How to Pass the G2 Road Test: The Mistakes That Fail People
Last updated: · Based on the Official MTO Driver's Handbook, explained in our own words
Most people who fail the G2 road test can drive. They fail on a handful of habits that examiners watch for all the way through the test. Here they are, with how to fix each one and where to practise it.
1. Rolling through stop signs
A stop sign means a complete stop: the car stops moving, at the stop line, or before the crosswalk if there's no line. Slowing to walking pace isn't a stop. Count "one thousand one" with the car still before you look and go, and when you can't see past the line, creep forward and stop again.
Practise: the Stop Signs route flags every rolling stop. Read the stop sign guide for all-way stop right-of-way.
2. Missing shoulder checks
Mirrors don't show your blind spots. Turn your head to look over your shoulder before every lane change, before pulling away from the curb and before turning across a bike lane. Make the check obvious, because the examiner can only mark what they see.
Practise: the Roadside Stop route includes pulling back out into traffic.
3. Signalling late, or not at all
Signal before you slow down or move over, not while you're doing it. Turn your signal off after a lane change. On a roadside stop, signal right to pull over, switch to hazards once stopped, then signal left before you pull out.
4. Wrong speed
Speeding is an obvious fail, but driving well under the limit with no reason can cost marks too. Watch for limits that change, especially school zones and the 50 km/h default in towns. On an amber light, stop if you safely can. See traffic light rules.
Practise: the Traffic Light route is free to play.
5. Hitting the curb on parking and turns
Parallel parking, the three-point turn and the roadside stop all end close to a curb. Touching it, or mounting it, costs marks. Go slowly enough that you can stop the moment it looks tight, and on a three-point turn reverse only once.
Practise: Parallel Parking, Three-Point Turn and Hill Parking each have their own route, plus step-by-step guides for parallel parking, the three-point turn and hill parking.
6. Not yielding
Pedestrians in a crosswalk, traffic already in a roundabout, the car that stopped first at an all-way stop, oncoming traffic when you turn left. Going out of turn is one of the fastest ways to end a test.
Practise: the Roundabout route.
7. Nerves on the day
Nerves make people rush. A few things help: drive the area around the test centre beforehand, arrive at least 30 minutes early, and if you make a small mistake, let it go and drive the rest of the test well. One small error rarely fails you. Panicking and piling up more usually does.
Before you book
- Bring a fully licensed accompanying driver and a car that is plated, insured and in good working order.
- Backup cameras and cruise control can't be used, so practise parking with mirrors and shoulder checks.
- Cancel at least 48 hours ahead or you lose the fee. If you fail, you wait at least 10 days, and a retest costs $53.75.
The full checklist is in our G2 road test guide, and the official version is in the road test chapter of the Official MTO Driver's Handbook.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common reason people fail the G2 road test?
Small habits repeated through the test: not coming to a full stop, skipping shoulder checks on lane changes and turns, and driving too fast or too slowly for the road. A single dangerous action, such as running a stop sign, fails you on its own.
Can you fail the G2 for a rolling stop?
Yes. A stop sign means a complete stop, with the car no longer moving, at the right place. Rolling through is a traffic offence and examiners treat it seriously.
Do you have to exaggerate shoulder checks on the road test?
Make them clear. Turn your head far enough for the examiner to see you check, every time you change lanes, pull away from the curb or turn where a cyclist could be beside you.
How long do you have to wait to retake the G2 road test?
At least 10 days. You book and pay for the new test again ($53.75 for a G2 road test at DriveTest).
Can I cancel my road test without losing the fee?
Cancel at least 48 hours ahead. If you cancel later than that, arrive late or miss the test, you lose the pre-paid fee unless one of the exceptions DriveTest lists applies, such as bad weather or illness with proof.
Practise the mistakes away Drive the test routes in your browser and the game flags rolling stops, missed signals and speeding as they happen.
Try the free route