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In the process of getting your driver's licence and need car insurance? Compare rates now.
Each province has a slightly different licensing process for new drivers. Ontario requires their drivers to go through a graduated licencing program that can take at least 20 months to complete. There are two levels that drivers must pass (G1 and G2) before obtaining their full G licence required to drive a car, van, or small truck. Drivers have five years to complete the process, and failure to do so means that they’d have to start all over again.
The first two levels have restrictions on where and when new drivers can drive, whilst there are no such restrictions on the G licence. The benefit of a graduated licencing program is that it allows drivers to ease into different environments, helps them improve their driving skills, and attain experience gradually.
Let’s walk through the process of getting your driver’s licence in Ontario:
The G1 licence is also known as the learner’s permit, and you must be 16 years of age before applying for it.
Whenever you’re ready to apply for your G1, visit any DriveTest centre. Make sure you have:
To prepare for the knowledge test, purchase and study the Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) Driver’s Handbook. The handbook costs $14.95, and can be purchased online through Service Ontario, at any DriveTest centre, or at retail stores.
You can also take a few practice tests online. The examination includes rules of the road, traffic signs, and practical driving tips.
To pass the knowledge test, you must score above 80 per cent. Retakes or additional attempts cost $16 per retest.
By Ontario law, there are certain restrictions on drivers who hold a G1 licence. They must:
You have 12 months to practice driving with your G1 licence before you can apply for the G2. However, you can apply within eight months if you complete an MTO-certified driving course.
Read more: Requirements and restrictions for getting your G1 in Ontario
An MTO-certified driving course has three parts: classroom instruction, in-vehicle training, and flexible instruction. The course should have a minimum of 20 hours of classroom instruction (delivered either in-person or online), a minimum of 10 hours of in-vehicle training delivered by a licenced instructor, and 10 hours of flexible instruction time which may be used for driving simulation or additional classroom and in-vehicle training.
The driving lessons typically cost $600, but this can vary depending on the school and number of lessons you have opted for. While it’s easier to attend classes at a school close to your home, make sure it’s on the government’s list of approved schools.
After completing the beginner driver education course, the driving school will certify you online and your student driver record will be updated through the MTO. If you need proof to demonstrate that you’ve completed the MTO-certified course, you can get this for a fee of $12.
When you’re ready to apply for the G2, you can book a road test appointment by calling or visiting any DriveTest centre. Be sure to provide your G1 licence number, a preferred date, time, and location for your test when you book. On the day of your appointment, get to the test centre early (DriveTest recommends 30 minutes before your appointment), and bring the following:
The road test is approximately 20 minutes long, and the instructor will test you on your ability to follow rules of the road and safe driving practices. Some common things instructors look out for are obeying traffic signs, driving through controlled and uncontrolled intersections, reversing and parallel parking, and starting, stopping, and turning.
You are not allowed to rely on electronic driving aids such as back cameras and parallel-parking systems. The driving instructor is also not permitted to prompt you in the car during the test.
After the test, the examiner awards you a pass or fail status, as well as any feedback on your skills and mistakes. If you fail, you will have to take a road test appointment again. For every attempt, you must pay a fee of $53.75.
You have 12 months to practice driving with your G2 licence before you can apply for the G or complete licence.
When you’re ready to apply for your G licence, you need to book a road test appointment – just like you did when applying for G2 – by calling or visiting any DriveTest centre and setting up a time and location for your appointment. On the day of your appointment, arrive at the test centre early, armed with the following:
Once you get there, you’ll need to sign the Declaration of Highway Driving Experience form.
This form attests that you’ve driven at least five times on a freeway or highway at a speed limit of at least 80km/h in the past three months and will ask you details on the average length of these trips. If you don’t have sufficient experience, the examiner can declare your road test “out-of-order” and you’ll lose 50% of your fee.
This road test is longer than the G2 road test, and the instructor will test you on more advanced rules and driving practices, including on your ability to merge on, drive, and exit from highways and expressways.
The same rules apply: You’re not allowed to rely on electronic driving aids such as back cameras and parallel-parking systems, and no one will be permitted to prompt or accompany you in the car during the test.
After the test, the examiner will award you a pass or fail status, as well as any feedback on your skills and mistakes.
If you fail, you will have to take a road test appointment again. For every attempt, you must pay a fee of $91.25. The fee for a five-year driving licence is $90.
There are no restrictions on the complete, G licence. You can drive unsupervised at any time of the day. However, under Ontario law, drivers under 21 are still required to main a zero blood alcohol level and drivers who are older than 21 can have blood alcohol levels between 0.05 and 0.08.
All levels and classes of drivers should practice safe driving habits (including making sure everyone in the vehicle wears a seatbelt), always carry a valid licence, have a valid licence plate, and have insurance coverage on their vehicle.
Under Ontario law, all vehicles should have auto insurance. However, whether you can have a policy under your name or not depends on the licence that you hold in the graduated licencing program.
At G1, you cannot have your own auto insurance policy, but would instead be listed as a secondary driver on someone else’s insurance policy. This can be a parent or guardian.
At G2, you can purchase an insurance policy under your own name. Insurance rates for new drivers are typically 25% to 50% higher than for experienced drivers. This is because insurance companies see an increased risk in insuring young and inexperienced drivers. If you’ve been listed as a secondary driver, you can demonstrate some driving history and benefit from slightly lower insurance rates.
At G level, you can purchase an auto insurance policy under your own name. As you build your driving history, you'll see your auto insurance rates come down.
Read more: Car insurance for G2 drivers in Ontario
If you’re a young driver and are dreading the high insurance rates you’ll be hit with, fret not. There are still a few ways to save:
Auto insurance rates change often, so how do you know if you're still getting the best deal? By comparing car insurance quotes upon renewal and at other key milestones (such as when you buy a new vehicle, or more to a different neighbourhood) you can make sure your rates remain competitive. Save money by comparing Ontario car insurance quotes today.
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