Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your G1, G2, and G Driver's Licence

Published on July 23, 2024

Getting a driver's licence is a liberating experience for many and a rite of passage for everyone. Ontario's Graduated Licensing System makes the process straightforward while ensuring road safety. New drivers in Ontario need to gain practical experience before driving independently with minimal restrictions.

The entire process takes at least 24 months to complete (two 12-month practice periods). However, new drivers can reduce this timeline by 4 months by completing a Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course.

Snapshot:

G1:

Pass the G1 knowledge test at a DriveTest centre, which contains two multiple-choice sections – Rules of the Road and Traffic Signs
Get driving experience with an instructor or fully licenced driver before taking the G2 road test (minimum wait period of 12 months unless you go through driving school)
Be at least 16 years old
Pass a vision test

G2:

Pass your G2 road test at a DriveTest centre
Practice driving on your own (and potentially take lessons with a certified instructor) before taking the G road test (minimum wait period of 12 months)

G:

Pass the G road test at a DriveTest centre

Graduated Licensing Fee Structure:

SERVICE	FEE (not incl. tax)
G1 knowledge test	$16.00
Class G2 road test	$53.75
Five-year licence	$90.00
Class G road test	$91.25
Total	$251.00

Note: When you first apply, you may need to pay for the G1 knowledge test, G2 road test, and five-year license all at once ($159.75).

G1 Licence

In Ontario, the G1 license is equivalent to getting a learner's permit. This class is the first of three to complete the Graduated Licensing System.

To obtain a G1 licence, novice drivers must:

Be 16 years old
Pass a vision test
Pass the G1 knowledge test at a DriveTest centre (no appointments, walk-in only)

The G1 knowledge test

The G1 test includes 40 multiple-choice questions split equally between two sections – Rules of the Road and Traffic Signs. You need to get at least an 80% (16/20) on each section to pass. This test takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

The test is available in many languages, including English and French. If you aren't able to take the written exam in one of these languages, you can schedule an appointment, bring an interpreter, and take an oral exam at the office.

Many DriveTest Centres also have audio versions of the test. If you have difficulty with reading or writing, this may be a better option. You also have the choice of scheduling an appointment to take the test verbally with an employee at the DriveTest Centre.

What should I bring to the G1 knowledge test?

Two pieces of identification (e.g., passport, health card, birth certificate)
Money for test fees – cash, debit or credit card
Glasses or contact lenses (if you need to wear them to drive)

What happens if I fail the G1 knowledge test?

If you fail your first attempt, you can retake the test as many times as you need to. However, the cost of retaking the test is $16.00 for each additional attempt.

How can I practice for the G1 knowledge test?

To practice for the G1 knowledge test, you can use one of three resources:

G1 Licence – Rules and Restrictions

As a G1 licence holder, you'll face the most restrictions on the road as you learn to drive. This includes the following:

You can only drive if you are accompanied by a valid Full G licence holder. The accompanying driver must have at least four years of driving experience, a blood-alcohol level of less than 0.05%, and be sitting in the front passenger seat when accompanying you
Each passenger in the vehicle must be wearing a seat belt
You are not permitted to drive between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m
You must not drive if you have been drinking alcohol or consuming cannabis
You are not permitted to drive on 400-series highways or expressways (e.g. Edgar Charles (EC) Row Expressway, Gardiner Expressway, Don Valley Parkway (DVP), and the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW)) unless you're with a driving instructor

How long do I need to wait before getting my G2 license?

G1 license holders must wait 12 months before taking their G2 road test (also known as the G1 exit test). However, new drivers are highly encouraged to go through a Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course at an MTO-approved driving school like Rajput Driving School, which reduces the wait time to 8 months instead of 12.

BDE courses are important for teaching new drivers about the rules of the road and how to navigate complex situations they may encounter. Plus, most auto insurance companies offer discounts or reduced premiums to new drivers that successfully complete the BDE course!

G2 Licence

As a G2 licenceholder, you'll be allowed to drive on your own for the first time!

To obtain a G2 licence, new drivers must pass the G1 exit test. You could book a G2 road test via phone, online, or at a local DriveTest Centre.

The G2 road test

This road test is approximately 20 minutes long and is designed to test your basic driving abilities on city streets (does not include any 400-series highways). During the G2 road test, the examiner will give you directions and assess your ability to complete them. There are no set number of mistakes allowed on this test – it's up to the discretion of the examiner to pass or fail the student based on the severity and volume of errors. Some of the maneuvers that an examiner could test include:

Parallel parking
Roadside stops
3-point turns
Left and right turns
Lane merging

What should I bring to the G2 road test?

An accompanying driver with a valid G driving license and 4 years of driving experience
A vehicle in good driving condition
Money for test fees (if applicable)
Glasses or contact lenses (if you need to wear them to drive)

What if I fail the G2 road test?

If you fail the G2 road test on your first attempt, you may retake the road test as many times as needed as long as your G1 licence has not expired. The fee to retake the G2 road test is $53.75 for each additional attempt.

G2 Licence – Rules & Restrictions

As a G2 license holder, you are given more freedom on the road due to your driving experience. However, you are still under the following restrictions while you prepare for your Full G license:

Each person in the vehicle must be wearing a seatbelt
You must not drive if you've been drinking alcohol or consuming cannabis
For the first six months, if you're 19 or younger, you're only permitted to carry one passenger who is 19 or younger between 12 a.m and 5 a.m.
You can carry up to three passengers aged 19 or under between 12 a.m and 5 a.m. after six months with your G2 licence and until you obtain your Full G licence or turn 20.

Note that the passenger restrictions no longer apply if you're accompanied by a Full G license holder in the front passenger seat, or if your passengers are members of your immediate family.

How long do I need to wait before getting my Full G license?

G2 licence holders will need to wait at least 12 months before taking their Full G road test (also known as the G2 exit test). During this time, they're encouraged to practice driving as much as possible and ideally in different weather conditions.

They must also get experience driving on highways with speed limits of at least 80km/h. Not only will they need to drive on a highway for the Full G road test, but they will also need to sign a Declaration of Highway Driving Experience form before taking the test. This form will outline the highway driving experience they've amassed over the 12+ months as a G2 license holder. In order to take the G road test, G2 license holders must have driven on the highway at least 5 times within the last 3 months.

Full G Licence

The G licence is the last stage of Ontario's Graduated Licensing System. With a Full G license, you face even fewer restrictions as a driver in Ontario. You can obtain your Full G licence by passing the G road test. Before you can take the G road test, you must have had your G2 license for at least 12 months.

The G road test

This road test is approximately 30-40 minutes long and is designed to test advanced driving abilities on city streets and highways. Similar to the G2 road test, the examiner will give you directions and assess your ability to complete them. Remember, it's up to the discretion of the examiner to pass or fail the student based on the severity and volume of errors. Some maneuvers that an examiner could test include:

Driving on major streets and highways
Merging and getting on and off highway ramps
Turns, curves and lane changes
Navigating intersections
Any maneuvers done in the G2 road test

What should I bring to the G road test?

A vehicle in good driving condition
Money for test fees (if applicable)
Glasses or contact lenses (if you need to wear them to drive)

Full G licence – Rules & Restrictions

A Full G licence removes the majority of driving restrictions faced by G1 and G2 license holders. However, Full license holders should be aware of the following restrictions:

You can only drive G class vehicles in Ontario. G class vehicles include cars, minivans and small trucks
If you are aged 21 years or younger, you must have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of zero
If you are over the age of 21, you cannot have a BAC of more than 0.08% (80mg)

What if you fail the Full G Road Test?

If you fail your Full G road test you can retake it as many times as needed, as long as your G2 license has not expired. You must wait 10 days between attempts and pay $91.25 for each additional attempt.

Passing your licensing tests in the first try

Although pass rates for Ontario's G2 and G tests vary significantly based on the DriveTest centre, your best bet is to go through driving school and learn with a certified instructor. Driving instructors are very familiar with the structure and topics covered in both the G2 and G road tests. However, instructors alone won't get you the pass; remember, practice makes perfect – so be sure to practice as much as you can before booking your tests!

For your G1 knowledge test, doing a thorough, exam-like prep course is the best way to go.

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