Chapter 4 · Rules of the road

(Learn to Drive Smart, March 2026 edition)

This chapter covers three things: who goes first at an intersection, which lane to be in, and where you may park.

Intersections. Signal before you turn, change lanes, park or move to or from the curb. At an intersection with no signs or lights, the vehicle that arrived first goes first; if two arrive together, the one on the left yields to the one on the right. At a four-way stop the same order applies, and when two drivers face each other, the one turning left waits for the one going straight. Traffic lights add their own rules — for example, a green light you did not see change may be about to turn yellow, so be ready to stop. Having the right-of-way never removes your duty to avoid a crash.

Traffic circles and roundabouts. Slow down, yield to traffic already inside, and travel counter-clockwise. In a multi-lane roundabout, pick your lane before entering and do not change lanes inside it.

Lanes. Keep to the right-hand lanes on a multi-lane highway unless you are passing. Finish every turn in the matching lane of the new road. Whenever you move into another lane, the traffic already in it has the right-of-way, and you must signal. Some lanes are reserved for buses, carpools or cyclists, and signs say when.

Parking. The manual lists the places you may not park, with distances: 5 metres from a fire hydrant, 6 metres from a crosswalk, intersection, stop sign or traffic light, and 15 metres from a railway crossing. On a hill, turn your wheels so the vehicle cannot roll into traffic.