Ontario G1 Test: Essential Information For Passing Your Test

You can take as long as you wish to complete the knowledge tests (provided you finish within working hours) but a typical candidate takes between twenty and thirty minutes.

No, just go to any DriveTest Centre at least an hour before closing time and you will be able to take the test without booking.

An overall score of 80% or more is required to pass.

You can pay the required fee and try again as many times as you like. If you retake the test within a year of your original attempt, you will only have to retake those parts that you failed. If you leave it more than a year, you will have to take the entire test again.

All the information required for your class of licence can be found in the ministry of Transportation’s Official Driver’s Handbook. A partial version is available online but it is recommended that you obtain the printed copy of the handbook relevant to your class of licence. Additionally, there are MTO-approved driving schools that run courses that can prepare you for the test. You can also try our G1, M1, and Class A practice tests.

Computerised G1 and M1 knowledge tests are available in twenty languages, as are paper versions of the class G1 test. Paper versions of the class M1 knowledge tests are only available in English or French. For commercial licence knowledge tests, computerised tests are only available in French or English, and paper versions are only available in English, French, Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese), Hindi, Punjabi, Russian and Tamil.

The computerized knowledge test system can be used with audio capabilities, so it is recommended that you find a DriveTest Centre which can offer you a computer test. If you cannot manage the computer test then you can take a verbal test administered by a DriveTest Centre employee; you will have to make an appointment for this.

The candidate will have to make an appointment for a verbal knowledge test and bring an interpreter. The interpreter will have to meet the professional standards required by the Ministry of Transportation; the candidate can’t simply bring a friend or family member.

The G1 written test consists of 2 sections (Road Signs and Traffic Rules) with 20 questions in each section, a total of 40 questions on the written licence exam. An overall score of 80% or more is required to pass.

Your examiner will give you a report showing where you need to improve so you can go away and practice those elements. You can take the test again after ten days provided you pay the applicable test fee. The number of attempts you have made previously will not count against you in any test.

A year’s driving experience is required before you qualify for a full licence (G2) test, i.e. a year after you obtain your learner’s licence.

If you attend a course at an MTO-recognised driving school, the waiting period may be reduced by four months.

This test is commonly referred to as the “city test,” and assesses your basic driving skills in a twenty-minute trip on urban roads.

After you have obtained your G2 licence, there is a mandatory waiting period of one year before you can take your class G test.

The Class G road test assesses advanced driving skills, including your ability to drive on highways. It usually takes around half an hour.

It is recommended that you practice all the required manoeuvres for the road tests beforehand until you are proficient in the skills needed. If you are taking the Class G road test you will be asked to declare how much time you have spent driving on highways. You are required to have driven at least five times on a highway with a speed limit of at least 80 km/h and/or a 400 series highway within the three months preceding your test; if you have not your appointment will be cancelled and you will forfeit 50% of the testing fee.

DriveTest Centres do not provide vehicles for testing, you must bring your own vehicle or one you have borrowed or rented. It must be in good working order and fulfil the conditions of a Class G vehicle. It is recommended that you make contingency plans for getting home in case you should be unsuccessful in the test.

You should present yourself at the test centre at least thirty minutes in advance of your test.

Driving tests are held in all conditions and will only be cancelled if the weather is so severe that it could affect your safety. If in doubt, call the test centre or check the DriveTest website before setting out.

You can certainly bring one with you to the test but they cannot come with you during the test. Every test centre has safe waiting areas for any person who comes with you.

Bring your vehicle, glasses or contact lenses if necessary, the confirmation email of your road test (or money for test fees if hoping for a standby appointment). Make sure your vehicle has enough gas to complete the test.

No, coaching from the examiner is not permitted during the test. If you have any questions about the test, ask the examiner before you start.

The examiner may stop or refuse to start the test if s/he determines that your vehicle is not roadworthy, that you are impaired by alcohol or drugs or that you do not have the necessary skills to complete the test safely.

Yes, if you are successful you will be given a temporary driver’s licence that is valid for ninety days or until your permanent driver’s licence photocard arrives in the mail.

No, any DriveTest customer service agent can administer the vision test.

No, it only takes a few minutes (exclusive of any waiting time).

No, you don’t need a new vision test but you must change the details on your licence by having an X condition added to it at a DriveTest Centre or ServiceOntario.

You must visit a DriveTest Centre and either complete a vision test or submit a completed vision form from your vision specialist completed less than six months previously.

No, this is free of charge.

The standards differ depending on the type of licence; for passenger vehicle, motorcycle and driving instructor licences your vision must not be poorer than 20/50, but for commercial licences it must not be poorer than 20/30.

You will be given a form to take to your vision specialist that must be completed and returned before you can continue with your application or renewal. If you are attempting to renew a commercial licence and fail the vision test your licence will be downgraded to Class G until this form is returned.

No, take your glasses or contact lenses along to your vision test and wear them for the test.

There are three main types of tests: vision (eye test), knowledge (written test) and road (practical driving skills test).

All tests take place at DriveTest Centres. The only additional place you may need to visit is your vision specialist for an eye test if you fail the vision test, or your physician if you need to provide evidence of medical fitness.
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All tests are available in English or French and some parts are available in some other languages.

You can retake the knowledge and practical tests as many times as you need to achieve a pass. If you fail the vision part of the test you will be given a form for your vision specialist to complete and you can continue your application once it is returned.

You will bring your own vehicle or one you have borrowed or rented; make sure you are thoroughly familiar with it to maximize your chances of success.

No, your examiner will take you on one of the predefined test routes that are selected to allow you to demonstrate your driving skills.

Initially, ask your driver examiner to explain why they gave you the assessment they did. If you’re not satisfied with their response, ask to speak to a local supervisor at the DriveTest Centre where you took the test. Alternatively you may make a complaint in writing.

You can retake the knowledge and practical tests as many times as you need to achieve a pass. If you fail the vision part of the test you will be given a form for your vision specialist to complete and you can continue your application once it is returned.

At any time you are driving a vehicle, yes, always carry your driving licence to prove you have the privilege to drive.

You may drive as many types of vehicle as you are qualified for. There are twelve different licence classes in Ontario for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and motorcycles. You must always make sure that your licence is valid for the class of vehicle you wish to drive.

If you are being tested for a car, van or small truck licence the test will be at a DriveTest Centre; motorcycle and commercial vehicle tests can be taken there also or at certain Ministry of Transportation authorized professional or academic organizations. Find a DriveTest centre near you.

No, you will be issued with a temporary driver’s licence while you wait for your official photocard licence to arrive. This is valid for up to 90 days.

You are: any changes in information such as a change of address or change of name (for example when getting married) should be notified promptly, and even if the information does not change you should periodically renew your card and change the photograph as necessary.

You can’t apply for a new licence online if you allow your licence to expire, you will have to visit a DriveTest centre. Depending on how long it has been since your licence expired, you may be required to take a vision test (expired for more than a year) or (if it has been expired for more than three years) to retake the full driving test.

You must be the sixteen years of age to hold an Ontario driver’s licence.

Yes, you must apply for an Ontario driver’s licence within sixty days of settling in the province.

If you are Canadian citizen, you must show your passport, a Canadian Citizenship Card or Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (if issued prior to February 1, 2012), a Secure Certificate of Indian Status Card or an Ontario Photo Card. If you have none of these, two documents combined, for example your birth certificate and a marriage certificate, may be acceptable: check the rules before applying.

You must successfully pass three different elements: a vision test, a written knowledge test and a practical on road test or tests.

Yes, various fees must be paid before your licence will be issued. The most common fee is $158.25 for a Class G1 licence package, which includes the costs of testing and a five-year licence when successful. Additional fees will be charged for repeat tests, and fees for commercial vehicles, motorcycles etc may be different.

You may be able to, or at least have some of the testing requirements waived; check your eligibility at https://drivetest.ca/licences/licence-exchanges/licence_exchange.html

No, you still have to apply for an Ontario driver’s licence, though some or all of the testing requirements may be waived: check the details here: https://drivetest.ca/licences/licence-exchanges/dnd_404_holders.html

No, because of the testing required you can only exchange your licence at a DriveTest Centre.

You can, but you should also obtain an International Driver’s Permit from your own country before you arrive in Canada if you are planning to stay for more than three months (you cannot obtain an International Driver’s Permit from DriveTest).

Only if your country has a licence exchange agreement with Ontario: check with your country’s authorities to see if this is the case. If your country does not have a licence exchange agreement with Ontario you may still get credit for your foreign driving experience, but you will need to pass all applicable tests.

To be eligible for an exchange or credit, your licence will have to be in English or French. If this is not the case, you must provide a written translation of all the information on the licence produced by a qualified translator.

The expiry date of your licence is printed on your licence photocard. In addition, you will usually get a renewal reminder from the Ministry of Transportation in the mail. However, it is solely your responsibility to make sure your licence is up-to-date.

You can apply for a licence renewal up to 180 days prior to the expiry date.

No, you must visit a ServiceOntario office to renew in person, and if you need to take a test to renew or are renewing a commercial licence you may also need to visit a DriveTest Centre.

You cannot renew a learner’s licence, you will have to reapply at a DriveTest Centre as a new driver (with the exception detailed in the next question).

This may be possible, if you visit a DriveTest Centre you may be able to get an extension to cover your road test on a G1 or G2 licence; if you hold an M1 or M2 licence you may be able to obtain a one day temporary driver’s licence which will only cover the day of your road test.

No, the mandatory waiting period may be waived if your novice class licence expired less than three years ago.

You only have to successfully complete a vision test in this case; if your licence has been expired for more than three years you will also have to complete a written knowledge test and two road tests.

Yes, if you let your licence expire you will have to pay the appropriate fee for your licence as well as any fees applicable for additional testing.

No, you must visit a ServiceOntario office to renew in person, and if you need to take a test to renew or are renewing a commercial licence you may also need to visit a DriveTest Centre.

All DriveTest tests are offered in English and French. Computerised tests are available in many languages and commercial vehicle tests are available in some languages; if you cannot speak English or French make sure you check beforehand whether a test is available in a language you can speak.

No, you will have to pay all expenses incurred in bringing an interpreter to any test.

The road test is only available in English or French and interpreters are not permitted. The driving examiner will do his/her best to accommodate you by using basic terms and hand signals to direct you; it is recommended that you try to learn at least the basic driving vocabulary before your test.

Yes, you can make an appointment for a verbal knowledge test using a sign language interpreter and, if approved by a DriveTest regional manager, you can have a sign language interpreter with you during the road test. DriveTest will reimburse you reasonable expenses incurred in hiring a sign language interpreter for your test.

Such documentation must be translated, at your expense, by a Ministry of Transportation approved translator. Translations made in the country where the licence was issued or elsewhere are not valid unless they are made by an embassy, consulate or high commissioner’s office.

To be approved by the Ministry of Transportation your translator must be employed, or have been employed, as an interpreter or translator, be a member or previous member of a professional interpreter and translation association or be an experienced translator who is a member of the clergy. Proof of these qualifications must be provided.

No, there are various rules in different parts of Ontario as to who qualifies as a recognized interpreter for driving tests. Check with your chosen DriveTest Centre for eligibility rules.