What are the school zone hours in BC?
School zone signs are in the shape of a house and are in effect 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM on school days unless otherwise posted, including posted summer school days.
Are school zones in effect during summer in BC?
Some school zones are in effect during summer in British Columbia. Those schools with summer school in session will have an obvious “summer school in session” sign attached to the school zone sign so that drivers don’t need to be confused. Otherwise, school zones are not in effect during summer, winter, spring break, or other non-school days.
What is the fine for speeding in a school zone in BC?
Speeding in a school zone will cost at least $196 to $253 in British Columbia, and comes with three driver penalty points.
| MVA | Ticket | Fine | Points |
| 147(1) | Speed in a school zone | $196-$253 | 3 |
| 147(2) | Speed in a playground zone | $196-$253 | 3 |
| 148(1) | Excessive speed | $368-$483 | 3 |
British Columbia School Zone Signs
More School Zone Signs British Columbia
Here is the classic school zone sign. Notice the shape of the sign. It looks a bit like a house, and the sign has the 30 km/hr tab underneath. The speed limit is on a sign with a white background, so we know that’s a regulation sign (speed signs on a yellow background are recommendations, not law).
Exclusive school zone sign shape
The school zone sign is the only sign that uses this particular shape. In other words, you’ll never see a sign with this shape, saying “Stop” or anything else on it. This is the dedicated shape of the school zone sign for British Columbia.
School Zone Sign Without Speed Limit
Sometimes people get confused when they see school zone signs without a speed limit tab attached.
Simply, if there’s no speed limit attached to the sign, then the speed limit on the road you are on doesn’t change because of the sign. Your job as a driver is to read the road signs, not to be psychic.
Where Does The School Zone End?
Look for the backs of road signs – a particular shape
If you want to figure out where the school zone ends, then look for the back of the sign. It’s a very particular shape. You will find it on the opposite side of the road for the traffic facing you.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks this is a little bizarre, and would rather just have another sign to indicate the end of the zone. But this is just the way it is around here.
I guess it makes sense; it just feels strange to try to be searching bushy and hard-to-see areas on the opposite side of the road. I thought there would be somewhere better for my eyes to be looking, but oh well. I guess it’s a nice idea in theory.
School Zones In Burnaby – 7 am until 10 pm
Burnaby School Zones Are Now in Effect From 7 am Until 10 pm
Burnaby has some interesting school zones. It recently (March 2021) updated its city’s school zone laws, and has shiny new signs to go with them.
The new laws indicate that the school zones are in effect from 7 am until 10 pm.
Burnaby isn’t the first or only city to change its school zones. Vancouver also made some changes to theirs.
Speed Restriction When Children On Highway Road Sign
School and Playground Zones “When Children On Highway”
Question: I have a question about school and playground zones. Sometimes I see the playground zone speed limitation. Once I was driving around a playground in Maple Ridge, and the sign says “30km/h when children on the highway”.
I could see children playing inside the playground, but they’re nobody actually on the road or the shoulder, so should I drive at 30 or 50?
Black And White Signs
You only ‘have to slow down to the posted speed when the child/children are on the road or shoulder.
Conclusion
School zones often perplex new drivers, especially during summer when there may be summer school, or children obviously playing at lots of different parks, playgrounds, and schools.
The thing to remember is that you’re not supposed to be psychic.
Just like any other time you’re driving, your job is to pay attention to the road signs and follow their instructions. If you see an area where kids are playing but there are no speed signs, then you aren’t officially in a speed zone.
However – just like any other time you are driving – you can always slow down if you think it’s a good idea for that particular moment. It’s part of being a good defensive driver.
During summer, school zones are not in effect, unless they have an obvious ‘summer school’ tab attached.
Oh and one more thing: by the time your vehicle gets to the playground zone or school zone sign, your vehicle needs to be going a maximum of 30 km/hr already.
Many student drivers ask if you must slow down before you see the sign, or after you see the sign. The answer is before so that your car is going to the legal limit once your car reaches the post that the sign is on.
That’s just good to know, especially for road tests. Similarly, do not speed before you are out of the speed zone. Wait until your vehicle is actually past the end of the zone sign to increase speed. If you are preparing for your ICBC road test, be sure to check out these popular articles: ICBC Road Test Tips for Class 5 & 7 [Instructor Gets Deep] and ICBC Road Test Class 5 vs 7 [Prepare & Conquer].