Manitoba Class 5 study guide: key rules on all 16 topics

Free Manitoba Class 5 study guide: 270 key points from the MPI Driver's Handbook in plain words, organised by topic, each topic linked to its practice questions.

By the Canada Exam Prep Editorial Team · Updated October 15, 2026

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This study guide collects our notes on every topic of the Manitoba Class 5 Knowledge Test on one page: 270 short points in our own words, grouped by topic and by handbook section. Read it from top to bottom before your first practice test, or jump to a topic from the list below.

Each topic ends with a link to its practice questions, so you can check what you just read straight away, and a link to the official chapter for the full wording. The notes summarise the MPI Driver's Handbook from the Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI); they do not replace it, and where our notes and the official source differ, the official source wins.

Study these notes as flashcards →

Sign shapes and regulatory signs

What each sign shape and colour means, stop, yield and four-way stop rules, the 24-hour clock on signs, turn and lane-use signs, speed and school-zone signs, parking and snow-route signs.

Practise Sign shapes and regulatory signs questions Flashcards Official chapter

Sign Shapes and Colours (Ch. 4 Signs and Signals)

Shapes let you identify a sign in darkness, fading light, fog, rain or snow.
Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon: school area; drive cautiously, children may be crossing.
Diamond: warning of possibly dangerous conditions on or near the road (curve, turn, side road, intersection, narrow bridge); slow down.
Octagon: used only for stop signs; always stop completely.
Triangle, tip pointing down: yield the right-of-way; slow down and stop if needed.
Triangle with each tip cut off: slow-moving vehicle.
Crossbuck: railway crossing; slow down, look both ways, yield to trains.
Square or rectangle: regulates traffic and directs drivers.
Times on signs use the 24-hour clock: 0:00 = midnight, 13:00 = 1 p.m. ... 23:00 = 11 p.m.; 1 a.m. to noon unchanged.

Regulatory Signs

Regulate speed limits, permitted turns, stopping and parking.
Examples listed: no turns, no U-turn, no right turn, no left turn, all traffic must turn right / left, no trucks, do not enter, truck route, no right turn on red, keep right of sign, no right turn during times shown.
Reduced speed school zone (some with restricted hours) and its end sign; maximum 60 km/h ahead; maximum 90 km/h.
Parking permitted as indicated; parking prohibited; parking for disabled persons only; do not stop to wait.
Snow Route: no stopping during a declared snow emergency.
Pedestrian corridor, pedestrian crosswalk and school crosswalk signs.
Do not enter except buses and cyclists; buses only; lane must turn right during times shown except buses and cyclists.
Two-way traffic; stop here for red signal; do not pass; passing permitted; slower traffic keep right; keep right except to pass; one way (go only in arrow direction).
Through traffic not permitted in a lane: having entered it, you must turn left at the next private approach or street.
Speed fines doubled in designated construction zones.

Stop Signs

Before moving off, yield to pedestrians who want to cross; then move slowly forward for a better view and go when safe.

Four-Way Stop Signs

First vehicle to stop goes first.
After stopping and yielding to pedestrians, roll slowly forward to show you intend to go.
If two or more stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.

Yield Right-of-Way Signs

Slow down near the intersection; check for pedestrians and traffic; stop and yield if any.
Usually where a lane or road merges with another; be prepared to stop.
While checking traffic, don't run into the car ahead.

Warning, construction and guide signs

Yellow diamond warning signs for curves, lanes, hills, crossings and hazards, orange construction and maintenance signs, doubled speeding fines, and green guide and information signs.

Practise Warning, construction and guide signs questions Flashcards Official chapter

Warning Signs (Ch. 4 Signs and Signals)

Warn of possible dangerous conditions immediately ahead (diamond shape: slow down to keep full control).
Listed: very sharp right turn; divided highway begins / ends; sharp right curve with 40 km/h recommended speed tab; pedestrian crosswalk ahead; two-way traffic ahead; winding road; right lane ends; left lane ends; road ends (exit right or left); bump; merging roadways; steep hill; hidden intersection; bridge ices; school area (yellow-green pentagon); narrow bridge; hazard marker (obstruction); stop ahead; low structure clearance 4.1 m; traffic signals ahead; right curve; playground ahead; school crosswalk ahead; deer crossing; railway crossing advance (track position shows the angle the tracks cross); road slippery when wet; traffic island; roundabout ahead; pavement ends; recommended exit speed 40 km/h; speed limit change ahead; reserved bus lane ahead.
Reserved lane in the curb lane of the cross-street: turning right, enter the second lane from the curb. Reserved lane in the median lane: turning right, enter the curb lane.
Prepare to stop sign: when its amber lights flash, the signal ahead is red or about to turn red.
Railway crossing sign with lights and bells: when flashing/ringing, be ready to stop for a train. A number on a square sign below it = number of tracks.

Construction and Maintenance Signs

Warn of construction and maintenance areas; slow down; some locations post maximum speeds.
Drivers must watch for and obey flag persons.
Listed: designated construction zone (speed fines double); construction zone ends; maximum 40 km/h when meeting traffic; detour ahead; overhead wires; barricade ahead; flying stones; part of roadway removed; construction area; trucks entering on right; flagperson ahead; road work; bump; pavement edge drop-off.

Guide and Information Signs

Tell you where you are, what road you're on and how to get places: service, location, route marker and distance signs; vary in size and colour.
Examples: eastbound TransCanada, westbound Provincial Trunk Highway, southbound Provincial Road, northbound City Route; hospital; camping; picnic; travel information; access for disabled persons; airport with scheduled service.
"A" route: alternative route that returns to the route you're on.
Cul-de-sac: dead end with a turnaround.
Stop for school bus when signals flashing.

Traffic signals and pedestrian signals

Red, amber and green lights, where to stop on red, turns on red, flashing lights, green and amber arrows, the green left-arrow shown with a red light, and the transit priority signal.

Practise Traffic signals and pedestrian signals questions Flashcards Official chapter

Traffic Control Signals (Ch. 4 Signs and Signals)

Red: stop in front of the marked crosswalk; with no marked crosswalk, before the sidewalk, clear of pedestrians and vehicles.
Red: after a complete stop you may turn right unless a sign prohibits it or traffic/pedestrians prevent it. You may also turn right or left from a one-way street onto another one-way street.
Amber: warning that red is coming; slow down and stop; never speed up to make the light. Already in the intersection: continue through.
Green: proceed, yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk and vehicles already in the intersection. Turning left: you may enter on green but must yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic, and may have to finish the turn on amber or red.
Flashing red: complete stop, go only when safe.
Flashing amber: slow down, be prepared to stop, yield to pedestrians.
Steady amber arrow (after a green arrow): oncoming traffic may get green next; slow down and stop; if already in the intersection, complete the turn.
Green arrow (steady or flashing): go only in the arrow direction, from the proper lane.
Flashing green left arrow: left turn only, unless another signal allows more (may show with red, amber or green).
Green U-turn arrow: U-turn after yielding to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection.
Green left arrow WITH red light: left turn only; right turn or straight through is illegal even with no "no right on red" sign. Green left arrow alone (no red): right turn allowed if safe and not prohibited.

Transit Priority Signal

White vertical bar on black background: only public transit buses may go; others stay stopped.
Always shown with a steady red light.

Pavement markings and reserved lanes

Yellow and white lines, solid and broken lines, stop lines, painted left-turn islands, diamond reserved lanes, contra-flow lanes, bicycle lanes and sharrows.

Practise Pavement markings and reserved lanes questions Flashcards Official chapter

Pavement Markings (Ch. 4 Signs and Signals)

Solid line on the left of your lane: do not pass or change lanes. Broken line: may pass or change lanes if safe front and rear.
You may turn left over a single or double solid line onto a private road or driveway.
Yellow lines: traffic in opposite directions. Broken yellow: passing permitted. Solid + broken: no passing if the solid line is on your side. Double solid: no passing either way.
White lines: traffic in the same direction. Solid white: no lane changing. Broken white: lane changing permitted.
Stop line: stop before it.
Painted left-turn islands (common in rural areas): no traffic permitted within them.

Reserved Lanes

In some urban centres, lanes are reserved for designated vehicles; signs show who may use them. Marked with double broken lines and white diamonds.
With-flow reserved lane (curb lane): right-turning drivers may enter it anywhere in the block before their turn. Markings: double broken white lines + diamonds.
Turning right onto a street with a curb Diamond Lane: turn into the first lane, then signal, check and move out as soon as safe. Driving beside a Diamond Lane and turning right: you may enter it but must turn at the next intersection. Respect cyclists using Diamond Lanes.
Contra-flow reserved lane: curb lane on a one-way street; designated vehicles travel against traffic. Markings: double solid yellow lines + white diamonds.

Cycling Pavement Markings

Bicycle lanes: white lane lines + diamond with bicycle. Vehicles may cross bike lanes (parking, turning at intersections, lanes, driveways); watch for cyclists. Cyclists may leave the bike lane to change lanes, turn or leave the road; the solid lines don't keep them in.
Sharrows (chevron + bicycle): share the lane; not a bike lane; not an indication of where the cyclist rides.
Passing a cyclist or power-assisted bicycle going the same way: keep at least 1 metre; may require changing lanes.

Graduated licensing and getting your licence

Learner, Intermediate and Full stages, supervising driver rules, passenger limits, zero alcohol and drugs, knowledge and road test rules, new residents and keeping your licence valid.

Practise Graduated licensing and getting your licence questions Flashcards Official chapter

Basic Class 5 Licensing Requirements (Ch. 1)

Must take a driver test if never licensed for that class, no Manitoba licence in the past four years, or licence from a non-exchangeable jurisdiction.
GDL applies to those who applied for a first Class 5 licence on or after April 1, 2002. Stages: L (min 9 months), I (min 15 months), F.
5L: minimum age 16; 15½ if enrolled in MPI's Driver Z (high school driver education) course in progress. Parent/guardian consent if under 18.
Knowledge test: register as an MPI customer with ID (Autopac agent); covers traffic laws, safe driving and road signs; not open book; no phones/devices. Test charge listed as $12 here, but $10 on the Key Points page.
After passing and meeting vision/medical standards: licence $20 plus base driver premium up to $45 (+ any additional premium).
Disease/disability that may affect driving: inform Driver Fitness before the knowledge test.
Road test: check in 15 minutes early; vehicle in good working order with registration; seating for the examiner.
Out-of-country licence: may drive on it for the shorter of three months, its expiry, or until a Manitoba 5L/5A is issued; then surrender it and follow Manitoba stage rules (supervising driver).
Change of name or address: notify within 15 days.

Graduated Driver Licensing / Graduated Driver Licensing Class 5

Learner (5L), min 9 months: zero drugs/alcohol; supervising driver the only front-seat passenger; supervisor has held 5F for at least three years (36 months), BAC under .05, passes drug screening; back-seat passengers up to working seatbelts; no towing; no Class 3 farm truck; no ORVs along/across highways; no Authorized Instruction in Classes 1–4.
Intermediate (5I), min 15 months, reached by passing the road test: zero drugs/alcohol; 5 a.m.–midnight: one front passenger + back seat up to seatbelts; midnight–5 a.m.: one passenger, or with a qualified supervisor in front, back-seat passengers up to seatbelts; towing, farm trucks and ORVs allowed; may apply for Class 2–4 instruction at 18+.
Intermediate Stage is done only once (Class 5 and Class 6 time counts for both).
Full (5F): zero drugs/alcohol for the first 36 months; may supervise after three years in Full Stage.
No stage credit while unlicensed.

Operating Heavy and Agricultural Equipment

Minimum 5I licence to operate tractors, combines, front-end loaders, cranes, forklifts, graders on provincial highways and urban roads.

Scheduling / Key Points About Your Tests (Ch. 2)

Tests by appointment, weekdays; book up to 60 days ahead.
Knowledge test in English and French; Class 5 knowledge test in more than 20 other languages.
30-minute time limit; not open book; no phones or electronic devices; one test of the same class per day.
GDL applicant who fails the knowledge test: 7-day wait. Failed road test: 14-day wait.

Manitoba's One-Piece Driver's Licence / Keep Your Licence Valid (Ch. 3)

Temporary certificate valid up to 45 days; new photo every five years; licence can't be used to cross the U.S. border.
Carry your licence while driving; produce it and the registration certificate when a peace officer asks.
Licence valid up to five years; charges paid yearly on the anniversary date = four months less one day after your birthday (Sept. 21 birthday → Jan. 20).

Starting, lane changes, turns and roundabouts

Hand position, starting from the curb, lane changes and blind spots, hand signals, curves, signalling distances, right and left turns, U-turns and roundabouts.

Practise Starting, lane changes, turns and roundabouts questions Flashcards Official chapter

Starting Out (Ch. 5)

Hands at 9 and 3 o'clock; never palm the wheel or steer with one finger.
Accelerate smoothly; over-accelerating on slippery roads can cause loss of traction.
Lower gears help braking on hills; bring the vehicle to a full stop before shifting between forward and reverse.

Starting

Leaving a parked position: signal away from the curb (or hand signal) and shoulder check.

Lane Changing / Blind Spots

Check rearview mirror, signal, shoulder check, move when safe.
One shoulder check may cover several lanes if done safely; mirrors only = one lane at a time.
Never change lanes at intersections. Signal and check when moving out of a straight line (e.g. around parked cars).
Only both mirrors plus a shoulder check show all areas.

Hand Signals

Left turn: left arm straight out. Right turn: left arm bent up. Stop: left arm bent down.

Curves / General Rules of Turning

Slow before a curve, don't brake in it; left curve steer toward (not over) centre; right curve steer toward right side.
Signal at least 30 m before a turn; at least 150 m outside cities, towns and villages.

Right Turns

From the right lane nearest the curb into the curb lane, unless blocked within 30 m. Yield to pedestrians.
Highway shoulders are for stopped or disabled vehicles; don't drive on them.

Left Turns

Never enter an intersection you can't clear or that is blocked.
On green: move to just before the centre, right of the directional line; turn when safe; if light turns amber/red while established, finish when safe; if not established when light changes, don't attempt.
Two-way to two-way: enter right of the dividing line, turn left of the centre.
Double left-turn lanes: keep your lane position.
One-way to one-way: from the left lane into the lane nearest the left curb (unless blocked within 30 m); left on red allowed after stopping unless posted.
One-way to two-way: into the lane just right of the centre line.
Two-way to one-way: from beside the centre line into the lane nearest the left curb.

U-turns

Advised against except at a U-turn signal; go around the block in cities.
Prohibited on curves, near hill crests without 150 m clear view, and where signed.

Roundabouts

Slow to the posted speed or less; yield to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles in the roundabout.
Enter when no traffic approaches from the left; if two arrive together, the one on the right enters first.
Vehicles in the roundabout have the right-of-way over those entering. Signal your exit; yield to pedestrians and cyclists as you exit.

Speed, following distance, passing and expressways

Default speed limits, the four-second following rule, safe passing and when passing is banned, the No-Zone around trucks, and entering and leaving an expressway.

Practise Speed, following distance, passing and expressways questions Flashcards Official chapter

Speed (Ch. 6)

Unposted maximum: 90 km/h rural, 50 km/h urban. Never exceed posted limit; slow down in poor conditions.
Don't drive so slowly you block the normal flow.

Following Safely

Four-second following distance in ideal conditions; more in adverse conditions.
Count from a fixed marker; under four seconds = too close.
Tailgated: slow down gradually.

Passing

Closing speed with oncoming traffic is twice your speed or more.
Illegal to exceed the speed limit when passing.
Steps: check ahead, check mirrors, signal, check left blind spot, recheck; return when the passed vehicle shows in your rearview mirror (check right blind spot, signal right).
Being passed: slow down and keep as far right as possible.
Never pass: off the road (shoulder); a vehicle slowing/stopped to yield to a pedestrian or vehicle; in a school area within 15 minutes of class opening/closing or with children near; when not clear ahead; where highway construction is taking place.
Pass on the right only: overtaking a left-turning vehicle, on one-way streets, on streets with marked lanes.
Watch for wind turbulence from large trucks.

No-Zone Around Large Vehicles

If you can't see the truck's mirrors, the driver can't see you.
Before pulling in front, see the whole cab in your rearview mirror.
Most trailers are about 2.5 m wide; never pass close behind a backing truck.
Don't cut in between a truck swinging wide for a right turn and the curb.

Entering and Leaving an Expressway

Rear-end collisions are the leading type at expressway entrances.
If you must stop, do it just before the start of the merge lane; use the merge lane to match speed; stopping at the end of the entrance lane raises rear-end risk.
Leaving: move to the exit lane early; keep speed until fully on the ramp, then slow to the posted or prevailing ramp speed.
Missed exit: never back up; go to the next exit.

Right-of-way, emergency vehicles and work zones

Uncontrolled intersections, private driveways, funeral processions, yielding to emergency vehicles, the slow-down-and-move-over speeds, construction zones and the zipper merge.

Practise Right-of-way, emergency vehicles and work zones questions Flashcards Official chapter

Right-of-Way (Ch. 6)

Uncontrolled intersection: both slow down; vehicle on the left yields to vehicle on the right; the driver with right-of-way must still take care.
Entering a street or highway from a private road, lane, driveway or parking lot: stop before crossing the sidewalk; yield to all pedestrians and traffic.
Funeral procession (headlights on, following a lead car) may go through a red light or stop sign with caution if traffic and bylaws permit; others must yield. Lead car may have a flashing purple light.

Emergency Vehicles

Passing stopped emergency or designated vehicles (tow trucks, roadside assistance, government enforcement) with warning lights: 40 km/h max where the posted limit is under 80 km/h; 60 km/h max where posted limit is 80 km/h or more. Fine and DSR drop if caught faster.
With two or more lanes your way, move to the lane farthest from the stopped vehicle when safe (applies on both sides of an undivided highway).
Responding emergency vehicles use alarms (horn, gong, bell, siren) and flashing red, red and blue, or alternating headlights.
Yield: move clear of the intersection (proceed through a red light/stop sign with caution if blocking); drive close to the right curb or edge; stay stopped until they pass. One-way street: pull to the nearest curb.

Construction Zones

Slow down, watch for workers, keep space, be ready to stop; lanes may close or be redirected.
Zones marked at beginning and end by traffic control devices (pylons, signs); obey flagpersons.
Designated construction zone: set speeding fines doubled regardless of workers present or reduced limit.
Consequences: significant fine, DSR drop, possible driver improvement action up to suspension.

The Zipper Merge

Use both lanes to the defined merge point, then take turns merging.
Lane changers must signal; drivers in the through lane must let in one vehicle.

School buses, transit buses, railways and school zones

Stopping for school buses, sharing the road with transit buses, railway crossing distances and rules, and reduced-speed school and playground zones.

Practise School buses, transit buses, railways and school zones questions Flashcards Official chapter

School Buses (Ch. 6)

Flashing overhead amber lights: bus is about to stop; slow down and prepare to stop.
Flashing red lights with stop arm out: illegal to pass from either direction; stop at least 5 metres from the bus; stay stopped until the red lights are off and the stop arm folds in.
No stop needed travelling the opposite way on a roadway divided by a physical median or ditch; a double solid line is not a physical separation.
Illegal passing: large fine and DSR drop.

Transit Buses

Many collisions are rear-end; keep a safe following distance; buses don't stop at every stop.
"Please Yield" decal: give buses time and space to pull out or change lanes.
Shoulder check before opening a car door.
Right turns must be from the extreme right lane; turning right from the second lane in front of a bus is illegal; wait behind it.
Standing passengers can fall if a bus brakes suddenly.
Blind spots of a 12.2 m bus: 4.3 m right, 1.5 m left, 12.2 m rear.

Railway Crossings

Trains always have the right-of-way; most crossings have no electronic signals.
Stop at least 5 m from the nearest rail in a restricted speed area (Winnipeg, urban municipality, local urban district, or designated area); at least 15 m in a non-restricted area.
More than one track: check for another train after one passes.
Never go onto the tracks without room on the other side; if backed up, wait at least 5 m back.
Some vehicles stop at all crossings (regular buses, school buses, hazardous materials carriers).
Illegal: crossing with signals on (except as below); shifting gears on the tracks; going through/around/under a closed gate; entering without room to clear; parking within 30 m of the nearest rail unless posted.
May cross with lights flashing only if: full stop first; no gates/barriers; within a restricted speed area; train stopped or a safe distance away; can be done safely.

School and Playground Areas (Ch. 7)

Drive slowly and be ready to stop near children, schools and playgrounds.
Illegal to pass a moving vehicle in a school area within 15 minutes of class opening or closing, or when children are on the grounds or near the road.
Reduced-speed school zones: as low as 30 km/h where the regular limit is under 80 km/h; as low as 50 km/h where it is 80 km/h or more.
School safety patrols wear high-visibility vests and carry flags.

Pedestrians and cyclists

Marked and unmarked crosswalks, pedestrian signals and push buttons, pedestrian corridors, people who are blind, sharing the road with cyclists and the one-metre passing rule.

Practise Pedestrians and cyclists questions Flashcards Official chapter

Crosswalks (Ch. 7)

Pedestrians have the right-of-way at marked and unmarked crosswalks (unmarked = sidewalk extension at an intersection).
Stop and yield to crossing pedestrians unless they are on the opposite side of a divided highway with a median (double solid line is not a separation).
Illegal to pass traffic slowing or stopped for pedestrians; proceed when they have crossed or reached the median.
No parking or stopping within 3 m of a crosswalk. All pedestrians may use school crosswalks.
Walking Figure: may leave the curb. Orange Hand: don't start; those in the road finish crossing. Pedestrians in the crosswalk facing either have the right-of-way.
Push buttons: at some signals the Walking Figure only appears if the button is pressed.
Pedestrian Prohibited sign: don't cross there.

Pedestrian Corridors

Large illuminated overhead signs with alternating flashing amber lights; wide bars painted on the crossing.
Illegal to pass traffic slowing or stopped for pedestrians; no parking or stopping within 15 m.
Pedestrians push the button (if any) and extend an arm forward; cross when traffic has stopped.

People Who are Blind

A raised cane = stop and give the right-of-way. Don't startle a guide dog (no engine racing or honking). Hybrids may be silent.

Motorist and Cyclists / Cyclist Position / Passing a Cyclist

Three R's: same roads, same rights, same rules.
Reduce speed near cyclists; leave following room; keep at least 1 m when passing a cyclist or power-assisted bicycle (may require a lane change).
Turning left: yield to oncoming cyclists. Turning right: yield to cyclists on your right; don't pass a cyclist just before turning right.
Look for cyclists before opening doors; dim lights for oncoming cyclists at night.
Cyclists: obey signals and signs, ride single file, as close as practicable to the right, wear a helmet, white front light and red rear light in low light, don't ride where Cycling Prohibited is posted.
Cyclists may ride further from the edge for potholes, the door zone, left turns, right-turn-only lanes when going straight, passing slow traffic, one-way streets with more than three lanes.
Not safe to pass a cyclist: construction zones reduced to one narrow lane; narrow lanes; yield lanes.

Backing up and parking

Backing safely, three-point turns, parallel and angle parking, the backing skill test, parking on hills, leaving a vehicle running and where parking is illegal.

Practise Backing up and parking questions Flashcards Official chapter

Backing Up (Ch. 8)

Check mirrors and over your shoulder for anyone behind, including small children.
Straight back or right: look over right shoulder. Reversing left: look over left shoulder.

Three-Point Turn / Dead End Street

Stop parallel to the curb, no more than 45 cm away; with no curb, as far off the travelled road as possible; don't block entrances or intersections.
Dead-end turnaround: use the whole road, reverse only once, don't back over the edge, shoulder or curb.

Parallel Parking

Check mirrors; flash brake lights about three times (or hand signal), then right signal.
Stop about 1 m beside the front vehicle with rear bumpers even; back slowly, steering sharply right to about 45 degrees; straighten; then steer left; finish parallel and no more than 45 cm from the curb, centred.

Backing Skill Test

Space about 1.85 m by 7.5 m; three attempts or four minutes, whichever first; each attempt = three movements.
Automatic fail: touching a pole; driving over the curb (tires may touch); driving between the end poles; a dangerous act.

Angle Parking / Reverse Angle Parking

Approach about one vehicle width from parked cars. Backing out of an angle stall: shoulder check sides and rear, don't rely only on the mirror.
Back-in angle parking makes it easier to see pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles when leaving.

Parking on a Hill or Incline

Automatic in Park; manual in reverse or low gear; always set the parking brake firmly.
Uphill with curb: wheels away from curb. Downhill with curb: wheels toward curb. No curb (up or down): wheels slightly right.

Parking Pointers

Look for traffic and cyclists before opening a door.
Leaving a vehicle unattended with the motor running is allowed only for reasons such as warming it or defrosting; spare key and locked doors recommended.

Illegal Parking

On a sidewalk; across a driveway, back lane or intersection entrance; within 3 m of the curb point opposite a fire hydrant; on or within 3 m of a crosswalk; within 15 m of a pedestrian corridor; within 9 m of a stop sign or other sign/signal at an intersection; within 30 m of the nearest rail unless posted; within 6 m of a fire station driveway unless posted; double parking; on a rural highway curve where the vehicle can't be seen from 60 m each way.

Vehicle equipment, seatbelts and child seats

Required brakes, lights, tires, mirrors, horn and windows, dashboard gauges, seatbelt rules, rear-facing, forward-facing and booster seats, and fuel-efficient driving.

Practise Vehicle equipment, seatbelts and child seats questions Flashcards Official chapter

Exterior of Vehicle (Ch. 9)

Check the vehicle thoroughly at least twice a year. Police can order repairs; failing to comply can lead to registration suspension until a mechanic certifies repairs.

Required Equipment

Brakes: passenger vehicle at 30 km/h must stop within 7.6 m; trucks and vans under 4,540 kg within 9 m.
Headlights on from a half hour before sunset to a half hour after sunrise and when visibility is reduced to 60 m. Daytime running lights required on vehicles made on or after Dec. 1, 1989.
Centre high-mounted stop light on passenger cars made after 1986; white rear plate light.
Load extending 1 m or more past the rear: red flag in daylight, red light or reflector at night.
Tires: check pressure at least monthly and after long trips (when cool); replace below 1.6 mm tread; studded tires illegal April 30 to Oct. 1. Under-inflation wears edges; over-inflation wears the centre.
Horn audible at least 60 m. Windows kept free of frost Nov. 1 to March 31. Washers required from 1971 models.
Leaky muffler can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Illegal to alter an odometer or raise/lower a passenger car's original suspension. Bumpers front and rear.

Other Equipment

Temperature gauge high: don't operate the vehicle. Warning lights: consult the manual. Airbags deploy in very fast deceleration.

Seatbelts

All drivers and passengers must wear the complete seatbelt assembly; snug over shoulder and hips, flat, never under the arm.
Driver is responsible for securing every minor. Seatbelts can reduce the chance of fatal injury by up to 70 per cent.

Infant and Child Car Seats

Rear-facing from birth to the seat's limits (some to 20 kg). Forward-facing next (some to 30 kg); tether strap always used.
Safest spot: rear middle seat; youngest child in the middle.
Install with seatbelt or UAS, not both; no more than one inch of movement at the belt path; chest clip at armpit level.
Booster seat by law until at least 145 cm, 36 kg or nine years old. Keep an empty booster buckled.

Fuel Efficient Driving Techniques

Aggressive driving can raise fuel use up to 25%; 100 to 120 km/h raises it up to 20%.
Avoid cruise control on slippery or winter roads.
Block heater on about four hours before driving (timer), not overnight.
Engines need about 30 seconds to warm up; idling more than 10 seconds (except in traffic) wastes more fuel than restarting.

Night, winter and poor driving conditions

Ice and snow, headlight laws, fog and reduced visibility, night driving distances, gravel and winter roads, hills, farm equipment, animals on the road and pilot vehicles.

Practise Night, winter and poor driving conditions questions Flashcards Official chapter

Ice, Sleet or Snow (Ch. 10)

Start slowly and test steering and brakes; snow tires can still slide on ice or packed snow.
No ABS: steady pressure without locking wheels (threshold braking). ABS: full pressure and hold.
Increase following distance; keep windows clear; keep lights on.

Reduced Visibility

Headlights required from a half hour before sunset to a half hour after sunrise, and when visibility is reduced to 60 m.
Fog/snow: slow down sharply, low beams (fog lamps better), hazard lights if going much slower, pull off the pavement and stop if you can barely see.

Night Driving

Normal sight distance: about 30 m on low beam, 110 m on high beam; don't outdrive your lights.
Glare: look at the right edge of the road. Dim lights at least 450 m from oncoming vehicles and 60 m when following.
Keep interior lights off; keep headlights and windshield clean.

Gravel Road Driving

Slow down; avoid sudden steering or braking. Following distance at least six seconds.
If wheels drift off the road: foot off the gas, follow the edge, steer back gradually (sharp steering and hard braking can cause rollovers).

Winter Road Driving

Winter roads to remote northern communities have no posted limits; recommended 15 km/h on ice roads for vehicles of seven tonnes gross or more. Night travel recommended for visibility. Tell someone your arrival time.

Hills

Slow at the top; shift to a lower gear before a steep descent; never coast in neutral. Don't pass near a crest.

Farm Equipment on Roads

Farm equipment moves at a maximum of 40 km/h and may take more than half the road. A 5I licence or higher is needed to operate it on provincial highways and urban roads.

Animals on the Road

About 10,000 animal-vehicle collisions a year in Manitoba; deer most active in fall, sunset to midnight and just after sunrise; deer travel in groups.
Brake firmly, don't swerve; dim lights, one long horn blast. Unavoidable moose collision: get below the windshield.
Horses: pass slowly and wide, no horn.

Pilot Vehicles

Yellow flashing light and illuminated WIDE LOAD or "D" sign; escort at 100–500 m.

Driving emergencies and collisions

Running off the pavement, blowouts, skids, emergency braking, wet brakes, breakdowns, a car in water or touching power lines, and what to do and report after a collision.

Practise Driving emergencies and collisions questions Flashcards Official chapter

Running off the Pavement (Ch. 11)

Stay on the shoulder, steer straight, foot off the gas, brake very gently; ease back when slowed, without overshooting the centre line.

Blowouts / Losing a Wheel

Hold the wheel firmly, foot off the gas, slow gradually; brake only when speed allows control. If pushed onto the shoulder, coast to a stop there.

Skid Control

More people are killed or injured in dry-surface skids than wet. Take your foot off the accelerator or brake; look and steer where you want to go.

Emergency Braking

Without ABS, locked wheels slide; threshold braking keeps steering control. ABS gives some steering control under full braking.

Wet Brakes

Test brakes lightly after deep water; dry them by driving slowly and braking lightly.

Disabled Vehicle

Get all four wheels off the travelled road if possible; four-way flashers; flares/reflective signs 60 m in front and behind; raise the hood if you can't move it.

Direct Collision Course

Brake hard, move right onto the shoulder and sound the horn; never swerve left. Aim for something that absorbs energy (bush, shrub, snowbank) or a glancing blow.

Vehicle on Fire / Water / Electrical Wires

Fire: turn off the ignition; small fire use extinguisher or smother; large fire move away and call the fire department.
Water: about one minute to get out; unbuckle (children oldest to youngest), open or break windows, get out, children first.
Wires: stay inside and try to drive away; if you can't, hazards on and stay inside; if on fire, jump clear without touching car and ground together.

Suggested Emergency Equipment

Standard: shovel, tow rope/chain, booster cables, flashlight, first-aid kit, tool kit, flares, fire extinguisher. Keep fuel tank full in winter; stay with your vehicle if stranded.

Upon Arriving at the Scene of a Collision

Park off the road; call 911 for serious injury; turn off ignitions; don't move the injured unless there is a fire (support head and spine); flares or signs 60 m each way, otherwise four-way flashers.

If You're Involved in a Collision

Stop; check for injuries; get help. Serious injury (hospitalized) or death: report to police within seven days if not reported to an officer at the scene; also within seven days for unlicensed drivers, unregistered/unidentified vehicles, no particulars, or suspected impairment.
Property damage only: no police report needed, whatever the value.
Give name, address, licence, registration and insurance details; unattended vehicle/property: find the owner or leave your name and address.

Alcohol, drugs and impaired driving penalties

How alcohol and drugs affect driving, cannabis rules, the novice zero-tolerance restriction, tiered roadside suspensions for .05 to .079, and the three-month suspension at .08 or refusal.

Practise Alcohol, drugs and impaired driving penalties questions Flashcards Official chapter

Alcohol (Ch. 12)

Alcohol is a depressant; only time sobers you. Impaired drivers account for about one-third of Manitoba traffic deaths. An impaired charge can be laid at any BAC if ability is impaired.

Drugs

Prescription drugs can impair; same consequences as alcohol. Illegal to drive impaired by THC, to consume cannabis in or on a vehicle on a public road, or to transport it unless in a secure compartment such as the trunk; convictions move you down the DSR scale.

What Can You Do?

Hosts: house rules, non-alcoholic drinks, no "one for the road", close the bar at least an hour before the end, arrange rides or overnight stays.

Impaired Driving is A Crime in All Motor Vehicles

Applies to all motor vehicles (incl. off-road, agricultural and infrastructure equipment) and to vessels, aircraft and railway equipment.

What are the Consequences?

Suspected drug impairment: immediate 24-hour roadside suspension.
Novice drug and alcohol restriction violation: immediate 24-hour suspension, possible DI&C suspension, reinstatement charge.
Tiered Administrative Licence Suspension (BAC .05–.079, ASD "warn", or failing drug screening/coordination/DRE): 72 hours first; 7 days first with a person under 16 in the vehicle; 15 days second; 30 days third; 60 days fourth and later (within 10 years). Five DSR levels down; reinstatement charge; possible DI&C action. Two or more in 10 years: Impaired Driver Assessment at own expense.
Fail or refuse ASD: possible administrative penalty, impoundment, one year Ignition Interlock, 10 DSR levels down.
Three-month Administrative Licence Suspension: BAC .08 or over; THC over 5 ng; ASD fail; BAC over .05 plus THC over 2.5 ng; refusing a sample or tests; any illegal drug. Five DSR levels down, reinstatement charge, possible Criminal Code charges, impoundment, Impaired Driver Assessment, Ignition Interlock.
Criminal Code convictions: additional 5, 10 or 15 DSR levels, fines, possible prison, driving prohibition, mandatory HTA suspension, Ignition Interlock, possible vehicle forfeiture.

Distraction, fatigue, suspensions and your driving record

Hand-held device penalties, drowsy driving, driving while suspended, Criminal Code suspensions, the Driver Improvement and Control Program and the Driver Safety Rating scale.

Practise Distraction, fatigue, suspensions and your driving record questions Flashcards Official chapter

Distractions (Ch. 12)

Average 28 deaths a year on Manitoba roads linked to distracted driving (2013–2017 data).
Hand-operated electronic device: 3-day licence suspension first offence, 7-day for each later offence; on conviction a $672 fine and five DSR levels down.
Texting takes eyes, hands and mind off driving.

Drowsiness or Fatigue

Be rested; if sleepy, stop and rest; at the roadside pull well over and use four-way flashers.

The Consequences

Vehicle or ORV impounded at least 30 days, even if owned by someone else; owner pays towing, storage and impoundment fee.
Up to five years' imprisonment and/or fines up to $2,000; non-appealable prohibition; possible lifetime suspension; extra premiums.

Licence Suspension for other Criminal Code Convictions

Dangerous driving, criminal negligence, flight from police, auto theft and others: suspension from one year to life; also disqualified from ORVs. Offenders under 16: suspension starts on their 16th birthday.

Driver Improvement and Control Program

Interventions: advisory or warning letter, required course, full record review (possible suspension, course or exam, restrictions). Not completing a required course or exam: licence cancelled, charges refunded.
Novice = has not held a Full licence for more than one year; experienced = Full licence at least one year.
Triggers: at-fault collisions, convictions, serious charges, 24-hour roadside suspensions, tiered suspensions. Never age or gender.

Written in our own words from: MPI Driver's Handbook

FAQ

Manitoba Class 5 study guide: common questions

What is the best way to use this Manitoba Class 5 study guide?

Read one topic, then answer that topic's practice questions while the rules are fresh. Note the questions you miss, re-read those notes, and finish with a full practice test across all 16 topics.

Is this the official Manitoba Class 5 handbook?

No. It is our own summary of the MPI Driver's Handbook. Use it to review, and use the official handbook when you need the exact wording of a rule.

Can I print the study guide?

Yes, with your browser's print command. For practice questions on paper with an answer key, use our printable questions and answers page instead.