Where does a school zone end?
NWT Class 7 overview
NWT Class 7: School and playground zones
School and playground area versus zone signs, the 30 km/h speed, 24-hour default times, municipal bylaws, no passing and where zones end.
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- Every answer explained
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- 12 questions
- Topic drill
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Study reference: NWT Driver's Manual (rev. August 2022), Ch. 2 Traffic Controls — School zone signs, Playground zones, pp. 38–39
All 12 questions in this test
Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.
Where does a school zone end?
- At the far edge of the school grounds, in either direction
- One block past the last crosswalk
- Wherever you no longer see children
- At a sign showing a higher speed or the zone's end
It is 10 p.m. on a Saturday and you enter a playground zone that has no times posted. What speed applies?
- Any speed if the park is empty
- The posted playground speed
- The normal street limit
- Only half the normal limit
What is the difference between a playground area sign and a playground zone sign?
- An area sign has a speed sign on its post
- A zone sign has a speed sign on its post
- A zone sign is used only near schools
- An area sign applies only on weekends
You pass this sign and there is a speed sign attached below it on the same post. What must you do?
- Stay within the posted maximum speed
- Slow down only if you see children
- Keep the normal limit until a crosswalk
- Stop at the next crosswalk
Who may set the hours and speed of a school zone in an NWT community?
- Each school principal, through a notice
- The RCMP detachment
- The school bus operator
- The municipality, through bylaws
Unless another speed is posted, what is the speed limit in an NWT school zone?
- 30 km/h
- 50 km/h
- 20 km/h
- 40 km/h
A school zone sign shows no times. When does the reduced speed apply?
- Only on school days, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Only when children are visible
- Only from September to June
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
You see this sign with no speed sign attached to its post. What does it mean?
- The school zone has ended
- Children must cross only here
- You must slow to 30 km/h right away
- A school is near; drive with extra caution
You are in a school zone while it is in effect and a slow car is ahead of you in your lane. May you pass it?
- No, passing is not allowed in the zone
- Yes, if the line is broken
- Yes, if you stay under 30 km/h
- Yes, if no children are in sight
Who must you obey at all times near a school?
- School patrols
- Teachers on the sidewalk
- Parents waiting at the curb
- Older students crossing
Flashing amber lights are mounted with a school zone sign. What does the manual say you must do?
- Slow down only if children are near the road
- Stop, then go when the lights stop
- Reduce to the posted speed and yield to pedestrians
- Keep your speed but sound your horn
Unless posted otherwise, what is the speed limit in a playground zone?
- 40 km/h
- 50 km/h
- 30 km/h
- 20 km/h
School and playground zones: key rules to remember
Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗
School zone signs (Ch. 2 Traffic Controls)
- School AREA sign (no speed sign on the post): a warning that a school is near and children may be walking along or crossing the highway. Drive with extra caution.
- School patrols must be obeyed at all times.
- School ZONE sign (with a speed sign on the post): once you pass it you are in a school zone and must stay within the posted maximum.
- Speed in school zones is generally 30 km/h unless otherwise posted.
- Times: unless times are posted for that zone, the limit applies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Hours and speed of a school zone may be set by municipal bylaw.
- No passing or attempting to pass a vehicle going the same direction in a school zone while it is in effect.
- A school zone ends where a sign shows a higher speed or the end of the zone.
Playground zone signs
- Playground AREA sign (no speed sign): warning that a playground is near and children may be close by.
- Playground ZONE sign (with speed sign): stay within the posted maximum.
- Speed generally 30 km/h unless posted; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless times are posted; may be regulated by municipal bylaw.
- No passing a same-direction vehicle in a playground zone while it is in effect.
- A playground zone ends at a sign showing a higher speed or the end of the zone.
Municipal bylaws
- Municipalities may pass bylaws on speed zones, school zones, playground zones and parking; drivers must know local bylaws.
related
- Flashing amber lights used with school or playground zone signs: reduce speed as posted and yield to all pedestrians (p. 43).
- Distracted driving fine is $644 in school zones (double the $322 base) (p. 144).
Other topics
- Regulatory signs and speed limitsSign shapes and colours, stop and yield signs, permissive green-circle and prohibitive red-slash signs, lane-use, parking and stopping signs, and NWT default speed limits.
- Warning signsYellow diamond warning signs for stops and signals ahead, curves, crossings, intersections, merging, narrowing roads, lane endings, divided highways and other road conditions.
- Guide, service and construction signsRoute markers, direction and distance signs, service signs, orange construction signs, doubled fines with workers present, the slow-moving vehicle sign and disabled parking.
- Traffic lights and signalsLight order, steady and flashing red, amber and green lights, green arrows, turns on red, pedestrian signals and lane control signals.
- Pavement markingsYellow and white lines, broken and solid lines, passing rules, arrows, two-way left-turn lanes, diamonds, railway X markings, painted islands, crosswalks and stop lines.
- Licences, GDL and registrationClass 7 learner conditions, probationary and full stages, licence classes, new residents and visitors, vision and medical rules, exams, renewals, registration and insurance.
- Starting, steering and stoppingPre-drive checks, seat, mirrors, seat belts and head restraints, transmissions, steering, stopping distances, braking technique and backing up.
- ParkingParallel, angle and hill parking, getting in and out of a parked vehicle, and the distances and places where you may not park.
- Intersections and right-of-wayWhere to stop at stop signs, four-way stops, yield signs, traffic circles, controlled and uncontrolled intersections and keeping intersections clear.
- Signalling and turningWhen to signal, hand signals, right and left turns, turning lanes, dual turns, two-way left-turn lanes, U-turns and free-flow lanes.
- Lane driving, passing and mergingLane position, shoulders, blind spots and lane changes, passing lanes, passing on two-lane highways, when passing is illegal, merging, exiting, curves and hills.
- Emergencies, skids and collisionsBreakdowns, brake, steering, tire and headlight failure, emergency braking and ABS, skids, off-road recovery, collision duties and slowing for emergency vehicles.
- Night, weather and animalsHeadlight rules and distances, glare, winter kits, hydroplaning, ice and snow, black ice, smoke and fog, deep water and avoiding animals.
- Defensive and responsible drivingScanning, space cushions, the two-second rule, fatigue, cellphones, child restraints, fuel efficiency, refuelling and other traffic laws.
- Sharing the roadPedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles, large and log-haul vehicles, school buses, emergency vehicles, snowplows, railway crossings, LRT and funeral processions.
- Impaired and distracted drivingZero BAC for new drivers, 50 and 80 mg limits, administrative suspensions, Criminal Code disqualifications, ignition interlock, drugs and distracted-driving penalties.
- Demerit points and suspensionsDemerit thresholds for GDL and fully licensed drivers, interviews, suspension lengths, driver improvement courses, reinstatement and Registrar suspensions.