Graduated Licensing System

How to get started (even before you turn 16!)

You should obtain a copy of the MTO Driver’s Handbook from a DriveTest Centre, Service Ontario office or bookstore.  You can do this before you turn 16. Study it thoroughly in order to be ready to pass your written test at a DriveTest Centre.   Obtain the address of the office nearest you from the Blue Pages in your phone book, or online at http://www.drivetest.ca/ . 

Once you turn 16, you can write the G1 Learner’s Permit Test at a driver test center. You will be asked questions based on the the following:

• Contents of the Driver’s Handbook, including traffic laws, the rules of the road, recognition and understanding of lights and signs, safety rules, etc.
• You must obtain 80% on the test to pass.
• You must also pass a vision test
• You must show identification (a passport, social insurance card, birth certificate, student ID card
• Test fee is $158.25. (Fee is subject to increase every September)

Once you have your G1 Licence

If you successfully pass the written test and the vision test, you will get your G1 licence. From this point, you will have 5 years to complete the graduated license process. The fee you pay will also cover your first behind-the-wheel driving test, which you can take after 12 months if you don’t take a recognized driver training course.If you take an MTO-Approved BDE course like PT DRIVER EDUCATION , you can complete your road test in only 8 months, instead of 12.

Restrictions with the G1 permit

Until you pass your G1 road test, you must not drive without a fully-licensed driver in the passenger seat beside you, and observe other important restrictions and rules, namely:

1. The accompanying co-driver must have been licensed for at least 4 years, and hold a full Class G License. S/he is the only passenger allowed in your front seat.
2. You must wait a minimum of 12 months to attempt the G1 test. But if you take PT DRIVER EDUCATION’s  MTO-Approved BDE course, you can try your first road test in only 8 months.
3. You must have 0 blood alcohol, and your co-driver must have a blood alcohol content below .05%.
4. You may not drive on the following highways with a posted speed limit over 80 km/hr:
   Those parts of the King’s Highway known as 400 series freeway (400, 400A, 401, 402, 403, 404, 406, 407, 409, 410, 416, 417, 420, 427) or on the Queen Elizabeth Way, Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner Expressway, E.C. Row Expressway and the Conestoga Parkway, except with a licensed driving instructor.
5. You cannot drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
6. You have to limit the number of passengers in the rear seats to the number of working seatbelts. Only your co-driver is allowed in the front seat.
7. You can only drive G class vehicles.
8. After 8 months of practice-driving (we recommend at least 50 hours behind the wheel), you may try your G1 Road Test.   You must have successfully completed all of the components of the BDE course and be certified through PTDE in order to be eligible. Otherwise, you must wait 12 months to take the G1 Road Test.

The G1 Exit Road Test

What you’ll be tested on:

• Driving situations and rules of the road
  • including proper car control and steering technique
  • blind spot checks
  • lane position and changes
  • starting, stopping, turning corners, passing vehicles and land driving
  • driving through controlled and uncontrolled intersections (especially controlled left turn lanes)
  • parallel parking and backing up
  • anticipation of hazardous conditions
  • and other safe-driving practices such as driving the right speed and observance of the law.
• The road test will consist of about 20 minutes of actual driving/turning/parking with a government examiner, either in a controlled off-road test area, or on public streets and roads.

G2 Level Drivers

New drivers must hold a G2 licence for a minimum of 12 months before they can attempt a G2 Exit road test.  At this level, you have more privileges because of your driving experience.

You can drive at any time, day or night.  You can drive on your own on any Ontario road with only these 3 important conditions;

• You must not drink any alcohol if you will be driving.  Your blood alcohol concentration must be zero.
• Each person must have a working seatbelt so your vehicle will not be overcrowded and everyone is protected.
• Teenage G2 drivers must limit the number of passengers under the age of 20 late at night;
• G2 drivers aged 19 years and under, will be restricted in the number of passengers aged 19 and under they can carry;
• The passenger restriction is in effect between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m.
  • In the first six months, only one passenger aged 19 and under;
  • After the first six months, or until G2 drivers turn 20, they can carry only three passengers aged 19 and under;
  • It does not apply if your only front seat passenger is a fully licensed driver with four or more years of driving experience, or if the young passengers are your immediate family. See MTO website: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/about/bill73.htm

The G2 Exit Road Test

You can attempt your G2 driving test a minimum of 12 months after your G1 road test. The G2 test, if you pass, gives you full driving privileges.

• You’ll be tested on your defensive driving skills with a government examiner for 30 minutes behind-the-wheel.
• You can expect to be tested on:
  • proper lane use
  • proper observation skills
  • mirror use
  • blind spot checks
  • appropriate space management
  • approach to intersection when left turning at large intersections
  • road side stop
  • freeway driving
  • parallel parking
  • proper lane change procedure
  • defensive driving throughout the test on public streets, roads and highways

Before you take the G2 Road Test, you may decide to polish your skills with a special G2 road test refresher lesson with us.   Preparing yourself for your G2 exit can save you money in the end.