Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers
If you are at least 16 years old, you can apply for driver’s licence in Ontario. As a new driver, you will need to practice driving and gain experience over time. For most people, the two-step process takes about 20 months to finish. Here’s how you get a driver’s licence.
The Ontario driver’s licence is a blue, plastic card that displays your name, address, date of birth, photo and signature. The licence has an expiry date. You have to renew it before it expires.
Driving in Ontario
To drive on Ontario roads, you need to:
- carry a valid driver’s licence, at all times
- have a valid owner’s permit, licence plate and insurance
- obey traffic laws and drive safely
Licence types
Ontario has 15 types of licences. Each licence certifies you to drive a specific type of vehicle. To drive a car, van or small truck, you will need a G class licence.
All licences come with certain conditions. See Ontario’s full list of licences.
Apply for a driver’s licence
To apply for a driver’s licence in Ontario, you need to:
- be at least 16 years old
- be a resident of Ontario (not a visitor)
- pass a vision test
- pass a knowledge test about the rules of the road and traffic signs
Once you pass these tests, you get a G1 licence. You are considered a beginner driver and need to practice driving and gain experience over time.
Where to apply
Knowledge driving tests
To apply and take the required knowledge tests, visit:
- a DriveTest centre (appointments not required)
- the ServiceOntario Bay and College location in downtown Toronto (by appointment only)
You will need to bring original identification that shows your legal name and date of birth.
Accepted identity documents
Canadian Citizens
- passport (Canadian or foreign)
- Canadian Citizenship Card with photo
- Secure Certificate of Indian Status Card (issued on or after December 15, 2009 by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada)
- Ontario Photo Card
Permanent Residents
- Permanent Resident (PR) Card
- Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292) accompanied by a valid passport from country of origin
- Ontario Photo Card
Temporary Residents
- Study Permit / Student Authorization (IMM 1442)
- Work Permit / Employment Authorization (IMM 1442)
- Visitor Record (IMM 1442)
- Temporary Resident Permit (IMM 1442)
- Refugee Status Claim (IMM 1434)
- Acknowledgement of Intent to Claim Refugee Status (IMM 7703) with photo
- Report Pursuant to the Immigration Act (IMM 1442) with photo
- Ontario Photo Card
See a full list of accepted documents
Fees
You will need to pay a fee to apply for a licence and take the knowledge test. See the list of fees.
Study for the knowledge test
The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook will help you prepare for your knowledge test. It covers rules of the road and practical driving tips. You can buy the handbook:
- read the online version
- buy a hard copy at a DriveTest centre (cash only) or from many retail stores
Cost: $14.95 plus taxes
Visit ServiceOntario Bay and College (Toronto) or a DriveTest centre
Learning to drive: graduated licensing
Once you pass your vision and knowledge tests, you get a G1 licence. Before you can get a full G licence, you have to:
- finish two learning levels: G1 and G2
- pass two road tests
This process is called “graduated licensing.” It is designed to give new drivers time to practice and gain driving experience over time.
You have up to five years to finish the whole process. After five years, if you do not get your full G licence, you will need to start over.
G1 licence
By law, when you have a G1 licence, you must:
- maintain a zero blood alcohol level (no alcohol in your blood)
- make sure every passenger with you wears a properly working seatbelt
- not drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
- not drive on 400-series highways or high-speed expressways (e.g., 401, Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), Gardiner Expressway)
- drive with a fully licensed driver who has:
- at least four years of driving experience
- a blood alcohol level of less than .05 (if this person is 21 and under, their blood alcohol level should be zero)
The driver accompanying you must be the only other person in the front seat. If you are driving with a driver instructor certified in Ontario, you can drive on any road.
In most cases, you practice with your G1 licence for 12 months.
G2 road test (G1 exit test)
This is the first of two tests you need to take as a new driver.
- you can take your first road test after 12 months with a G1 licence
- this exam tests basic driving skills such as:
- turning left and right
- stopping
- parallel parking
- one-way streets
- lane changes
- 3-point turns
- driving in residential neighbourhoods
- traffic lights, stop and yield signs
- once you pass, you get your G2 licence
If you finish a government-approved driver education course, you can take your first road test after just eight months.
Ontario driving schools
To take the G1 road test sooner, you will need to choose a driving school that is certified to train new drivers.
Approved driving schools offering courses
Unlicensed driving schools to avoid
G2 licence
After passing your G1 road test, you get a G2 licence. You practice with your G2 licence for 12 months. You can now drive:
- without another experienced driver in the car
- on all Ontario roads
- at any time of the day, in most cases
You must still:
- have a zero blood alcohol level
- carry only as many passengers as there are working seatbelts
If you are 19 and under, some other restrictions still apply.
G2 drivers: 19 and under
Between midnight and 5 a.m.: you can only drive with one passenger who is 19 or under in your car.
This condition applies for the first six months of G2. After six months, you can drive with up to three passengers 19 or under between midnight and 5 a.m.
This condition does not apply, if:
- you have a fully licensed driver in the car (with four years plus experience driving)
- your passengers are immediate family members (e.g., a parent, brother or sister)
G road test (G2 exit test)
This is the second of two road tests you take as a new driver.
- you can take the test after 12 months with a G2 licence
- the test covers more advanced driving skills (e.g., driving on a highway)
- once you pass, you get a full G licence
To help clear the backlog of in-vehicle passenger road tests resulting from COVID-19 restrictions and closures, the G road test has been temporarily modified at full-time DriveTest centres and temporary road test locations. Part-time Travel Point locations will continue to offer the standard G road test.
Until further notice, the G road test will not include these elements that are already covered in the G2 road test:
- parallel parking
- roadside stops
- 3-point turn
- driving in residential neighbourhoods
The test will still include all of the fundamental elements such as:
- driving on major roads and expressways including merging on and off, maintaining appropriate speed and space, signalling and more
- turns, curves and lane changes
- intersections
- driving in business areas
Learn more about what’s included in the G road test.
What happens if I fail a G1 or G2 road test?
If your G1 licence is not expired: you can try the road test again.
If your G1 licence is expired: you will need to start all over and pay the test fees again.
If your G2 licence is about to expire: you can take your G1 road test again and get five more years as a G2 to finish the process.
Booking a road test
To book a road test appointment, you will need to provide:
- your Ontario driver’s licence number (including expiry date)
- a preferred location for taking the test
- a second and third choice of location
- a preferred date and time
You can book, cancel or reschedule a road test appointment:
- online
- by phone at
647-776-0331 or1-888-570-6110 - at any DriveTest Centre
You need to cancel a test at least 48 hours ahead of your appointment to avoid a cancellation fee.
Road Test Fact Sheet & Checklist
Videos
Getting your Ontario driver’s licence (Episode 1: get started)
Descriptive transcript: Getting your Ontario’s driver’s licence (Part 1)
Getting your Ontario’s driver’s licence (Episode 2: life in G1)
Descriptive transcript: Getting your Ontario’s driver’s licence (Part 2)
Getting your Ontario driver’s licence (Episode 3: get your G2)
Descriptive transcript: Getting your Ontario’s driver’s licence (Part 3)
Getting your Ontario’s driver’s licence (Episode 4: the G2 road test and getting your full licence)
Descriptive transcript: Getting your Ontario’s driver’s licence (Part 4)