Photo: Bull-Doser, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
On road test day in Canada you usually need four things: your current learner licence, ID, a registered and insured car that passes the examiner’s check, and proof of anything your province requires first, such as Saskatchewan’s driver education record or Ontario’s highway declaration for the G test. Forget one and the test is usually cancelled before you start, often without a refund. This checklist sets out what to bring in each province and territory, when to arrive, and what happens if the weather turns.
Key facts
- Bring the licence you are testing from (G1, Class 7, 5L, Level I and so on), plus ID if your card is temporary or your province asks for it.
- The test car needs valid registration and insurance papers inside it, and working lights, signals, horn, brakes, wipers and seatbelts.
- Drive there legally: a learner still needs a supervising driver in the car on the way to the test.
- Ontario: cancel at least 48 hours ahead or you lose the prepaid fee. Manitoba: check in 15 minutes early.
- Electronic driving aids such as cruise control, parking assist and back cameras are not allowed on Ontario road tests. ICBC asks you to turn off driver assistance features where possible.
The universal checklist
The night before
- Your learner licence, valid and not expired
- Your booking confirmation or receipt
- The vehicle registration and insurance card for the car you are using
- Glasses or contact lenses, if your licence requires them
- A supervising driver who can drive there with you
- Enough fuel for the test
- Clothes and shoes that suit the weather and let you work the pedals
Car check at home
- Headlights, brake lights (including the centre high-mounted one), signals and hazard lights
- Horn, wipers, washer fluid and defroster
- Windshield free of cracks that block your view; all windows clear of snow and frost
- Tires in good condition
- Seatbelts, doors and the passenger seat and headrest working for the examiner
- Valid plates (and in PEI, a valid inspection sticker)
- Clean interior with nothing loose that could distract or injure
The full car list is in the road test car checklist for Canada.
What to bring to the road test, by province
| Jurisdiction | Documents and proof | Province-specific extras |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario (G2 and G) | Your G1 or G2 licence, a road-legal insured car | G test: signed Declaration of Highway Driving Experience (roads of 80 km/h or more). No electronic driving aids |
| British Columbia (Class 7) | One primary and one secondary ID, payment, a safe and insured car with a Canadian plate (you give the plate number at the counter) | Car-share car: an original signed and dated letter from the company for each attempt. Turn off driver assistance features if possible |
| Alberta (Class 5) | Your Class 7 licence (plus photo ID if your licence is temporary), payment, your road test confirmation letter | All outstanding Government of Alberta fines paid before booking; your MVID number to book |
| Quebec | Follow the list in your SAAQ confirmation: learner’s licence and a registered, insured, roadworthy car | Winter tires on a Quebec-registered car from 1 December to 15 March |
| Saskatchewan | Photo ID; driver education finished (record on your SGI file or a Driver Education Certificate) | Text “Here” if you signed up for texts; stay in the car with your phone on |
| Manitoba | Your valid 5L licence, the vehicle registration certificate | Check in 15 minutes early with a supervising driver. A working passenger headrest for the examiner |
| Nova Scotia | Your learner’s licence, the vehicle permit, the insurance card, your numbered Driver Examination Receipt | A supervising driver to drive there with you |
| New Brunswick | Your Level 1 licence, payment receipt, valid signed registration, valid insurance card | A roadworthy car |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Road test payment receipt, valid Class 5 Level I licence, valid insurance policy, registration certificate | Proof of an approved driver training course if you are using the 8-month route |
| Prince Edward Island | Valid Instruction Permit, proof you finished the Novice Driver Course, valid registration, proof of liability insurance (the pink card) | A licensed driver of 4+ years with you; valid inspection sticker (not a rejection sticker) |
| Yukon | Your learner’s licence and a car with valid insurance and registration | Your 50 logged practice hours (drop the log book off for inspection before you book) and a valid co-driver on the day |
| Northwest Territories | Your booking receipt, a valid Class 7 licence, a qualifying vehicle and corrective lenses if you wear them | A roadworthy car with registration and insurance |
| Nunavut | Your Class 7 licence, vehicle registration, liability insurance card | A roadworthy Class 5 vehicle with working lights, signals, brakes, horn and tires, and a qualified accompanying driver to get you there |
As of November 2026. Your booking confirmation is the final word. Read it again the day before.
When to arrive and what happens on check-in
- Manitoba: check in 15 minutes early. If you are late, the test may be cancelled and you pay to rebook.
- British Columbia: arrive at your check-in time with your ID and payment.
- Saskatchewan: park, turn the car off, stay inside and text “Here” if you signed up for reminders. The examiner calls you, asks a few questions, then comes out. Your supervising driver waits inside, not in the parking lot.
- Passengers and recording: in BC and Saskatchewan only you and the examiner ride in the car, with no passengers or pets. Manitoba and BC do not allow recording the test.
Cancelling, rescheduling and bad weather
| Situation | What the province says |
|---|---|
| You need to cancel (Ontario) | Cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours ahead. Less notice, or a no-show, means the prepaid fee is not refunded, except in extenuating circumstances such as a death in your immediate family. |
| You need to cancel (BC) | ICBC asks for at least 48 hours’ notice or a fee may apply. Confirm when you book. |
| Your car fails the check (Manitoba, SGI) | Manitoba cancels the test with no refund. SGI reschedules you. |
| Snow or ice on test day (Nova Scotia) | The test is cancelled if road or weather conditions are hazardous. Call the booking line to rebook. |
| Snow or ice elsewhere | Call the test centre before you leave. Clear all snow and frost from the car either way. |
A morning-of timeline
- Two hours before: eat, check the weather, and pack the documents into one folder.
- One hour before: walk around the car: lights, signals, tires, windows clear.
- Drive there with your supervisor, following every learner rule. Use the drive to practise shoulder checks and full stops.
- 15 minutes before: check in (Manitoba requires it). Put your phone on silent unless SGI is calling you.
- In the car: adjust the seat, mirrors and headrest before you move. Ask any questions before the test starts. Examiners only give directions once it begins.
What examiners score is covered in each provincial guide: Ontario G2, Ontario G, ICBC Class 7, Alberta Class 5, SAAQ, SGI, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut.
Common questions
Can I use a driving school car for my road test?
Usually, if the school offers it. Alberta says driving schools may provide a vehicle. The car still needs valid registration and insurance. In Quebec, confirm the cost of using the school’s car before you book.
Do I need my supervising driver at the test centre?
You need one to drive there legally, because you are still a learner. Manitoba asks you to check in with a supervising driver, and PEI requires a licensed driver of at least four years to come with you.
Can I use my back-up camera or cruise control?
Not in Ontario, where electronic driving aids are banned on road tests. ICBC asks you to turn off driver assistance features if you can. See automatic or manual, and which aids are allowed.
What if my licence expires before the test?
Renew it first. Manitoba says your 5L must be valid, not expired or lapsed. Check your own province’s rule when you book.
Can I bring a translator?
Not in the car. Manitoba lets a translator help before and after the test. The SAAQ says examiners use hand signals if you lack French or English.
How soon can I retest if I fail?
It depends on the province. In Ontario, after at least 10 days. See booking, rescheduling and failing a DriveTest road test and your provincial road test guide for other rules.
Related: learning to drive in Canada, learner driver FAQ for Canada.
Sources
- Government of Ontario, “Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers” and “Official MTO Driver’s Handbook” (ontario.ca)
- ICBC, “Prepare for your road test appointment” (icbc.com)
- ICBC, “Preparing for your driver licensing tests”, form MV2022, October 2026 (icbc.com)
- Government of Alberta, “Driver’s road test” (alberta.ca)
- Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, “Passenger vehicle licence” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
- SGI, “Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook 2026-27” and road test pages (sgi.sk.ca)
- Manitoba Public Insurance, “Driver’s Handbook: Scheduling Your Knowledge or Road Test” and “Key Points About Your Tests” (apps.mpi.mb.ca)
- Service Nova Scotia, “Newly Licensed Driver” (novascotia.ca)
- Government of New Brunswick, “Graduated licences” (gnb.ca)
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, “Graduated Driver Licensing Program” (gov.nl.ca)
- Government of Prince Edward Island, “Driver’s Handbook”, February 2022 (princeedwardisland.ca)
- Government of Yukon, “Get a driver’s licence” (yukon.ca)
- Government of the Northwest Territories, “NWT Driver’s Manual” (inf.gov.nt.ca)
- Government of Nunavut, “Apply for a driver’s licence” (gov.nu.ca)