary road work
   • BGive a rule you must obey
   • CShow directions to places
   • DWarn of a hazard
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Give a rule you must obey

   Regulatory signs are mostly rectangles or squares with a white or black background. They give rules you must obey.

5. Question 5 of 25

   The light turns yellow as you come to an intersection. You can stop safely before the stop line. What should you do?

   • AStop
   • BHonk and drive through
   • CKeep going at the same speed
   • DSpeed up to get through before it turns red
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop

   A yellow light means the light is about to turn red. Stop if you can do it safely; if you are too close to stop safely, go through with caution.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AA hospital is ahead
   • BAn intersection with a highway is ahead
   • CA railway crossing is ahead
   • DDo not enter
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A railway crossing is ahead

   Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop at the crossing.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Total stopping distance is made up of which parts?

   • AReaction distance and following distance
   • BBraking distance and nothing else
   • CPerception, reaction and braking distance
   • DFollowing distance and braking distance
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Perception, reaction and braking distance

   Total stopping distance adds the distance you travel while you notice a hazard, while you react, and while the brakes slow you down.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Can you be charged with impaired driving if your blood alcohol is under the criminal limit?

   • ANo, only if you are over the limit
   • BOnly if you cause a crash
   • CYes, if you are impaired to any degree
   • DOnly if you are a new driver
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Yes, if you are impaired to any degree

   The Criminal Code bans driving while your ability is impaired to any degree by alcohol, drugs or both, whatever your blood alcohol level.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ANeighbourhood watch area; no parking
   • BA school is closed for the day
   • CNo through traffic is allowed
   • DTraffic fines are higher in this zone, so take extra care
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Traffic fines are higher in this zone, so take extra care

   In Ontario, community safety zones are areas with a known risk to pedestrians. Fines for traffic offences are higher there.

10. Question 10 of 25

    After drinking alcohol, what is the only thing that lowers your blood alcohol level?

    • AEating a big meal
    • BA cold shower
    • CTime
    • DCoffee
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Time

    Only time removes alcohol from your body. Food, coffee, cold showers and exercise do not sober you up.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA passing lane is ahead
    • BDo not pass other vehicles on this section of road
    • CSlow vehicles keep right
    • DTwo-way traffic ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Do not pass other vehicles on this section of road

    Passing is not allowed here. Stay behind the vehicle ahead until passing is allowed again.

12. Question 12 of 25

    How should a lap-and-shoulder seatbelt be worn?

    • AShoulder belt tucked under your arm to stay loose
    • BShoulder belt behind your back for more comfort
    • CLap belt high across your stomach and ribs
    • DLap belt low on the hips; shoulder belt across the chest
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Lap belt low on the hips; shoulder belt across the chest

    Wear the lap belt low over the hips and the shoulder belt over the shoulder and across the chest, snug enough to hold you in your seat.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Your car stalls on a railway track. What should you do first?

    • AGet everyone out and away from the car right away
    • BTry to restart the engine several times
    • CStay in the car and phone for help
    • DTry to push the car off the track
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Get everyone out and away from the car right away

    If you are trapped on a crossing, get everyone out and well away from the vehicle first. Then contact the authorities.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What does a yellow diamond-shaped sign like this one tell you?

    • AIt warns of a hazard or change in the road ahead
    • BIt gives a rule you must obey
    • CIt shows directions to a town
    • DIt marks temporary road work
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It warns of a hazard or change in the road ahead

    Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds with black letters or symbols.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA wheelchair crossing is ahead
    • BParking only for vehicles with a valid accessible parking permit
    • CHospital staff parking
    • DA loading zone
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Parking only for vehicles with a valid accessible parking permit

    Only vehicles showing a valid accessible parking permit may park here.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ANo left turns
    • BTwo lanes must turn left
    • CThe centre lane is only for left turns by traffic from both directions
    • DThe centre lane is for passing
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The centre lane is only for left turns by traffic from both directions

    Use the shared centre lane only to turn left. Do not use it for passing.

17. Question 17 of 25

    You are driving car 2. An ambulance (1) with its siren on and lights flashing comes up behind you. What should you do?

    • AKeep driving at the same speed in your lane
    • BSignal, pull over to the right edge and stop
    • CSpeed up to stay ahead of it
    • DStop right where you are, even in an intersection
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Signal, pull over to the right edge and stop

    When an emergency vehicle comes with lights or siren, move as close as you safely can to the right edge of the road and stop, clear of intersections.

18. Question 18 of 25

    The traffic lights at an intersection are not working because of a power failure. What should you do?

    • ADrive through without stopping if you are on the bigger road
    • BHonk and keep going
    • CTreat the intersection like an all-way stop
    • DStop only if traffic is coming from your left
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Treat the intersection like an all-way stop

    When signals are dark, yield to vehicles already in the intersection and to vehicles on your right, and go through carefully, as you would at an all-way stop.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Which hand signal in the diagram means the driver will turn right?

    • ASignal 2
    • BSignal 3
    • CSignal 1
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Signal 2

    Signal 2, the left arm bent upward at the elbow, means a right turn. Signal 1 (arm straight out) means a left turn, and signal 3 (arm bent down) means slowing or stopping.

20. Question 20 of 25

    You park facing downhill beside a curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

    • AToward the curb
    • BIt does not matter if you set the parking brake
    • CAway from the curb
    • DStraight ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Toward the curb

    Turn the wheels toward the curb so that if the brakes fail, the car rolls into the curb, not into traffic.

21. Question 21 of 25

    This tab is posted below a curve sign. What does it tell you?

    • AThe maximum safe speed for the curve in good conditions is 40 km/h
    • BThe speed limit for the whole road is 40 km/h
    • CTrucks must drive at 40 km/h
    • DThe minimum speed is 40 km/h
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The maximum safe speed for the curve in good conditions is 40 km/h

    This tab gives the safe speed for the curve or ramp ahead. Go slower if the road is wet or icy.

22. Question 22 of 25

    A pedestrian with a white cane or a guide dog is about to cross. What should you do?

    • ADrive around them slowly
    • BHonk so they know you are there
    • CWave them across and keep moving
    • DStop and let the person cross safely
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Stop and let the person cross safely

    A white cane or guide dog often means the person is blind or has low vision. Be alert, stop and give them all the time they need.

23. Question 23 of 25

    You see this sign on the back of a vehicle. What does it mean?

    • AIt is carrying an oversize load
    • BThe vehicle travels much slower than other traffic, like farm machinery
    • CIt is an emergency vehicle
    • DThe vehicle carries dangerous goods
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The vehicle travels much slower than other traffic, like farm machinery

    In Ontario, this orange triangle with a red border is used on vehicles that go 40 km/h or less. Slow down early.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AStop only when pedestrians are present
    • BCome to a complete stop, then go when the way is clear
    • CStop only if a car is coming from the right
    • DSlow down and go if no one is coming
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Come to a complete stop, then go when the way is clear

    A red octagon means stop. Stop completely, then go only when it is safe and you have yielded to others.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Which of these can impair your driving?

    • AAlcohol, cannabis and some medicines
    • BOnly illegal drugs such as cocaine
    • COnly drugs that are mixed with alcohol
    • DOnly alcohol, not drugs
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Alcohol, cannabis and some medicines

    Alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs and some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can all slow your reactions and judgment. Driving while impaired by any drug is a crime.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 16 of 20 in each part