While Toronto and the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) are pretty accessible via public transportation, mainly through the TTC, GO buses & trains, MiWay and more, sometimes you can't help but wonder what it'd be like driving around instead.
Not having to wait on packed trains and buses, or having your travelling plants uprooted by delays, subway closures and shuttle buses. Getting to your destination in half the time, and avoiding some of the interesting characters you may unfortunately encounter on public transportation.
Have you ever wanted to learn about the process of becoming a fully licensed driver in Ontario?
Are you trying to understand the difference between the G1, the G2, and the G licenses?
Curious about the fees attached to applying for a Driver's license on Ontario?
Do you have a driver's license from a foreign country?
If you're looking for answers to these questions and more, I'm here to break it down for you from the point of view of someone who once knew absolutely nothing about the Ontario licensing process!
In this post, we'll be discussing:
↠↠ A quick breakdown of the driving licensing process in Ontario
↠↠ Understanding step 1: The G1 knowledge test
↠↠ Choosing a location to take the G1 knowledge test
↠↠ Do you have a valid non-Canadian driver's license?
↠↠ Required documentation to apply for a Driver's License in Ontario
↠↠ Ontario Driver's License fees breakdown
↠↠ My experience: Taking the G1 knowledge test
↠↠ G1 License Regulations & Restrictions
↠↠ Practice/study guides for the G1 knowledge test
Please note: The processes may differ by province, so this post is only discussing driving in Ontario.
↠↠ Scroll down to the bottom of this post for some links to study guides/practice tests I used when preparing for my G1 knowledge test.
⚠️ Long post ahead!
A quick breakdown of the driving licensing process in Ontario: Ontario’s graduated licensing program
In order to get a full driver's license in Ontario, you have to go through Ontario’s graduated licensing program, which is comprised of three processes:
◉ 1.) Passing a knowledge test to earn a level 1 learner's driver's license, the G1.
◉ 2.) Passing the first road test to get the G2 license and become a level 2 driver.
◉ 3.) Passing the second and final road test to earn the G license.
For someone who's a brand new driver over the age of 16, after you pass the G1 knowledge test, you'll get your G1 license, which you would use to practice driving for at least 12 months (or minimum 8 months if you take an approved driver-education course.)
After this time period, you can book your first road test, the G2 road test (G1 exit test.) Once you've passed this test, you'll get your G2 license and will now be considered a level two driver in addition to having less restrictions than you did with a G1 license.
With your G2 license, you'll have to continue practicing for about 12 months minimum again, including driving on the highway before you can book your second and final road test, the G road test (G2 exit test.) Once you've passed this road test, you'll get a G license.
After earning your G license, that's it, you're a fully licensed driver in the province of Ontario.
All in all, it can take about a minimum of 20-24 months to become a fully licensed driver in Ontario if you're starting off as a brand new driver. (If you have foreign driving experience, you can cut down this wait time between tests, which I'll expand on more below.)
You have a maximum of 5 years, from the time you first get your G1 to complete the whole three step, G1-G2-G process, or else you'll have to start from scratch, starting with taking the G1 knowledge test all over again.
For a more official and detailed breakdown on the process of earning a Driver's license in Ontario as a brand new driver, and understanding each step as you progress through Ontario’s graduated licensing program, tap here.
Understanding step 1: The G1 knowledge test
The first thing you need to know on the topic of driving in Ontario, is that whether you have a driver's license from another country, or if you've never driven a day in your life - in order to get a driver's license in Ontario and progress through the province's graduated licensing program - every single person has to take and pass a written knowledge test; the G1 knowledge test.
(The only possible exception to this is if you have a driver's license from another Canadian province or certain countries that have a reciprocal agreement with Ontario (Some of these countries include; The United States, The United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Ireland, Switzerland and Taiwan) where you can exchange a driver's license from one of those countries, for a license in Ontario. If this applies to you, tap here for more information.)
The G1 knowledge test, is the 'written' test and part one of the three-part testing process of earning a driver's license, with this first test focusing on testing your understanding of the rules, regulations and road signage in Ontario.
In order to take G1 knowledge test, you have two options in terms of locations:
◉ 1.) a DriveTest Centre
◉ 2.) The ServiceOntario branch in Downtown Toronto at Bay and College.
◉ Location #1
↠↠ DriveTest is the primary organization that oversees all driving related tests in the province (Vision Tests, Knowledge tests and Road tests) that is licensed by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. They have centres located all across Toronto and the GTA.
Note that if you choose to do your G1 knowledge test at a DriveTest Centre, you do not need to book an appointment. At these locations it's a first-come, first serve type of setting, so you should go as early as possible, likely before they open because the lines are known for being historically long. This is the main setback of taking the G1 knowledge test at the DriveTest centres.
Some locations do the test on paper, and others do it on computers.
↠↠ For a list of all DriveTest Centres to find the one nearest to you, tap here.
◉ Location #2
↠↠ the ServiceOntario office located at 777 Bay Street, Lower Level, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C8.
I believe this is the only ServiceOntario branch that offers the option of taking the G1 knowledge test.
Note that to take the G1 knowledge test at this location you will need to book an appointment, but this cuts the waiting time to almost nothing in comparison to the DriveTest Centre.
The main setback of taking the G1 Knowledge test at the ServiceOntario location however, is that slots for appointments go pretty quickly.
If no dates or times are showing up when you go to book an appointment, this means everything is booked up and you'll have to check again at a later time.
If you want to try booking an appointment to take your G1 knowledge test at the ServiceOntario location, tap here for the booking portal.
Choosing a location to take the G1 knowledge test
After a failed Reddit tip told me a sweet spot for going for the G1 knowledge test was around 4:30pm, and I didn't move in the line for over an hour, I tried going to a different location at the crack of dawn instead, aiming to be one of the first people in the line at the advice of a friend.
I did some googling before hand to see what services were offered at the different DriveTest locations, since they provide service to all vehicles; cars, trucks, motorcycles and more - but services offered vary by the location.
I figured I would have a better chance going to a location that offered a smaller number of services, meaning hopefully less people lined up.
Note that the G1 knowledge tests are offered at all the DriveTest centres.
↠↠ For a list of all DriveTest Centres to find the one nearest to you, tap here.
I ended up going to the DriveTest location in Etobicoke, at Centennial Park Plaza (5555 Eglington Avenue West)
For anyone still not very familiar with the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), Etobicoke is an area/municipality just to the west of the main downtown Toronto city core.
At this Etobicoke DriveTest location, they only do car related tests (G2, G) and M tests, for motorcycles, compared to other locations who offered about 6-7 additional services on top of the car/road tests.
I got there by 6:40am, with just a few people lined up. The office opened at 7am, and by about 7:10am I was inside, and was given a ticket to stand in line. (Yep, there was another line up inside.)
Note: There will probably be a separate line up for the persons who are taking their road tests with the instructors. I was confused by this in the beginning myself.
Do you have a valid non-Canadian driver's license?
For those of you who have a valid driver's license from another country that does not have an exchange agreement with Ontario, you will still be required to take the G1 knowledge test.
However, if you have a minimum of 24 months’ driving experience in the last 3 years, you can cut down the waiting time it takes to progress through Ontario's licensing system immensely, get credit for previous driving experience, and pay a reduced price when going to take your G1 knowledge test.
This is stated on the Ontario government website right here in the section "2+ year driving experience (no exchange)"
For me, having a driver's license from Trinidad and Tobago (which does not have an exchange agreement with Ontario) that was more than four years old meant that I had to take the G1 knowledge test, but after passing, I was allowed to jump straight to booking the second and final road test, the G2 exit road test in the hopes of earning the final and full G license, without any minimum waiting time.
Note again that in order to get credit for prior foreign driving experience to cut down wait times, you must have a minimum of 24 months driving experience in the last 3 years. Anything less, you will still have to take both the G1 exit and G2 exit road tests, but the wait times may vary depending on the extent and duration of your driving experience.
Some people who qualify by having more than 24 months foreign driving experience do still opt to do the first road test, the G1 exit road test to earn the G2 license, just to build that driving experience in Ontario, which is understandable because even I have noticed a number of differences in terms of the road rules here in Ontario, compared to back home.
Required documentation to apply for a Driver's License in Ontario - When going for the G1 knowledge test
Let's talk about the documentation you have to carry to the DriveTest or Service Canada location before you even complete the step 1 of taking the G1 knowledge test.
Note that all the documentation you bring, must be official and original documents.
No photocopies are accepted. When I was there, people were turned away because they did not have their original documents and their photocopies were not accepted.
The documents required include:
1.) ↠↠ Proof of identification:
Your proof of identification document must have the following:
◉ Your proof of legal name
◉ Your date of birth
◉ Your signature
Your best bet here is your passport.
As a temporary resident, I'd also advise you carry along your immigration document, whether that's a study permit or a work permit. They didn't check mine but you can never be too certain, as they may ask for two forms of identification.
Tap here for the complete list of accepted identity documents.
2.) ↠↠ Your valid foreign driver's license:
This will only apply if you have a valid license from another country that shows you have more than 24 months/2 years of foreign driving experience, and are looking to get some driving experience credit.
Remember that if your license is under 2 years old, you will still have to do both the road tests. However, I would still recommend you carry the foreign license with you when you go, because your wait time between the road tests may change depending on the extent of your driving experience, and they would be able to let you know.
Tap here for a more detailed explanation in the section: "Under 2 years driving experience (no exchange)"
Also ensure that your foreign license is not expired. They will not accept an expired license.
3.) ↠↠ A letter from your country's consulate, or representative government office in Canada providing official written confirmation of your foreign driving experience:
This again only applies to those persons with a valid driver's license over 24 months/ two years who are looking to get driving credit applied to their application to have it fast-tracked to cut down on the waiting time.
This letter must come from an official representative of your country, whether it's an Embassy, Consulate, or High Commissioner's office, and must include the following:
◉ It must be dated - The letter cannot be anymore than 6 months old.
◉ It must be written on an official letterhead.
◉ It must be in either English or French.
◉ It must state when your license first became valid and its expiry date.
◉ It must state the class of license you have, and confirm its validity and the duration of your driving experience.
For more information on the letter, please visit this link here.
I contacted the Trinidad and Tobago consulate to get my letter which came in the mail.
For a list of all the consulate/high commissioner/government offices for CARICOM nations in Canada, please tap here.
After I handed over my documents to the DriveTest representative, I got some push back since our Driver's licenses back home in Trinidad and Tobago, say "driving permit" even though it's a full license, so of course I had to go through the usual experience of witnessing the attendant pulling out the international ID book like they do in LCBO to confirm my license was in fact, a real piece of identity.
Once everything was confirmed, the next step was to do the mandatory vision test then and there. The test for me comprised of calling out numbers that appeared in different sizes, and which sides I would see flashing lights on.
Afterwards, my photo was taken, and then I had to pay the fee for the driving test package/program.
Ontario Driver's License fees breakdown
As a brand new driver you would pay a fee of $159.75, which is the Class G1 license package that includes your G1 knowledge test, your first road test, and a five-year license.
For your second road test however, you will have to pay additional fees, and this will also apply if you need to retake any tests as well.
If your foreign license is accepted to have the credit applied to you driving experience, you would pay a reduced overall package price, of $106.00.
This is the Foreign license application package which includes the knowledge test and a five-year license, however it doesn't include additional testing, so you would have to pay extra for the road tests.
Here's a screenshot of the fee breakdowns from this link here.
My experience: Taking the G1 knowledge test
After confirming all my information was correct, I was handed a yellow slip and my documents were returned (aside from the letter from the consulate).
They also returned my foreign license as well. (I'm unsure if the license is returned if you exchanged it through the exclusive exchange agreement though.)
Afterwards, they told me which number monitor to go to, and pointed me in the direction of the testing room. There I met another attendant who asked what my monitor number was, and she showed me where to go.
At the monitor, the first question was just to confirm my date of birth from the 4 options on the screen. If there are no options showing your correct date of birth, you'll need to return to the front desk.
The second question that came up was one asking me to answer a simple math question, just as a tester to show how to go about selecting and answering the questions before the real test began. - when selecting and submitting the answers, at the bottom of the screen it would tell me if the answer was correct, or incorrect.
The test in its entirety is multiple choice, and is not timed, so take your time. On average people tend to take about 30-40 minutes to complete it.
You need to get 80% or more to pass (minimum 16 questions correct) in both the rules of the road section, and in the road signs section.
There are a total of 40 questions split across two sections, and you're only allowed to get a maximum of 4 wrong per section. Anymore than that, you will fail and will have to retest.
Note that if you fail the G1 knowledge test, you'll have to pay $16.00 for every extra attempt you do. It's highly unlikely that you'll be able to retake it within the same day of not passing, so it's usually advised to wait until at least the following day.
I remember I got two wrong on the rules section, and my chest started to get tight because I did not want to have to retake the test.
I did a couple days of studying leading up to when I planned to go in, plus a review session the month before. Overall, it's a preparation type of test, but I’m glad I studied because some questions that came, if I didn’t do some refresher studying the night before, I might’ve gotten the 4 wrong.
When I was done with the test, a notice showed up on the screen telling me I passed. Once I gathered my things, I went back to the front desk in the monitoring room where the attendant also congratulated me for passing, and I was given my temporary G1 license which looks like this:
The temporary driver's license is made out of paper. Under class it will say G1, and will have all the identification information you provided, in addition to your new driver's license number which you'll use to book your future road test(s). Your address would also be noted underneath the Driver's license No. section.
This temporary license is valid for a total of 90 days. Within these 90 days, you'll be allowed to drive (accompanied by a fully licensed driver or a driving instructor as there are restrictions that come with the G1 license, including not being allowed to drive on your own) as you await the plastic driver's license photo card to arrive in the mail.
If the expiry date on your temporary license is approaching and you've still not received your plastic G1 driver's license card in the mail, you'll need to visit your local ServiceOntario.
The attendant told me that the physical plastic card would come in the mail in about two weeks, and looks like this:
Again the main difference here is that under class it would say G1 not G2.
Because of my prior driving experience, I was told I could go ahead and book the first road test (G1 exit road test) if I wanted, or I could go ahead and book the final G test (G2 exit road test) to have the final license once I passed that test.
And that was it, that was the G1 knowledge test.
Your next steps, whether you're a new driver or if your foreign driving experience credit was accepted, is to find a driving school to begin formally practicing for whichever your first road test in Ontario will be.
For a list of government-approved driving schools in Ontario, tap here.
Quick note: As an immigrant, once you get your physical/plastic G1 driver's license card in the mail, you can use this as an ID card anywhere in Ontario. LCBO, clubs, dispensaries and more.
It's an accepted photo ID card, meaning you can finally avoid all the frustration around businesses and locations not recognizing, or accepting your foreign ID card, since you G1 license is an official proof of identity.
If I'd known that sooner, I wouldn't have waited so long to get my G1!
Regulations as a G1 driver: G1 License Regulations & Restrictions:
In my research when preparing this post, I came across a number of different lists of the regulations and restrictions you have as a G1 driver.
Here are a few:
◉ You must maintain a zero blood alcohol and THC level.
◉ You cannot drive alone. You must be accompanied by a fully licensed driver with at least 4 years driving experience.
◉ You must ensure all passengers in the vehicle are wearing seatbelts.
◉ You cannot drive on 400-series highways or other roads with a posted speed limit greater than 80km/hr unless you are accompanied by a driving instructor who is licensed in Ontario.
◉ You cannot drive between midnight and 5am.
◉ You must have your G1 for 12 months before taking a test for your G2 (unless you take and pass an approved driving course, then your minimum wait time to take your first G2 road test is 8 months.)
Practice/Study guides for the G1 written test
If anyone is looking for some study guides, here are some pretty useful links I used to practice for the G1 knowledge test:
◉ Tap here for an older PDF of an Ontario Driving Handbook/Study guide
◉ Tap here for free practice test stimulators with questions that have come on exams in the past. (only the sections labelled "easy" are free)
◉ Tap here for more free practice test stimulators
◉ Tap here for additional free practice test simulators
Thanks for reading!