School and playground zones

By the ChowChow Labs editorial team · Updated November 13, 2026 · How we check our content

Short answer: School and playground zones protect children with a lower speed during set hours. The two zones run on different schedules.

Key points

• School zone (school sign with a speed tab): 30 km/h on school days, 8:00–9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 3:00–4:30 p.m.
• Playground zone: 30 km/h every day from 8:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset.
• A municipality can post different times under the sign. Posted times win.
• A school or playground sign without a speed tab is a warning, not a speed zone.
• No passing a vehicle going the same way while a zone is in effect.

Law or advice?

The speed limit, the hours and the no-passing rule are law. Slowing near a school area sign without a tab is good practice.

Example

It's Saturday at 10 a.m. A playground zone has no time tab. The 30 km/h limit applies, because playground zones run every day.

Checked against the Government of Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), used under the Open Government Licence – Alberta. Laws change, so check alberta.ca for the current rules before you rely on a number. Sources: Alberta Driver’s Guide, page 30: School zones; Playground zones.

Check yourself

Try these 6 questions from our free mock exams, then tap Show answer. For more, take the road signs practice test.

1. Question 1 · Signs and Signals

   Unless other times are posted, when do playground zone restrictions apply?

   1. A. On weekends only, from sunrise until sunset
   2. B. Every day from 8:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset
   3. C. On school days only, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
   4. D. Every day of the week from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

   Show answer

   Answer: B. Every day from 8:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset

   Playground zones apply every day, not just school days, from 8:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset.

   Source: Government of Alberta: Playground daily scheduleReviewed October 2026Report an error

2. Question 2 · Signs and Signals

   A delivery van is going 20 km/h in an active school zone. You are behind it. What may you do?

   1. A. Pass on the right if there is enough room
   2. B. Stay behind it while the zone is in effect
   3. C. Pass on the left if the other lane is clear
   4. D. Pass, as long as you stay under 30 km/h

   Show answer

   Answer: B. Stay behind it while the zone is in effect

   You may not pass a vehicle going the same direction in an active school or playground zone.

   Source: Government of Alberta: Passing in active child zonesReviewed October 2026Report an error

3. Question 3 · Signs and Signals

   Unless other times are posted, when is an Alberta school zone in effect?

   1. A. Every day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
   2. B. On school days: 8:00–9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 3:00–4:30 p.m.
   3. C. On school days, all day from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., plus weekend events
   4. D. Every day from 8:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset

   Show answer

   Answer: B. On school days: 8:00–9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 3:00–4:30 p.m.

   These are the provincial school zone times. Municipalities can post different times.

   Source: Government of Alberta: Default school hoursReviewed October 2026Report an error

4. Question 4 · Signs and Signals

   

   What does this sign with its speed tab mean?

   1. A. A 30 km/h minimum speed for all traffic near the school
   2. B. A 30 km/h limit that applies 24 hours a day, all year
   3. C. A school zone with a 30 km/h limit when it is in effect
   4. D. A school area where 30 km/h is only a recommended speed

   Show answer

   Answer: C. A school zone with a 30 km/h limit when it is in effect

   The school sign with a speed tab marks a school zone. The 30 km/h maximum applies during the zone's hours.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 30: School zone with speed panelReviewed October 2026Report an error

5. Question 5 · Signs and Signals

   

   What does this sign mean?

   1. A. Parking is not allowed here
   2. B. Stopping is allowed but standing is not
   3. C. Only permit holders may park here
   4. D. Parking is allowed here for a short time only

   Show answer

   Answer: A. Parking is not allowed here

   The red circle and slash over the P means no parking in the area the sign controls.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 30: Parking prohibitionReviewed October 2026Report an error

6. Question 6 · Signs and Signals

   

   What does this sign with its speed tab mean?

   1. A. A playground zone with a 30 km/h limit during its hours
   2. B. A school zone that ends each day at 4:30 p.m.
   3. C. A playground area where 30 km/h is only suggested
   4. D. A 30 km/h limit that applies only on school days

   Show answer

   Answer: A. A playground zone with a 30 km/h limit during its hours

   The playground sign with a speed tab marks a playground zone with a 30 km/h maximum during its hours.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 31: Playground zone with speed panelReviewed October 2026Report an error

Next: Right-of-way at stops and uncontrolled intersections. When there is no light, right-of-way rules decide who goes first. Alberta has one rule that surprises many drivers: the uncontrolled T intersection.