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Ontario G1 overview

Ontario G1: Stopping and parking

Braking, where to stop, railway crossings, school crossings and school buses, pedestrian crossovers, parallel parking, parking on a hill, accessible parking and roadside stops.

  • 32 questions
  • Topic drill
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Stopping and parking · Question 1Score 0/0

You are stopping for a red light. There is no stop line, but there is an unmarked crosswalk. Where should you stop?

Study reference: MTO Driver's Handbook (online edition, 2026), Ch. 2 Driving safely and responsibly — Stopping, Parking along roadways

All 32 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. You are stopping for a red light. There is no stop line, but there is an unmarked crosswalk. Where should you stop?

    1. At the edge of the intersection
    2. At the crosswalk
    3. Three car lengths back
    4. In the middle of the crosswalk

  2. You are alone and borrowing your neighbour's car, which has an Accessible Parking Permit inside. May you use a disabled parking space?

    1. No, the permit holder must be with you
    2. Yes, the permit is in the car
    3. Yes, for up to 15 minutes
    4. Yes, if you display the permit on the dashboard

  3. When parallel parking, about how long should the space be?

    1. About the same as your vehicle's length
    2. About three times your vehicle's length
    3. About twice your vehicle's length
    4. About 1.5 times your vehicle's length

  4. You are parking on the right side of the road, facing downhill beside a curb. Which way should your front wheels point?

    1. Toward the curb
    2. Toward the road
    3. It does not matter
    4. Straight ahead

  5. A witness reports your car for passing a stopped school bus, but nobody knows who was driving. As the registered owner, what can you receive?

    1. The fine, but no demerit points or jail
    2. Nothing, since you weren't identified as driver
    3. The fine plus six demerit points
    4. Demerit points, but no fine

  6. Under the handbook’s basic rules, how far must you keep from the public entrance of an open hotel, theatre or public hall when parking?

    1. At least 6 metres
    2. At least 9 metres
    3. At least 15 metres
    4. At least 3 metres

  7. Which hand does the Dutch reach method use to open the driver's door?

    1. Whichever hand is closer
    2. Your right hand
    3. Your left hand
    4. Both hands together

  8. Under the handbook’s basic parking rules, what minimum distance must you keep from a bridge when parking?

    1. 50 metres
    2. 100 metres
    3. 30 metres
    4. 15 metres

  9. How are all railway crossings on public roads in Ontario marked?

    1. With flashing lights and gates
    2. With green guide signs
    3. With large red and white X signs
    4. With yellow diamond signs only

  10. How many demerit points can a driver get for not obeying a school-crossing guard's stop sign?

    1. 6
    2. 2
    3. 4
    4. 3

  11. On a two-way road with no median, you meet a school bus stopped with its upper red lights flashing, coming toward you. What must you do?

    1. Stop only if children are on your side
    2. Continue, since only traffic behind stops
    3. Slow down and pass carefully
    4. Stop at a safe distance for children to cross

  12. The train has passed but the crossing gate is still rising. What should you do?

    1. Cross as soon as the train is gone
    2. Drive under it once it is halfway up
    3. Go around it if no other train is visible
    4. Wait until the gate is fully up

  13. You are on a highway divided by a raised median. A school bus on the other side is stopped with its red lights flashing. What must you do?

    1. Stop until the stop arm folds away
    2. Slow to 40 km/h until past the bus
    3. Continue with care; you need not stop
    4. Stop at least 20 metres from the bus

  14. You are parking on the right side of the road, facing uphill with no curb. How should you set your wheels?

    1. Turned sharply to the left
    2. Pointing straight ahead
    3. Turned sharply to the right
    4. Turned slightly to the left

  15. You come to a stop sign with a stop line painted on the pavement. Where must you stop?

    1. Past the line, where you can see
    2. At the edge of the intersection
    3. At the far side of the crosswalk
    4. At the stop line

  16. A train is approaching a railway crossing ahead of you. How far from the nearest rail or gate must you stop?

    1. At least 2 metres
    2. At least 15 metres
    3. At least 5 metres
    4. At least 30 metres

  17. How long is an Ontario permanent Accessible Parking Permit valid?

    1. Two years
    2. One year
    3. Five years
    4. Ten years

  18. You are following a school bus toward a railway crossing that has gates and signal lights. What should you expect the bus to do?

    1. Stop with its upper red lights flashing
    2. Stop at the crossing, without its red lights
    3. Cross without stopping, since it has gates
    4. Stop only if the signal lights are flashing

  19. You want to park near an intersection that has traffic lights. What is the closest you may park to it?

    1. 9 metres
    2. 15 metres
    3. 6 metres
    4. 30 metres

  20. You plan a roadside stop, but a car is waiting to pull out of a driveway between you and your stopping spot. When should you signal?

    1. You need not signal for a roadside stop
    2. Well before reaching the driveway
    3. After you have passed that driveway
    4. Only once you have fully stopped

  21. Under full emergency braking, how far can it take a train to stop?

    1. Up to two kilometres
    2. Up to 500 metres
    3. Up to 200 metres
    4. Up to one kilometre

  22. How far of a clear view in both directions must you have before parking on a road?

    1. At least 100 metres
    2. At least 150 metres
    3. At least 125 metres
    4. At least 50 metres

  23. How many demerit points does a first offence for failing to stop for a school bus with red lights flashing carry?

    1. 2
    2. 6
    3. 4
    4. 3

  24. You are parking on the right side of the road, facing uphill beside a curb. Which way should you turn the steering wheel?

    1. To the left, so the wheels point to the road
    2. Straight, with the wheels centred
    3. To the right, so the wheels point to the curb
    4. To the right, then back to centre

  25. Under Ontario’s current policy, how long can a temporary Accessible Parking Permit be valid?

    1. Up to five years without recertification
    2. Up to twelve months, with medical recertification required to renew
    3. Only two weeks, with no possibility of another permit
    4. Indefinitely while it is displayed

  26. You are ready to pull back into traffic from a stop at the right-hand roadside. Which signal should you use?

    1. Your horn
    2. Your left-turn signal
    3. Your right-turn signal
    4. Your hazard lights

  27. A school-crossing guard holds up a red and white stop sign. When may you drive on?

    1. As soon as the guard lowers the sign
    2. When everyone, guard included, has cleared the road
    3. When the children leave your lane
    4. When the children reach the painted centre line of the road

  28. You are driving behind a school bus that stops with its upper red lights flashing. How far back must you stop?

    1. At least 20 metres
    2. At least 5 metres
    3. At least 30 metres
    4. At least 10 metres

  29. Under the handbook’s basic parking rules, what minimum distance must you keep from the nearest rail of a level railway crossing?

    1. 15 metres
    2. 5 metres
    3. 9 metres
    4. 30 metres

  30. You pull over for a short roadside stop. About how far from the curb should your vehicle be?

    1. No more than about 1 metre
    2. No more than about 60 centimetres
    3. At least 1 metre
    4. No more than about 30 centimetres

  31. Your vehicle gets stuck on a railway crossing. What should you do first?

    1. Turn on your hazard lights and wait
    2. Try to restart the engine and drive off
    3. Call for a tow truck from inside the car
    4. Get everyone out and away from the vehicle

  32. What is the closest you may park to a fire hydrant?

    1. 3 metres
    2. 1 metre
    3. 9 metres
    4. 5 metres

Stopping and parking: 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 ↗

Braking

  • See stops early, check mirrors, brake early and smoothly, press firmly and evenly.
  • Use the right foot for both brake and gas (avoids pressing both, avoids needless brake lights).
  • Manual transmission on long steep hills: shift to a lower gear before starting down (may not be possible once descending). Guide: same gear downhill as uphill.

Where to stop

  • Complete stop for every stop sign and red light.
  • Order: at the marked stop line; if none, at the crosswalk (marked or unmarked); if no crosswalk, at the edge of the sidewalk; if no sidewalk, at the edge of the intersection. Then wait until clear.

Railway crossings

  • Public-road crossings in Ontario are marked with large red-and-white "X" signs; may also have yellow advance signs, "X" pavement markings, flashing lights, gates/barriers, or stop signs at less-travelled crossings. Private-road crossings may be unmarked.
  • A train can need up to 2 km to stop under full emergency braking.
  • Slow, listen, look both ways. If a train is coming, stop at least 5 m from the nearest rail or gate.
  • Never race a train. Wait for lights to stop flashing and for the gate to rise fully.
  • Never go around, under or through a gate that is down, lowering or rising — illegal.
  • Don't stop on the tracks; make sure there's room to clear them. Avoid shifting gears on the tracks.
  • Trapped on a crossing: get everyone out and away right away, get to safety, then call authorities.
  • Most buses/public vehicles stop at crossings without gates, lights or stop sign. School buses stop at all crossings, protected or not, and don't use their upper red lights for these stops.
  • Crossing with a stop sign: must stop unless a flagman directs otherwise.

School crossings

  • Guard showing red-and-white stop sign: stop before the crossing; stay stopped until everyone, including the guard, has cleared the whole roadway.
  • Penalty: substantial fine and 3 demerit points.

School buses

  • All Ontario school buses: chrome yellow, marked "School Bus".
  • Stopped bus with upper alternating red lights flashing: stop whether behind it or approaching from the front.
  • From the front: stop a safe distance back so children can cross. From behind: stop at least 20 m away. Wait until the bus moves or lights stop.
  • Road with a median (physical barrier — raised, lowered, earth or paved strip): only traffic behind the bus must stop.
  • Applies on any road, any number of lanes, any speed limit, at any time (not just school hours).
  • Stop arm on driver's side swings out after the upper red lights start; remain stopped until arm folds and all lights stop.
  • Failing to stop: heavy fine and 6 demerit points (first offence). Bus drivers and witnesses can report; a registered owner can be fined, but owner liability excludes demerits and jail.

Pedestrian crossovers

  • Crossing areas without traffic lights; pedestrians may push a button to flash overhead yellow lights; they should point/signal before entering.
  • Drivers and cyclists must yield to pedestrians in the crossover; proceed only once pedestrians and school crossing guards are safely on the sidewalk.
  • No passing any vehicle within 30 m of a pedestrian crossover.

Basic rules

  • Obey signs; not all by-laws are posted.
  • Never park on the travelled part of a road; use the shoulder if you must stop.
  • Never park on a curve, hill, or anywhere without a clear view of at least 125 m both ways.
  • Don't block a parked vehicle, sidewalk, crosswalk, pedestrian crossing or road entrance.
  • No parking: within 3 m of a fire hydrant; on or within 100 m of a bridge; within 6 m of a public entrance to a hotel, theatre or public hall while open.
  • No parking within 9 m of an intersection; within 15 m if controlled by traffic lights.
  • No parking within 15 m of the nearest rail of a level railway crossing.
  • Don't park where you obstruct traffic or snow clearing.
  • Opening a door: make sure it's safe first; "Dutch reach" = open driver's door with the right hand, which forces a shoulder check; watch for cyclists; keep a traffic-side door open only as long as needed.
  • After parking: ignition and lights off, key out, lock doors; don't leave children or animals inside.
  • Leaving a parked spot: signal, check traffic, pull out only when safe.

Accessible Parking Permit

  • Laminated card shown on dashboard or turned-down sun visor of any vehicle carrying the person named on it; issued to the person, not a vehicle. Replaces the Disabled Person Parking Permit (old ones valid until expiry).
  • Free. Certified by a licensed physician, chiropractor, nurse practitioner (extended class), physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
  • Temporary (red): disability expected to last more than 2 months but not permanent; not renewable.
  • Traveller (purple): up to 1 year, for valid permit holders flying from an Ontario airport; left in the parked car while the regular permit travels with the person.
  • Company (green): up to 5 years, for companies/non-profits whose vehicles transport people with physical disabilities.
  • Misuse: report to police; fines and revoked privileges.
  • Never use a disabled space (or reserved pickup/drop-off curb) unless the permit belonging to you or a passenger is displayed.

Parallel parking

  • Park parallel to the curb unless signs require angle parking; right side in direction of traffic; both sides allowed on a one-way road unless signed.
  • Space about 1.5 times your vehicle's length. Signal, pull alongside the car ahead of the space about 1 m away, stop when rear bumpers line up.
  • Reverse slowly, wheel turned fully toward the curb; when you see the outside rear corner of the car in front of your space, straighten wheels while reversing; then turn wheel fully toward the road to line up; pull forward to straighten if needed.
  • Parking brake on, park (automatic) or first/reverse (manual); engine off, key out, check traffic before opening door, lock.

Parking on a hill

  • Facing downhill: front wheels toward the curb/right shoulder.
  • Facing uphill with a curb: wheel turned left (wheels toward the road), tires catch the curb if it rolls back.
  • Facing uphill, no curb: wheels sharply right so it rolls off the road.
  • Always: parking brake, park or first/reverse (manual), engine off, key out, check traffic, lock.

Roadside stop

  • Check mirrors and blind spot before slowing.
  • Signal before slowing, unless side roads/driveways with waiting vehicles lie between you and your stop — then wait until past them so they don't think you're turning there.
  • Slow steadily; stop parallel to the curb/edge, no more than about 30 cm from it; don't block entrances or traffic.
  • Signal off, hazard lights on. Automatic: park + parking brake. Manual: parking brake, neutral if engine stays on, low or reverse if engine off. On a hill, set wheels against the curb.

Pulling out from a roadside stop

  • Release parking brake, select drive/first; flashers off, left signal on; check mirrors and blind spot (vehicles and cyclists) just before moving; accelerate smoothly to blend (moderately in light traffic, faster in heavy); left signal off once back on the road.

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