The G1 test Ontario applicants take is the first step toward getting a full Ontario driver’s licence.

As of 2026, the Class G1 licence package costs $159.75. This isn’t just the price of the written knowledge test. The package includes your knowledge test, one G2 road-test attempt and a five-year licence.

To get your G1, you must be at least 16, meet Ontario’s residency and identification requirements, pass a vision test and pass the knowledge test.

Here’s what you should know before going to DriveTest.

Chat on WhatsApp

Email us

Quick G1 Test Ontario Facts

Question	Answer
G1 licence package	$159.75
Extra knowledge-test attempt	$16.00
Minimum age	16
Test type	Multiple choice
Time limit	Not timed
Passing score	At least 80%
G1 test languages	32
Appointment at DriveTest	Not normally required
Normal G1 period	12 months
With approved BDE	8 months

Fees and testing procedures can change, so check DriveTest before visiting.

How Much Does the G1 Test Cost in Ontario?

The current Class G1 licence package costs $159.75.

A common misunderstanding is that this entire amount is simply the written-test fee.

It isn’t.

The package includes:

Your knowledge test
One Class G2 road-test attempt
A five-year driver’s licence

The fee is payable when you apply.

If you are unsuccessful on part of the knowledge test, an additional attempt currently costs $16.00.

These are government-set fees and include applicable taxes.

Who Can Apply for a G1 Licence?

To apply for an Ontario driver’s licence, you must:

Be at least 16 years old
Be an Ontario resident rather than a visitor
Provide acceptable original identification
Pass a vision test
Pass the knowledge test

As of May 11, 2026, Class G and M applicants must also declare that Ontario is their primary place of residence and that their presence in Canada is legal.

This is an important update for anyone using an older G1 guide or checklist.

What Documents Do You Need for the G1 Test?

Bring original, valid identification that establishes your legal name and date of birth.

Ontario accepts different documents depending on your status in Canada.

Examples can include:

Passport
Permanent Resident Card
Ontario Photo Card
Certain immigration documents
Certain citizenship or status documents

Your exact document requirements depend on your circumstances.

Do not rely on a photocopy or assume that one document will be sufficient.

Check Ontario’s current accepted-identification requirements before visiting DriveTest.

If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the vision requirement, bring them as well.

Where Can You Take the G1 Test?

Knowledge tests are available at DriveTest Centres across Ontario.

You generally do not need an appointment to take a knowledge test at a DriveTest Centre.

DriveTest recommends arriving at least one hour before closing so you have enough time for registration and testing.

The ServiceOntario Bay and College location in downtown Toronto also provides knowledge testing, but an appointment is required there.

What Is on the G1 Knowledge Test?

The knowledge test determines whether you understand:

Ontario’s rules of the road
Traffic signs
Safe driving principles

The questions are based on the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook.

The test is multiple choice and commonly includes sections covering traffic signs and rules of the road.

The important point is to understand the rules rather than memorize answers from random online quizzes.

What Score Do You Need to Pass the G1 Test?

DriveTest states that you need a total score of at least 80% to pass the knowledge test.

The test is not timed.

That means there is no benefit to rushing through the questions.

Read carefully, consider what the rule actually requires, and then select your answer.

Results are marked on the spot, so you’ll know your result immediately.

What Happens If You Fail the G1 Test?

Failing does not mean you have to restart the entire licensing process.

You can pay the applicable additional knowledge-test fee and try again.

Another useful detail is that knowledge-test results remain valid for one year.

If you retry within that period, DriveTest says you only need to retake the sections that did not meet MTO standards.

The current extra-attempt fee is $16.00.

Instead of immediately trying again without preparation, review the section you struggled with first.

Is the G1 Test Hard?

The G1 test is manageable when you prepare from the correct material.

Students often make it harder by relying entirely on:

Common sense
Advice from friends
Random practice-test websites
Driving experience from another country
Memorized questions

Ontario traffic rules contain specific legal requirements that aren’t always obvious.

Even someone who has been driving abroad for years should study Ontario’s rules before taking the test.

Best Way to Study for the G1 Test

Start with the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook.

Pay particular attention to:

Traffic signs
Traffic lights
Right-of-way
Intersections
Lane rules
Parking rules
Speed
Sharing the road
Emergency vehicles
School buses
Safe following distance
Alcohol and drug rules
Driver responsibilities

Then use practice questions to identify weak areas.

Practice tests should support the official handbook, not replace it.

Don’t Just Memorize Road Signs

Recognizing a stop sign is easy.

The harder questions often test whether you understand what to do in a particular traffic situation.

For example, you should understand:

Who has right-of-way
When you must yield
When a turn is permitted
What different pavement markings mean
How to react around emergency vehicles
What to do at different types of intersections

Understanding the reason behind a rule makes it easier to answer questions even when the wording is unfamiliar.

Can You Take the G1 Test in Urdu or Hindi?

Yes.

DriveTest currently offers Class G1 computerized knowledge tests in 32 languages, including:

English
French
Urdu
Hindi
Punjabi
Arabic
Bengali
Farsi
Spanish
Chinese (Cantonese)
Tamil
Ukrainian

and other supported languages.

This can be particularly helpful for newcomers who understand driving concepts but are more comfortable reading technical questions in another language.

Availability and format can vary, so check DriveTest before visiting if language support is important to you.

Is the G1 Test Timed?

No.

DriveTest states that knowledge tests are not timed.

You can take the time you need, provided the testing location remains open.

This is another reason not to rush.

Read each question fully before selecting an answer.

What Happens After You Pass the G1 Test?

After passing the required vision and knowledge tests, you receive your G1 licence and enter Level One of Ontario’s graduated licensing system.

Your next goal is to gain supervised driving experience and eventually pass the first road test to earn your G2.

Normally, Level One lasts 12 months.

Successful completion of a government-approved Beginner Driver Education course can reduce this period to 8 months.

What Are the G1 Driving Restrictions?

Getting your G1 does not mean you can drive independently.

While driving with a G1, you must follow Ontario’s Level One restrictions.

Among the important rules:

You cannot drive alone
Your blood-alcohol level must be zero
Every person in the vehicle must have a working seatbelt
You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
You cannot normally drive on specified high-speed roads such as 400-series highways with posted limits over 80 km/h or the QEW
You need an eligible accompanying driver

Your accompanying driver must hold a valid Class G or higher licence and have at least four years of driving experience.

There are also requirements concerning where that driver sits and their blood-alcohol level.

Can a G1 Driver Drive on the Highway?

Under normal G1 conditions, you cannot drive on certain high-speed roads, including applicable 400-series highways and the QEW.

There is an important exception.

If your accompanying driver is an Ontario-certified driving instructor, you may drive on these roads.

This allows professional instruction to introduce highway skills under controlled conditions when appropriate.

Should You Start Driving Lessons Immediately After G1?

For most complete beginners, starting reasonably early is better than waiting until your road-test eligibility date approaches.

The G1 stage exists so you can gain experience.

Early professional instruction can help you learn:

Vehicle control
Turns
Intersections
Observation
Mirror use
Blind-spot checks
Lane positioning
Parking
Speed control
Following distance
Defensive driving

Then you can reinforce those techniques through legal supervised practice between lessons.

How Does BDE Affect Your G1 Timeline?

Ontario’s normal Level One period is 12 months.

If you successfully complete a government-approved Beginner Driver Education course, you can complete Level One after 8 months.

That’s a four-month reduction.

At AZAN Driving School, our BDE program includes:

20 hours of online course training
10 hours of flexible Drive-Online home assignments
10 one-on-one in-car lessons
60 minutes per in-car lesson

BDE isn’t mandatory to get your G2, but the reduced waiting period can be valuable for new drivers who want structured training and earlier eligibility.

What Parents Should Know About a Teen’s G1

Passing the knowledge test means your teenager understands enough of the rules to enter Level One.

It does not mean they are ready to drive independently.

The first months should focus on building basic control and good habits.

Parents providing supervised practice should reinforce the same techniques taught professionally rather than introducing conflicting habits.

A useful approach is:

Professional instruction → supervised practice → instructor feedback → more practice.

Consistency helps a beginner develop correct habits earlier.

What Should Newcomers Know About the G1 Test?

If you already have a driver’s licence from another country, don’t automatically assume you must follow exactly the same licensing timeline as a completely new driver.

Ontario has licence-exchange arrangements with certain jurisdictions.

There was also an important change on July 1, 2026 for applicants from jurisdictions without an exchange agreement.

Eligible applicants from non-reciprocating jurisdictions can now claim up to 12 months of previous driving experience, subject to Ontario’s evidence requirements.

For example, someone credited with at least 12 months of foreign driving experience may become eligible to attempt the G2 road test immediately after meeting the applicable G1 requirements.

Only eligible experience within the previous three years, up to a maximum of 12 months, can be credited under these rules.

Newcomers should therefore check their specific situation before planning their G1-to-G timeline.

Common G1 Test Mistakes

Avoid these common preparation problems:

Not reading the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook
Memorizing practice questions without understanding the rules
Ignoring road signs
Rushing through questions
Assuming previous driving experience is enough
Not reviewing incorrect practice-test answers
Studying only the night before
Using outdated information about Ontario’s licensing rules

The test isn’t designed to measure how quickly you can answer.

It checks whether you understand the rules you’ll need when you begin driving.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the G1 test in Ontario in 2026?

The Class G1 licence package currently costs $159.75. It includes the knowledge test, one Class G2 road-test attempt and a five-year licence.

How much does it cost to retake the G1 test?

The current fee for each additional knowledge-test attempt is $16.00.

What percentage do you need to pass the G1 test?

DriveTest requires a total score of at least 80% on the knowledge test.

How many questions are on the G1 test?

DriveTest’s current public guidance describes the knowledge test by its sections and passing standard rather than promising a specific question count on the page. Prepare for the tested material rather than relying on a particular number of questions.

Is the G1 test multiple choice?

Yes. DriveTest confirms that knowledge tests are multiple choice.

Is the G1 test timed?

No. Knowledge tests are not timed, although you need to finish before the testing location closes.

Do I need an appointment for the G1 test?

You generally don’t need an appointment at a DriveTest Centre. DriveTest recommends arriving at least one hour before closing.

Can I take the G1 test in Urdu?

Yes. Urdu is currently among the languages offered for the Class G1 knowledge test.

Can I drive alone after passing G1?

No. G1 drivers must drive with an eligible accompanying driver and follow all other Level One restrictions.

How long after G1 can I take my G2 test?

Normally after 12 months. Successful completion of a government-approved BDE course can reduce Level One to 8 months.

Is driving school mandatory after G1?

No. BDE isn’t mandatory, but approved BDE can provide structured training and reduce the Level One waiting period.

Related AZAN Driving Resources

After getting your G1, continue with:

After Your G1: Start Building Driving Experience

Passing the G1 test is an important milestone, but it is only the beginning.

Your next stage should focus on learning correct driving techniques and gaining enough supervised experience to become safe and confident behind the wheel.

If you’re a complete beginner, consider starting your training early instead of waiting until a few weeks before your G2 road test.

AZAN Driving School provides online BDE education and one-on-one in-car instruction for students in Mississauga, Oakville and Milton.