How to Get a Driver's Licence in Ontario
Last updated: · Based on the Official MTO Driver's Handbook, explained in our own words
Ontario uses graduated licensing: you start with a G1, move up to a G2, then earn a full G. For most new drivers it takes about 20 months. Here is every step, what it costs and what to do next.
The three stages at a glance
| Stage | How you get it | How long you hold it |
|---|---|---|
| G1 | Vision test and the G1 knowledge test | At least 12 months (8 with an approved driver education course) |
| G2 | Pass the G2 road test | At least 12 months |
| Full G | Pass the G road test | Renew every five years |
You have five years from getting your G1 to finish the whole process. If you don't, you start over.
Step 1: Get your G1
You must be at least 16 and live in Ontario. At a DriveTest centre (no appointment needed) you show original ID, pass a vision test and take the knowledge test: 40 questions on road signs and rules of the road, and you need 16 out of 20 in each section.
- Study: G1 practice test and sample G1 questions
- Plan the day: where to take it and what to bring
- Budget: what the G1 test costs
Step 2: Drive on your G1
You've passed. Now you practise, with conditions: a fully licensed driver with at least four years' experience beside you, zero alcohol, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., and no 400-series highways or high-speed expressways unless your accompanying driver is a certified driving instructor. All the details are in G1 licence rules.
A government-approved driver education course can shorten this stage from 12 months to 8.
Step 3: Pass the G2 road test
The first road test checks basic skills in real traffic: turns, stops, intersections, lane changes, residential driving, and moves like parallel parking, the three-point turn and a roadside stop. Your first G2 road test is included in the G1 licence package.
Step 4: Drive on your G2
You can drive alone, on any road, at any time. You still need zero alcohol and a working seatbelt for every passenger, and drivers 19 and under have extra passenger limits late at night. See G2 licence rules.
Step 5: Pass the G road test
After 12 months on your G2, the final road test focuses on more advanced driving, including expressways: merging on and off, keeping your speed and space, and lane changes. See the G road test guide.
What it costs
DriveTest fees, including tax:
- $159.75: G1 licence package (knowledge test, first G2 road test and a five-year licence)
- $91.25: G road test
That's $251 if you pass every test the first time. Retests add up fast; see the full list of fees.
Keep your record clean
New drivers face lower demerit point limits and escalating suspensions. Nine points suspends a G1 or G2. Read demerit points for new drivers before you start driving on your own.
The official version of all of this is on Ontario.ca.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a full G licence in Ontario?
At least 20 months for most new drivers: 12 months on a G1 (8 with an approved driver education course), then 12 months on a G2. You have five years from getting your G1 to finish the whole process.
How old do you have to be to get a driver's licence in Ontario?
At least 16. You must also live in Ontario and pass a vision test and the G1 knowledge test.
I passed my G1. What do I do next?
Practise with a fully licensed driver who has at least four years of experience, follow the G1 conditions, and book your G2 road test once you have held your G1 for 12 months (or 8 with an approved course).
What happens if I do not get my full G within five years?
Your G1 or G2 runs out and you have to start over from the G1. If your G2 is about to expire, Ontario.ca says you can take the G2 road test again to get five more years.
How much does it cost to get a driver's licence in Ontario?
The G1 licence package is $159.75 and covers the knowledge test, the G2 road test and a five-year licence. The G road test is $91.25 more, for $251 in total if you pass everything the first time.
Start with the G1 Practise road signs and rules free, then drive a 3D Ontario town to learn what they look like on the road.
Start the practice test