Ontario Driver’s License G1 – Information and Practice

Follow the following steps to register for the Ontario written driving test.

1. Prove your Identity

Documents with your photo, date of birth and full legal names are required to prove your identity.  For example, one of the following:

• Identification card
• Valid passport
• Canadian armed forces identification card

If your name has changed due to marriage, legal change of name, divorce, or other reasons, you must disclose this and provide proof of your new name.

1. Prove you are a Canadian resident

A Canadian birth certificate, a secure certificate of Indian status or a valid Canadian passport are official proof of Canadian residence. Your passport must have 90 or more days left before expiry to qualify for licensing if you are a foreign passport holder on a work or study permit. You are required to provide a written translation if you hold residence documents in a language other than English.

1. Provide Ontario residence documents

The following are accepted to prove your residence:

Original copy of electronic utility bills with your Ontario address including,

• Telephone bill
• Cable TV bill
• Internet bills

Non-utility correspondence addressed to your Ontario address including

• Bank statements
• Ontario social Benefit statement
• Income tax assessment summary

To ensure the information is current, we recommend the documents presented are less than 90 days old.

Your understanding of standard signals, road markings, and signs that guide drivers and other road users will be tested to ensure you adhere to rules that keep traffic flowing smoothly and organized. It would be best to read signs by their color, the message printed on them, and their shape. The test will also check whether you understand regulatory signs since it is a crime to disregard them. To ensure you are not surprised with potential hazards such as snow and deer crossing as you drive, your ability to interpret warning signs is assessed.

To keep safe when operating a vehicle on the road, you have to know how to share the road. The written driving test will test whether you know whom and how you share the road with. You will be presented with simulated cases and asked the next course of action to, for example, avoid a crash. The test your understanding of the main points to keep in mind for each of the following road users:

• Pedestrians: Always watch for pedestrians as they can be unpredictable and hard to see at night. You should prove that you understand it is dangerous and illegal to drive through a crosswalk when other cars have stopped.
• Cyclists: Even though they have the same rights and responsibilities on the road, cyclists are very vulnerable. Cyclists can be hidden in your blind spots and remember to check over your shoulder before making a right turn.
• Motorcycles: are equally vulnerable as they have no bumpers or an external frame for protection. The test will assess your knowledge of the basics, such as not sharing a lane with motorcycles since they need the whole lane for safety.
• Passenger vehicles: While driving, you will share the road with other drivers who, like other road users, can be unpredictable and may not look ahead all the time. You must prove that you have all it takes to observe and respond to hazards posed by other road users.
• Large vehicles: Unlike other vehicles on the road, large vehicles operate differently and require a lot of space. You may be tested on your ability to understand signs on the back of vehicles that  advise you to keep your distance.
• School buses: You should understand the different signals given by school bus drivers and their significance. Driver’s approaching a school bus are required to stop if the alternating flashing red light is on and only move after the driver signals that it is safe by pulling the stop sign.
• Public transit buses: Learn the rules that apply when sharing the road with public transit buses.
• Emergency vehicles: As a driver, we recommend understanding what vehicles are categorized as emergency vehicles. You may also prove that you understand when to stop and give way to emergency vehicles.

Mastering road rules will help you use lanes correctly, drive safely at intersections, and park legally. This part of the test will test your knowledge in the areas below:

• Understanding intersections: Since intersections involve a lot of activity, as well as many accidents, the knowledge test will assess your understanding of proper signaling that makes your actions predictable. You also need to understand the different types of intersections, including controlled intersections with traffic lights and uncontrolled intersections with no signs.
• Using lanes correctly: As a driver, you need to understand the lanes to use and how to use them, as choosing the correct lane gives you the best vision possible. You will also be tested on your mastery of lane tracking, as you will need to position your vehicle in the correct lane before turning, changing lanes, or overtaking.
• Parking tips and rules: The test will assess whether you understand where and when to park, as illegal parking could be hazardous to other road users. You should know where it is illegal to park, such as on sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and highway tunnels.

Ontario developed a straightforward and streamlined process to get your license under the Graduated Driver Licensing Program. This section discusses what you need to do at each stage of your journey through the three stages involved.

Class G1

You will be considered a G1 driver once you have passed the knowledge test. You may apply for the G1 license when you are 16 years or older with signed consent from your parent or guardian if you are under 19. To get the license, you are required to pass the ICBC knowledge test in addition to a vision test.

Class G2

You may take the class G2 road test after 12 months of driving under supervision without suspension. G2 drivers cannot drink alcohol or handle electronic devices when driving. G2 drivers have their number of passengers to the number of seatbelts available. The biggest advantage G2 drivers have over G1 drivers is that they can drive on their own without an accompanying driver.

Full G License

You will receive the Full G license with no restrictions once you pass the second road test. Drivers take an average of two years to graduate with a full G license. The full G advanced road tests several skills tasking the driver to smoothly handle the vehicle proving their mastery of road. One can still be suspended if they commit a serious traffic offence even after earning their full G license.