Category: Ontario

Photo: Jason Zhang, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ontario road signs are grouped by shape and colour, and the G1 knowledge test has a section on them. Learn the five sign families first, then the signs that look alike, then lights and pavement markings. This study guide follows the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook chapter on traffic signs and lights.

Ontario sign shapes and colours

Sign	Shape and colour	Meaning
Stop	Eight-sided, red with white letters	Come to a complete stop
Yield	Triangle, white with a red border	Let traffic in or near the intersection go first; stop if necessary
School zone	Five-sided, fluorescent yellow-green with black symbols	Slow down and watch for children
Railway crossing	X-shaped, white with red outline	Tracks cross the road; slow, look both ways, be ready to stop
Regulatory	Usually rectangular or square, white or black background	Must be obeyed
Warning	Usually diamond, yellow with black	Hazard or unusual condition ahead
Temporary condition	Usually diamond, orange with black	Road work, detours, lane closures, traffic control people
Information and direction	Usually rectangular, green with white	Distances, destinations, services
Slow-moving vehicle	Orange triangle with red border	Vehicle ahead travels at 40 km/h or less

On regulatory signs, a green circle means you may or must do the activity shown. A red circle with a line through it means it is not allowed.

Regulatory signs that are easy to mix up

Sign	What you may do between the signs
No stopping	Nothing. Do not stop, even for a moment.
No standing	Stop only to load or unload passengers.
No parking	Stop only to load or unload passengers or merchandise.

Other regulatory signs to know:

• Stop for school bus when signals are flashing. A version on multi-lane highways with no centre median tells drivers in both directions to stop. See school bus stopping rules.
• School zone speed limit: a lower limit applies during school hours when the yellow lights flash.
• Community safety zone: the community has identified a special risk to pedestrians, and traffic offences inside carry increased fines.
• Pedestrian crossover: be prepared to stop and yield to pedestrians.
• Yield to bus (on the back of transit buses): yield to a bus at a bus stop once it signals to pull out.
• Lane designation signs (overhead or painted): you must travel in the direction shown for your lane.
• Reserved lanes: buses, taxis, vehicles carrying three or more people, or bicycles, all the time or at set hours. HOV signs also mark where you cannot change lanes into or out of an HOV lane.
• Two-way left-turn lane: the lane is only for left turns from either direction.
• No right turn on red, no U-turn, do not enter, do not pass, slow traffic keep right.

Warning signs worth memorizing

• Curve with a speed tab underneath: the tab shows the maximum safe speed for the curve. Ramps have their own safe-speed signs.
• Chevrons (arrowheads in groups) guide you round a sharp curve. A checkerboard border on a turn sign warns of danger.
• Intersection ahead: the arrow shows which direction has right-of-way.
• Roundabout ahead: counter-clockwise arrows show traffic direction. See Ontario intersections and roundabouts.
• Hazard marker: downward lines point to the side you may safely pass.
• Merge: two roads join, and drivers on both share responsibility for merging safely.
• Right lane ends: merge left safely.
• Hidden school bus stop, deer crossing, snowmobiles cross, fallen rock, water over road, bridge lifts or swings, pavement ends.
• Share the road: give cyclists and other vehicles safe space.

Temporary condition signs

• Construction zone: extra caution and be ready for a lower limit.
• A sign marking doubled Highway Traffic Act fines for speeding in a construction zone when workers are present.
• Traffic control person ahead; lane closed ahead; detour markers; flashing arrow boards; grooved or milled pavement (stopping may be affected).
• Do not pass a pilot or pace vehicle bearing the sign.

Information signs: one fact the test likes

Freeway interchange numbers show the distance in kilometres from where the freeway begins. Interchange 204 on Highway 401 is 204 km from Windsor. Subtract one number from another to get the distance between them.

Other signs in the handbook worth recognizing:

• Emergency Detour Route (EDR) markers guide traffic around an unplanned closure of a provincial highway.
• A long commercial vehicle (LCV) placard on the back of a truck means a double-trailer combination up to about 40 metres long. Allow extra room, because it is long and limited in speed.
• Numbers along the bottom of some information signs are emergency response markers that help emergency crews and drivers pick a route.
• Changeable message signs over freeways warn of delays, collisions and lane closures ahead.

Traffic lights in Ontario

Signal	What to do
Green	Go, turn left or right after yielding to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection
Yellow (amber)	Stop if you safely can; otherwise go with caution
Red	Stop. Right turn allowed after a full stop when clear, unless a sign forbids it. Left on red allowed only from a one-way road onto a one-way road, after a full stop.
Flashing green, or green arrow with green light	Advance green: turn left, go straight or turn right from the proper lane; oncoming traffic has a red
Left green arrow with red light	Turn left from the left-turn lane; opposite left-turners may also be turning
Yellow arrow after a green arrow	Don’t start the turn; stop if safe
Flashing red	Full stop, go when safe
Flashing yellow	Proceed with caution
Blank (power failure)	Treat as an all-way stop
White vertical bar (transit priority)	For transit vehicles only; yield to them

At a fully protected left turn with separate left-turn lights, you cannot start turning left once the through traffic gets its green.

Pedestrian signals

• White walking symbol: pedestrians may cross and have right-of-way.
• Orange hand, flashing or steady: pedestrians must not start crossing. Anyone already crossing still has right-of-way.
• Pedestrians may not cross on a flashing green or a left-turn green arrow unless a pedestrian signal allows it.

Pavement markings in Ontario

• Yellow lines separate opposite directions. White lines separate traffic going the same way.
• Solid line on your left: unsafe to pass. Broken line on your left: you may pass if the way is clear.
• Continuity lines (wider, closer broken lines): on your left, your lane is ending or exiting; on your right, your lane continues.
• Stop line: one white line across the road. No line? Stop at the crosswalk, then the sidewalk edge, then the intersection edge.
• Crosswalk: two parallel white lines, though intersection crosswalks are not always marked.
• White lane arrows: move only in the direction shown.
• Pedestrian crossover: double white parallel lines with an X in each approach lane, plus signs and overhead yellow lights. Stop before the line and wait until pedestrians have fully crossed the road.
• Two solid lines around an object such as a bridge pier guide you away from it, and the object has yellow and black markings.

Common questions

How many sign questions are on the G1 test?

DriveTest says the test has two or three sections, one of which is on signs, and you can check the question count with DriveTest. See the Ontario G1 knowledge test guide.

Can you turn right on a red light in Ontario?

Yes, after a complete stop and when the way is clear, unless a sign says no.

What does a five-sided sign mean?

A school zone. Slow down and watch for children.

What colour are construction signs in Ontario?

Orange with black letters or symbols, usually diamond-shaped.

What is the difference between a pedestrian crossover and a crosswalk?

A crossover is marked by specific signs, overhead yellow lights and double white lines with an X. You must stop and wait until the pedestrian has completely crossed the road.

Are Ontario signs bilingual?

In designated bilingual areas, yes. Messages may be on one sign or on an English sign followed by a French one.

Back to learning to drive in Ontario.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Signs” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Traffic lights” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Pedestrian signals” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Pavement markings” (ontario.ca)
• DriveTest, “Knowledge Tests” (drivetest.ca)

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

In Ontario, stunt driving includes going 40 km/h or more over the limit on roads under 80 km/h, or 50 km/h or more over anywhere. It brings an immediate 30-day licence suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment at the roadside. Distracted driving costs a novice a 30-day suspension on a first conviction, and careless driving carries 6 demerit points. Here are the definitions and penalties every G1 and G2 driver should know.

Penalties at a glance

Offence	Main penalties	Extra for G1/G2
Distracted driving (first conviction)	$615 if settled out of court, up to $1,000 in court; 3 points and 3-day suspension for full licence holders	No points; 30-day suspension
Careless driving	Up to $2,000; 6 points; up to 6 months in jail; suspension up to 2 years	Escalating sanction (30-day suspension for a first occurrence)
Stunt driving or street racing	Immediate 30-day suspension; 14-day impoundment; $2,000 to $10,000; 6 points; 1 to 3-year suspension on first conviction	At least 30-day suspension; possible cancellation

Distracted driving in Ontario

What is illegal

While driving, including stopped in traffic or at a red light, you must not:

• hold or use a phone or other hand-held device to text, dial or browse. You may touch it only to call 911.
• use a hand-held entertainment device such as a tablet or games console
• have a screen visible to you that is unrelated to driving, such as a video
• program a GPS by hand. Voice commands are fine.

Allowed: hands-free use with an earpiece, lapel button or Bluetooth, and a securely mounted phone or GPS touched only to start, answer or end a call. Built-in or mounted GPS screens may be viewed.

Eating, drinking, grooming and reaching for things are not covered by the distracted driving law, but you can still be charged with careless or dangerous driving for them.

Distracted driving penalties

Conviction	Fine	Full licence (A to G, M)	Novice (G1, G2, M1, M2)
First	$615 out of court, up to $1,000 in court	3 points, 3-day suspension	30-day suspension, no points
Second	$615 out of court, up to $2,000 in court	6 points, 7-day suspension	90-day suspension
Third or more	$615 out of court, up to $3,000 in court	6 points, 30-day suspension	Licence cancelled; you redo graduated licensing

A licence reinstatement fee is due after every suspension.

Careless driving

Careless driving means driving without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for others on the road. Any distraction, including a hands-free device, can lead to the charge if you endanger people.

• Careless driving: fines up to $2,000, 6 demerit points, up to six months in jail, and a suspension of up to two years.
• Careless driving causing bodily harm or death: fines of $2,000 to $50,000, 6 points, up to two years in jail, a court suspension of up to five years and a mandatory driver improvement course.
• Dangerous driving is a criminal offence, with jail terms of up to 10 years for causing bodily harm or 14 years for causing death.

What counts as stunt driving in Ontario?

• 40 km/h or more over the limit on a road with a limit under 80 km/h
• 50 km/h or more over the limit on any road
• 150 km/h or more anywhere, including freeway sections posted at 110 km/h
• driving to stop another vehicle passing
• deliberately cutting off another vehicle
• deliberately driving too close to another vehicle, a pedestrian or a fixed object

Street racing includes two or more vehicles driving in a way that shows the drivers are competing, chasing another vehicle, and weaving through traffic with repeated high-speed lane changes. The full list is in Ontario Regulation 455/07 under the Highway Traffic Act.

Examples

• 70 km/h in a 50 km/h zone: 20 over. Speeding, not stunt driving.
• 90 km/h in a 50 km/h zone: 40 over on a road under 80. Stunt driving.
• 130 km/h on a 100 km/h highway: 30 over. Speeding with 4 points, and for a novice at least a 30-day suspension on conviction.
• 150 km/h on a 110 km/h freeway section: stunt driving.

Stunt driving and street racing penalties

• immediate 30-day licence suspension at the roadside
• immediate 14-day vehicle impoundment, whether or not you own the vehicle
• fine of $2,000 to $10,000
• 6 demerit points and a mandatory driver improvement course on conviction
• post-conviction suspension: 1 to 3 years for a first conviction, 3 to 10 years for a second, lifetime (reducible after 10 years under certain criteria) for a third, lifetime with no reduction for a fourth
• possible jail of up to six months

Aggressive driving and road rage

The MTO handbook lists tailgating, speeding and failing to yield as aggressive behaviours that can spark road rage. Several stunt driving behaviours above, such as deliberately cutting off or crowding another vehicle, are the same moves, so they can bring the stunt penalties. The handbook calls street racing the most serious form of aggressive driving, and it can also lead to Criminal Code charges.

• Do not compete, retaliate or try to “educate” another driver. Leave enforcement to the police.
• Do not return aggression: avoid eye contact and do not gesture back. Keep away from erratic drivers.
• If you feel threatened, stay in the car with the doors locked, call police if you have a phone, and use your horn and signals to attract attention.
• If you think you are being followed, do not drive home. Go to a police station or a busy public place.

Speeding fines in Ontario

Over the limit	Fine per km/h over	Demerit points
Under 20 km/h	$3.00	None listed under 16 over; 3 from 16 over
20 to under 30 km/h	$4.50	3
30 to under 50 km/h	$7.00	4
50 km/h or more	$9.75	6

Fine rates are as of June 2020, per Ontario.ca. Example: 40 km/h over is 40 x $7 = $280.

Why these matter more on a G1 or G2

Ontario.ca says novice drivers face at least a 30-day suspension and possible cancellation for any conviction for speeding 30 km/h or more over, following too closely, careless driving, leaving a collision scene or stunt driving. These are escalating sanctions, and a third occurrence cancels your licence. See Ontario demerit points for new drivers.

Convictions for aggressive, careless or stunt driving also bring a substantial insurance increase, or can make you uninsurable.

Common questions

Is it stunt driving to go 50 over on the 401?

Yes. 50 km/h or more over the limit is stunt driving on any road.

Can I use my phone at a red light in Ontario?

No. The distracted driving law applies while you are stopped in traffic or at a red light.

Can I use Google Maps on a mounted phone?

Yes, if the phone is securely mounted. Set the route before you leave, or use voice commands. Programming it by hand while driving is illegal.

Do G2 drivers get demerit points for texting?

No points, but a 30-day suspension for a first conviction, 90 days for a second and cancellation for a third, plus the fine.

Is my car impounded if a friend was driving it for stunt driving?

Yes. The 14-day roadside impoundment applies whether or not the driver owns the vehicle.

Is eating while driving illegal in Ontario?

Not under the distracted driving law, but you can be charged with careless driving if it puts others at risk.

Back to learning to drive in Ontario. Also see impaired driving in Canada for new drivers and G2 rules.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “Distracted driving” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Speeding and aggressive driving” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Dealing with particular situations” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Other ways to lose your licence” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Understanding demerit points” (ontario.ca)

Photo: Raysonho, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

For Ontario G1 and G2 drivers, 2 demerit points bring a warning letter, 6 a second warning, and 9 or more a 60-day suspension. Serious offences also trigger Novice Driver Escalating Sanctions: 30 days, then 90 days, then cancellation of your licence. This guide shows how the two systems work together and how many points each offence carries.

Demerit point thresholds: novice vs fully licensed

Points	G1, G2, M1, M2 (novice)	Full licence
2 to 5	Warning letter	None
6 to 8	Second warning letter	Warning letter
9 to 14	60-day suspension	Second warning letter
15 or more	60-day suspension	30-day suspension

• Points stay on your record for two years from the offence date.
• You start at zero and gain points. You don’t “lose” points.
• After a novice suspension, your points are reduced to 4. Reach 9 again and you can be suspended for six months.
• The suspension runs from the date you surrender your licence. If you don’t surrender it, you can lose it for up to two years.

Novice Driver Escalating Sanctions

Escalating sanctions apply on top of the normal penalty if you are convicted of:

• breaking any graduated licensing condition (for example a G1 driving without an accompanying driver, or a G2 with alcohol in their blood)
• a Highway Traffic Act offence worth 4 or more demerit points, such as careless driving, street racing or speeding 30 km/h or more over
• an offence with a court-ordered suspension that would have carried 4 or more points

Occurrence	Sanction
First	30-day suspension
Second	90-day suspension
Third	Novice licence cancelled. You reapply and start again, retaking every test and paying every fee. You lose any time discount and credited time.

The handbook says escalating sanctions count occurrences within a five-year period.

Points recorded as zero

When an offence triggers an escalating sanction, the handbook says the points are recorded as zero and do not count toward the 9-point total. You get the suspension instead.

Worked example

A G2 driver is convicted of following too closely (4 points). That triggers a 30-day escalating suspension, and the 4 points are recorded as zero. Six months later they are convicted of failing to signal (2 points): a warning letter, because 2 points is the novice warning level. A year later, a conviction for driving 35 km/h over (4 points) is their second escalating occurrence: a 90-day suspension.

How many demerit points? Ontario offences table

Points	Examples
7	Failing to remain at the scene of a collision; failing to stop for police
6	Careless driving; racing; 40 km/h or more over on roads under 80 km/h; 50 km/h or more over; failing to stop for a school bus
5	Bus driver failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing
4	30 to 49 km/h over; following too closely; failing to stop at a pedestrian crossover
3	16 to 29 km/h over; hand-held device or unrelated display screen; failing to yield; running a stop sign, light or railway signal; failing to slow and move over for a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck; improper passing; wrong way on a one-way road; radar detector; HOV lane misuse
2	Improper turns; failing to signal; failing to lower high beams; failing to obey signs; failing to share the road; unnecessary slow driving; improper opening of a door; driver without a seatbelt; failing to secure a child or a passenger under 16

Distracted driving works differently for novices: no demerit points, but a 30-day suspension for a first conviction, 90 days for a second and cancellation for a third. See distracted, careless and stunt driving in Ontario.

Points from outside Ontario

Convictions in another Canadian province or territory, New York or Michigan add points to your Ontario record as if the offence happened in Ontario. These include speeding, running a stop sign or signal light, failing to stop for a school bus, racing, leaving a collision scene and careless driving.

Surrendering your licence and getting it back

• Surrender in person at any ServiceOntario centre or by mail to the Ministry of Transportation, Driver Control Section. You cannot surrender at a DriveTest centre.
• After a suspension you may have to retake the vision, written and road tests.
• A reinstatement fee applies every time your licence is suspended.

Common questions

How many demerit points can a G2 have in Ontario?

You are suspended for 60 days at 9 points. A warning letter starts at 2.

Do demerit points affect insurance?

Ontario.ca says convictions for aggressive, careless or stunt driving bring a substantial insurance increase or can make you uninsurable. Ask your insurer about other convictions.

How long do demerit points last in Ontario?

Two years from the offence date.

Do points from a distracted driving ticket count for a G2?

No points are recorded for novice drivers convicted of distracted driving. You get a suspension instead: 30 days for a first conviction.

Does a speeding ticket in Quebec count?

Yes. Convictions in other provinces and territories add points to your Ontario record.

Back to learning to drive in Ontario. Related: G1 rules, G2 rules.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “Understanding demerit points” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Keeping your driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Other ways to lose your licence” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Distracted driving” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Speeding and aggressive driving” (ontario.ca)

Photo: Raysonho, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Under Ontario’s G2 rules, every G2 driver must have zero alcohol and no more passengers than working seatbelts. If you are 19 or under, there is one more rule between midnight and 5 a.m.: one passenger aged 19 or under in your first six months, then up to three until you get your full G or turn 20. This guide explains the limits, the exemptions and the penalties.

What a G2 driver can do in Ontario

• Drive without an accompanying driver.
• Drive on all Ontario roads, including 400-series highways.
• Drive at any time of day (with the passenger limit below if you are 19 or under).

Rules for every G2 driver, any age

Rule	Detail
Zero alcohol	Blood-alcohol level must be zero.
Zero drugs	Ontario’s zero tolerance law for G1, G2, M1 and M2 drivers covers drugs, including cannabis.
Seatbelts	Each person in the vehicle must have a working seatbelt.

G2 passenger rules for drivers 19 and under

These apply only between midnight and 5 a.m.

Time on your G2	Passengers aged 19 or under allowed
First 6 months	1
After 6 months, until you get your full G or turn 20	Up to 3

Passengers aged 20 or over do not count toward the limit, but every passenger still needs a working seatbelt.

Exemptions

The passenger limit does not apply if:

• a fully licensed driver with at least four years’ experience and a blood-alcohol level under .05% is in the front passenger seat, with no one else in the front, or
• your passengers are immediate family: a guardian, or people related to you by blood, marriage, common-law relationship or adoption.

Worked examples

• You are 18, two months into your G2, driving at 12:30 a.m. with two friends aged 17 and 18. Not allowed: only one passenger aged 19 or under in the first six months.
• Same night, but your passengers are your brother (16) and your cousin (17). Allowed: both are family, so the exemption applies.
• You are 19, eight months into your G2, at 2 a.m. with three friends aged 18. Allowed: up to three after six months.
• You are 19, eight months in, at 2 a.m. with four friends aged 18 in a seven-seat car. Not allowed: four is over the limit of three.
• You are 22 on a G2, at 1 a.m. with four friends. Allowed if everyone has a working seatbelt: the passenger rule only applies to drivers 19 and under.

Zero alcohol: G2 and every driver 21 and under

Zero alcohol applies to every G2 driver, whatever their age. Separately, every driver aged 21 or under must have zero blood alcohol, even with a full G. For young and novice drivers who break it, Ontario.ca lists:

Occurrence	Penalty
First	7-day immediate suspension, 8-hour education course, $250 penalty, $60 to $1,000 fine if convicted
Second	14-day immediate suspension, 16-hour treatment program, $350 penalty, $60 to $1,000 fine if convicted
Third	30-day immediate suspension, 16-hour treatment program, six-month ignition interlock condition, $450 penalty, $60 to $1,000 fine if convicted

A conviction can add a further 30 or 90-day suspension or cancellation, depending on your age and licence class. A reinstatement fee is due each time. National context: impaired driving in Canada for new drivers.

What happens if you break a G2 condition?

A conviction for breaking any graduated licensing condition, including the passenger limit, brings escalating sanctions:

• first offence: 30-day suspension
• second: 90-day suspension
• third: your novice licence is cancelled, and you restart graduated licensing with all tests and fees

How this works alongside demerit points: Ontario demerit points for new drivers.

Common questions

Can a G2 driver have a beer before driving?

No. Every G2 driver must have a blood-alcohol level of zero.

Can I drive on the 401 with a G2?

Yes. G2 drivers can drive on all Ontario roads. Highway practice is what you need for the G road test.

Do the passenger limits apply during the day?

No. Between 5 a.m. and midnight the only limit is one passenger per working seatbelt.

When do the passenger rules stop?

When you get your full G licence or turn 20, whichever comes first.

Does my girlfriend or boyfriend count as family?

Only if you are married or in a common-law relationship. Otherwise they count toward the limit if 19 or under.

Is there a G2 curfew?

No. Unlike a G1, a G2 driver can drive between midnight and 5 a.m. Drivers 19 and under just have the passenger limit at those hours.

Compare these rules with other provinces in Canadian graduated licensing compared, or see the full route in learning to drive in Ontario.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Getting your driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Impaired driving” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Understanding demerit points” (ontario.ca)

Photo: Jason Zhang, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Ontario G road test is the G2 exit test and your last step to a full licence. It takes about 30 minutes, includes expressway driving, and you must sign a Declaration of Highway Driving Experience first. At full-time DriveTest centres it currently leaves out parallel parking, roadside stops, the three-point turn and residential driving. Here is what remains, how the declaration works and how to prepare.

Key facts

• Eligible after 12 months as a G2.
• About 30 minutes, with a highway component (DriveTest).
• You need highway experience on roads with limits of at least 80 km/h, declared on a signed form.
• Reduced content at full-time DriveTest centres and temporary road test locations “until further notice”; part-time Travel Points still give the standard test.
• DriveTest lists the G road test fee as $91.25; check the current amount.

What was dropped from the G road test (and what wasn’t)

Not currently tested at full-time centres	Still tested
Parallel parking	Major roads and expressways: merging on and off, speed, space, signalling
Roadside stops	Turns and curves
Three-point turn	Lane changes
Residential neighbourhoods	Intersections
	Business areas

Ontario says the dropped elements are already covered in the G2 road test. This was still in place as of November 2026, but it is temporary. If you book at a Travel Point, expect the full test, including the manoeuvres in the G2 road test guide.

The Declaration of Highway Driving Experience

Before the test you complete and sign the declaration. On it you state:

• how many times in the three months before the test you drove on a freeway or a highway with a speed limit of at least 80 km/h
• the average length of those trips: under 5 km, 5 to 15 km, or over 15 km

DriveTest says you must have driven at least five times on these roads in the last three months. Freeways named in the handbook: the 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 409, 410, 416, 417, 420 and 427, the Queen Elizabeth Way, Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner Expressway, E.C. Row Expressway and Conestoga Parkway.

If your experience is not enough, the examiner must declare the test out-of-order and cancel it. You lose 50% of the prepaid fee and pay it again to rebook.

Example practice plan

Over the 12 weeks before your test, drive the nearest freeway every other week, choosing trips over 15 km each way. Include entering and leaving at different interchanges, and drive at least once in heavier traffic. That clears the minimum with margin and covers the skills the examiner will watch.

What the examiner checks on the expressway

Entering

• On the ramp, check mirrors and blind spot for a gap as soon as you can see freeway traffic.
• Signal as soon as freeway traffic can see you.
• Match freeway speed in the acceleration lane and merge smoothly into the centre of the nearest lane. Do not merge alongside another vehicle or into its blind spot.
• Cancel the signal once merged.

Driving along

• Mirrors every 5 to 10 seconds; look 12 to 15 seconds ahead.
• Steady speed: not over the limit, not unreasonably slow.
• Two to three seconds behind the vehicle ahead, space on both sides, out of other vehicles’ blind spots.

Exiting

• Signal before the exit lane; enter it at its start.
• Do not slow down until you are fully in the exit lane.
• Don’t cross solid lines between exit lanes. Cancel the signal on the ramp.

More on merging and lane choice: Ontario freeway driving for G2 drivers.

Curves, business areas and intersections

• Curves: slow to a safe speed before the curve and be at it by 30 metres in. Look through the curve to stay centred. No gear changes in the curve with a manual.
• Business sections: drive in the safest through lane (usually the curb lane), watch entrances and crossings, check mirrors every 5 to 10 seconds.
• Intersections: look left, ahead and right before entering; both hands on the wheel; do not change lanes in the intersection. Details in driving through Ontario intersections.

G road test checklist

1. Signed highway driving declaration, with real experience behind it.
2. A vehicle in good working order, plated and insured, with no electronic aids in use during the test (no cruise control, lane monitoring or back camera).
3. Money for any fees due; glasses or contacts if needed.
4. Arrive 30 minutes early. No passengers or pets.

If you fail, or your G2 is running out

• Wait at least 10 days before the next attempt.
• If your G2 is about to expire, Ontario.ca says you can take the G2 road test (the G1 exit test) again and get five more years as a G2.
• Rebooking rules: booking, rescheduling and failing a DriveTest road test.

Full route: learning to drive in Ontario.

Common questions

Is parallel parking on the Ontario G test?

Not at full-time DriveTest centres while the reduced test is in place. Part-time Travel Points still give the standard test, which includes it.

How much highway driving do I need for the G test?

DriveTest says at least five trips on roads with limits of 80 km/h or more, or 400-series highways, in the last three months. Longer trips show more experience on the form.

Can I take the G test before 12 months on a G2?

No. The G2 level lasts at least 12 months. Drivers credited with foreign experience follow the rules in New to Ontario.

Can I use cruise control on the highway part?

No. Electronic driving aids, including cruise control, may not be used on road tests.

Do I still need zero alcohol after passing?

Yes, if you are 21 or under. That zero BAC rule applies to all young drivers, whatever their licence class.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers” (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)
• DriveTest, “Road Tests” and “Fees” (drivetest.ca)

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

The Ontario G2 road test is the G1 exit test: a city drive of about 20 minutes that checks basic skills such as turns, stops, lane changes, parallel parking and a three-point turn. You can take it after 12 months on a G1, or 8 months with an approved driver education course. Here is what the examiner checks, what to bring, and what happens if you fail.

Key facts

• Eligible after 12 months as a G1 (8 with a government-approved BDE course).
• About 20 minutes, a basic “city test” (DriveTest).
• You bring the car. It must be fit, plated and insured, and an accompanying driver must come with you.
• No passengers or pets. No instructors, friends, relatives or translators in the car.
• Electronic aids such as automatic parking, lane monitoring, cruise control and back cameras may not be used.
• Fail it and you must wait at least 10 days before the next attempt.

What is on the G2 road test in Ontario?

Ontario.ca lists the basic skills tested:

• turning left and right
• stopping
• parallel parking
• one-way streets
• lane changes
• three-point turns
• driving in residential neighbourhoods
• traffic lights, stop signs and yield signs

The handbook adds that road tests cover passing (including bicycles), controlled and uncontrolled intersections, reversing, and foreseeing hazards.

What the examiner looks for in each task

The handbook breaks every road-test task into checks. Its road-test chapter is written for the G test, but the manoeuvres below are the ones the G2 test covers, and the checks are the same.

Turns at intersections

• Mirrors and blind spot before slowing; move to the far left or right lane early.
• Signal before slowing, unless a driveway or side road between you and the turn would make it misleading.
• Keep two to three seconds behind the vehicle ahead.
• Waiting to turn left: wheels straight.
• Both hands on the wheel through the turn. Finish in the matching lane without crossing lane markings or curbs.
• Move off within four to five seconds once it is safe.

Stops

• A complete stop with no rolling. Stop at the stop line; no line, at the crosswalk; no crosswalk, at the edge of the sidewalk; no sidewalk, at the edge of the intersection.
• If you stop past the line, do not back up.
• Behind another vehicle, leave enough room to pull around it.

Roadside stop

• Check it is legal to stop there. A 150-metre gap in both directions gives enough space.
• Stop parallel to the curb, no more than about 30 centimetres away.
• Signal off, hazard lights on, park and set the parking brake.
• To move off: hazards off, left signal on, mirrors and left blind spot.

Parallel park

• Stop beside the vehicle in front of the space, at least 60 centimetres from it.
• Check all around, mirrors and both blind spots before reversing.
• Do not hit the curb or touch another vehicle. Fit within the markings.
• Pulling out: signal, mirrors and blind spot.

Three-point turn

• Stop no more than 30 centimetres from the curb, somewhere you will not block an entrance.
• Left signal; mirrors and blind spot; check both ways each time you stop.
• Use the whole road and reverse only once. Do not reverse over the edge or into the curb.

Lane changes

• Mirrors, then signal, then a final blind-spot check before moving.
• Smooth move into the centre of the new lane; cancel the signal.

The handbook says you have not checked traffic properly if another road user with the right-of-way has to take action to avoid you. Treat that as the standard for every observation.

G2 road test checklist

1. A vehicle in good working order, plated and insured. DriveTest lists out-of-order reasons such as a broken brake light, turn signal, headlight or horn, a flat or defective tire, a missing mirror and a cracked windshield.
2. Your accompanying driver, who has to drive you to the centre and home if you fail.
3. Money for any fees due.
4. Glasses or contacts if you need them.
5. Arrive at least 30 minutes early.

If the examiner declares the test out-of-order, you lose 50% of your road-test fee and must pay it back before rebooking.

On the day

• The examiner tells you how long you have and explains the test. Ask your questions before you start, because they cannot coach you during it.
• You will never be asked to do anything illegal.
• At the end you get a full report of your skills and any mistakes.

If you fail the G2 road test

• Wait at least 10 days, then rebook. DriveTest lists a G2 retest fee of $53.75; check the current amount.
• Use the examiner’s report to target practice.
• If your G1 has expired, you start over and pay the test fees again.

Booking, cancelling and rebooking are covered in booking, rescheduling and failing a DriveTest road test. Back to the Ontario licence guide.

After you pass

You get a G2 and can drive alone on any Ontario road. Read the G2 rules, then start building highway experience for the G road test using Ontario freeway driving for G2 drivers. Parking practice: parking in Ontario.

Common questions

Is the G2 road test the same as the G1 road test?

Yes. Ontario calls it both the G2 road test and the G1 exit test. Passing it gets you a G2.

Can I use my backup camera on the G2 test?

No. Back cameras, parking assist, lane monitoring and cruise control may not be used. You must show mirror and shoulder checks.

Can my driving instructor sit in the back?

No. Only you and the examiner are allowed in the car.

Can I use a driving school car?

Yes, or your own, a borrowed or a rented car, as long as it meets the requirements. DriveTest does not supply cars.

Is there a highway section on the G2 test?

No. Expressway driving is part of the G road test, not the G2.

Can I drive home alone after passing?

Once your G2 is issued you can drive without an accompanying driver. If you fail, you still need one.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Getting your driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: The Level Two road test” (ontario.ca)
• DriveTest, “Road Tests”, “Road Test Vehicle Requirements” and “Fees” (drivetest.ca)

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

Under Ontario’s G1 rules you must drive with a qualified accompanying driver, keep your blood alcohol at zero, stay off the roads between midnight and 5 a.m., and keep off 400-series highways and listed high-speed expressways unless your passenger is a driving instructor. This guide sets out each rule, who can supervise you, and what happens if you break one.

The G1 rules in one table

Rule	What it means
Zero alcohol	Your blood-alcohol level must be zero. Ontario’s zero tolerance law also covers drugs, including cannabis.
Accompanying driver	A fully licensed driver must sit in the front passenger seat. They must be the only other person in the front.
No night driving	No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
Highway ban	No 400-series highways with a posted limit over 80 km/h, and no listed high-speed expressways, unless the accompanying driver is a driving instructor.
Seatbelts	Every person in the vehicle must have a working seatbelt.

Who can supervise a G1 driver in Ontario?

Your accompanying driver must:

• hold a valid Class G licence or higher
• have at least four years of driving experience. Time spent on a valid (not suspended) G2 counts.
• have a blood-alcohol level under .05% (under 50 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of blood) while you drive
• sit in the front passenger seat as the only other person in the front

Their licence can carry demerit points, but it cannot be suspended.

Scenario: can your sister supervise you?

Your sister, 20, got her G2 three years ago and her full G this year. Her valid G2 time counts, but that only gives her three years of experience. She needs four, so she cannot supervise you for another year. When she qualifies, her blood alcohol must be under .05% whenever she supervises you, and zero whenever she drives herself, because she is 21 or under.

Can a G1 drive on the 401 or QEW?

Not with a regular accompanying driver. The handbook bans:

• 400-series highways with a posted speed limit over 80 km/h (for example the 401)
• the Queen Elizabeth Way, Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway in the Greater Toronto Area
• the E.C. Row Expressway in Windsor
• the Conestoga Parkway in Kitchener-Waterloo
• all of Highway 407 (the 407 ETR toll route) and Highway 407 East, whatever the posted limit

The exception: if your accompanying driver is a driving instructor certified in Ontario, you can drive on any road. Beginner driver education courses use this to give G1 drivers supervised highway practice.

Can a G1 drive at night?

Yes until midnight, then not again until 5 a.m. Plan evening practice so you are parked before midnight. Dusk and night driving before midnight is worth practising, since you will be allowed to drive at any hour once you hold a G2.

How many passengers can a G1 driver carry?

Only as many as there are working seatbelts, and only the accompanying driver can sit in the front. There is no separate age limit on back-seat passengers for G1.

What happens if you break a G1 rule?

• Breaking any graduated licensing condition: conviction leads to escalating sanctions: a 30-day suspension for a first offence, 90 days for a second, and cancellation of your novice licence for a third. With cancellation you start again, retake every test and lose any BDE time discount.
• Alcohol or drugs as a G1: a 7-day immediate licence suspension, an 8-hour education course and a $250 penalty for a first time, plus a $60 to $1,000 fine if convicted. Penalties rise for repeat occurrences. See impaired driving in Canada for new drivers.
• Distracted driving as a G1: no demerit points, but a 30-day suspension for a first conviction, plus the fine. See distracted, careless and stunt driving.

How points and sanctions interact is in Ontario demerit points for new drivers.

How long do you stay on a G1?

Usually 12 months. Pass a government-approved beginner driver education course and you can take the G2 road test after 8 months. See whether BDE is worth it. When you go for the G2 road test, your accompanying driver must come with you to the test centre.

Common questions

Can I drive alone with a G1?

No. A qualified accompanying driver must be in the front passenger seat every time.

Can my accompanying driver have had a drink?

Their blood alcohol must be under .05% while they supervise you. Police can breath-test an accompanying driver, and if the reading is at or above that level they can direct you not to drive on with that person. The safest approach is no drinking at all.

Can a G1 drive on Highway 7 or other 80 km/h roads?

The handbook ban covers 400-series highways posted over 80 km/h and the named expressways. Other highways are not on the list, but check the posted signs and road type before you set off.

Can I have friends in the back seat on a G1?

Yes, as long as each one has a working seatbelt and your accompanying driver is the only person in the front.

Does a G1 have to display a sign on the car?

Check with DriveTest or the Ministry of Transportation whether a sign is needed on your car.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, O. Reg. 340/94 (Drivers’ Licences), s. 5, and Highway Traffic Act, s. 48.2 (e-Laws, 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)
• Government of Ontario, “Impaired driving” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Distracted driving” (ontario.ca)

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

The Ontario G1 knowledge test is a multiple-choice test on traffic signs and the rules of the road, taken at a DriveTest centre with no appointment. DriveTest says you need a total score of at least 80% to pass, and the test is not timed. This guide covers what to bring, what the questions cover, how to study, and what happens if you fail.

Key facts

• Minimum age: 16. You also take a vision test.
• Walk in at any DriveTest centre. The ServiceOntario Bay and College office in Toronto is by appointment.
• Multiple choice, in two or three sections (for example signs, and rules of the road).
• Pass mark: 80% total, according to DriveTest.
• Not timed: you can take until the office closes. DriveTest says most people take 20 to 30 minutes.
• Fee: included in the $159.75 G1 package listed by DriveTest; a retest is $16.00. Check current fees on DriveTest.

What to bring to the G1 test

• Original ID showing your legal name and full date of birth: for example a passport, Canadian Citizenship Card with photo, Permanent Resident Card, or study or work permit. The handbook checklist says to bring two pieces of identification, so bring a second document if you have one.
• Payment: cash, debit or credit card.
• Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive. The vision test is done at the same visit.

Expired documents and photocopies are not accepted.

How many questions are on the G1 test, and what is the pass mark?

DriveTest describes the test as two or three sections, such as one on signs and one on rules of the road, with a pass mark of at least 80% overall. Check the question count with DriveTest.

All questions follow the handbook’s sample format: a question with four possible answers. DriveTest offers the test on paper at all locations and on computer at some, in many languages.

What the G1 test asks about

The handbook’s “Could you pass?” list says the written test may cover:

Topic	Where to study
Traffic signs and lights	Ontario signs and pavement markings
Rules of the road, passing, sharing the road	Handbook chapter 2; sharing Ontario roads
Intersections and right-of-way	driving through Ontario intersections
Getting on and off a freeway	Ontario freeway driving
Streetcars and school buses	school bus stopping rules
Emergency vehicles	slow down, move over
Demerit points and suspensions	Ontario demerit points
Seatbelts, headlights, speed limits, collision reporting	Handbook chapters 2 and 4

A study plan that works

1. Signs first. Learn shapes and colours before individual signs. It is the most rule-bound section and the easiest to score highly on.
2. Read chapters 1, 2 and 4 of the handbook (licensing, safe driving, keeping your licence). Note every number: distances, demerit points, BAC limits.
3. Do the handbook’s “Test yourself” page. It has eight sample questions with an answer key.
4. Test yourself on numbers using the practice questions below.
5. Revisit what you got wrong the day before.

Practice questions based on the Ontario handbook

1. How much driving experience must a G1 driver’s accompanying driver have? Answer: at least four years, with a full G (or higher) licence.
2. With no stop line, where do you stop at a red light? Answer: at the crosswalk, marked or not; if no crosswalk, at the edge of the sidewalk; if no sidewalk, at the edge of the intersection.
3. How many demerit points lead to a 60-day suspension for a G1 or G2 driver? Answer: 9 or more.
4. What does a flashing red light mean? Answer: come to a complete stop and go only when it is safe.
5. Traffic lights are blank in a power cut. What do you do? Answer: treat the intersection as an all-way stop.
6. What do yellow pavement lines separate? Answer: traffic travelling in opposite directions. White lines separate traffic going the same way.
7. What blood-alcohol level must a G1 driver have? Answer: zero.
8. How close may you follow a fire vehicle responding to an alarm? Answer: it is illegal to follow within 150 metres.

If you fail the G1 knowledge test

• You can try again. DriveTest lists a $16.00 knowledge test retest fee; check the current amount.
• DriveTest says that if you retry within one year, you only redo the sections you did not pass.
• Ask which sections let you down and go back to those handbook chapters.

After you pass

You leave with a G1 licence and can start practising under the Ontario G1 rules. Your first road test is the G2 road test, 12 months later (8 with a BDE course). See the full route in learning to drive in Ontario.

Common questions

Is the G1 test hard?

It tests recall of the handbook, so it is hard only if you skip the reading. The 80% pass mark leaves little room for guessing.

Can I take the G1 test online?

No. The ontario.ca licensing page sends you to a DriveTest centre or the ServiceOntario Bay and College location.

Can I take the G1 test in another language?

Yes. DriveTest offers G1 knowledge tests in many languages, with more on computer than on paper. Check the list on DriveTest before you go. If you bring an interpreter, you can book an appointment for a verbal test given by DriveTest staff; arrange it at a centre in advance rather than expecting a friend to translate on the day.

Can I have the questions read aloud?

Yes, on the computer test. Each kiosk has an audio function that lets you hear, skip or repeat questions. Tell the staff before you go into the test room.

Is the G1 test timed?

No. DriveTest says you can take as long as you need until the office closes.

Do I need to book?

No, DriveTest centres take walk-ins for knowledge tests. Arrive well before closing so you have time for the vision test and the knowledge test.

Can I drive home after passing?

Only with a qualified accompanying driver in the front seat, because G1 rules apply the moment you are licensed.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Getting your driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Test yourself, sample knowledge test questions” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Keeping your driver’s licence”, “Traffic lights”, “Pavement markings” and “Dealing with particular situations” (ontario.ca)
• DriveTest, “Knowledge Tests”, “Translators & Languages” and “Fees” (drivetest.ca)

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

To get a full G licence in Ontario you pass a vision and knowledge test to get a G1, hold it for 12 months (8 with an approved driver education course), pass the G2 road test, hold a G2 for 12 months, then pass the G road test. Most people take about 20 months, and you have five years to finish. This guide covers every step, the fees, what to bring and where each detailed Ontario guide fits.

Key facts

• Minimum age to apply: 16. You must be an Ontario resident, not a visitor.
• Two learning levels (G1 and G2) and two road tests (G2 test, then G test).
• G1 lasts 12 months, or 8 months if you pass a government-approved beginner driver education (BDE) course.
• G2 lasts at least 12 months.
• Five-year limit to complete graduated licensing, or you start again.
• Testing is run at DriveTest centres. Knowledge tests need no appointment.

How to get a G licence in Ontario: step by step

1. Study the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook. It is free online. A printed copy costs $14.95 plus tax at DriveTest centres (cash only) and many retail stores.
2. Apply and take the vision and knowledge tests at any DriveTest centre (no appointment) or the ServiceOntario Bay and College location in downtown Toronto (appointment only). See the Ontario G1 knowledge test guide.
3. Drive as a G1 with a qualified accompanying driver, under the G1 rules (no driving midnight to 5 a.m., no 400-series highways, zero alcohol).
4. Pass the G2 road test (the G1 exit test) after 12 months, or 8 with BDE. It is a city test of basic skills. See the G2 road test guide.
5. Drive as a G2 for at least 12 months. You can drive alone on all roads, but zero alcohol still applies, and drivers 19 and under have late-night passenger limits.
6. Pass the G road test (the G2 exit test), which includes expressway driving and a signed Declaration of Highway Driving Experience. See the G road test guide.

Ontario graduated licensing at a glance

Stage	Minimum time	Main rules	To move up
G1	12 months (8 with BDE)	Accompanying driver with 4+ years on a full licence; zero alcohol; no midnight to 5 a.m.; no 400-series highways or listed expressways unless with a driving instructor	G2 road test
G2	12 months	Zero alcohol; one passenger per working seatbelt; extra midnight to 5 a.m. passenger limits if 19 or under	G road test
G	None	Zero alcohol until you turn 22 (the rule covers drivers 21 and under)	Full licence

What does a G licence cost in Ontario?

You pay when you apply. The handbook says this fee covers the knowledge test, your first road test and a five-year licence. The second road test and any retests cost extra, and you must prepay a road test to book it.

Item	Fee listed by DriveTest
G1 package (knowledge test, G2 road test, five-year licence)	$159.75
G road test	$91.25
G2 road test retest	$53.75
Knowledge test retest	$16.00

These are DriveTest’s listed fees (effective July 12, 2019), still shown as of November 2026. Fees are set by the Government of Ontario, so check the current figure on DriveTest before you go. If you cancel a road test with less than 48 hours’ notice or miss it, you lose the prepaid fee. Details are in booking, rescheduling and failing a DriveTest road test.

What to bring when you apply

• Original, valid ID showing your legal name and full date of birth. Photocopies and expired documents are refused. Accepted documents include a Canadian or foreign passport, a Canadian Citizenship Card with photo, a Permanent Resident Card, or immigration documents such as a study or work permit (IMM 1442).
• Payment: cash, debit or credit card.
• Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive.

You will also answer health questions. Since May 11, 2026, applicants for a class G or M licence must declare that Ontario is their primary place of residence and that their presence in Canada is legal.

The five-year limit and requalification

You have five years from entering graduated licensing to get your full G. If your G1 or G2 is about to expire before you finish, you can “requalify”: pass a test and pay the five-year licensing fee to keep the same class. Ontario.ca gives two examples:

• G2 about to expire: pass the G2 road test (the G1 exit test) again to get five more years as a G2.
• G1 already expired: you start over and pay the test fees again.

The ministry mails a notice to G1 and G2 drivers before expiry explaining the options.

Moving to Ontario with a licence

New residents can drive on a valid licence from elsewhere for 60 days. Ontario exchanges licences with every Canadian province and territory and with countries including the United States, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Since July 1, 2026, drivers from countries without an agreement can claim up to 12 months of foreign experience. The full rules are in New to Ontario, and the Canada-wide picture is in exchanging a foreign or out of province licence.

Choosing a driving school

Only a government-approved BDE course cuts G1 to 8 months. Check the school is on the ministry’s approved list and not on its revoked list. The handbook also warns:

• The ministry and DriveTest do not charge fees to book road tests.
• Avoid anyone promising a licence without testing, guaranteeing a pass, or charging more than the posted fees.
• Use only ontario.ca and drivetest.ca for road test information.
• Do not share your licence details or post photos of your licence online.

Whether the course is worth the money is covered in Is the Ontario BDE course worth it?

Keeping your licence once you have it

As a G1 or G2 driver you can be suspended at 9 demerit points, and serious offences trigger escalating suspensions with no points needed. Read Ontario demerit points for new drivers and distracted, careless and stunt driving penalties.

Other duties that come with a licence:

• Tell the ministry within six days if you change your name or address. You get a new licence at no charge.
• Never lend your licence, let anyone else use it, use an altered or fake licence, or hold more than one Ontario licence.
• Renewal forms come by mail. An expired licence can be renewed within one year without tests. If it has been expired, suspended or cancelled for more than three years, you reapply and go through graduated licensing again.
• From age 80, drivers renew every two years, with a vision test and a short screening at a ServiceOntario appointment.

Every Ontario learner guide

• Tests: G1 knowledge test, G2 road test, G road test, booking and failing a road test
• Rules: G1 rules, G2 rules for under 19s, demerit points and escalating sanctions, distracted, careless and stunt driving
• Study topics: traffic signs and pavement markings, intersections, roundabouts and pedestrian crossovers, sharing the road, freeway driving, parking
• Other: BDE driver education, new to Ontario
• Canada-wide: learning to drive in Canada, graduated licensing compared, winter driving, impaired driving, school buses, slow down, move over, wildlife on the road

Common questions

How long does it take to get a G licence in Ontario?

At least 20 months with a BDE course (8 months G1 plus 12 months G2), or 24 months without one. Ontario.ca says most people take about 20 months.

Can I get my G1 at 15?

No. You must be at least 16 to apply.

Do I need an appointment for the G1 test?

Not at DriveTest centres. The ServiceOntario Bay and College location in Toronto is appointment only.

Can I skip G2 if I am older?

No. Every new driver goes through both levels and both road tests, whatever their age. The only shortcuts are a BDE course and credited experience from another jurisdiction.

What happens if my G1 expires before I take the road test?

You have to start the process again and pay the test fees again.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, “Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Getting your driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Keeping your driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
• Government of Ontario, “Government-approved driving schools” (ontario.ca)
• DriveTest, “Fees” (drivetest.ca)