How to Pass the G1 Test in Ontario (2026 Study Guide + Practice Questions)
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Your G1 is the first step to driving in Ontario, and with a little preparation the knowledge test is very passable on your first try. This 2026 guide covers what's on the test, the pass mark, what to bring, and how to study, with example questions plus our free full-length practice test and printable cheat sheet.
Contents
Test Format & Pass Mark
The G1 knowledge test is a written (computer-based) multiple-choice test based entirely on the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. Here is how it breaks down:
- 40 questions total, split into two sections of 20.
- Section 1, Road Signs: identifying traffic signs by their shape, colour and meaning.
- Section 2, Rules of the Road: speed limits, right-of-way, signalling, sharing the road and safe driving.
- Pass mark: 80%, meaning you need at least 16 correct out of 20 in each section. You can miss up to 4 per section.
Because each section is scored on its own, don't neglect the signs half just because you know the rules of the road (or the other way around). Falling short in either one means a rewrite.
Eligibility, ID & Fees
To apply for your G1 at a DriveTest Centre you must:
What You Need
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Two pieces of valid ID proving your legal name and date of birth.
- Pass a quick vision test on site.
- Your glasses or contacts, if you wear them to see.
- Payment (cash, debit or credit).
What the Fee Covers
The G1 package fee (around $160) bundles three things: your knowledge test, your first G2 road test, and a five-year licensing fee. Fees are set by the province and change, so confirm the current amount at drivetest.ca.
Knowledge tests are first-come, first-served, so you don't need an appointment, just arrive with enough time before the centre closes.
What the G1 Test Covers
Every question comes straight from the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. The most commonly tested topics are:
- Traffic signs and lights, including sign shapes and colours.
- Speed limits (and the default limits where none is posted).
- Rules of the road, right-of-way, turns, lane changes and signalling.
- Seatbelts and occupant safety.
- Sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists, large trucks and streetcars.
- Impaired and distracted driving laws and the demerit point system.
Because the test is split evenly between signs and rules, it pays to drill both. Our free Ontario G1 practice test lets you practise road signs and rules of the road separately or sit a full 40-question mock exam, with the printable G1 cheat sheet to match.
How to Study (and Pass First Try)
- Read the official handbook. The Official MTO Driver's Handbook is free online and is the only source the test is written from. Read it cover to cover at least once.
- Master signs by shape and colour. Red and octagonal = stop. Yellow diamond = warning. Once you know the categories, you can answer sign questions you've never seen before.
- Take practice tests. Our free Ontario G1 practice test mimics the real format with instant feedback, and the printable G1 cheat sheet lists every question with its answer so you can see which topics to review.
- Don't cram. A few short sessions over several days beats one panicked night. Aim to score 90%+ on practice tests before you book.
Example G1 Test Questions
Try to answer each question before checking the green answer underneath. These five are a sample of the full bank.
1. A red, eight-sided (octagonal) sign means:
A) Yield B) Stop C) Do not enter D) School zone
Answer: B, Stop. Come to a complete stop and proceed only when it's safe.
2. Unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed limit on a road inside a city, town or village is:
A) 40 km/h B) 50 km/h C) 60 km/h D) 70 km/h
Answer: B, 50 km/h. Outside built-up areas it's usually 80 km/h unless posted otherwise.
3. As a G1 driver, your blood-alcohol level must be:
A) Under 0.05 B) Under 0.08 C) Zero D) Under 0.02
Answer: C, Zero. Ontario has zero tolerance for novice and young drivers.
4. A flashing green traffic light means:
A) Slow down and stop B) You have the right-of-way to turn left, go straight or turn right C) The light is broken D) Pedestrians only
Answer: B. A flashing (advanced) green gives you the right-of-way to turn left before oncoming traffic gets a green.
5. A yellow (amber) traffic light means:
A) Speed up to clear the intersection B) The light is about to turn red, stop if you can do so safely C) Go D) Stop only if a police officer is present
Answer: B. Stop if it's safe to do so. The light is about to turn red.
After You Pass: Your G1 Rules
Passing puts you in Level One (G1) of Ontario's graduated licensing system. While you hold your G1, you must follow these rules:
- Your blood-alcohol level must be zero, no exceptions.
- You can't drive alone. An accompanying driver with a full Class G (or higher) licence and at least 4 years of driving experience must sit in the front passenger seat.
- Everyone in the vehicle must have a working seatbelt.
- No driving on 400-series highways (or other high-speed expressways) with a posted limit over 80 km/h, unless your accompanying driver is a licensed driving instructor.
- No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
Level One lasts 12 months before you can take your G2 road test, but if you complete an MTO-approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course, you can take that road test after just 8 months (and usually a car-insurance discount too). Our course at Rajput Driving School is built to give you that head start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about the Ontario G1 test
40 multiple-choice questions, split into two sections of 20: one on road signs and one on the rules of the road. You need at least 80% (16 out of 20) in each section to pass.
At least 16 years old. You also need to pass a vision test and the knowledge test, and bring two pieces of ID proving your legal name and date of birth.
The G1 package fee bundles the knowledge test, your first G2 road test and a five-year licensing fee, and runs around $160. Fees change, so confirm the current amount at drivetest.ca before you go.
You can rewrite the test, but you pay a rewrite fee each time. There's no mandatory waiting period, so review the section you struggled with and rebook when you're ready. Here's our full guide on what happens if you fail the G1 test.
No. Knowledge tests are first-come, first-served at any DriveTest Centre, so you don't need to book ahead. Just bring two pieces of valid ID and arrive with enough time before closing.
Right here. Our free Ontario G1 practice test has 367 real-style questions on road signs and rules of the road with instant feedback and a full 40-question mock exam, and our printable G1 cheat sheet lists every question with its answer. Both are free, mobile-friendly and updated for 2026, with no sign-up required.
Passed your G1? Get a head start on your G2 with our MTO-approved course, take your road test in 8 months instead of 12.
Your Complete G1 Study Toolkit
Everything you need to pass the Ontario G1 knowledge test, all free:
