Class 7 Highway Driving 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Alberta, what is the primary purpose of an acceleration lane (on-ramp)?
- To provide a place to stop and wait for traffic to clear
- To allow you to build speed to match highway traffic before merging (Correct answer)
- To provide a shortcut to the next exit
- To give trucks extra space to park
Correct answer: To allow you to build speed to match highway traffic before merging
The acceleration lane gives drivers space to increase their speed to match the flow of highway traffic before merging. This allows for smooth, safe entry onto the highway.
Question 2: On a multi-lane highway in Alberta, which lane should you normally use for through driving?
- The left lane
- The right lane or centre lane — the left lane is for passing (Correct answer)
- The centre lane only
- Any lane you prefer
Correct answer: The right lane or centre lane — the left lane is for passing
On multi-lane highways in Alberta, the right lane is the normal driving lane. The left lane should be used primarily for passing. After passing, move back to the right lane.
Question 3: What should you do before exiting a highway using a deceleration lane (off-ramp) in Alberta?
- Brake hard on the highway before entering the exit lane
- Signal your exit, move into the deceleration lane, then slow down (Correct answer)
- Speed up to pass the vehicle ahead of you, then exit
- Stop on the highway and wait for the exit lane to clear
Correct answer: Signal your exit, move into the deceleration lane, then slow down
Signal your intention to exit, move into the deceleration lane while maintaining highway speed, then reduce your speed within the deceleration lane — not on the highway itself.
Question 4: When merging onto a highway in Alberta and there is no gap in traffic, what should you do?
- Force your way in — merging traffic has the right of way
- Stop at the end of the acceleration lane and wait for a gap
- Adjust your speed — slow down or speed up — to find a safe gap (Correct answer)
- Drive on the shoulder until a gap appears
Correct answer: Adjust your speed — slow down or speed up — to find a safe gap
If there is no immediate gap, adjust your speed by slowing down or speeding up to find a safe opening. Use the full length of the acceleration lane. As a last resort, stop at the end if no gap is available.
Question 5: On Alberta highways, what is the recommended following distance at highway speeds?
- One car length for every 10 km/h of speed
- At least three to four seconds behind the vehicle ahead (Correct answer)
- Two car lengths
- One second behind the vehicle ahead
Correct answer: At least three to four seconds behind the vehicle ahead
At highway speeds, a following distance of at least three to four seconds is recommended to give you adequate time to react and stop. In poor conditions, increase this to five or more seconds.
Question 6: What should you do if you miss your exit on an Alberta highway?
- Stop and reverse on the shoulder
- Make a U-turn at the next median crossover
- Continue to the next exit and re-route from there (Correct answer)
- Back up in the deceleration lane
Correct answer: Continue to the next exit and re-route from there
If you miss your exit, never stop, reverse, or make a U-turn on a highway. Continue to the next exit and safely re-route. These dangerous maneuvers put you and others at risk.
Class 7 Highway Driving 1
In Alberta, what is the primary purpose of an acceleration lane (on-ramp)?