Category: Ontario

Photo: Dillan Payne, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

To get a G1 licence in Ontario you must pass a vision test. The standard is visual acuity no poorer than 20/50 with both eyes open (glasses or contact lenses allowed), and a field of view of at least 120 continuous degrees horizontally and 15 continuous degrees above and below fixation. If you fall short only on peripheral vision, you may be able to apply for a Class G vision waiver. Ontario is also the only province that accepts telescopic (bioptic) lenses for a Class G licence, a change made by regulation in October 2020.

This page explains the licensing rules only. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist can tell you how your own vision measures up.

The Ontario vision standard (Class G, G1, G2)

Measure	Standard
Visual acuity	Not poorer than 20/50 (Snellen), both eyes tested together, with or without glasses or contacts
Horizontal field	At least 120 continuous degrees
Vertical field	At least 15 continuous degrees above and below fixation
One eye	If you have vision in only one eye, that eye is tested

These rules are in Ontario Regulation 340/94, section 18.

The Class G vision waiver

The waiver is for people who don’t meet the field part of the standard but may still drive safely. It is set out in section 21.2 of Regulation 340/94.

Who can apply

• No more than six demerit points
• No licence suspension in the past five years for certain Criminal Code or Highway Traffic Act matters
• No qualifying collision convictions
• No other condition that would significantly impair your driving
• You meet all other requirements for your licence class

Steps

1. Send a satisfactory medical report and a vision assessment from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
2. If approved to continue, complete a functional assessment at an approved centre that offers Class G vision waiver assessments. It includes standardised in-clinic and on-road tests.
3. Check before booking: not every functional assessment centre offers vision waiver assessments. Centres are approved by the Ministry of Transportation but are independent of it.

Telescopic (bioptic) lenses in Ontario

• The change: Ontario Regulation 535/20, filed on October 1, 2020, amended the Drivers’ Licences regulation (340/94). The amendment allows the Class G acuity standard to be met with telescopic lenses.
• Why it matters: the national CCMTA standard used by other provinces says telescopic lens aids cannot be used to meet the vision standard. Ontario is the exception in Canada.
• The detail: the conditions, such as maximum telescope power, the acuity needed through the carrier lens, assessments or re-examinations, are set by the Ministry. Ask the Ministry of Transportation’s medical review section, and your low-vision specialist, what applies before you start.

Who must report vision problems

Physicians, nurse practitioners and optometrists must report patients who have, or appear to have, certain high-risk medical, vision or functional conditions. Optometrists report vision only. If the report confirms you don’t meet the standard, your licence is suspended until you show that you do. Full details are in does your doctor have to report you.

After a suspension for vision

• You receive a Notice of Suspension and a letter saying what information is needed.
• Once the information arrives, your file is reviewed in date order; complex cases may go to the Medical Advisory Committee, which includes ophthalmology.
• If you meet the standard, a reinstatement notice comes by mail.
• Medical suspensions can usually be appealed to the Licence Appeal Tribunal, but vision suspensions are excluded from that appeal right.

Common questions

Can I take the G1 vision test with my glasses?

Yes. Both eyes are tested together, with or without glasses or contact lenses, so wear the ones you use for distance.

I passed acuity but my field is narrow. Can I still get a G1?

Not through the standard route. Ask your eye specialist whether the Class G vision waiver could suit you.

Do other provinces accept my Ontario bioptic licence?

Check with the other province before you move. The national standard used elsewhere does not accept telescopic lenses.

Related guides

• Driving with a medical condition or disability in Canada (national overview)
• Canadian driving vision standard explained
• Vision test for your learner’s licence in every province
• Learning to drive in Ontario
• Ontario G1 knowledge test

Want to practise the eyesight check? Our sister site Driving Eyesight Test has a free Canada letter chart on drivingeyesighttest.com. It is a practice screen, not an eye test.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “Medical review for Ontario drivers” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, O. Reg. 535/20: Drivers’ Licences, filed October 1, 2020 (ontario.ca)
• Ministry of Transportation, “Official MTO Driver’s Handbook”, Getting your driver’s licence (ontario.ca)
• Government of British Columbia, “Chapter 22: Vision”, CCMTA Medical Standards for Drivers (gov.bc.ca)

Photo: Raysonho, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

To drive a car legally in Ontario, it needs valid insurance, a registration permit with plates in the owner’s name, and tires and equipment in safe condition. This page covers chapter 5 of the MTO Driver’s Handbook: the checks to make before you drive, what you must carry, how plates and renewals work now, and towing basics. It is for G1 and G2 drivers who are getting their own car or borrowing a family one, and for their parents.

Key facts

• Insurance is compulsory in Ontario. You need proof of insurance to register a vehicle or renew its registration.
• Whoever is driving must have an insurance card for the vehicle in the car and show it to police when asked.
• Driving without insurance: a fine of $5,000 to $25,000 on a first conviction, plus a possible licence suspension of up to one year and an impound of up to three months.
• Plates belong to the owner, not the car. Take them off when you sell.
• Most passenger vehicle plates now renew automatically, for free, if the owner has valid insurance and no unpaid fines or tolls.
• Replace a tire when the tread is less than 1.5 mm deep, or when it is more than 10 years old.

Quick vehicle checks every Ontario driver should make

The handbook sets out checks in four stages. None takes long, and they catch most problems before they become breakdowns.

Walking up to the car

• fresh damage, or fluid leaking underneath
• tires that look low or flat
• doors, hood, trunk or fuel cap left open
• loads that are not tied down
• ice, snow or dirt covering lights or windows, or that could fly off onto other drivers

In the driver’s seat, before you move

• a clear view all around the car
• headlights that are burned out or dim
• loose objects that could fly forward if you brake
• dashboard warning lights: they should come on when you start the engine and then go out

While driving

• unusual engine or exhaust noises
• squealing or grinding when you brake
• warning lights that stay on

Before a long trip

• wipers and washer fluid
• tire pressure, condition and wear
• all lights
• with the engine cold: oil and coolant levels, belts, hoses and leaks
• a full inspection by a qualified mechanic

Your owner’s manual says what to check and when routine service is due. Service is due by distance or by time, whichever comes first. Routine service includes oil and filter changes, fluid checks, air and fuel filters, tire rotation and brake inspection. Bigger jobs, such as replacing a timing belt, come up less often.

Ontario tire rules

Rule	What the handbook says
Minimum tread	Replace when tread is under 1.5 mm, or when the wear bars touch the road
Heavy vehicles	Over 4,500 kg: replace front tires when tread is under 3 mm
Age	No more than 10 years old, even if they have never been used
Damage	Replace tires with bumps, bulges, knots, exposed cords, or cuts deep enough to show cords
Size	No smaller than the manufacturer’s minimum size, and not so large that they touch the vehicle
Matching	Use similar tires on all four wheels
Winter	For winter traction, use four winter or all-weather tires with the same tread pattern
Studs	Studded tires are legal in northern Ontario

Tires also have to meet the standards in the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Correct pressure, regular rotation and smooth driving make them last longer.

Winter kit to keep in the car

• a shovel
• booster cables
• flares or warning lights
• a blanket
• a tow chain
• extra windshield washer fluid

Have a noisy or rattling exhaust checked straight away. A leaking exhaust is especially dangerous in winter, when the windows and vents are closed. More on winter conditions is in winter driving in Canada for new drivers.

What happens if your car is unsafe?

Keep your view clear too. Nothing hung or stuck in the windows may block your view, no window may be coated so that you cannot see out in every direction, and the windshield and front side windows may not be coated in a way that hides the inside of the car.

Driving a vehicle in dangerous condition is illegal in Ontario. A police officer or MTO inspector can examine your vehicle, its equipment and any trailer at any time. If it is unsafe, it can be taken off the road until it is fixed. Before a road test, also run through the road test car checklist.

Car insurance in Ontario: what the law requires

The insurance card (pink slip)

The driver must keep an insurance card for the vehicle in the car at all times and hand it to police when asked. Your own policy’s card also counts if it shows you are insured. Failing to carry or show the card can mean a fine of up to $400.

If you are listed as an excluded driver on the policy for the car you are driving, you need a card that shows you are insured under a different policy.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) lets insurers issue the card electronically if you agree. If you lend the car, the other driver needs their own copy. Some places outside Ontario may still ask for a paper card. Ask your insurer which formats it offers.

Penalties for driving without insurance in Ontario

Offence	First conviction	Later conviction
Driving, or letting someone drive, an uninsured vehicle, or showing police a card for a vehicle that is not insured	$5,000 to $25,000	$10,000 to $50,000
Having or using a false or invalid insurance card	$10,000 to $50,000	$20,000 to $100,000

For driving without insurance, the court can also suspend your licence for up to one year. It can also have the vehicle impounded for up to three months, and the owner pays the storage costs.

Buying insurance safely

• Buy only from a licensed insurer, agent or broker. FSRA and the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario can confirm a licence.
• After a collision, collect details from everyone involved and photograph the scene.
• Be wary of a tow truck driver who pushes you towards a particular body shop, lawyer, paralegal or clinic.
• Never sign blank forms, and ask for itemized repair and medical bills.

What drives premiums for new drivers, and whether you must be listed on a parent’s policy, is covered in car insurance for learner and new drivers in Canada.

Registration, plates and renewal in Ontario

Plates follow the owner

Registration means your licence plates plus a vehicle permit, the green ownership document. In Ontario, plates go with the owner, not the vehicle. If you sell or change cars, remove your plates and keep the plate portion of the permit. You will need it to put the plates on your next car. If you will not use them again, you can return them to a ServiceOntario centre.

Do you still need a plate sticker in Ontario?

Not for most cars. Passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles under 3,000 kg, motorcycles and mopeds renew automatically, with no fee, 90 days before the plate expires. Two conditions apply: the owner must have valid insurance, and there must be no unpaid fines or tolls. The renewal lasts one year, and no sticker is sent.

These plates do not renew automatically, so you renew them online or at ServiceOntario:

• commercial and business vehicles
• motorhomes
• vehicles made before 1983
• buses
• snowmobiles

If a renewal is held up by unpaid fines or a gap in insurance, you can renew after expiry once you clear them.

Registering a car you buy

When you buy a used car privately:

• The seller must give you a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP). It shows whether money is still owed on the car.
• You must register the car in your name at ServiceOntario within 6 days of buying it.
• To put plates on it, you need a Safety Standards Certificate from a licensed DriveON inspection centre. The certificate is valid for 36 days.
• Most buyers pay 13% retail sales tax when they register, on the price or the wholesale value, whichever is higher. A gift from a close family member can be exempt.

Light passenger cars no longer need emissions tests, but every vehicle must still meet emissions standards. The full step-by-step, with a worked private-sale example, is in buying your first car in Canada.

Moving to Ontario with a car

New residents have 30 days to register their vehicle at a ServiceOntario centre. Bring:

• a Safety Standards Certificate
• proof of insurance
• Vehicle Import Forms, if the car came from another country
• the permit or ownership from where you lived before

Licence exchange is covered in new to Ontario.

Towing basics for Ontario drivers

• A G1, G2 or G licence lets you tow a trailer with a gross weight of up to 4,600 kg. Bigger loads may need a higher licence class or an oversize permit.
• Towing more than one trailer behind a non-commercial vehicle is illegal.
• A trailer is a separate vehicle. Register it at ServiceOntario (a one-time fee), put the plate on the back where it can be clearly seen, and carry the permit or a copy.
• Trailers weighing 1,360 kg or more, including the load, need brakes that can stop and hold the trailer.
• Every trailer needs:
  • a white licence plate light
  • a red tail light
  • two red rear reflectors, as far apart as possible
  • mud guards or fenders

  Trailers wider than 2.05 m also need clearance lights.

• Use two separate connections to the car. If you use safety chains, cross them under the tongue.
• Put about 5 to 10 per cent of the trailer’s weight on the hitch, with most of the load in front of the axle.
• No one may ride in a trailer while it is being towed, including house and boat trailers.
• If the load blocks your view behind, fit extra mirrors.

Driving technique, reversing and the rules in other provinces are in towing a trailer as a new driver in Canada.

Scenario: borrowing a parent’s car on your G2

Priya has just passed her G2 and is taking the family car to work. Before she leaves:

1. She checks the glovebox for the insurance card. If her parents’ insurer issued it electronically, she needs a copy on her own phone, not theirs.
2. She makes sure she is not named as an excluded driver on the policy. If she were, she would need proof of her own separate policy.
3. She checks the permit is in the car.
4. On the walk-around, she sees a front tire looks low. She checks the pressure against the label on the door frame before driving.
5. On the way, a brake warning light stays on. She pulls over safely and calls home rather than driving on.

Common questions

Can I show my insurance on my phone in Ontario?

Yes, if your insurer issues an electronic card. FSRA allows this with your consent. Anyone else driving the car needs their own copy, so keep a paper card in the car for borrowers and for trips outside Ontario.

Do I need to renew my licence plate every year?

For most cars, renewal is now automatic and free, every year, if the owner has valid insurance and no unpaid fines or tolls. Watch for reminders if your vehicle type is on the manual list, or if a renewal is blocked.

What happens to my plates when I sell my car?

You keep them. Take them off before the buyer drives away, and keep the plate portion of your permit. You can register them to your next vehicle or return them to ServiceOntario.

Can a G1 driver register or insure a car in their own name?

The registration rules on ontario.ca ask for proof of insurance and your Ontario driver’s licence, and they do not exclude G1 holders. Whether an insurer will cover you as a G1 owner, and at what price, is up to the insurer. Your G1 conditions still apply every time you drive (see Ontario G1 rules).

How deep does tire tread have to be in Ontario?

At least 1.5 mm on a car. For vehicles over 4,500 kg, front tires need at least 3 mm.

Are winter tires mandatory in Ontario?

The handbook recommends four winter or all-weather tires with the same tread for winter traction. Check the current legal requirement with the Ministry of Transportation. Ask your insurer whether it gives a discount for them.

Do I need a safety certificate to buy a used car?

You can buy and register a car without one. You cannot put plates on it until it has a valid Safety Standards Certificate. A transfer to your spouse is exempt.

Related: snowmobiles, ATVs and off-road vehicles in Ontario and collision reporting rules by province. For the whole G1 to G licensing path, see learning to drive in Ontario.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Getting ready to drive” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Maintaining your vehicle” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Vehicle insurance and registration” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Towing” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.25” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Renew your licence plate sticker” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Buy or sell a used vehicle in Ontario” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Safety standards certificate” (ontario.ca)
• Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario, “Modernizing Automobile Insurance: Approval of Electronic Insurance Card” (fsrao.ca)

Photo: Michael, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Ontario, you can drive a snowmobile from age 12 with a snowmobile operator’s licence, or with an Ontario driver’s licence of any class. To drive an ATV or other off-road vehicle on a public road, you must be 16 or older and hold a G2, M2 or higher licence, and the road has to be one where off-road vehicles are allowed. This guide covers chapter 7 of the MTO Driver’s Handbook. It is for new riders, G1 and G2 drivers, and parents in cottage country and rural Ontario.

Key facts

• Snowmobiles: any class of Ontario driver’s licence, or a motorized snow-vehicle operator’s licence (MSVOL) from age 12 for club trails. To ride along or across a public road where snowmobiles are allowed, you must be 16 or older.
• Off-road vehicles (ORVs): drivers must be 12 or older, unless an adult directly supervises them or they ride on land occupied by the owner. On a road, the driver must be 16 or older with at least a G2 or M2.
• Both must be registered with ServiceOntario and insured under a motor vehicle liability policy whenever they leave the owner’s property.
• Helmets are required. They must be approved motorcycle helmets fastened under the chin. The only exception is on the owner’s own property.
• Speed limits on roads are the same for both: 20 km/h where the posted limit is 50 km/h or less, and 50 km/h where it is over 50 km/h.
• The zero blood-alcohol rule for G1, G2 and drivers 21 and under also applies on a snowmobile or ATV.

What counts as an off-road vehicle in Ontario?

The handbook defines off-road vehicles as two- or three-wheeled motorized vehicles intended for recreation, plus some four-plus-wheeled vehicles named in regulation. Examples are:

• ATVs and two-up ATVs
• side-by-sides and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs)
• amphibious ATVs
• off-road motorcycles (dirt bikes)
• dune buggies

Some things are not ORVs. Motorized scooters (go-peds) and pocket bikes cannot be registered as off-road vehicles. They do not meet motorcycle standards either, so they cannot be registered as motorcycles. Road-building machines, farm vehicles, golf carts and motorized wheelchairs do not need ORV registration.

Snowmobiles fall under a separate law, the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act. Their rules are set out separately below.

Snowmobiles in Ontario

Who can drive a snowmobile in Ontario?

Your situation	Where you may ride	What you need
Any valid Ontario driver’s licence (G1, G2, G or other class)	Trails and, from age 16, along or across public roads where snowmobiles are allowed	Carry your licence off your own property
Age 12 to 15, no driver’s licence	Trails established and maintained by a recreational organization only	MSVOL (pass a snowmobile driver-training course)
16 or older, no Ontario driver’s licence	Trails, and along or across public roads where allowed	MSVOL
Visitor to Ontario	As above	A licence that lets you drive a snowmobile in your home province, state or country

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs issues the MSVOL in co-operation with the Ministry of Transportation. The training course takes about six hours and is usually spread over three days. It covers safe riding, snowmobile laws, maintenance and riding positions.

If your driver’s licence or MSVOL is suspended, you may not drive any type of vehicle on or off a road, or in any public place. A licence suspension for a car offence also takes you off the trails.

Registration, insurance and trail permits

• Register every snowmobile with ServiceOntario before you drive it. This includes used machines that were never registered and machines registered in another jurisdiction.
• A dealer registers a new snowmobile within six days of the sale. For a used one that is already registered, you need the signed snow-vehicle permit and the bill of sale.
• Registration is a one-time fee. You get a permit and a number decal for each side of the cowling.
• Snowmobile plates do not renew automatically. Renew online or at ServiceOntario each year.
• You need liability insurance to ride anywhere other than your own property. If someone rides your machine with your consent, you can both be held responsible for penalties, damages or injuries.
• Trails run by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs need a trail permit displayed on the machine, including where those trails cross private land. Other clubs set their own rules, so check with the local club.

Where can you ride a snowmobile in Ontario?

You may ride:

• on your own property
• on private club trails
• on other private land with the owner’s permission
• in public parks and conservation areas that allow snowmobiles

On most public roads, you may only cross directly. Slow down, stop, then cross at a 90-degree angle. On some highways, you may ride on the part that is not ploughed or paved for cars. Snowmobiles are banned on freeways and some high-speed roads, including the Queen Elizabeth Way, the Ottawa Queensway and the Kitchener-Waterloo Expressway. The ban covers everything from fence line to fence line.

Municipalities can pass bylaws that regulate or ban snowmobiles on their roads, trails and parks. You need permission from the railway to ride on railway tracks, and trespassing on tracks is an offence. You can be convicted of trespassing on private land even if there is no sign. If the police or the owner asks, stop and identify yourself. If you are told to leave, leave immediately.

Snowmobile speed limits and towing

Where	Maximum speed
Public park or exhibition ground	20 km/h
Road where other vehicles’ limit is 50 km/h or less	20 km/h
Snowmobile trails	50 km/h
Road where other vehicles’ limit is over 50 km/h	50 km/h

Municipalities can set different limits. At night, do not ride faster than your headlight lets you see.

Anything you tow needs a rigid tow bar, a safety chain and reflective material. Everyone riding on a towed sled or toboggan must wear a helmet. You may not tow on a public road except to cross it at a 90-degree angle. The exceptions are freeing a stuck vehicle, an emergency rescue and trail maintenance.

Ice, cold and riding alone

• Check the weather and ice conditions before you go. Pressure cracks in ice are much harder to see at night.
• Tell someone your route and when you will be back, and ride with a buddy.
• Wear a face shield or goggles with lightly tinted, shatterproof lenses. Avoid dark tints.
• Wind chill: at or below minus 25 degrees Celsius, long exposure risks frostbite. At or below minus 35, frostbite is possible in about 10 minutes.
• If your machine gets stuck in deep snow, turn the engine off before you try to free it.

ATVs, side-by-sides and dirt bikes in Ontario

Age, registration and plates

• You must be 12 or older to drive an ORV. The exceptions are riding on land occupied by the owner, or riding under an adult’s direct supervision.
• To register an ORV, you must be 16 or older and prove you own it. New and used ORVs must be registered with ServiceOntario within six days of becoming the owner, and a fee applies.
• The plate goes on the front of two- and three-wheeled ORVs and on the rear of ORVs with four or more wheels. Some areas, such as far northern Ontario, are exempt from the plate requirement.
• Off the owner’s property, the ORV must be insured under a motor vehicle liability policy.
• Carry the registration permit (or a true copy) and proof of insurance whether you are on or off the road.
• A used ORV does not need a Safety Standards Certificate to be registered, unlike a used car.

Helmets and clothing

Drivers and passengers must wear an approved motorcycle helmet with the chin strap fastened. The only exception is on the owner’s property. The handbook also tells you to wear:

• a face shield or goggles
• long pants and a long-sleeved shirt or jacket
• gloves
• boots that cover the ankles

Bright colours make you easier for drivers to see.

Can you drive an ATV on the road in Ontario?

Only on roads where it is allowed, and only if you are 16 or older with at least a G2 or M2. A G1 driver cannot ride an ORV along a public road.

Provincial highways

• Allowed: highways numbered 500 to 899, many 7000-series highways and some low-traffic highways.
• Not allowed: 400-series highways, the Queen Elizabeth Way and sections of the Trans-Canada Highway.
• The full list is in Ontario Regulation 316/03.

Municipal roads

• Check whether the municipality has a bylaw that allows ORVs.
• If there is no bylaw, check whether the municipality is listed under Ontario Regulation 8/03.
• If there is neither a bylaw nor a listing, you cannot ride there.
• Bylaws can also limit riding to certain months or hours, or set lower speed limits.

Which vehicles can go on the road

Ontario’s page on driving an ORV lists these types as permitted on roads where riding is allowed:

• single-rider and two-up ATVs
• UTVs and recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs)
• extreme-terrain vehicles
• off-road motorcycles

The handbook’s chapter 7 still describes the older, narrower rule, under which only single-rider ATVs used road shoulders. Before you ride, check your vehicle type against the regulation and the local bylaw.

Rules when riding an ORV on an Ontario road

Rule	Requirement
Driver	16 or older, G2 or M2 or higher, seat belt worn where one is fitted
Passengers	At least 8 years old, wearing a seat belt or using footrests where fitted. No passengers on off-road motorcycles
Helmet	Approved motorcycle helmet, chin strap fastened, for driver and passengers
Position	Ride in the same direction as traffic, on the shoulder. Use the travelled part of the road only if the shoulder is unsafe or too narrow
Lights	Headlights and tail lights on. They are mandatory at night and in bad weather
Speed	20 km/h where the posted limit is 50 km/h or less. 50 km/h where it is over 50 km/h. Municipalities can set lower limits

A vehicle built for one person should never carry a passenger. A passenger changes the weight balance and makes the vehicle harder to control.

Some ORVs have three or more wheels, weigh 450 kg or less and are no wider than 1.35 m (not counting mirrors). These may use some public roads when used for farming, licensed hunting or fur trapping. Emergency workers on duty, and riders in parks where the park authority allows it, are also exempt.

Off-road riding

Ride only in designated areas: trails, private property with the owner’s permission, or Crown land. You may need a trail permit. There are no passenger restrictions off-road, but the age-12 rule for drivers still applies. Do not damage fish habitat, plants or trees.

The handbook’s riding tips:

• Practise in open areas on even dirt, sand or snow. Avoid pavement.
• Keep both feet on the footrests. Never put a foot down to stop a tip.
• Before crossing water, check how deep it is, then cross slowly.
• Use a flag mast in dunes and hills.

Alcohol, drugs and your car licence

Impaired driving laws apply on a snowmobile or ORV just as they do in a car. If you are a G1 or G2 driver, or 21 or under with a full licence, your blood-alcohol level must be zero. If you are caught with any alcohol in your blood, your licence is suspended on the spot: 7 days for a first time, 14 days for a second and 30 days for a third, with a penalty and an education or treatment program each time. Novice drivers also face escalating sanctions: 30 days for a first time, 90 days for a second time within five years, and cancellation of the novice licence for a third time.

For all drivers:

• A reading over .08, or refusing a test, means an immediate 90-day suspension.
• The warn range (.05 to .08) brings an immediate suspension of 7 days for a first time, 14 days for a second and 30 days for a third.

The suspension is on your driver’s licence, so an incident on a trail can stop you driving a car. The Canada-wide rules are in impaired driving in Canada for new drivers. How Ontario’s novice sanctions build up is in Ontario demerit points and Novice Driver Escalating Sanctions.

Police stops and collisions

• Stop when a police officer signals you. For an ORV on private property, this includes the landowner or someone authorized by them.
• If you are convicted of wilfully trying to escape police, your licence is suspended for at least five years, or up to 10 years if someone is killed or injured.
• When you ride an ORV on a public road, Highway Traffic Act offences apply. So do careless driving, dangerous driving and alcohol offences.
• Report any collision that injures someone to the police immediately. The handbook also gives property-damage thresholds, which differ for snowmobiles and ORVs. Check the current reporting rules in collision reporting rules by province.

Sharing Ontario roads with snowmobiles and ATVs as a car driver

As a car driver, the rules above tell you what to expect:

• ATVs and side-by-sides travel in your direction on the shoulder, at no more than 50 km/h even on an 80 km/h road. Expect to come up on them quickly, and pass only when you can give them a full lane.
• Snowmobiles cross at right angles after a stop. Trail crossing signs on rural roads mean a machine can appear from the ditch. Slow down near them at dusk and at night.
• In towns with an ORV bylaw, you may meet a side-by-side carrying a passenger as young as 8.
• Snow and blowing snow make low, small vehicles harder to see. The habits in winter driving in Canada for new drivers apply.

Farm machinery, horse-drawn buggies and cyclists use the same rural roads. See sharing Ontario roads.

Common questions

Can I drive a snowmobile with my G1?

Yes. The handbook says any valid Ontario driver’s licence lets you drive a snowmobile. You must still be 16 or older to ride along or across a public road where snowmobiles are allowed. Your G1 conditions for driving a car, such as needing an accompanying driver, are covered in Ontario G1 rules.

Can I drive an ATV on the road with a G1?

No. Driving an ORV on a public road needs a G2, M2 or higher licence, and you must be 16 or older. On private land or trails, a 12-year-old can drive an ORV without a licence.

Is a side-by-side allowed on Ontario roads?

Ontario’s ORV page lists UTVs and recreational off-highway vehicles as permitted on roads where riding is allowed. On a municipal road, you need a bylaw or a listing under Ontario Regulation 8/03. Check with the municipality before you ride.

Does my ATV need a licence plate and insurance?

Yes, once you ride off the owner’s property. It must be registered and plated (front plate for two or three wheels, rear plate for four or more). It must also be insured under a motor vehicle liability policy. The plate rule has exemptions in far northern Ontario.

How old do you have to be to ride a snowmobile in Ontario?

12 with an MSVOL, on trails maintained by a recreational organization. 16 to ride along or across a public road where snowmobiles are allowed.

Can a passenger ride on my ATV?

On a road, only on a vehicle built to carry a passenger, and the passenger must be at least 8 with a helmet and a seat belt or footrests. Off-road motorcycles can never carry a passenger on the road. Off-road there are no passenger rules, but a vehicle built for one person should not carry two.

Do I need a helmet on my own land?

The law does not require one on the owner’s property. The handbook still recommends wearing one.

Back to the full Ontario licensing guide: learning to drive in Ontario. Owning and insuring a car is covered in your vehicle in Ontario.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “Impaired driving” (ontario.ca) and Highway Traffic Act, ss. 48, 48.1 and 48.2.1 (e-Laws, ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Off-road Vehicles & Snowmobiles” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Driving an off-road vehicle (ORV)” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Renew your licence plate sticker” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Safety standards certificate” (ontario.ca)

Photo: Raysonho, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Parallel parking is on the Ontario G2 road test, along with the three-point turn and the roadside stop. It is not on the G test for now. This guide gives the MTO handbook’s parallel parking steps, which way to turn your wheels on a hill, the legal distances to keep from hydrants and intersections, and how to do a three-point turn and a U-turn.

Is parallel parking on the Ontario road test?

Manoeuvre	G2 road test	G road test
Parallel parking	Yes	Not included until further notice
Roadside stop	Yes	Not included until further notice
Three-point turn	Yes	Not included until further notice

Parking aids such as automatic parking and back cameras may not be used on the test. You must show mirror and shoulder checks. What the examiner marks: Ontario G2 road test.

How to parallel park: the handbook steps

Look for a space about 1.5 times the length of your vehicle. Park on the right side, facing the direction of traffic. On a one-way road you may park on either side unless signs say otherwise.

1. Check traffic, signal and pull alongside the vehicle in front of the space, about 1 metre from it.
2. Stop when your rear bumper lines up with its rear bumper.
3. Check all around and both blind spots. Reverse slowly, turning the wheel fully toward the curb.
4. When you can see the outside rear corner of the vehicle in front, straighten the wheels and keep reversing.
5. Turn the wheel fully toward the road to swing the front in line with the curb.
6. If you are not parallel, drive forward to straighten.
7. Set the parking brake and select park (first or reverse in a manual).
8. Engine off, key out, check for traffic and cyclists before opening the door, lock the vehicle.

What loses marks

• Hitting or mounting the curb.
• Touching another vehicle.
• Ending up outside the space markings.
• Missing the signal, mirror or blind-spot checks when pulling out.

Parking on a hill in Ontario: which way do your wheels go?

Facing	Turn the front wheels	Why
Downhill	Toward the curb or right shoulder	If it rolls, it goes into the curb, not traffic
Uphill, with a curb	Toward the road	The tires catch the curb if it rolls back
Uphill, no curb	Sharply right	If it rolls back, it goes off the road

Memory aid: only uphill with a curb turns the wheels away from the curb. Every other case turns them right. Always set the parking brake as well.

Where you cannot park in Ontario

Keep away from	Distance
A fire hydrant	At least 3 m
An open public entrance to a hotel, theatre or public hall	At least 6 m
An intersection	At least 9 m
An intersection with traffic lights	At least 15 m
The nearest rail of a level railway crossing	At least 15 m
A bridge	Not on it or within 100 m of it
A curve, hill or anywhere you cannot see 125 m both ways	Do not park

Also never park:

• on the travelled part of a road (use the shoulder if you must stop)
• blocking a parked vehicle, sidewalk, crosswalk, pedestrian crossing or road entrance
• where you obstruct traffic or snow clearing

Municipal parking bylaws

Cities set their own parking rules, and the handbook warns that not all bylaws are posted on signs. Check your municipality’s rules on things like overnight and winter parking.

The roadside stop

1. Mirrors and blind spot before slowing.
2. Signal before slowing, unless a side road or driveway between you and your stopping point would make the signal misleading. Then signal after you pass it.
3. Stop parallel to the curb, no more than about 30 cm away, without blocking an entrance.
4. Cancel the signal, hazards on, park and parking brake.
5. To leave: hazards off, left signal, mirrors and blind spot, accelerate smoothly, cancel the signal.

How to do a three-point turn

Use it to turn around on a narrow road. Never on a curve, near a railway crossing or hilltop, or near a bridge or tunnel that blocks your view.

1. Start from the far right side of the road. Signal left.
2. When clear both ways, move forward, turning sharply left toward the far curb.
3. Stop before the curb and shift into reverse.
4. Signal right. Check traffic again and back slowly, turning sharply right, to the other side.
5. Stop, shift to drive, check traffic and drive off.

On the test, use the whole road, reverse only once, and do not touch the curb.

U-turns

• Illegal on a curve, on or near a railway crossing or hilltop, or near a bridge or tunnel that blocks your view.
• Never make one unless you can see at least 150 metres in both directions.
• Check that no sign prohibits it.

Reversing

• Turn and look over your shoulder in the direction you are moving: right shoulder for straight back or to the right, left shoulder for reversing left. Check the other side too.
• Watch the front end swing when you turn.
• Reversing on a divided road with a limit over 80 km/h, including its shoulder, is illegal except to help someone.

Accessible parking permits

Park in an accessible space only if the permit is yours or belongs to a passenger, and it is displayed. The same applies to accessible pick-up and drop-off areas. Misuse brings fines and loss of the permit.

Common questions

How big a space do I need to parallel park?

About 1.5 times your vehicle’s length, according to the handbook.

Can I use my backup camera when parallel parking on the test?

No. Back cameras and automatic parking may not be used.

How far from a fire hydrant do I park in Ontario?

At least 3 metres.

Which way do I turn my wheels parking downhill?

Toward the curb or the right shoulder.

Is there a three-point turn on the G test?

Not at present. Ontario has removed it from the G test until further notice because the G2 test covers it.

Can I park on the left side of a one-way street?

Yes, unless signs say otherwise.

More Ontario guides: intersections and roundabouts, sharing the road, booking your road test. Back to learning to drive in Ontario.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Parking along roadways” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Changing directions” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: The Level Two road test” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers” (ontario.ca)

Photo: Adam Moss, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you move to Ontario, you can drive on your valid licence from another province or country for 60 days. After that you need an Ontario licence. Whether you can simply exchange it, or must test, depends on where it was issued. From 1 July 2026, people from countries without an exchange agreement can also claim up to 12 months of foreign driving experience.

Key facts

• 60 days on your old licence after you move to Ontario.
• Exchange with no tests (other than vision) from any Canadian province or territory, any U.S. state and 19 other countries and territories.
• Everyone else: vision and knowledge tests for a G1, then road tests, with up to 12 months’ experience credit from 1 July 2026.
• Apply in person at a DriveTest centre or ServiceOntario at Bay and College in Toronto.
• Since 11 May 2026 you must declare that Ontario is your primary residence and that you are in Canada legally.

Visiting or moving? Which rules apply

You are	What you need
A visitor staying under 3 months	A valid licence from home, insurance for the vehicle, and the vehicle permit (original or exact copy). You must be at least 16.
A visitor from another country staying over 3 months	An International Driver’s Permit from your home country. You cannot get one once you are in Ontario.
A new Ontario resident	Your valid licence for 60 days, then an Ontario licence.

Can I exchange my licence in Ontario?

Ontario has exchange agreements with:

• every Canadian province and territory, and the Canadian Armed Forces
• U.S. states (not U.S. territories or protectorates)
• Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, the Isle of Man, Japan, Kosovo, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan and Ukraine

With an equivalent class of licence from one of these, you get a full Class G. If you have less than two years of total driving experience, the handbook says you get credit for your experience and enter Level Two (G2). Once you reach two years you can take the G road test.

What cannot be exchanged

• Learner’s permits from anywhere.
• Licences cancelled for reasons such as alcohol-related offences, demerit points or a prohibition, or suspended for a Criminal Code offence.
• Motorcycle classes from several listed countries, including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Ukraine.
• Commercial classes issued outside Canada (you may get a G or GM instead).
• Driving instructor and school bus (Class B or E) licences.

If you applied before your country signed its agreement and failed a test, you are not eligible for a G exchange until you pass that test at the same level.

Licences from countries without an agreement

1. Bring your valid foreign licence and ID, and pay the fees.
2. Pass a vision test and a knowledge test. You get a G1. Study with the G1 knowledge test guide.
3. Claim experience credit (below) to shorten your G1 wait.
4. Pass the G2 road test.
5. Hold your G2 for at least 12 months, then pass the G road test.

The foreign experience credit from 1 July 2026

Since 1 July 2026, applicants from a jurisdiction without an exchange agreement can claim up to 12 months of driving experience by showing an original, valid foreign licence. Only experience from the past three years counts.

Experience credited	What happens
12 months	Take the G2 road test straight away. Then wait 12 months as a G2 before the G road test.
6 months	Hold your G1 until you reach 12 months in total before the G2 test, or 8 months with an approved beginner driver education course.

When you need a letter of authentication

Your licence card may show a recent issue date even though you have driven for longer. Example from ontario.ca: your licence was issued 6 months ago but you have more than 6 months of experience. To get full credit (up to 12 months) you need an authentication letter that:

• comes from your embassy, consulate or the licensing agency that issued the licence
• confirms the licence is authentic
• is dated within the previous 6 months
• is in English or French

What to bring to DriveTest

• Your original, valid out-of-province or foreign licence, with a visible expiry date.
• Original ID showing your legal name and date of birth, such as a passport, citizenship card or certain immigration documents. Photocopies and expired documents are refused.
• Original documents proving your driving experience, in English or French.
• A completed application form stating how long you have been driving.
• Payment for fees. Check the current amounts with DriveTest.

You also take a vision test. If your licence is not in English or French, bring a certified translation dated within six months. Ontario.ca lists who may translate; check it before you pay for one.

Common questions

How long can I drive in Ontario on my foreign licence?

As a new resident, 60 days. As a visitor, up to 3 months on your home licence, or longer with an International Driver’s Permit.

Do I have to take a road test to exchange a UK licence?

Great Britain and Northern Ireland are on Ontario’s exchange list, so an equivalent licence exchanges for a G. You still take a vision test. Less than two years’ experience puts you in Level Two.

My country is not on the list. Do I start from zero?

You start with the G1 knowledge test, but since 1 July 2026 you can claim up to 12 months of experience from the past three years, which can let you take the G2 road test straight away.

Can I exchange a learner’s permit?

No, not from any jurisdiction.

I have a novice licence from another province. What happens?

Ontario.ca says no authentication letter is needed for a novice licence from another province. Ask DriveTest which Ontario level you will enter.

Can I get an International Driver’s Permit after I arrive?

No. It must come from your home country before you travel.

Ontario guides: learning to drive in Ontario, booking a DriveTest road test, Ontario signs. Moving between provinces: exchanging a licence in Canada.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “Exchange an out-of-province driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Getting your driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Drive in Ontario: visitors” (ontario.ca)

Photo: Benson Kua, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Once you pass your G2 road test you can drive alone on Ontario’s 400-series highways, and you need that highway experience before the G road test. This guide covers merging, lane changes, exits, HOV lanes and speed limits, plus what the examiner checks on the freeway part of the G test.

Key facts

• G1 drivers may not use 400-series highways or high-speed expressways unless the accompanying driver is a licensed driving instructor. G2 drivers may.
• For the G test you sign a Declaration of Highway Driving Experience covering roads of 80 km/h or more.
• Many sections that were 100 km/h are now 110 km/h. Follow the posted sign.
• Stunt driving starts at 150 km/h on any road, including 110 km/h sections.
• Keep right except to pass. Trucks are barred from the far left lane on many freeways with three or more lanes each way.

Ontario highway speed limits

Road	Limit
No sign, inside cities, towns and villages	50 km/h
No sign, outside cities, towns and villages	80 km/h
Most 400-series sections	100 km/h or 110 km/h as posted
Stunt driving threshold	150 km/h on any road (lower thresholds also apply; see stunt driving penalties)

Ontario raised the limit to 110 km/h on nearly 89% of the provincial highway network that was posted at 100 km/h, about 1,811 km in total (ontario.ca, updated September 2026). The first 110 km/h sections, from 2019, were the QEW between Hamilton and St. Catharines, Highway 402 between Sarnia and London, and Highway 417 from Gloucester to the Quebec border. Ontario.ca does not list every 110 km/h section in text, so read the signs.

The limit is a maximum. The examiner also marks you down for driving unreasonably slowly.

How to merge onto an Ontario freeway

1. On the ramp: check mirrors and your left blind spot for a gap in the nearest lane.
2. Signal once freeway traffic can see you.
3. In the acceleration lane: speed up to match freeway traffic and adjust your speed to time the merge.
4. Merge smoothly into the centre of the nearest lane, with a two- to three-second gap to the car ahead.
5. Cancel your signal.

Some ramps join on the left, which puts you straight into the fastest lane. Get up to speed quickly.

Already on the freeway and see someone merging? Move left if it is safe, to leave them room.

Driving along: lanes, spacing and scanning

• Keep right. Use the left lane to pass, then move back.
• Check mirrors every 5 to 10 seconds. Look 12 to 15 seconds ahead (the handbook’s general advice is 15 to 20 seconds, or as far as you can see).
• Keep at least a two- to three-second gap. Two seconds is the minimum in ideal conditions only.
• Stay out of other vehicles’ blind spots and do not sit close behind large trucks.
• Never cut in front of another vehicle. A slower vehicle cutting in front of a faster one is dangerous and illegal.
• Never pass a moving snow plow.

Changing lanes on the highway

1. Check ahead, your mirrors and the blind spot for a space. On roads with three or more lanes, also watch for a car moving into the same space from two lanes over.
2. Signal.
3. Shoulder-check again.
4. Move smoothly into the centre of the new lane, keeping your speed or gently increasing it. Do not slow down.
5. Cancel the signal.

Avoid weaving and unnecessary lane changes. If a slower car is ahead in the left lane, wait for it to move right instead of darting around it on the right.

Leaving the freeway

1. Exit signs appear well ahead. Move to the right lane early.
2. Check mirrors and, if there is a lane to your right, that blind spot.
3. Signal before the exit lane and enter it at its start, without crossing solid lines.
4. Do not slow down until you are fully in the exit lane.
5. Slow gradually to the ramp’s posted speed and check your speedometer. After high-speed driving you tend to underestimate your speed (velocitization).
6. Be ready to stop at the end of the ramp.

Missed your exit? Take the next one. Never stop or reverse. Reversing on a divided road with a limit over 80 km/h, including the shoulder, is illegal except to help someone in trouble.

HOV lanes in Ontario

• Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• For vehicles with at least 2 people, plus buses, motorcycles, licensed taxis, airport limousines and emergency vehicles. The handbook also lists green-plate electric vehicles and HOT permit holders where permitted.
• Large trucks are not allowed, whatever the number of occupants.
• Do not cross the striped buffer. Enter and leave only at the marked entry and exit zones.

What the examiner checks on the G test freeway section

Part	Checks
Entering	Mirror and blind-spot checks, signal timing, speed matched, smooth merge, signal cancelled
Driving along	Mirrors every 5 to 10 seconds, steady legal speed, 2 to 3 second gap, avoiding blind spots
Lane changes	Traffic check, signal, final blind-spot check, smooth move to lane centre, signal cancelled
Exiting	Checks, early signal, enters exit lane at its start, no slowing until in the exit lane

The G test currently leaves out parallel parking, roadside stops, three-point turns and residential driving, so the highway section carries more weight. See the Ontario G road test.

A practice plan for new G2 drivers

1. Start on a quiet 80 km/h highway in daylight.
2. Move to a 400-series highway outside rush hour and practise ramps until merges feel routine.
3. Add lane changes, then multi-lane sections and busier times.
4. Finish with night and wet-weather drives with an experienced driver.
5. Keep a note of your highway trips. You will need to sign the declaration before the G test.

Common questions

Can a G1 driver drive on the 401?

Only with a licensed driving instructor. G1 drivers may not use 400-series highways or high-speed expressways otherwise. Full G1 rules: Ontario G1 rules.

Is the speed limit on the 401 110 km/h?

Some sections are 110 km/h and some are 100 km/h. Always follow the posted sign.

What should I do if no one lets me merge?

Adjust your speed in the acceleration lane to fit a gap. Merging traffic must find a gap, but drivers on the freeway should move over to help when it is safe.

Can I drive in the HOV lane alone in my G2?

Not in a regular car. You need at least 2 people in the vehicle, unless your car is one of the exempt types listed above.

How long should I keep my signal on when changing lanes?

Signal before you move and cancel it once you are in the new lane. Do the final blind-spot check after signalling.

Do G2 drivers have any highway restrictions?

No highway restrictions, but zero blood alcohol and the under-19 passenger rules still apply. See G2 rules.

Related: winter driving in Canada, slow down, move over, sharing Ontario roads. Back to learning to drive in Ontario.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Freeway driving” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Changing positions” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Driving along” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Changing directions” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: The Level Two road test” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Getting your driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Raising speed limits on Ontario highways” (ontario.ca)

Photo: Transportfan70, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Ontario you pass a streetcar on the right (unless you are on a one-way road) and stop at least 2 metres behind its rear doors while passengers get on or off. This guide sets out that rule and the other sharing-the-road rules in the MTO handbook: the 1-metre cyclist passing law, trucks, buses, farm machinery and horse-drawn buggies. Each section says what to do, so you can use it for G1 study and real driving.

Key facts

• Streetcars: pass on the right; stop 2 metres behind the rear doors at stops without a passenger island.
• Cyclists: leave at least 1 metre when passing, where practical. Breaking this rule means a fine and 2 demerit points.
• Slow-moving vehicle sign: orange triangle with a red border, meaning 40 km/h or less.
• Pedestrian crossovers: wait until people have crossed the whole road.
• School bus with red lights flashing: stop at least 20 metres behind it.

Streetcars: Ontario rules for Toronto drivers

• Passing: pass streetcars on the right. You may pass on the left only on a one-way road.
• At a stop: stop at least 2 metres behind the rear doors while passengers board or leave, and wait.
• Safety islands: where a stop has a separate island or zone for passengers, you do not have to stop. Pass at a reasonable speed and expect people to move suddenly.
• Tracks: cross streetcar or railway tracks at a 90° angle, which matters most for cyclists.
• Transit signals: a white vertical bar signal is for transit vehicles. Other traffic must yield to them.

Cyclists

Situation	What to do
Passing a cyclist	Change lanes if you can. Leave at least 1 metre where practical. Penalty: fine and 2 demerit points.
Cyclist moves within their lane	They are avoiding hazards or making themselves seen. It is not an invitation to pass in the same lane.
Following	Leave extra space. Bicycles have no brake lights.
Turning right across a bike lane	Check your right blind spot, enter the bike lane only when safe, then turn.
Turning left	Wait for oncoming bicycles to pass.
Bike box at a light	Stop behind it, not in it.
Opening your door	Check mirrors and blind spot. Use the “Dutch reach”: open the driver’s door with your right hand so you turn to look.
Horn	Avoid it. If you must, tap lightly while still some distance away.

Slower cyclists ride about 1 metre from the curb or parked cars, but they may use any part of the lane they need for safety. E-bikes and e-scooters are also appearing on Ontario roads, so treat them the same way.

Pedestrians

• Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. Someone may be crossing in front of it.
• At pedestrian crossovers, school crossings and where a crossing guard is working, stop and yield the entire road. Details and penalties are in driving through Ontario intersections.
• People using motorized wheelchairs and medical scooters are pedestrians.
• Take extra care near seniors, people with disabilities, and anyone using a white cane or guide dog. Hybrid and electric cars make little noise when slowing, which is harder for people with low vision to detect.

Motorcycles, mopeds and limited-speed motorcycles

• They are hard to see. Check twice before turning or changing lanes.
• A motorcycle is entitled to a full lane. Pass it by changing lanes.
• Turn signals on motorcycles may not cancel automatically. Do not pull out until you are sure the rider is actually turning.
• Waiting behind one to turn left? Do not pull alongside it.

Large trucks and buses

• Blind spots: if you cannot see the driver’s face in their side mirror, they cannot see you.
• Right turns: trucks swing wide. Stay well back and do not move into the space beside the truck until it has cleared the corner.
• Stopped behind one: leave room, because it may roll back when it starts.
• Passing: trucks need far longer to stop, so leave more room before cutting back in. Expect turbulence and spray.
• Freeways: on many with three or more lanes each way, trucks may not use the far left lane.
• Municipal buses: when a bus in a bus bay signals left to pull out, let it back into traffic.

Farm machinery and the slow-moving vehicle sign

The slow-moving vehicle sign is an orange triangle with a red border. It means the vehicle travels at 40 km/h or less.

• Most tractors and combines go no faster than 40 km/h, and slower when towing.
• Slow down early. Stay well back so the operator can see you.
• Pass only when the road ahead is clear and passing is legal. Farm equipment may be wide or about to turn into a field.
• Expect farm vehicles after dark at planting and harvest time.

Horse-drawn vehicles

Buggies are among the slowest vehicles on Ontario roads and usually travel on the shoulder. Look for the slow-moving vehicle sign and reflective tape.

• Keep a safe following distance.
• When passing, leave as much space as you can and avoid sudden noise, so you do not startle the horse.
• When one approaches from the other direction, move to the far right of your lane.

School buses, snow plows and emergency vehicles

• School bus, amber lights flashing: slow down and prepare to stop. Red lights or stop arm: stop, at least 20 metres back if you are behind it. On a road with a median, only traffic behind the bus stops. Fines and the rules in other provinces: school bus stopping rules across Canada.
• Snow plows: never pass a moving snow plow.
• Emergency vehicles and tow trucks: see slow down, move over.
• Flashing green lights: volunteer firefighters and volunteer medical responders may show a flashing green light on their own vehicles. The handbook asks you to yield to them.

Passing other vehicles safely

• Signal left, check that the way is clear ahead and behind, and watch for cyclists, small vehicles, left-turning traffic and anyone pulling out.
• Return to your lane only when you can see the whole front of the vehicle you passed in your inside mirror, and signal first. If it speeds up, do not race it.
• No passing within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover, and no passing left of the centre line within 30 metres of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel. Do not pass near the top of a hill or on a curve where you cannot see oncoming traffic.
• The right shoulder may be used only to pass a vehicle turning left, and only if the shoulder is paved. Never pass on the left shoulder.
• Passing on the right is allowed on multi-lane or one-way roads, and when passing a streetcar or a vehicle turning left. Do not dart around a slower car to do it.
• When someone passes you on an undivided road, move to the right and slow down if needed.
• At night, use low beams as you come up behind a vehicle, then switch to high beams once you are alongside it.

Police stops

If police signal you to pull over, stop as far to the right as is safe, on the shoulder or a quieter side street if there is one, and stay in the vehicle. Hand over your licence, the vehicle permit (or a copy) and the insurance card when asked. There is no 24-hour grace period for producing them. Follow police directions even when they conflict with signs or signals.

Common questions

Can you pass a streetcar on the left in Toronto?

Only on a one-way road. Otherwise pass on the right, and stop 2 metres behind the rear doors at stops without a passenger island.

What is the fine for passing a cyclist too closely in Ontario?

The handbook says a fine and 2 demerit points. Check the current fine amount with the Ministry of Transportation.

Can I cross a solid line to give a cyclist 1 metre?

The handbook says to pass cyclists by changing lanes. Only do it where passing is legal and the way ahead is clear. Otherwise wait behind.

What does the orange triangle on a tractor mean?

It is the slow-moving vehicle sign: the vehicle goes 40 km/h or less.

Do I stop for a streetcar if there is a safety island?

No. Pass at a reasonable speed and watch for passengers stepping off the island.

Should I honk to warn a cyclist I am passing?

Usually not. If you must, tap the horn lightly while still well back.

More Ontario guides: freeway driving, parking in Ontario, wildlife on Canadian roads. Back to learning to drive in Ontario.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Sharing the road with other road users” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Driving along” and “Dealing with particular situations” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Changing positions” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Signs” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Parking along roadways” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Freeway driving” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Traffic lights” (ontario.ca)

Photo: Lynxano, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ontario’s roundabout rule is simple: traffic already in the roundabout has the right-of-way, so you yield at the entrance and go when there is a gap. This guide covers that and the other intersection rules on the G1 test and both road tests: four-way stops, uncontrolled intersections, turns on red, where to stop, and the pedestrian crossover rule that catches many new drivers.

Who goes first? Ontario right-of-way at a glance

Situation	Rule
Four-way stop	The first vehicle to come to a complete stop goes first. If two stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the one on the right.
Uncontrolled intersection (no signs or lights)	If two vehicles arrive at the same time from different roads, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Traffic lights not working	Treat it as an all-way stop. Yield to vehicles already in the intersection and to those entering from your right.
Turning left or right	You yield. Left: to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Right: to pedestrians, and check your blind spot for cyclists.
Leaving a driveway or private road	Yield to vehicles on the road and pedestrians on the sidewalk.
Roundabout	Yield to traffic already in it.
Pedestrian crossover or school crossing with a guard	Stop and wait until people have crossed the whole road.

Signalling never gives you the right-of-way. Make sure the way is clear first.

Where exactly do you stop?

At a stop sign or red light, come to a complete stop:

1. at the stop line, if there is one
2. if not, at the crosswalk, marked or unmarked
3. if there is no crosswalk, at the edge of the sidewalk
4. if there is no sidewalk, at the edge of the intersection

If traffic is backed up through an intersection on a main road, stop before entering and wait until there is room on the other side. This does not apply when you are turning left or right.

How to drive a roundabout in Ontario

Approaching

• Read the signs and choose your exit before you arrive.
• Two-lane roundabout: left lane to turn left or go straight; right lane to turn right or go straight. Never enter from the right lane if you want to turn left.
• Slow down and watch for pedestrians before the yield line.

Entering

• Check vehicles already in the roundabout and those waiting, including cyclists.
• Enter when there is an adequate gap. Do not enter directly beside a vehicle already circulating, because it may leave at the next exit.
• Travel counter-clockwise and keep to the right of the central island.

Inside

• Do not stop except to avoid a collision. You have the right-of-way over entering traffic.
• Do not change lanes.
• Missed your exit from the inside lane? Go around again.

Exiting

• Once you pass the exit before yours, signal right.
• Leave in the same lane position you entered: left lane stays left, right lane stays right.
• From the left lane, watch for vehicles on your right that are still circulating. Watch for pedestrians at the exit.

Trucks, cyclists and emergency vehicles

• Large vehicles may swing wide, use the apron, or take both lanes before entering. Do not ride alongside them.
• Cyclists usually ride in the centre of the lane, or dismount and use the crosswalks.
• Emergency vehicle coming? Do not stop inside. Leave at your intended exit, drive past the traffic island, then pull over to the right.

Pedestrian crossovers: the full-road yield rule

A pedestrian crossover is a marked crossing without traffic lights, usually with signs, ladder-style markings, a “shark teeth” yield line and sometimes overhead flashing lights that pedestrians activate with a button.

At a crossover, a school crossing, or anywhere a crossing guard is working, drivers and cyclists must stop and yield the entire width of the road. You may go only when pedestrians and the guard have crossed and are safely on the sidewalk. It does not matter that the person is on the far side of the road from you.

• Do not pass any vehicle within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover.
• Penalty for failing to yield at a crossover, crosswalk or school crossing: a fine of up to $1,000 and 4 demerit points (ontario.ca, page dated December 2021). Fines double in Community Safety Zones.

Crosswalks at lights and stop signs

Ordinary crosswalks at signals or stop signs are different. There, you yield to pedestrians in your path, but you only have to wait for the entire road to clear when a school crossing guard is present.

School crossing guards

When a guard shows a red and white stop sign, stop before the crossing and stay stopped until everyone, including the guard, has left the road.

Turning at lights: green arrows and turns on red

• Flashing green or left green arrow with a green light: you may turn left, go straight or turn right from the proper lane. Oncoming traffic faces a red.
• Left green arrow with a red light: turn left from the left-turn lane. A yellow arrow means do not start the turn.
• Right on red: allowed unless a sign forbids it. Stop completely, wait until clear, yield to pedestrians.
• Left on red: only from a one-way road onto a one-way road, after a complete stop.
• Flashing red: treat as a stop sign. Flashing yellow: go through with caution.
• Transit signal (white vertical bar): for buses and streetcars only. Everyone else yields.

If your turn signals or brake lights stop working, use hand and arm signals until they are fixed.

Waiting to turn left? Keep your wheels straight until you can complete the turn. Lane choice for each kind of turn is in the handbook’s “Changing directions” section.

Scenario: the crossover test trap

You are in the right lane of a four-lane road. A pedestrian steps into a crossover from the far curb. You must stop at the yield line and wait until they reach the sidewalk on your side. Driving through once they have passed your lane is a failure to yield.

Common questions

Who goes first at a four-way stop in Ontario?

The first vehicle to stop completely. If two stop at the same time, the one on the left yields to the one on the right.

Do I signal when entering a roundabout?

The handbook asks you to signal your exit. Signal right once you pass the exit before yours.

Can I turn left on a red light in Ontario?

Only from a one-way road onto another one-way road, after a full stop.

What is the difference between a crosswalk and a crossover?

A crosswalk is usually at lights or stop signs. A crossover has no traffic lights and is marked with signs, markings and sometimes flashing lights. At a crossover you wait for the whole road to clear.

Can I stop inside a roundabout to let someone in?

No. Stop only to avoid a collision. Circulating traffic has the right-of-way.

I stopped past the stop line. Should I back up?

No. Ontario’s road-test guidance says not to reverse; wait until it is safe to go.

Related Ontario guides: signs and pavement markings, sharing the road, the G2 road test, school bus rules. Back to learning to drive in Ontario.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Driving through intersections” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Changing directions” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Stopping” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Traffic lights” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: The Level Two road test” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Driving near pedestrian crossovers and school crossings” (ontario.ca)

Photo: Adam Moss, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This guide is for Ontario learners booking a G2 or G road test with DriveTest. It covers how to book, the 48-hour cancellation rule, what happens if your test is declared out-of-order, and what to do after a fail, including what happens if your G1 or G2 is about to expire.

Key facts

• Book online, by phone (647-776-0331 or 1-888-570-6110) or in person at any DriveTest centre. You prepay the fee to book.
• Cancel at least 48 hours before your appointment or you lose the prepaid road-test fee.
• Out-of-order test: you lose 50% of the fee and must pay it back before you can rebook.
• Fail: wait at least 10 days before the next test.
• You have five years to get from G1 to a full G, or you start over.

How to book a DriveTest road test in Ontario

You need:

• your Ontario driver’s licence number and its expiry date
• a preferred test location, plus a second and third choice
• a preferred date and time
• payment for the road-test fee, which must be prepaid

The handbook says the Ministry of Transportation and DriveTest do not charge any fee just to book a road test. Be wary of anyone offering to book a test for a charge.

When can you book?

Test	Earliest you can take it
G2 road test (G1 exit)	12 months after getting your G1, or 8 months with a government-approved driver education course
G road test (G2 exit)	12 months after getting your G2

For the G test you also need highway experience on roads of 80 km/h or more and must complete a Declaration of Highway Driving Experience form. See the Ontario G road test guide.

Fees

Your first G1 payment covers the knowledge test, your first road test and a five-year licensing fee. Later road tests and retests are paid separately. Check the current fees on DriveTest before booking.

Cancelling or rescheduling: the 48-hour rule

Ontario.ca says you must cancel at least 48 hours before your appointment to avoid a cancellation fee. The handbook is more specific: if you cancel or reschedule with less than 48 hours’ notice, or do not show up, your prepaid road-test fee is not refunded.

The fee stays as a credit on your driving record only in certain extenuating circumstances, such as a death in your immediate family.

DriveTest’s help pages add a few practical points (check them before relying on them):

• You can change or cancel online with your licence number and expiry date.
• Arriving late counts the same as missing the test.
• If bad weather stops you attending, ask to reschedule within 3 days of the missed appointment.
• If DriveTest announces a service disruption, do not cancel online. DriveTest cancels affected tests itself so you keep your fee.
• After several cancellations or reschedules in six months, you have to call instead of using the website.
• Once your licence has expired, you cannot change a booking online.

What is an out-of-order road test?

The examiner declares a test out-of-order when your vehicle does not meet ministry standards, or when some other reason stops the test going ahead. The vehicle must be fit, in proper working condition, plated and insured, and a G1 driver must bring an accompanying driver to the centre.

• You lose 50% of the road-test fee.
• The other 50% stays as a credit on your driving record.
• You must pay the missing 50% before you can book again.

Recording devices: switch off any dash cam, action camera or phone recording before you arrive. A recording device left on is grounds for an out-of-order test. If a built-in camera cannot be turned off, you must tell the examiner it is not recording the inside of the car or pointing at them; if you cannot confirm that, the test is declared out-of-order.

If you think your car might fail the vehicle check, contact the DriveTest centre before your test day. The common vehicle faults are listed in the G2 road test guide.

What happens if you fail a road test in Ontario?

1. The examiner gives you a report of your skills and mistakes. Use it to plan practice.
2. Wait at least 10 days. That is the minimum gap between road tests.
3. Rebook and pay the road-test fee again.
4. If you are a G1 driver, your accompanying driver has to drive you home.

Check with DriveTest for any limit on the number of attempts. Your licence expiry dates still apply.

What if your G1 or G2 expires?

Situation	What Ontario says
Failed the G2 test, G1 still valid	Book the road test again.
G1 has expired	Start over and pay the test fees again.
G2 about to expire	Pass the G1 road test (the G2 test) again to get five more years as a G2.
Five years since starting, no full G	Start the whole process again.

Book early if your expiry date is close. A failed test plus the 10-day wait can push you past it.

Common questions

Can I get a refund if I cancel a day before my test?

No. Cancelling with less than 48 hours’ notice means the prepaid fee is not refunded, except in extenuating circumstances such as a death in your immediate family.

How soon can I retake my G2 test after failing?

After at least 10 days.

Does an out-of-order test count as a fail?

No, but it costs you half the fee, and you must pay that half back before rebooking.

Can someone else book my road test for me?

Anyone with your licence number and expiry date can book. Neither the ministry nor DriveTest charges a booking fee, so do not pay a third party for booking.

Can I take my G road test at a different centre from my G2?

Yes. You choose the location when you book, with second and third choices.

My G1 expired after I failed. Do I keep my knowledge test pass?

No. Ontario says you start over and pay the test fees again.

More Ontario guides: learning to drive in Ontario, the G2 road test, the G road test and the BDE course.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Getting your driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers” (ontario.ca)
• DriveTest, “Payments, Cancellations, & Refunds” and “Cancelling a Road Test Appointment” (drivetest.ca)
• DriveTest, “Road Test Vehicle Requirements” (drivetest.ca)

Photo: Gogerr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An Ontario beginner driver education (BDE) course cuts your G1 time from 12 months to 8, so you can take the G2 road test four months sooner. It must be a government-approved course of at least 40 hours, and it may earn you an insurance discount, though that is not guaranteed. Here is what the course includes, how to check a school, and how to decide if it is worth it for you.

Key facts

• Time saved: four months off Level One (G1 goes from 12 to 8 months).
• Minimum 40 hours: 20 classroom, 10 in-vehicle, 10 flexible.
• In-vehicle training must be completed within one year of starting the classroom part.
• Only government-approved schools count. The ministry publishes approved and revoked lists.
• Schools set their own prices. The ministry cannot refund driving school fees.

What an approved BDE course must include

Part	Minimum	Rules
Classroom (digital or in person)	20 hours	Up to 40 students in person or 20 online. You get the course textbook and the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook.
In-vehicle	10 hours	Licensed instructor; no more than two students per instructor; starts after classroom instruction; finished within one year of starting the classroom part.
Flexible	10 hours	Classroom, digital, in-vehicle, simulator or home-link (homework) instruction.

Limits on pace: no more than 2 hours of in-vehicle training per day, and after 5 hours of classroom in a day, no more than 1 hour in the car that day.

The handbook says driver training covers strategic driving, risk perception, avoiding distraction, freeway driving, night driving and bad conditions.

How the 8-month shortcut works

1. Get your G1 and enrol with an approved school as early as you can.
2. Finish the course. The school certifies you online, and your driver record is updated through the ministry.
3. Once you have held your G1 for 8 months, you can take the G2 road test.

To prove you completed BDE, you can order your driver’s licence history (a $12 fee applies).

Timing matters: under the licensing regulation, a BDE certificate counts toward the 8-month shortcut for two years from the date it is issued.

The shortcut can be lost. If a third escalating sanction cancels your novice licence, you lose any time discount you earned. See Ontario demerit points and escalating sanctions.

Is BDE worth it? Weigh it up

Points for	Points against
G2 test four months sooner (full G possible in 20 months instead of 24)	Course fees, set by each school
Supervised practice from a licensed instructor, who can take a G1 on any road, including 400-series highways	Insurance savings are possible but not guaranteed
Possible insurance discount; ask your insurer	Only 10 hours are guaranteed in the car; you still need plenty of practice with your accompanying driver
Structured teaching of hazard perception, night and freeway driving	The saving only matters if you are ready for the road test at 8 months

Quick decision check

• Need your G2 quickly for work or school? BDE is the only way to cut G1 time.
• No experienced accompanying driver at home? Instructor hours give you safe practice, including highway driving you cannot do with a family member on a G1.
• Mainly after cheaper insurance? Get quotes with and without BDE first, because Ontario says a discount is up to your insurer.

How to choose an approved driving school

1. Check the school is on the ministry’s list of government-approved driving schools, and not on its revoked list. Not every driving school offers approved courses.
2. Confirm the course meets the 20 + 10 + 10 hour minimum.
3. Ask for written costs of every part, including use of the car for the road test and any retest.
4. Ask about instructor experience, student-to-teacher ratio and progress reports.
5. Ask friends or family for recommendations.

Warning signs from the handbook: any school or service that promises a licence without testing, guarantees a road test pass, or charges more than the posted licence fees. The ministry and DriveTest do not charge to book road tests.

Problems with a school

• Complaints about a school or instructor go to the ministry by email at [email protected], with your details, the school and instructor names, what happened, and when and where.
• Fee disputes can go to Consumer Protection Ontario.
• The ministry audits approved schools and can revoke their licences.

Common questions

How much does BDE cost in Ontario?

There is no set price. Government-approved schools set their own rates, which vary across Ontario.

Can I do the BDE classroom part online?

Yes. The 20 classroom hours can be digital or in person. The in-vehicle hours cannot.

Does BDE reduce G2 time too?

No. It only shortens Level One. G2 still lasts at least 12 months.

Can I take BDE if I am new to Ontario?

Yes. With 6 months of credited foreign experience, Ontario says the 12-month G1 wait can be reduced to 8 months with an approved BDE course. See New to Ontario.

Can I use the school’s car for my road test?

Ask the school. The handbook lists use of the vehicle for the road test as something to check in the school contract.

What if my school closes or is revoked?

Revoked schools no longer provide approved courses. Check the ministry’s lists before you pay.

Back to learning to drive in Ontario. Related: G1 rules.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, O. Reg. 340/94 (Drivers’ Licences), s. 28 (e-Laws, ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Government-approved driving schools” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Getting your driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Understanding demerit points” (ontario.ca)