Warning signs
One of the lanes ahead ends; traffic in it must merge into the lane that continues.
Check your mirrors and merge into the continuing lane in good time, before the lane actually runs out.
The shape is almost always a yellow diamond with a black border and a black symbol or arrow. The one exception in this set is the railway advance sign, which is a yellow circle with a black X, kept round on purpose so it stands out from the diamonds around it well before you reach the tracks.
A warning sign tells you about a hazard or an unusual condition ahead so you can adjust your speed and attention before you reach it. It is advice rather than a command with its own penalty, though ignoring it can put you in a position where another rule then applies.
17 questions in our banks show this sign and ask what it requires. Here are 6, each with the answer marked and the authority it rests on.
This sign is posted on a multi-lane road ahead of you. What does it mean?
One of the lanes ends, and traffic in it must move into the lane that continues
The sign is about the lane rather than the road: the pavement ahead has one lane fewer than it does here. Reading it early lets you either move over or leave room for a driver who has to, which is what keeps the pinch from turning into a scramble at the taper.
Highway Traffic Act (Ontario)This sign is posted ahead of you while you are in the right hand lane. What must you do?
Move into the continuing lane before your own lane runs out
The lane you are in disappears, so the duty to move sits with you rather than with the traffic already in the lane that carries on. Start looking for a gap as soon as you see the sign, because merging at the last moment forces somebody else to brake for you.
Motor Vehicle Act (British Columbia)You are in the lane that ends at the point this sign is warning about. How should you handle it?
Signal early, pick a gap and move over well before the lane runs out
The lane ending is your problem to solve, and you solve it with time rather than nerve. Signalling early tells the drivers beside you what you need and gives them room to make space for you. Arriving at the taper still in the wrong lane leaves you choosing between a hard stop and forcing your way in.
Alberta Driver's Guide (Government of Alberta)This sign is posted ahead of you and you are in the lane that runs out. What is the right way to handle it?
Start looking for a gap now, signal, and move over before the lane runs out
The sign is placed well back so the change of lane is a planned move rather than a forced one in the last few metres. Signalling early tells the driver in the other lane what you need and gives them time to make room. Arriving at the end of the lane with nowhere to go leaves you braking in a live lane.
Highway Safety Code (Quebec)The lane beside you is ending as this sign warned, and a driver in it is alongside your front doors as the taper closes. What is the safest response?
Ease off and let them in ahead of you
Two vehicles cannot use the pavement that is left, so one of them has to give, and the one with a lane to stay in is you. Lifting off costs a second, while closing the gap pushes the other driver toward the edge of the road at speed.
Highway Traffic Act (Ontario)You see this sign rather than a merge sign. What is the practical difference for you?
This one means a lane on your own road ends, while a merge sign means traffic arrives from a separate road
Both signs ask drivers to cooperate, but they describe different shapes of road. When a lane ends, the vehicles in that lane are the ones who must move; when traffic merges, vehicles are arriving from another road and blending into the stream you are already part of.
Motor Vehicle Act (British Columbia)The other 11 sit in the signs drills, which ask sign questions on their own with the reason for every answer.
Counted from the questions written for each province when the site is built, not typed by hand.
4 questions: 2 on the G1 knowledge test, 1 on the M1 knowledge test, 1 on the Class A knowledge test
4 questions: 2 on the ICBC knowledge test, 1 on the Motorcycle knowledge test, 1 on the Class 1 knowledge test
5 questions: 2 on the Class 7 knowledge test, 1 on the Class 6 knowledge test, 1 on the Commercial knowledge test, 1 on the Class 4 knowledge test
4 questions: 2 on the SAAQ knowledge test, 1 on the Motorcycle knowledge test, 1 on the Class 1 knowledge test
Signs that share this one's shape and colour rule, and are easy to confuse with it under a clock.
The bridge or underpass ahead is narrower than the road; approach with care.
The road ahead is slippery when wet; slow down and avoid sudden moves.
A bump or uneven surface is ahead; slow down.
A steep downgrade is ahead; slow down and be ready to gear down.
The road ahead divides around a median; keep to the right side.
The divided road ends ahead; two-way traffic will share one roadway.
One of the lanes ahead ends; traffic in it must merge into the lane that continues. Check your mirrors and merge into the continuing lane in good time, before the lane actually runs out.
It is a warning sign. A warning sign tells you about a hazard or an unusual condition ahead so you can adjust your speed and attention before you reach it. It is advice rather than a command with its own penalty, though ignoring it can put you in a position where another rule then applies.
It appears in the Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec practice banks on this site: 4 in Ontario, 4 in British Columbia, 5 in Alberta, 4 in Quebec. Every question is original prose citing Highway Traffic Act (Ontario), Motor Vehicle Act (British Columbia), Alberta Driver's Guide (Government of Alberta) and Highway Safety Code (Quebec).
The meaning and the action are the standard ones taught across Canada. Each question above cites the law or the guide it rests on, and the exam facts on the province pages come from the records below.
Ontario Ministry of Transportation, G1 licensing rules and DriveTest fee schedule
Verified 2026-08-27
DriveTest, Knowledge Tests (Serco Canada Inc., the ministry appointed driver examination provider)
Verified 2026-08-28
Fees read from the DriveTest fee list on the same date.
DriveTest, Commercial Vehicles licence requirements
Verified 2026-08-28
Fees read from the DriveTest fee list on the same date.
ICBC published graduated licensing and knowledge test information
Verified 2026-08-27
ICBC, Before you take your knowledge test (form MV2654)
Verified 2026-08-28
Fees read from the ICBC fee list on the same date.
Government of Alberta published Class 7 licensing and knowledge test information
Verified 2026-08-27
Government of Alberta, Get a Class 6 motorcycle driver licence
Verified 2026-08-28
Question count and pass mark read from the Alberta driver knowledge test page on the same date.
Government of Alberta, Driver knowledge test
Verified 2026-08-28
Government of Alberta, Obtaining a commercial licence
Verified 2026-08-28
Question count and pass mark read from the Alberta driver knowledge test page on the same date, and the ride for hire rule from the Alberta ride for hire services page.
SAAQ published licensing, driving course and knowledge test information
Verified 2026-08-27
SAAQ, Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C)
Verified 2026-08-28
Read through an Internet Archive copy of the SAAQ page captured on 2026-08-13, because the SAAQ turns away visitors from outside Canada. The French page is cited because it is the version the SAAQ updates first.
SAAQ, Heavy Vehicle Driver's Licence (Class 1)
Verified 2026-08-28
Read through an Internet Archive copy of the SAAQ page captured on 2026-08-13, because the SAAQ turns away visitors from outside Canada. The French page is cited because it is the version the SAAQ updates first.