Canadian Road Signs — Complete Guide for Driving Tests

Canadian Road Signs for Your Driving Knowledge Test

Road signs account for half the questions on Ontario's G1 test (20 of 40 questions) and are heavily tested in B.C. and Alberta too. This guide covers all the signs you need to know.

Sign Categories

Regulatory Signs

Regulatory signs must be obeyed. They are usually white with black lettering and a red border when prohibiting something. Examples:

• Stop sign (red octagon): must come to a complete stop before the stop line
• Yield sign (red and white downward triangle): slow down and be ready to stop for crossing traffic
• Speed limit signs (white rectangle, black text): maximum speed in km/h
• Do Not Enter (red circle with white horizontal bar): prohibited direction

Warning Signs

Warning signs are yellow diamonds (or orange in construction zones) indicating potential hazards ahead:

• Curves and bends ahead
• Intersections and crossroads
• Pedestrian crossings
• School zones and playground zones
• Railway level crossings (round yellow sign with X and R R)

Information Signs

Blue signs indicate services (hospitals, gas stations, rest areas). Green signs indicate directions and distances. Brown signs indicate parks, heritage sites, and recreational areas.

Signs Unique to Canada

• Bilingual signs: common in Ontario and Atlantic provinces — the same message appears in English and French
• km/h speed limits: unlike US mph signs
• Community Safety Zone (orange rectangular signs): fines doubled in these areas, common in Ontario
• Playground zones: speed limit 30 km/h in Alberta; active near playgrounds, parks, and community pools