Rules of the (Ontario) Road Trivia Quiz

Answer: They may only have two passengers in the car

The G1 is the very first step in becoming a licensed driver in Ontario. Hopeful drivers can obtain their G1 as soon as they are 16 years of age, and they must remain at the G1 level for at least eight months (if they do not take a certified driver's education class, they must wait at least twelve months). Once they have waited the required amount of time, they take a road test and if they pass, they move on to the G2 licensing stage.

While having only two passengers in the car may have been a rule imposed on me by my father, it is not a rule of the Ontario government!

Answer: The amount of alcohol you may have in your system

G2 drivers have a lot more freedom than G1 drivers - they may drive on their own without another licensed driver, they may drive on the highway, and they may drive at any time, day or night (though there are some restrictions on night driving). The main restriction on G2 drivers is that, just like G1 drivers, they are not permitted to have any alcohol in their system - B.A.L. must be 0.

There are also other conditions on G2 drivers. The other restrictions are newer and generally aren't considered as restricting as the alcohol one.

These include having only one passenger under 19 years of age in the car, other than the driver, during the first six months of the G2 stage, and only three passengers under the age of 19 after the first six months (not including immediate family members).

Answer: 50 km/h

50 km/h is the speed limit if there is no other limit posted (on roads not in built-up areas, the allowed speed if there is no other posted is 80 km/h). Most residential areas in Ontario have a speed limit of 40 km/h, whereas the 400-series highways as well as other major highways, such as the Don Valley Parkway in Toronto, usually have a speed limit of 100 km/h. Personally, I have yet to encounter a built-up area that does not have a posted speed limit. Most major city streets are either 60 km/h or 80 km/h, at least where I drive!

Answer: city buses

While most people will simply change lanes or get otherwise get out of the way of emergency vehicles such as police cruisers and ambulances, technically the law says to move over and stop your vehicle. Drivers are also required to stop for stopped school buses, when the bus has its red lights on and its stop sign extended. Drivers coming from BOTH directions must stop, unless the roadway is separated by a median or barricade in which case traffic coming from the opposite direction is not required to stop.

It is the law for motorists to yield to city buses (for example, letting them into your lane if they need to move over to continue their route), but drivers are permitted to safely maneuver around city buses that are stopped at a bus stop.

Answer: Both of these may be correct

When all drivers at an intersection have a stop sign, the driver who came to a full stop first should be the one to proceed through the intersection first. In a case where two vehicles pulled up to the intersection at the same time, the right-of-way is yielded to the driver on the right.

Answer: False

While pedestrians do not have the right-of-way if they face a "Don't Walk" signal, motorists are never permitted to endanger pedestrians or run them over! This is why, as a driver, you must always be aware of your surroundings, in case a pedestrian is crossing in front of your car. You must also be aware that many people do not obey traffic or crosswalk signals, so you should always check for oncoming traffic or pedestrians, even if you have a green light.

Answer: 0.08 B.A.L.

This is the common limit for all drivers in Canada, not just in Ontario. However, you should be aware that you may still be charged with dangerous driving if a police officer determines you to be intoxicated, even if your B.A.L. is less than 0.08. This is difference between Driving Under the Influence, and Driving While Intoxicated. Not everyone has the same response to the same amount of alcohol. While one person may be very drunk with a B.A.L. of 0.04, another person may seem perfectly fine with a B.A.L of 0.10.

Under newer legislations, drivers are also suspended for having a B.A.L. over 0.05, but they do not receive the same punishments and legal ramifications as drivers who have a B.A.L. over 0.08.

Answer: When you are turning right

After coming to a complete stop and checking the intersection thoroughly for oncoming traffic, you may turn right on a red light. Coming to a complete stop is important, because traffic coming from your left has a green light and they are entitled to the right-of-way.

Answer: All of these

Parking next to a fire hydrant is against the law in most places, certainly all of North America. The distance you must be from the fire hydrant varies from place to place, though in Ontario it is 3 metres.

It is also commonly against the law to park in a firetruck zone, for the same reasons you should not park in front of a fire hydrant - in case of a fire, emergency vehicles must have access to hydrants and to the building to put out the fire.

In many places in Ontario (and I would imagine throughout Canada), temporary bylaws are put in place in the winter time, prohibiting parking on city streets overnight, to allow snow removal vehicles complete access to the roads to do their job.

Answer: Failure to remain at the scene of an accident

Failing to remain at the scene of accident will cost you seven demerit points. The only other infraction that will cost you as much is failing to stop for a police officer, when requested. Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more will cost you six points, while going the wrong way down a one-way and failing to stop at a stop sign or red light will each cost you three points.

G1 or G2 drivers who reach nine cumulative demerit points will have their licenses suspended for 60 days. A fully licensed G driver who accumulates 15 points will lose his or her license for 30 days.