Newfoundland and Labrador Class 5 Numbers Cheat Sheet: Every Figure to Memorize
The sheet covers the Class 5 Level I (learner) written test. Each row was checked against the Driver's Handbook (Road Users Guide) and the Motor Registration pages on gov.nl.ca, plus the Highway Traffic Act, the Demerit Point System Regulations and the Driver Regulations on assembly.nl.ca.
The Class 5 knowledge test needs an 85% pass mark, so a handful of missed numbers matters. We built the sheet from the numbers our own questions test, then checked each one against the Act as well as the handbook. That turned up several surprises.
The biggest was our own mistake. A question about a novice driver with any alcohol in the blood said the suspension is seven days. Section 60.5 of the Act and the Administrative Suspensions page say 2 months for a first occasion, 4 for a second and 6 for a third or later. Seven days is what an accompanying driver, or a non-novice driver under 22, gets. The sheet shows the figure from the Act, and the question is flagged for correction.
The handbook also says fines double in construction zones. The Act's schedule sets minimum first-offence fines of $100, $300, $500, $700 and $900 there, against $50, $200, $300, $400 and $500 elsewhere. That is double only for 1 to 10 km/h over, so we do not publish a "double" row. The handbook says a vehicle can be impounded for at least 24 hours after a driving without insurance conviction, while section 75(6.1)(b) orders 90 days. The two official texts conflict, so that row is left out too. The same goes for the handbook's 14 year maximum prison term for impaired driving causing death: the Criminal Code gives 14 years for causing bodily harm and life for causing death, so the handbook figure looks out of date and we do not publish it. The 3 month suspension and the $200 reinstatement fee are confirmed twice and stay.
Level I is a strict ladder in the Driver Regulations: age 16, an accompanying driver with 4 years as a full Class 5 driver, no driving from midnight to 5 a.m., a novice sign with 5 cm letters, 12 months at Level I (8 with an approved course) and 12 months at Level II.
Be aware of three wording gaps. The Act says a booster seat applies under 145 cm, where the handbook says 145 cm or less. It sets the collision report threshold at $2,000 or more, where the handbook says "exceeds". And the one-metre rule's 2 to 14 days is a term in default of paying the fine, not a jail sentence as the handbook words it.
Of 67 candidate rows, 64 are published: 57 confirmed by two official sources and 7 single source, marked as such (school zone range, three second and vehicle length following distances, 30 m crosswalk passing, parallel parking space, 10 year record, $1,000 Criminal Code fine). Nothing comes from a driving school, forum or another province.
Newfoundland and Labrador Class 5 Level I (Class 5I, Learner), Graduated Driver Licensing · Numbers reference
Every number the Newfoundland and Labrador Class 5 Level I (Class 5I, Learner), Graduated Driver Licensing knowledge test can ask you for, in one place, checked against the official sources and built to print.
Showing all 64 numbers
Speed limits and defaults
7 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 50 km/h | Default speed limit through communities with no posted signApplies where no speed limit sign is posted. A posted sign always wins. The handbook says communities; the Act says settlements. |
| 80 km/h | Default speed limit on paved highways other than the Trans-Canada Highway, no posted signApplies only where no speed limit sign is posted. |
| 100 km/h | Default speed limit on paved portions of the Trans-Canada Highway, no posted signApplies only where no speed limit sign is posted. |
| 60 km/h | Default speed limit on gravel roads with no posted signApplies only where no speed limit sign is posted. |
| 30 to 50 km/h, as signed | Speed limit in a school zoneThe posted sign sets the limit. Many school zone limits apply from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on days when school is open. Unsigned school zones are 50 km/h. |
| At least 30 km/h below the posted limit | Move over law: speed to pass a stopped emergency or designated vehicle where the limit is above 60 km/hApplies when the emergency or designated vehicle is stopped with flashing lights activated. |
| No more than 30 km/h | Move over law: top speed to pass a stopped emergency or designated vehicle where the limit is 60 km/h or lessApplies when the emergency or designated vehicle is stopped with flashing lights activated. |
Distances and visibility
8 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 3 seconds or more | Following distance in ideal conditionsHandbook guidance (the three second rule), not a distance written into the Act. |
| At least 1 vehicle length for every 15 km/h | Minimum safe following distance for an ordinary passenger vehicleDouble this distance when roads are slippery. Handbook guidance, not a distance written into the Act. |
| 1 m | Open space when passing a bicycle or pedestrian where the limit is 60 km/h or lessThe one-metre rule. Breaking it carries a fine, days in default and demerit points; see the penalty rows. |
| 1.5 m | Open space when passing a bicycle or pedestrian where the limit is above 60 km/hOne and a half metres. |
| 30 m | No passing within this distance of a crosswalkOne of the handbook's no-passing situations, with curves, intersections, railway crossings, blind hills and narrow bridges. |
| One-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise | Headlights must be on from this long before sunset to this long after sunriseAlso required whenever you cannot clearly see people and vehicles at 150 m. |
| 150 m | Headlights also required when you cannot clearly see people and vehicles atApplies at any time of day, apart from the sunset to sunrise window. |
| 150 m | Dim high beams when within this distance of an oncoming vehicleDo not wait for the other driver to dim first. |
Parking prohibitions
9 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 10 m | No parking within this distance of a stop sign or traffic signalThe Act measures this on the approach to the sign or signal. |
| 6 m | No parking within this distance of a crosswalkThe Act measures this on the approach to the crosswalk. |
| 20 m | No parking within this distance of a bus stopThe Act measures this from the bus stop sign, in the direction traffic approaches it. |
| 15 m | No parking within this distance of a railway crossingThe Act measures this from the nearest rail. |
| 7 m | No parking within this distance of the entrance to a fire station |
| 6 m | No parking within this distance of the entrance to a public building such as a school or churchThe Act measures 6 m either side of the entrance or exit. |
| 30 cm | Wheels must be within this distance of the curb when parked |
| 60 m | A vehicle parked on a highway must be visible from this distance in both directionsThe Act allows an exception only for necessary repairs on the highway. |
| About 1.5 times the length of your vehicle | Space needed between two parked vehicles to parallel parkHandbook technique, not a rule in the Act. |
Demerit points by offence
3 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 4 points | Failing to slow down and move over for a stopped emergency or designated vehicle |
| 6 points | Passing a school bus with its lights activated |
| 2 points | Breaking the one-metre rule when passing a bicycle or pedestrianThe fine and days in default are on the penalty rows. |
Demerit point thresholds and consequences
4 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 12 points in 2 years | Licence suspended at this many demerit points within two yearsApplies to drivers who are not probationary or novice drivers. The suspension is at least 2 months the first time and at least 4 months after that. |
| 6 points in 1 year | Novice driver licence suspended at this many demerit points within one yearApplies to Class 5I, 5II, 6I and 6II drivers. A written notice is mailed at 3 points. |
| Up to 4 points | Demerit points a point reduction course can removeAllowed once in a 5 year period, and only if you have not reached the suspension threshold. The handbook describes a six-hour program. |
| 10 years | Convictions and licence suspensions stay on your driving record forDemerit points themselves are removed automatically 2 years after the conviction date. |
Suspension lengths
9 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 14 days | Second seven-day suspension within 24 monthsCounted within a 24 month period. |
| 2 months | Third seven-day suspension within 24 monthsCounted within a 24 month period. A fourth is 4 months and a fifth or later is 6 months. |
| 51 km/h or more | Immediate 7 day suspension for exceeding the posted limit byAlso carries 6 demerit points. The suspension is 7 days. |
| 7 days | Licence suspension for racing or performing stunts |
| 7 days | Immediate licence suspension at 80 mg or more of alcohol in 100 mL of bloodThe 7 day suspension starts at 50 mg. At 80 mg or more a further 90 day suspension follows. The handbook adds that the vehicle is impounded. |
| 14 days later | The 90 day suspension begins this long after the 7 day suspension endsThe 90 day suspension itself is 90 days (about three months). |
| 2 months | Novice driver with any alcohol in the blood: suspension for the first occasionSecond occasion 4 months, third or later 6 months. The 7 day suspension applies to the accompanying driver and to a non-novice driver under 22.Our question bank and the official source disagree here. The official value is published. |
| 12 months (first conviction) | Minimum time in the ignition interlock program after an impaired driving conviction suspension endsSecond conviction within 10 years: 36 months. Third or later: 60 months. |
| 3 months (90 days) | Licence suspension for a registered owner convicted of driving without insurance |
Fines, fees and maximum penalties
4 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| $200 | Driver's licence reinstatement feeThe handbook states it for an owner convicted of driving without insurance; the fee schedule lists it for driver's licence reinstatement generally. |
| $100 to $400 | Fine range for breaking the one-metre ruleMinimum $100, maximum $400. |
| 2 to 14 days | Days attached to a one-metre rule convictionThe Act's Schedule sets this as the time in default of paying the fine. The handbook words it as days in prison.Our question bank and the official source disagree here. The official value is published. |
| From $1,000 | Criminal Code impaired driving fines start atPenalties range from fines starting at $1,000 to imprisonment, per the handbook.Our question bank and the official source disagree here. The official value is published. |
BAC and zero-tolerance thresholds
4 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 0.00% (zero) | BAC limit for a learner (Level I) or novice (Level II) driverAny alcohol in the blood (more than 0 mg in 100 mL) triggers a suspension. |
| 0.00% (zero) | BAC limit for the driver accompanying a learnerThe accompanying driver faces a 7 day suspension, then 90 days at 80 mg or more. |
| 0.05 or more | BAC at which it is illegal for a fully licensed Class 5 driver to driveEqual to 50 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of blood, which brings a 7 day suspension. As little as one drink can reach this limit. |
| Under 22 | Zero BAC applies to learner and inexperienced drivers under ageIn the Act, a driver under 22 who is not a novice also faces a 7 day suspension for any alcohol. |
Graduated licensing timeline
11 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 16 | Minimum age to apply for a Class 5 Level I licenceParent or guardian consent is required if you are under 19. |
| Under 19 | Parent or guardian consent needed to apply if you are underThe signature is not required if you can show you are married or self-supporting, per the handbook. |
| 85% | Pass mark for the Class 5 written testA passed written test result is valid for six months, per the handbook. |
| 2 years | Validity of a Class 5I (Learner) permitIt may be renewed at a Motor Registration office. |
| 4 years | Years of experience the driver accompanying a Level I driver needs as a full Class 5 driverThe accompanying driver must sit in the front seat next to the learner. |
| Midnight and 5 a.m. | Level I learners may not drive betweenNo passengers are allowed other than the accompanying driver. |
| 12 months | Minimum time at Level I before the Class 5II road testReduced to 8 months after an approved driver education program. |
| 8 months | Minimum time at Level I after completing an approved driver education program |
| 5 cm | Minimum letter height on the 'novice driver' signBlack lettering on a white background, displayed on the rear of the vehicle. |
| 12 months | Time to spend at Level II before a full Class 5 licence |
| 4 years as a full Class 5 driver | Experience of the driver a Level II driver needs between midnight and 5 a.m.Employment exemption: carry proof of your work schedule signed by your employer. |
Occupant restraint thresholds
4 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| Under 9 kg | Infants must ride in a rear-facing infant seat when they weighThe Act applies the child seat rules to a child aged 8 or under. The handbook words it as up to 9 kg (20 lb). |
| 9 kg to under 18 kg | Children must ride in a forward-facing car seat when they weighThe Act applies the child seat rules to a child aged 8 or under. The handbook words it as 9 to 18 kg (20 to 40 lb). |
| 18 to 37 kg and under 145 cm tall | Booster seat required for a child who weighsThe Act applies the child seat rules to a child aged 8 or under.Our question bank and the official source disagree here. The official value is published. |
| Under 16 | Driver is responsible for passengers' restraints below agePassengers 16 and over are responsible for wearing their own seat belts. |
Reporting thresholds
1 number| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| $2,000 or more | Report a collision to the police when overall damage reachesAlso report if anyone is injured or killed.Our question bank and the official source disagree here. The official value is published. |
Other provinces
Cheat sheets for the other graduated licensing streams.
- Alberta Class 7: every number on one page
- British Columbia Class 7L: every number on one page
- Manitoba Class 5L: every number on one page
- New Brunswick Class 7: every number on one page
- Nova Scotia Class 7: every number on one page
- Northwest Territories Class 7: every number on one page
- Nunavut Class 7: every number on one page
- Ontario G1: every number on one page
- Prince Edward Island Class 7: every number on one page
- Quebec Learner's Licence: every number on one page
- Saskatchewan Class 7: every number on one page
- Yukon Class 7: every number on one page
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