2025/2026 YVR D/A AVOP Exam Study Guide | 400+ Practice Questions &
Official Airside Rules
Pass your Vancouver International Airport (YVR) airside driving test on the first try with this
comprehensive bank of practice questions covering the latest D/A permit regulations. This guide
features detailed rationales for every answer, focusing on YVR-specific speed limits, right-of-way
hierarchies, and critical visual markings like zipper lines and bridge return circles. Perfect for ground
handlers and airport staff, these questions mirror the actual written exam to ensure you master airside
safety and uncontrolled taxiway procedures.
1. What is the maximum speed limit on all Airside vehicle corridors and aprons at YVR?
Answer: 25 km/h
Rationale: To ensure safety in congested areas where aircraft and ground equipment mix, the
standard speed for corridors and aprons is 25 km/h.
2. What is the speed limit in baggage make-up areas and tunnels?
Answer: 10 km/h
Rationale: Due to low overhead clearance, tight turns, and high pedestrian/tug activity, the
speed is restricted to 10 km/h.
3. What is the speed limit on the head-of-stand roadway between B and C piers?
Answer: 15 km/h
Rationale: This specific high-traffic transition zone has a reduced limit of 15 km/h to prevent
collisions near gate areas.
4. Who has the absolute First Priority Right of Way on the airside?
Answer: Aircraft under power or being towed
Rationale: Aircraft are less maneuverable and represent the highest safety risk; all vehicles
must yield to them immediately.
5. After an aircraft, which group has the next priority for Right of Way?
Answer: Emergency vehicles with sirens and/or flashing lights on
Rationale: Once an aircraft is clear, emergency response vehicles (Fire, Police, Ambulance)
take precedence over all other ground traffic.
6. What does a "Manoeuvring Area" consist of at YVR?
Answer: All runways, helipads, and most taxiways
Rationale: Manoeuvring areas are "controlled" surfaces where direct radio communication with
ATC (Air Traffic Control) is mandatory.
7. An "Uncontrolled Surface" at YVR refers to:
Answer: Aprons and gate areas
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
Rationale: These areas do not require ATC clearance for vehicle movement, though drivers
must still follow all traffic directives.
8. What color are the taxiway edge lights at YVR?
Answer: Blue
Rationale: Blue lights define the edges of taxiways to distinguish them from runways and
roads.
9. What color are the runway edge lights?
Answer: White
Rationale: Standard runway edge lighting is white, though they may turn yellow/amber in the
final 2,000 feet of the runway.
10. What is the required distance a vehicle must maintain from an aircraft not being
serviced?
Answer: 7.5 meters (25 feet)
Rationale: This safety buffer prevents accidental contact with wings, engines, or sensors on
stationary aircraft.
11. What color is a "Mandatory Instruction Sign" (e.g., a Runway Hold Sign)?
Answer: Red background with White inscriptions
Rationale: Red signifies a requirement to stop and obtain ATC clearance before proceeding
onto a controlled surface.
12. A "Taxiway Location Sign" is identified by:
Answer: Black background with Yellow inscriptions
Rationale: These signs identify the specific taxiway the vehicle is currently on (e.g., "Alpha").
13. What markings indicate a "Runway Hold Line"?
Answer: Two solid yellow lines and two dashed yellow lines
Rationale: Vehicles must stop at the solid lines and cannot cross until cleared by the tower.
14. If your vehicle breaks down on a Manoeuvring Area, what is your first action?
Answer: Immediately notify Air Traffic Control (ATC) via radio
Rationale: A disabled vehicle on a runway or taxiway is a major hazard; ATC must be informed
to divert aircraft.
15. What should you do if your radio fails while on a controlled taxiway?
Answer: Turn the vehicle toward the tower and flash your headlights
Rationale: This is the standard visual signal to the tower that you have a communication failure
and need light gun signals.
16. In a radio failure scenario, what does a "Flashing White Light" from the tower mean?
Answer: Return to starting point on the airport
Rationale: This light signal directs the driver to clear the area and return to their base.
17. What does a "Flashing Red Light" from the tower mean?
Answer: Move off the runway/taxiway immediately
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
Rationale: This is an urgent signal to clear the manoeuvring area due to an approaching
aircraft.
18. What is the maximum number of small baggage dollies that can be towed at once?
Answer: 6
Rationale: Towing more than 6 creates "snake-tracking" and makes the train unstable and
dangerous in turns.
19. What is the maximum number of large cargo dollies (pallets) that can be towed?
Answer: 4
Rationale: Due to weight and length, large dollies are restricted to a maximum of 4.
20. Vehicles must always use what lighting when operating airside at YVR?
Answer: Headlights and a 360-degree yellow flashing beacon
Rationale: Constant visibility is required at all times, regardless of weather or time of day.
21. Where is parking strictly prohibited even for short durations?
Answer: Within Bridge Return Circles and under aircraft wings
Rationale: These areas must remain clear for bridge movement and aircraft servicing access.
22. "Zipper Lines" painted on the ground indicate:
Answer: Where a vehicle corridor crosses a taxiway
Rationale: Drivers must use extreme caution and look for aircraft before crossing these dashed
markings.
23. What is the emergency phone number to report airside spills or accidents at YVR?
Answer: 604-207-7022
Rationale: This connects directly to Airport Operations for immediate environmental or safety
response.
24. Smoking and vaping are permitted in which airside areas?
Answer: None (Strictly prohibited)
Rationale: Due to the presence of fuel vapors and combustible materials, smoking is banned
everywhere airside.
25. When can a driver use a handheld cellphone while driving airside?
Answer: Never (Prohibited unless the vehicle is safely parked)
Rationale: Distracted driving is a major cause of airside incidents; phones must be hands-free
or used only when parked.
26. A vehicle is considered "Night Equipped" if it has:
Answer: Functioning headlights, tail lights, and a flashing beacon
Rationale: All airside vehicles must meet these standards to operate during hours of darkness
or low visibility.
27. What is the "Restricted Area" at YVR?
Answer: Any area requiring a RAIC (Security Pass) and a valid AVOP to enter
Rationale: Security and safety protocols strictly limit access to these zones.
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
28. If you see a "Steady Red Light" from the tower, you must:
Answer: Stop and hold your position
Rationale: A steady red signal is an absolute command to stop movement immediately.
29. What is the "RVR" (Runway Visual Range) threshold for Low Visibility Operations
(LVO)?
Answer: 1200 feet or below
Rationale: When visibility drops below 1200 RVR, special LVO procedures take effect, and
vehicle movement is restricted.
30. At what RVR do all non-essential vehicle movements on the airside cease?
Answer: 600 feet
Rationale: At RVR 600, the airport enters a "critical" low-visibility state where only emergency
and essential ops are allowed.
31. When driving behind a jet engine, what is the minimum distance to avoid "Jet
Blast"?
Answer: 75 meters (250 feet)
Rationale: Jet engines can blow over vehicles or cause severe damage at close range.
32. What does a "Double Solid Yellow Line" indicate on a roadway?
Answer: Do not cross / No passing
Rationale: These lines separate traffic in areas where passing is unsafe.
33. Pedestrians have the Right of Way over vehicles in which area?
Answer: Marked pedestrian crosswalks only
Rationale: While drivers should always be careful, pedestrians must use designated crossings
to have the right of way.
34. What is a "FOD" check?
Answer: Stopping to pick up "Foreign Object Debris" (litter, rocks, bolts)
Rationale: FOD can be sucked into jet engines, causing millions of dollars in damage or
crashes.
35. If you are crossing a "Runway" with a D-AVOP, you must stay on the:
Answer: Centerline or specific crossing path as directed by ATC
Rationale: Deviating from the cleared path can lead to a "Runway Incursion."
36. A "Taxiway Directional Sign" is:
Answer: Yellow background with Black inscriptions and an arrow
Rationale: These provide directions to specific taxiways or runways.
37. What color are "Lead-in" lines (Taxilines) on the apron?
Answer: Solid Yellow
Rationale: These lines guide the nose gear of the aircraft to the correct parking position.
38. Tail-gating or following another vehicle too closely is:
Answer: Prohibited (Maintain at least 3 vehicle lengths)
Rationale: Sudden stops are common airside; distance is needed to avoid rear-end collisions.