How to get a G1 licence in Ontario
How to get a G1 licence in Ontario: who can apply, the ID to bring, the vision and knowledge tests at DriveTest, the pass mark, the G1 licence package fee and the rules for G1 drivers, with each fact linked to ontario.ca or DriveTest.
By the Canada Exam Prep Editorial Team ·
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- Every answer explained
- Independent · not a government site
- 9 steps
- Official sources only
- Checked October 17, 2026
The G1 is the first licence in Ontario's graduated licensing system for cars, vans and small trucks. You get it by passing a vision test and a written knowledge test on traffic signs and the rules of the road at a DriveTest centre. No appointment and no driving test are needed for this step.
This guide covers the whole G1 step in order: whether you can apply, the documents and fee, the vision and knowledge tests, what you may and may not do with a G1, and how you move on to the G2 and full G road tests. Each point links to the Government of Ontario or DriveTest page it comes from. Fees and rules change, so check the linked page before you go.
Step by step
Check that you can apply
You must be at least 16 years old and a resident of Ontario, not a visitor. Since May 11, 2026, you also declare when you apply that Ontario is your primary place of residence and that your presence in Canada is legal.
Source: ontario.ca — Get a G driver's licence: new driversStudy the Official MTO Driver's Handbook
The knowledge test is based on the official driver's handbook for your licence class. The handbook is free to read online at ontario.ca, and it lists what the written test may ask about: seatbelts, signs and lights, emergency vehicles, headlights, speed limits, freeways, streetcars and school buses, suspensions, demerit points, passing, collision reporting and sharing the road.
Source: Official MTO Driver's Handbook — Getting your driver's licenceGo to a DriveTest centre with original ID
Apply at a DriveTest centre (no appointment needed) or by appointment at the ServiceOntario Bay and College location in downtown Toronto. Bring original identification that shows your legal name and date of birth.
Source: ontario.ca — Get a G driver's licence: new driversPay the G1 licence package
You pay one package fee when you apply. It covers the knowledge test, your first road test (the G2 road test) and a five-year licence. The second road test and any retests cost extra.
Source: Official MTO Driver's Handbook — Getting your driver's licencePass the vision test
An agent tests your eyes when you apply; it takes only a few minutes. For a G1 your vision must not be poorer than 20/50 with both eyes open, with or without glasses, and you need a horizontal visual field of 120 degrees in total. Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive.
Source: DriveTest — Vision Tests (archived copy, July 2026)Pass the knowledge test
The test is multiple choice, not timed (until the office closes) and marked on the spot. It has two or three sections, such as one on signs and one on the rules of the road, and you need at least 80% to pass. Arrive at least one hour before the office closes, since tests are first come, first served.
Source: DriveTest — Knowledge Tests (archived copy, Aug. 2026)Get your temporary G1 licence
After you pass, a customer service agent gives you a paper temporary licence, valid for 90 days, until your plastic licence card arrives. From then on you are a Level One driver and must follow the G1 rules.
Source: DriveTest — Drivers' licences: cars, vans and small trucks (archived copy, July 2026)Practise with an accompanying driver
With a G1 you drive only with a fully licensed driver who has at least four years of experience and a blood alcohol level under .05 (zero if they are 21 or under), seated beside you as the only other person in the front. Your own blood alcohol must be zero, and you may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. or on 400-series highways and high-speed expressways unless your accompanying driver is a driving instructor.
Source: ontario.ca — Get a G driver's licence: new driversBook the G2 road test after the waiting period
You can take your first road test after 12 months with a G1, or after 8 months if you complete a government-approved beginner driver education course. Book online, by phone or at a DriveTest centre with your licence number, a preferred location plus second and third choices, and a preferred date and time.
Source: ontario.ca — Get a G driver's licence: new drivers
Who can get it
- At least 16 years old, a resident of Ontario (not a visitor), able to pass a vision test and a knowledge test about the rules of the road and traffic signs. Source: ontario.ca — Get a G driver's licence: new drivers
- Since May 11, 2026: a declaration that Ontario is your primary place of residence and that your presence in Canada is legal. Source: ontario.ca — Get a G driver's licence: new drivers
- You are asked health questions when you apply. People with certain physical or medical conditions may not be licensed, and you are told when you apply. Source: Official MTO Driver's Handbook — Getting your driver's licence
- New residents with a licence from another province or country can drive on it for 60 days. Drivers from places without an exchange agreement with Ontario pass the vision and knowledge tests to get a G1, and since July 1, 2026 can claim up to 12 months of past driving experience. Source: Official MTO Driver's Handbook — Getting your driver's licence
What it costs
| Item | Amount | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Class G licence package for new drivers (knowledge test, G2 road test and a five-year licence), paid when you apply | $159.75 | Source: DriveTest — Fees (archived copy, July 2026) |
| Knowledge test, each extra attempt | $16.00 | Source: DriveTest — Fees (archived copy, July 2026) |
| Class G road test (second road test, for the full G) | $91.25 | Source: DriveTest — Fees (archived copy, July 2026) |
| Class G2 road test, when paid on its own (for example a retest) | $53.75 | Source: DriveTest — Fees (archived copy, July 2026) |
| Beginner driver education course (optional) | Not confirmed by an official source; check with the provider | Source: Official MTO Driver's Handbook — Getting your driver's licence |
Fees change. Check the amount on the official page or with the provider before you pay.
Where to take the test
Apply and take the vision and knowledge tests at any DriveTest centre, without an appointment, or by appointment at the ServiceOntario Bay and College location in downtown Toronto. Road tests are booked separately through DriveTest. Source: ontario.ca — Get a G driver's licence: new drivers
What to bring or have ready
- Two pieces of identification, money for the test fees (cash, debit or credit card) and glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive. Source: Official MTO Driver's Handbook — Getting your driver's licence
- Original identification that shows your legal name and date of birth, such as a passport, a Canadian citizenship card with photo, a permanent resident card, a study or work permit, or an Ontario Photo Card. Source: ontario.ca — Get a G driver's licence: new drivers
- If your name or date of birth is missing or differs between documents, extra documents such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate or change-of-name certificate. Identification by a parent or guardian is not accepted. Source: Official MTO Driver's Handbook — Getting your driver's licence
After you pass
With a G1 you practise for at least 12 months (8 with an approved beginner driver education course), then pass the G2 road test, which checks basic skills such as turns, stops, parallel parking and lane changes. After 12 months with a G2 you take the G road test, with highway driving, to get a full Class G licence. For most people the two steps take about 20 months. Source: ontario.ca — Get a G driver's licence: new drivers
Validity and renewal
You have up to five years to finish graduated licensing. If you fail a road test you can retry while your G1 is valid, but if it has expired you start over and pay the fees again. Close to the five-year mark, you can requalify as a G2 for another five years by passing the G2 road test again. Source: DriveTest — Drivers' licences: cars, vans and small trucks (archived copy, July 2026)
Common mistakes
- Arriving late in the day. Knowledge tests are first come, first served, and DriveTest recommends arriving at least one hour before the office closes, especially on Saturdays and school holidays. Source: DriveTest — Drivers' licences: cars, vans and small trucks (archived copy, July 2026)
- Bringing photocopies or expired ID. Documents must be original and valid, and they must show your legal name and complete date of birth. Source: Official MTO Driver's Handbook — Getting your driver's licence
- Studying only road signs. The test has separate sections, and if you retry within a year you must redo every section that did not meet the standard, so the rules of the road need the same attention. Source: DriveTest — Knowledge Tests (archived copy, Aug. 2026)
- Driving alone, after midnight or on the 401 with a G1. Level One drivers need a qualified accompanying driver, may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. and must stay off 400-series highways and high-speed expressways. Source: ontario.ca — Get a G driver's licence: new drivers
- Paying a website that promises a licence without testing or charges more than the posted fees. The ministry and DriveTest do not charge fees to book road tests. Source: Official MTO Driver's Handbook — Getting your driver's licence
Prepare for the test
Free practice written from the official material: full practice tests, a study guide, a printable sheet and a timed mock exam.
- Ontario G1 practice tests570 original practice questions with explanations
- G1 questions and answers (printable PDF)100 Ontario G1 practice questions with a separate answer key and explanations. Print it or save it as a PDF from your browser. Free, no sign-up.
- Ontario G1 study guideFree Ontario G1 study guide: 772 key points from the Official MTO Driver's Handbook in plain words, organised by topic, each topic linked to its practice questions.
- Ontario G1 Mock Exam 1 – 40 QuestionsUntimed practice · answers explained
- Ontario G1 exam simulator40 new random questions every time, full screen, no hints
- G2 road test guideHow the Ontario G2 road test works: when you can book it after your G1, how to book, the fee, what to bring, vehicle rules, the skills the examiner checks, a day-of checklist and what happens if you fail, each fact linked to ontario.ca.
- G road test guideHow the Ontario G road test (the G2 exit test) works: when you can take it, the highway driving declaration, how to book, the fee, what the examiner checks on expressways and in traffic, a day-of checklist and what happens if you fail, each fact linked to ontario.ca.
- DriveTest centres in OntarioEvery DriveTest location by region, the road tests each one offers, and a page per city with fees and what to bring.
We last checked the official pages on October 17, 2026. Rules and fees can change; the official source always wins.
FAQ
How to get a G1 licence in Ontario: common questions
What is the G1 passing score?
DriveTest says you need a total score of at least 80% on the knowledge test. If you fail and retry within one year, you only redo the sections that did not meet the ministry's standard.
How do I get a G1 licence in Ontario?
Be at least 16 and an Ontario resident, go to a DriveTest centre with original ID, pay the licence package fee, then pass the vision test and the knowledge test. You then get a paper temporary licence, valid for 90 days, until your licence card arrives.
How much does a G1 licence cost in Ontario?
DriveTest lists $159.75 for the Class G licence package, which covers the knowledge test, the G2 road test and a five-year licence. Each extra knowledge-test attempt is $16.00, and the G road test is $91.25.
Do I need an appointment for the G1 test?
No. Knowledge tests are available without an appointment at every DriveTest centre. Come at least one hour before closing so you have time to register and finish.
How long does the G1 test take, and is it timed?
It is not timed; you can take as long as you need until the office closes. DriveTest says a knowledge test typically takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Can I take the G1 test in another language?
Yes. DriveTest offers the class G1 knowledge test in 32 languages, on computer and on paper, including French, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese) and Spanish.
How long do I have to keep my G1 before the road test?
12 months, or 8 months if you pass a government-approved beginner driver education course.
Can I drive alone or on the highway with a G1?
No. You need an accompanying driver with a full licence and at least four years of experience, and you may not use 400-series highways or high-speed expressways unless that driver is an Ontario driving instructor.
Where can I practise for the G1 knowledge test?
Use our free G1 practice tests, the full mock exam that shows your signs and rules scores separately, the printable questions and the study guide, all written from the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. Each answer explains the rule and links to the handbook page it comes from.
Keep practising
- G1 road signs test60 Ontario road sign, traffic light and pavement marking questions for the signs section of the G1 test, each with the handbook rule explained.
- G1 rules of the road test60 rules-of-the-road questions for the G1 test: licensing, right-of-way, turning, parking, school buses, emergency vehicles, demerits and impaired driving.
- G1 practice test – 200 questionsOne long 200-question G1 practice test covering every chapter of the Ontario handbook, with instant feedback and an explanation for each answer.
- G1 questions and answers (printable PDF)100 Ontario G1 practice questions with a separate answer key and explanations. Print it or save it as a PDF from your browser. Free, no sign-up.
- Ontario road signs chartEvery road sign in our G1 question bank on one page: regulatory, warning, construction and guide signs, each with what it means and what to do.
- Ontario G1 study guide
- G2 road test guide
- G road test guide
- Ontario G1 Mock Exam 1 – 40 QuestionsUntimed practice · answers explained
- Ontario G1 Mock Exam 2 – 40 QuestionsUntimed practice · answers explained
- Ontario G1 Practice Test 140 questions with explanations
- Ontario G1 Practice Test 240 questions with explanations
- Ontario G1 Practice Test 340 questions with explanations
Practice by topic
- Regulatory signsStop, yield, school zone and railway crossbuck shapes, permissive and prohibitive signs, no stopping, standing and parking, community safety zones, school bus and HOV lane signs.
- Warning signsYellow diamond warning signs for curves, hills, merges, lane endings, crossings, animals and hazards, plus the slow-moving vehicle and long commercial vehicle placards.
- Construction, information and direction signsOrange temporary condition signs in work zones, doubled construction-zone fines, green guide signs, freeway exit numbering, emergency detour routes and bilingual signs.
- Traffic lights and pedestrian signalsGreen, yellow and red lights, turns on red, advance green and left-turn arrows, flashing lights, transit priority signals, dark signals during power failures and pedestrian signals.
- Pavement markingsYellow and white lines, solid and broken lines, continuity lines, stop lines, crosswalks, lane arrows, pedestrian crossovers and markings around obstacles.
- Graduated licensing: G1, G2 and GG1 and G2 conditions, the accompanying driver, zero blood alcohol, highway and night limits, passenger limits for young drivers, waiting periods, road tests and new residents.
- Getting ready to driveSeat belts and who is responsible, child car seats and booster seats, seat, head restraint and mirror adjustment, blind spots and pre-trip checks.
- Driving along and intersectionsSteering, signalling, speed and following distance, scanning ahead, controlled and uncontrolled intersections, four-way stops and yielding the right-of-way.
- Turning, signalling and changing lanesRight and left turns, turns on red, left-turn lanes, roundabouts, backing up, U-turns and turning around, lane changes, passing, climbing lanes and passing streetcars.
- Stopping and parkingBraking, where to stop, railway crossings, school crossings and school buses, pedestrian crossovers, parallel parking, parking on a hill, accessible parking and roadside stops.
- Freeway drivingEntering and leaving a freeway, acceleration and deceleration lanes, lane choice, passing, HOV and toll lanes, and freeway safety.
- Special situations on the roadEmergency vehicles and the move-over law, construction zones, animals on the road, drowsy and distracted driving, aggressive driving, road rage and street racing.
- Night driving and bad weatherHeadlight rules and distances, glare, rain, hydroplaning, fog, snow, whiteouts, black ice, skids and winter driving.
- Emergencies and collisionsBrake failure, stuck accelerator, blowouts, running off the pavement, breakdowns, what to do at a collision and reporting thresholds.
- Sharing the roadPedestrians, cyclists and the one-metre passing rule, motorcycles, large trucks and blind spots, buses, farm machinery, horse-drawn vehicles and snowmobiles.
- Safe, responsible and efficient drivingDistracted driving and hand-held device rules, fatigue, defensive driving, and fuel-efficient driving habits.
- Demerit points and keeping your licenceDemerit point values for common offences, novice and fully licensed driver thresholds, interviews and suspensions, and licence renewal.
- Impaired driving and other suspensionsAlcohol and drug impairment, roadside suspensions, warn-range penalties, ignition interlock, stunt driving and street racing, and other ways to lose your licence.
- Your vehicle: maintenance, insurance and registrationBasic vehicle maintenance, tires and brakes, mandatory insurance, ownership permits, licence plates and what to carry.