How To Pass Your G Test in Ontario: The Ultimate Guide

Becoming a legal driver in Canada requires securing your driver’s licence, which can be exciting for anyone. Every Canadian province has its process for becoming a licensed driver. Ontario’s process involves earning G1 and G2 driver’s licences to help new drivers gradually learn to drive. This process culminates with the G driver’s licence, which makes you a fully licensed driver in Ontario.

Many new drivers wonder how to pass their G Test in Ontario. The process starts with passing the G1 and G2 tests. After that, you can take the G road test. Below, we outline how to pass each test and offer tips on completing the G road test in Ontario.

What Is the G Test?

The G test is the final road exam to earn your G driver’s licence. A G driver’s licence means you are a fully licensed Ontario driver of cars, vans, small trucks, and SUVs, and have no restrictions on your driving privileges, which is a step up from the G1 and G2 driver’s licences. 

You must acquire G1 and G2 driver’s licences and complete all the required learning before applying for the G Licence test.

How Does the G Licensing Process Work in Ontario?

Earning your G driver’s licence in Ontario is a three-step process. You start  with the G1 and graduate to a G2 licence. Finally, after completing all the G2 requirements, you can test for the full G licence. 

Here’s how to get through the G1 and G2 licence processes.

G1 Licence

Once you reach the age of 16, you’re eligible to take the G1 licence test, which is a vision and knowledge test — no driving is involved in this test. You’ll want to study Ontario’s Official Driver Handbook to gain the knowledge needed to pass this test. You can access this handbook online through ServiceOntario or pick one up in person at any DriveTest centre or select retail stores for $14.95.

The G1 knowledge test has 40 multiple-choice questions covering two sections: rules of the road and road signs. A passing score is answering 16 of the 20 questions in each section correctly. There is a $159.75 test fee, pass or fail. That fee may seem high, but it also covers your future G2 driving exam. If you fail the test, you can retake the written exam for $16.

If you pass the G1 test and receive the G1 licence, you can drive with a G-licensed person with at least four years of driving experience and a blood-alcohol content of less than 0.05. 

You’ll practice driving on your G1 licence for at least one year — or eight months if you’re in a driving school — before you can graduate to the G2 test.

G1 Licence Rules and Restrictions

The G1 licence is the most restrictive licence. On top of requiring a fully licensed driver, other rules and restrictions you must abide by are:

• You must maintain a 0% blood-alcohol level
• Every passenger in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt
• You cannot drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
• You cannot drive on a 400-series highway or high-speed expressway, such as: 401, Queen Elizabeth Way, or Gardiner Expressway

• The licensed driver supervising you must
  • Have at least four years of driving experience
  • Have a blood-alcohol level of 0.05% or less or 0% if they are under 21 years old

G2 Licence

A G2 licence gives you the first dose of true driving freedom, as you no longer need an accompanying G-licensed driver. However, the G2 is still a novice driver’s licence and has some restrictions we’ll cover later.

To be eligible for the G2 driver’s licence, you must complete eight to 12 months with the G1 licence and adhere to all its restrictions. After this practice period, you can take the G2 licence road test.

The G2 road test includes relatively basic driving skills, including:

• Making left and right turns
• Stopping
• Parallel parking
• Driving on one-way streets
• Making lane changes
• Making three-point turns
• Driving in residential neighbourhoods
• Following traffic lights, stop and yield signs

If the driving instructor feels you successfully demonstrated the ability to drive in this test, you will pass and receive your G2 licence.

G2 Licence Rules and Restrictions

The G2 licence is less restrictive than the G1 licence, but it still has several requirements for drivers aged 19 years and older, including: 

• Maintaining a 0% blood-alcohol level 
• Carrying only as many passengers as the vehicle has seat belts.

If you’re under 19, you have several more restrictions, including: 

• No driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
• Driving with only one passenger under 19 years old in the vehicle for the first six months and no more than three under-19 passengers after six months
  • This limitation does not apply if you have a fully licensed passenger in the vehicle with four or more years of driving experience or if the passengers are immediate family members.

How Do You Pass the G Test in Ontario?

After practicing on a G2 licence for 12 months, you’re eligible to take the full G licence test, which you can book online. 

When you pass the G licence driving test, you become a fully licensed driver in Ontario with no additional restrictions. Keep in mind that this this test will include more advanced driving skills. However, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) doesn’t require you to repeat some skills included in the G2 test, such as:

• Parallel parking
• Roadside stops
• Three-point turn
• Driving in residential neighbourhoods

Here’s what you’ll be expected to perform successfully to earn your G licence:

• Left and right turns
• Stopping and navigating intersections
• Freeway and other major roadway driving
• Lane changes
• Navigating curves
• Driving in a business area

You’ll also need to complete and sign a “Declaration of Highway Driving Experience.” This form outlines how many times you drove on a freeway or highway in the preceding three months with at least an 80 km/h speed limit and the average trip length in kilometres.

How to Pass Each Section of the G Test in Ontario

Understanding what you need to do to pass the G licence test goes a long way in helping you ace it the first time. LEt’s review some tips on passing each section of the G licence driving test. 

Making Left and Right Turns

As you approach an intersection, the instructor will tell you to make a left or right turn — this is the start of this test. The test ends right before you enter the intersection. To complete this section, the instructor expects you to perform these actions in order:

• Check your surroundings using the rearview and side mirrors. If you’re changing lanes, check your blind spot by looking over your shoulder.
• Move into the far left or right lane once it’s clear of other traffic.
• Turn on your turn signal unless vehicles are on side roads between you and the intersection you’re turning into. Only activate the signal after passing these vehicles to prevent them from thinking you’re turning onto the street they are on.
• Reduce your speed as you approach the turn. In a vehicle with a manual transmission, you may want to downshift, but don’t coast with your foot on the clutch pedal.
• Maintain a two to three-second distance between you and any vehicle ahead of you.
• If you must stop to make the turn, come to a complete stop behind the stop line or crosswalk with enough space to pull out and pass any vehicle in front of you without backing up. Don’t allow the vehicle to roll forwards or backwards. Keep your wheels facing straight while stopped. Once the conditions are clear, move forward, verify the way is clear, and begin the turn.
• While you're about to start the turn, you must check for traffic all around you by looking left, right, and ahead. If there is doubt about the right-of-way, make eye contact with the other drivers or pedestrians before proceeding. If another vehicle can overtake you while turning, check your blind spot before proceeding. Once clear, initiate the turn within four to five seconds.
• While turning, use both hands to turn the wheel throughout the turn and do not shift gears in a manual transmission during the turn. Maintain a steady speed throughout the turn and increase your speed steadily as you complete the turn.
• Complete the turn without crossing into other lanes and ending in the lane that corresponds to the lane you began the turn in. Return to normal traffic speed if possible or move to another lane.

Stopping at an Intersection

When completing the stopping at an intersection test for your G licence in Ontario, you’ll approach an intersection requiring a complete stop. The test begins the moment you can see the intersection and ends just before you enter the intersection. 

By following these actions, you can ensure you pass this part of the test.

• Before slowing down for the intersection, check all around for traffic. Use your mirrors to check the traffic behind you.
• Reduce your speed steadily as you approach the intersection. You may downshift if driving with a manual transmission but don’t coast with the clutch depressed. While slowing, maintain a two- to three-second distance behind the vehicle in front of you.
• Once you come to a complete stop behind the stop line or crosswalk, don’t allow the vehicle to roll forwards or backwards. When the traffic conditions permit, move forward and check that crossing the intersection is clear.
• While stopped behind another vehicle at the intersection, leave room for you to pull out and pass the vehicle if needed without backing up.
• Always check traffic while stopped at a red light and awaiting the green light. Once it’s clear for you to proceed, look left, ahead, and right to ensure it is clear. If there are doubts about the right of way, attempt to make eye contact with the other drivers or pedestrians.
• When safe, proceed through the intersection with both hands on the steering wheel within four to five seconds of it becoming clear. Don’t shift gears until you are almost entirely through the intersection if the vehicle has a manual transmission. If the intersection is more than four lanes wide, you can shift gears as needed to avoid slowing traffic behind you. 
• As you approach normal traffic speeds, check your mirrors to be aware of current traffic conditions.

Driving Through an Intersection

This section of the G road test involves driving through an intersection that may not require stopping the vehicle. This test begins once the intersection is in clear sight and ends just before you enter the intersection. 

To pass this section, ensure you follow these tips:

• When approaching the intersection, look left and right for crossing traffic. If you must slow the vehicle down when approaching the intersection, check your mirrors for traffic behind you.
• Drive through the intersection while maintaining the same speed unless there’s a chance traffic may cross your path. Hold your foot over the brake pedal or slow down if you detect possible crossing traffic. Also, watch for pedestrians and vehicles lurching toward the intersection.
• If you’re following another vehicle through the intersection, always keep a two to three-second distance behind the leading vehicle.
• Remain in your lane while crossing the intersection with both hands on the wheel. If your lane is blocked by a vehicle turning or edging into traffic, slow down or stop instead of overtaking.
• Don’t shift gears until you are almost entirely through the intersection if the vehicle has a manual transmission. If the intersection is more than four lanes wide, you can shift gears freely as you drive through it to avoid slowing traffic behind you.
• If you had to slow down in the intersection, check your mirrors for traffic before accelerating again.

Driving on a Freeway

This section of the G licence test in Ontario verifies your ability to enter, drive on, and exit a freeway. The first part of the test begins as you enter the on-ramp and ends once you’ve reached freeway speeds. The second part starts when the exit ramp in in view and ends at the end of the exit ramp. 

To pass this section, follow these tips:

• Once you can see the freeway traffic approaching from behind, check your mirrors and blind spot for room to merge in with the flowing traffic. Also, remain aware of any traffic ahead of you on the ramp and maintain a safe two- to three-second following distance.
• Engage your turn signal once the freeway traffic can see your vehicle on the ramp. Merge into traffic when there is an opening, ensuring you don’t merge next to another vehicle or into another vehicle’s blind spot.
• Turn off your turn signal after you’ve completed the merge.
• Continue driving along the freeway, checking traffic through your mirrors every 10 seconds. Observe and adhere to the posted speed limit, but avoid driving unreasonably slow. Maintain a steady speed and look about 12 to 15 seconds ahead in your path for potential dangers.
• Maintain a safe two- to three-second following distance from the vehicle ahead of you. If a vehicle follows you too closely, adjust your speed (if you’re driving under the speed limit) to increase your leading room or change lanes. Don’t remain behind large vehicles, as they can obstruct your view.
• When exiting the freeway, look left and right and check your mirrors for traffic before entering the exit lane. Also, check your blind spot if there is an acceleration lane or a paved shoulder.
• Activate your turn signal toward the exit lane to alert traffic of your intentions. Enter the exit lane smoothly at or near the beginning of the lane. Stay within the lane lines. Do not cross solid lines if there are multiple exit lanes.
• Once you're completely in the exit lane, slow gradually without forcing traffic to pile behind your vehicle. Keep your speed slow enough to avoid jostling passengers and items in the vehicle while going through any curves on the exit ramp. Maintain a safe two- to three-second following distance.
• Cancel your turn signal.

Lane Changes

This section of the G test in Ontario checks your ability to change lanes safely. This test begins when you start looking for an opportunity to safely change lanes and ends once you’ve completed the lane change. 

To pass this section, follow these tips.

• Look all around, giving equal attention to the traffic ahead, your mirrors, and your blind spot. Remember to check the lane next to the one you will change into for traffic, if applicable.
• Activate your turn signal when it’s safe to change lanes and check your blind spot while maintaining a two- to three-second gap between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
• Adjust your speed to match the travelling speed of the traffic in your new lane, then change lanes smoothly and gradually while keeping both hands on the wheel. Cancel your turn signal.

Driving on a Curve

This section of the test verifies your ability to maintain control through a curve in the road. This test begins once the curve in in sight and ends once you’ve safely navigated the turn. 

To pass this section of the G road test, follow these tips.

• While approaching the curve, determine a safe speed to maintain through it. You can find clues to the proper speed from traffic signs indicating a lower speed for the curve or by looking at the shape and length of the curve. Slow to this safe speed within 30 metres of entering the turn. If you’re navigating a blind curve — one where you cannot see the other end of the curve — drive even slower to ensure you have time to react.
• Maintain a steady speed throughout the curve to avoid jolting people and objects in the car. Near the end of the curve, accelerate smoothly until you reach normal traffic speed. If the vehicle has a manual transmission, don’t shift gears while in the turn.
• While in the curve, allow your eyes to follow the curve ahead and look where the curve is going instead of immediately in front of the vehicle. This will help you maintain a smooth driving line within the lines of the road.

Driving in a Business Area

This section of the G test in Ontario verifies your ability to drive in a business area. There’s no predetermined time or place when this test starts and ends, but you’ll know you’re being tested when you enter an area with an increased number of commercial buildings. 

Follow these tips to help you pass this part of the test:

• A business area has many places other than intersections where vehicles or pedestrians will likely enter the road. These areas include business entrances, institutions, construction sites, and railway entrances. Always look left and right at all these locations to check for other vehicles and pedestrians.
• Check your mirrors every five to 10 seconds. If you’re in an area with heavy traffic or areas with vehicles moving at differing speeds, check your mirrors even more frequently.
• Remain in the safest lane while driving through the area — typically the curb or centre lanes. Keep in the centre of the lane markings, always look 10 to 12 seconds ahead, and remain within the posted speed limit.
• Maintain a safe two to three-second following distance and keep an open space on both sides of you on a multi-lane road in case you need to make an evasive maneuver. Avoid driving in other vehicles’ blind spots and behind large vehicles obstructing your view.

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