Question 1 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
Nova Scotia road signs test: free practice
Nova Scotia road signs test: free practice with 20 sign questions.
Road-sign questions
Question 2 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
You come to this sign at an intersection. What must you do?
Question 3 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
What does this sign mean?
Question 4 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
What must you do when you come to this sign?
Question 5 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
Flashing red lights are working at this sign as you arrive. What must you do?
Question 6 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
How should you drive past the object shown on this sign?
Question 7 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
What road condition does this warning sign point out?
Question 8 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
In a Nova Scotia work zone, what does this sign tell you?
Question 9 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
What change in the road does this sign warn you about?
Question 10 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
In Nova Scotia, the posted limit just before this school zone is 80 km/h. Children are present. What is the most you may drive?
Question 11 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
You see this sign where two lanes are about to join. Who is responsible for a smooth merge?
Question 12 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
Signs like this one are often posted in a group. What are they for?
Question 13 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
In Nova Scotia, this sign warns of an intersection ahead. What is special about it?
Question 14 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
You are driving in the right lane and see this sign. What is happening ahead?
Question 15 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
What should you do when you see this sign?
Question 16 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
In Nova Scotia, when does the lower speed limit for this sign apply?
Question 17 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
In Nova Scotia, what does the speed on this sign tell you?
Question 18 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
In Nova Scotia, what does this sign with arrows pointing both ways mean?
Question 19 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
Where would you find this sign?
Question 20 of 20Signs, signals and road markings
You pass this sign as you near road work in Nova Scotia. What is going on ahead?
1 of 20
Answer each question to see the explanation. Keyboard: A–D or 1–4 to answer, N next, P previous.
Answers and explanations (text version)
The correct answer to each question above, why it is right, and where it comes from. Try the test first.
Question 1: D. A stop sign is ahead, so be ready to stop
This warning sign means a stop sign is ahead. Slow down and be ready to come to a stop.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Warning Signs (p. 83)
Question 2: B. Slow down and give the right of way, stopping if you need to
A yield sign means you reduce speed and give the right of way to traffic in or near the intersection, stopping if necessary.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Yield sign (p. 80)
Question 3: A. Left turns are not permitted here
A red circle with a slash denies permission. This sign means a left turn is not permitted.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Regulatory signs (p. 89)
Question 4: B. Come to a complete stop, then go only when the way is clear
This is a stop sign. You must bring your vehicle to a complete stop and make sure the way is clear before you go.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Stop sign (p. 80)
Question 5: D. Stop, as for any flashing red signal, and go only when it is safe
When flashing red lights are used with a crossbuck, you must stop just as you would for a flashing red signal and go only when it is safe.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Railway crossings (p. 81)
Question 6: D. Keep to the right of the island or obstruction
This sign tells you to keep to the right of the traffic island or obstruction ahead.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Regulatory signs (p. 90)
Question 7: A. The road may be slippery when it is wet
This sign warns that the road ahead is slippery when wet. Slow down and take extra care in the rain.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Warning Signs (p. 83)
Question 8: B. Workers are active at the site
This human activity sign means workers are active at the site. Driving mistakes here could cause fatal injuries to road workers.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Human Activity Signs (p. 101)
Question 9: A. The road is about to become a divided highway
This sign means a divided highway is ahead. The road changes from undivided to divided.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Warning signs (p. 92)
Question 10: C. 50 km/h
The handbook says it is an offence to exceed "50km/h where the approaching speed limit is higher than 50km/h" when children are present; the 30 km/h limit is for 50 km/h approaches.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — School zone (p. 80)
Question 11: B. Drivers in both lanes share that duty
At a merge, drivers coming from both lanes are equally responsible for making traffic merge smoothly and safely.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Warning Signs (p. 83)
Question 12: A. To guide drivers around a sharp curve
Chevron signs are posted in groups to guide drivers around sharp curves in the road.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Warning signs (p. 93)
Question 13: B. Drivers on the side road cannot clearly see traffic coming
This sign warns of a hidden intersection. Drivers on the side road do not have a clear view of traffic coming, so use caution and be ready to slow down.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Warning signs (p. 91)
Question 14: D. The right lane comes to an end
This warning sign shows that the right lane ends ahead, so the road will lose a lane.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Warning signs (p. 92)
Question 15: D. Slow down for a bump or rough road
This sign warns of a bump or rough road ahead, so you should slow down.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Warning signs (p. 91)
Question 16: D. Whenever children are present, at any time of day
The reduced school zone limit applies whenever children are present, whatever the time of day.
Official source: novascotia.ca, Driver's Handbook page — amendments: School zone
Question 17: D. The fastest speed allowed when conditions are ideal
Maximum speed signs show the fastest speed allowed under ideal conditions. Slow down when conditions are poor or you cannot see well.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Regulatory signs (p. 90)
Question 18: A. No parking on either side of where the sign stands
This sign means no parking in either direction of the sign. The arrows show that the rule applies on both sides of it.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Regulatory signs (p. 88)
Question 19: B. Where the road crosses railway tracks
This white crossbuck with a red border is used at the railway crossing itself. Look both ways and listen as you near the tracks.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Railway crossings (p. 81)
Question 20: D. Traffic control persons are directing traffic with paddles
This human activity sign means traffic control persons are directing traffic past the work site with Stop/Slow paddles.
Handbook: NS Driver's Handbook, Ch. 3 Signs, Pavement Markings, and Work Zones — Human Activity Signs (p. 101)
Nova Scotia has a separate Road Sign Recognition Test. Nova Scotia highway signs: the Road Sign Recognition Test 'assesses your ability to recognize and understand the meaning of highway road signs' (20 questions, 16 to pass); signs are in Chapter 3 of the Driver's Handbook ('Signs, Pavement Markings and Work Zones'). 16 correct (80%) is our practice mark, not an official pass mark.
Canada road signs and what they mean
Our own simplified drawings of the signs learners meet most. The full list, with meanings, is in the Canada sign library; the official reference is the Nova Scotia Driver's Handbook.
Regulatory signs
Come to a full stop at the line or crosswalk, then go only when it is safe.
Slow down or stop and let traffic on the crossing road go first.
The highest speed allowed on this road.
You may not enter this road from this direction.
Traffic moves only in the direction of the arrow.
Left turns are not allowed here.
Right turns are not allowed here.
Turning around to go back the other way is not allowed here.
You may not turn right while facing a red light; wait for green.
Keep to the right of the median or traffic island.
You may not stop your vehicle at all between the signs, even for a moment, during the posted times.
You may stop between the signs only while picking up or dropping off passengers.
You may not park between the signs, though you may stop briefly to load or unload passengers or goods.
This lane is reserved for vehicles carrying at least the number of people shown.
Vehicles in this lane must turn left.
The centre lane is shared by drivers from both directions for making left turns only.
Traffic fines are increased here because the area needs extra care, often near schools or parks.
Marks a pedestrian crossover; be ready to stop and let pedestrians cross, waiting until they are completely across the road.
Marks the crossing itself; slow down, look both ways and stop if a train is coming.
Warning signs
You are near a school; slow down and watch for children.
The road curves right ahead; slow down before the bend.
A series of curves lies ahead; drive slowly and carefully.
Another road crosses ahead; watch for traffic from both sides.
A road joins from the right ahead; watch for vehicles entering.
Traffic will be joining your lane from the side ahead; adjust speed to let it merge.
The right lane ends ahead; drivers in it must move left when safe.
A median will separate the two directions ahead; keep right.
The one-way road ends ahead and oncoming traffic shares the road.
Traffic signals are ahead; be ready to stop.
A stop sign is ahead; slow down and prepare to stop.
Watch for people crossing the road ahead.
Railway tracks cross the road ahead; slow down and look and listen for trains.
The road is slippery when wet; slow down and avoid sudden moves.
Deer often cross in this area; slow down and stay alert, especially at dusk and dawn.
Marks an obstruction next to the road; the stripes slope down toward the side you should pass on.
Marks a sharp turn and shows which way to steer through it.
Temporary signs
Road work is ahead; slow down, watch for workers and follow work-zone signs.
A worker with a stop/slow sign is directing traffic ahead; obey their directions.
A lane is closed for work ahead; merge into the open lane early and smoothly.
The normal route is closed; follow the detour in the direction shown.