Supervised practice and driver education in Ontario
While you hold a G1 licence, every drive must be supervised. Ontario sets clear rules about who can sit beside you and when and where you can drive.
Many learners also take a beginner driver education (BDE) course. It is optional, but a ministry-approved course can shorten your G1 period and may lower insurance costs.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can check whether a person is qualified to be your accompanying driver.
- You can describe the structure of a ministry-approved BDE course.
- You can explain how BDE changes the time before your G2 road test.
- You can plan practice that covers the skills tested on the road test.
What you need to know and understand
- Your accompanying driver must hold a valid Class G (or higher) licence and have at least four years of driving experience.
- Time they spent at G2 counts toward the four years, as long as that licence was not suspended.
- They must have a blood alcohol level under 0.05 per cent, and zero if they are 21 or under.
- Their licence may carry demerit points but must not be suspended.
- Approved BDE courses last at least 40 hours: at least 20 in class, 10 in the vehicle and 10 flexible.
- Passing an approved BDE course reduces the G1 period from 12 months to 8 months.
Your accompanying driver's job
The accompanying driver sits in the front passenger seat and is the only other person allowed in the front. Ontario's rules set a minimum time at G1 rather than a number of logged practice hours, so the quality of your practice is up to you and your supervisor. Aim for regular drives in different traffic, weather and light conditions.
G1 drivers cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and cannot use 400-series highways posted over 80 km/h or listed high-speed expressways unless the supervisor is a driving instructor.
How a BDE course is built
Ontario licenses the driving schools that offer BDE and the instructors who teach it. The school decides how the flexible hours are used, for example extra classroom or in-car learning.
- At least 20 hours of classroom instruction
- At least 10 hours of in-vehicle instruction
- 10 hours of flexible instruction
- Taught only by ministry-licensed instructors at licensed schools
Choosing a school safely
Use the ministry's list of approved schools, and check the list of revoked schools too. Ask for a clear contract showing every cost, including use of a car for the road test. Our guide Is the Ontario BDE Course Worth It? weighs up cost against the time saved.
Common mistakes
- Practising with someone who has only had a full licence for a short time. Check the four-year rule first.
- Letting a friend ride up front beside you and your supervisor. Only the accompanying driver may sit in the front.
- Paying for a course from an unapproved school. Only a ministry-approved course earns the 8-month reduction.
- Only practising on quiet streets. Include busy roads, night driving before midnight and poor weather.
Test yourself: Supervised practice and driver education in Ontario
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver's Handbook, Ministry of Transportation Ontario (ontario.ca); Get a G driver's licence: new drivers, Government of Ontario (ontario.ca). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with your province or territory.