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Driving in Ontario follows a graduated licensing system with three distinct levels: G1, G2, and full G license. Each level comes with specific rules and restrictions designed to keep you and others safe on the road. Did you know that young drivers in Ontario are more likely to be in accidents? In fact, drivers aged 16-24 are involved in almost 30% of crashes, according to the Ministry of Transportation. Understanding the restrictions for each license type is crucial for safe and legal driving.
The G1 license is the first step in Ontario's graduated licensing system. As a G1 driver, you're a beginner learning the basics of driving with significant restrictions to ensure safety. With your G1, you can drive on most roads (except high-speed highways), practice essential skills, and gain valuable experience under supervision.
You must have a fully licensed G driver with at least 4 years of driving experience in the front passenger seat at all times. The supervisor must have a blood alcohol level below 0.05 (or zero if they're under 21).
After passing your G1 exit test, you advance to G2 with more freedom but important restrictions remain to build safe driving habits. With your G2, you can drive independently without supervision, use all highways and expressways, and gain real-world experience in all driving conditions.
Nighttime Passenger Limits for Drivers Under 19: If you're 19 years old or younger:
Exceptions: These nighttime restrictions do not apply if:
The G2 road test evaluates basic driving skills. You must hold your G1 for at least 8 months (with an approved driver education course) or 12 months before taking this test. The test includes:
After holding a G2 licence for at least 12 months, you can take the G2 exit test to earn your full G licence. This advanced road test evaluates highway driving skills and more complex maneuvers. With a full G license, you have complete driving freedom with no graduated licensing restrictions - you can drive anywhere, anytime, carry any number of passengers, and supervise new G1 drivers.
The G road test focuses on advanced driving skills, especially highway driving. Note that parallel parking, three-point turns, and residential neighborhood driving are NOT re-tested (they were covered in the G2 test). The G test includes:
Once you pass the G test, you receive a full G licence with enhanced privileges:
Seatbelt requirements vary slightly depending on your license level. Here's what you need to know:
You must ensure every passenger (regardless of age) wears a properly working seatbelt. You cannot carry more passengers than there are working seatbelts in the vehicle.
You're responsible for passengers under 16 years old wearing seatbelts or appropriate child restraints. Passengers 16+ are responsible for themselves.
Regardless of license type, you can never carry more passengers than available working seatbelts. Every person needs a seatbelt.
Understanding Ontario's alcohol and cannabis laws is critical for maintaining your driving privileges. The rules vary significantly based on your license type and age:
Alcohol: Absolutely no alcohol permitted in your system while driving. Any detectable amount results in immediate penalties.
Cannabis: Zero tolerance - no cannabis permitted in your system. These strict rules apply to all G1 and G2 drivers regardless of age.
Under 21 years: Zero tolerance - no alcohol permitted.
21+ years: Legal limit is 0.08% BAC, but penalties begin at 0.05% (warn range), resulting in immediate licence suspension.
Why strict for under 21? Younger drivers are still relatively inexperienced, and combining inexperience with alcohol significantly increases accident risk. Learn more about impaired driving laws.
Under 21 years: Zero tolerance - no cannabis permitted in your system.
21+ years: Legal THC limit is 2-5 nanograms per millilitre of blood. However, any detectable amount can result in roadside penalties.
Important: Cannabis stays in your system much longer than alcohol. Even legal use days earlier can affect driving ability and result in impaired driving charges.
If you violate the zero tolerance policy for alcohol or cannabis, consequences include:
Understanding demerit points and device penalties is crucial for maintaining your driving privileges. Here's how the rules differ across G1, G2, and full G licenses:
Demerit Points: 9 points = suspension
Hand-Held Devices (Distracted Driving):
Note: No demerit points for novice drivers, but longer suspensions instead.
Demerit Points: 9 points = suspension
Hand-Held Devices (Distracted Driving):
Note: No demerit points for novice drivers, but longer suspensions instead.
Demerit Points: 15 points = suspension
Hand-Held Devices (Distracted Driving):
Note: Fines can increase up to $1,000-$3,000 if fighting in court and losing.
| Feature | G1 License | G2 License | Full G License |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision Required | Yes - qualified driver in front seat | No - drive independently | No - drive independently + can supervise G1 drivers (4+ YOE) |
| Highway Driving | Prohibited on highways over 80 km/h (except with driving instructor) | Allowed on all roads including highways | Allowed on all roads including highways |
| Night Driving (12-5 AM) | Prohibited | Restricted passengers if under 19 | No restrictions |
| Alcohol/Cannabis Tolerance | Zero tolerance | Zero tolerance | 0.05 BAC (zero if under 21) |
| Demerit Points Limit | 9 points | 9 points | 15 points |
| Passenger Restrictions | Must ensure all passengers wear seatbelts | Must ensure all passengers wear seatbelts + nighttime age limits (if under 19) | Responsible for passengers under 16 wearing seatbelts/child restraints |
| Minimum Holding Period | 8 months (with BDE course) or 12 months | 12 months | Permanent (until age-related renewal) |
Understanding all license restrictions is essential for safe and lawful driving. At Rajput Driving School Windsor, we provide comprehensive training for all license levels:
Quick answers to the most common questions about G1, G2, and G licence restrictions
If you fail a road test, you must wait at least 10 days before retaking it. If your G1 license expires before you pass the G2 test, you must start completely over. If your G2 is about to expire, you can retake the G1 exit test to get 5 more years as a G2 driver to complete your full G license.
No. G1 drivers must always have a qualified supervisor (fully licensed G driver with 4+ years experience) in the front passenger seat. Driving alone with a G1 license is illegal and can result in serious penalties.
G1 drivers are generally prohibited from highways with speed limits over 80 km/h because they're still learning basic driving skills. Highway driving requires advanced abilities like high-speed merging, lane changing, and traffic management that come with more experience.
Exception: G1 drivers CAN drive on highways when accompanied by a licensed driving instructor during professional driving lessons. This allows you to practice highway skills safely under expert supervision before your G2 test.
Yes, you can drive to the US with a G2 license, but you must follow Ontario's G2 restrictions.
You have 5 years from the date you obtain your G1 license to complete the entire graduated licensing program and get your full G license. If you don't complete it within 5 years, you must start over from the beginning with a new G1 test. After getting your G2, you must hold it for at least 12 months before taking the G test.
Yes! Completing a government-approved driver education course (like those offered by Rajput Driving School) provides two major benefits: you can take your G2 test after 8 months instead of 12, and many insurance companies offer significant premium discounts (often 10-20%) for drivers who complete an approved course.
Yes, auto insurance is required. If you don't own a car, you can be added to a policy as a secondary driver.
Yes, insurance companies need to know about all licensed drivers in your household to adjust the policy if necessary.
Yes, you can buy a car with a G2 licence, but you'll need insurance to legally drive it.
Get expert guidance for all license levels from MTO certified instructors at Rajput Driving School Windsor