Before you get behind the wheel in Ontario, you’ll need to get yourself a G1 licence. Getting your G1 licence is the first step on your road to becoming a fully licensed driver in Ontario. But, keep in mind that with this licence, you'll have restrictions on what you can and can't do behind the wheel. To learn more about G1 licence restrictions, keep reading!
What is a G1 licence?
A G1 licence is the first stage of the graduated licensing system for new and young drivers in Ontario. It's essentially a learner’s permit that allows novice drivers to practice driving skills behind the wheel under certain conditions and restrictions. To qualify for a G1 licence, young drivers:
- Must be at least 16 years old.
- Pass a vision test.
- Pass a written knowledge test.
A new driver must hold a G1 licence for a minimum of 12 months. Alternatively, if the new driver goes to driving school and completes an approved driving course, this duration can be reduced to 8 months. After fulfilling the G1 licence requirements, new drivers can take their G1 road test to advance to their G2 licence.
What are the restrictions for a G1 driver in Ontario?
As you're a novice driver, there are restrictions that you need to follow if you want to drive your own car on the road. Below are the G1 licence driving restrictions that you should be aware of:
Driving with a blood alcohol level of 0
You can only drive when you have a zero blood alcohol level. There are no exceptions to this rule for new drivers. Additionally, the accompanying driver in your vehicle must have a blood alcohol level that is below 0.05%.
You cannot drive without a fully licensed accompanying driver
Next, you can only get behind the wheel and drive when there is a passenger with a full driver's licence who has a minimum of four years of driving experience sitting in the passenger seat. The accompanying driver must also be in the front seat, not any other seats in the car.
All passengers must wear a seat belt
You can drive only as many passengers as there are working seatbelts in your vehicle while still having an accompanying fully licensed driver in the front seat. In other words, you can have up to three passengers in addition to your fully licensed driver.
No freeway driving
You can not drive on any 400-series highways or high-speed expressways (roads with a posted speed limit over 80km/h). To gain highway driving experience, you'll need to wait until you get your G2 licence.
Restrictions for the time of day
Because driving at night is risky, G1 drivers can't drive between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m.
Can a G1 driver drive alone?
No, new drivers with a G1 licence are not allowed to drive alone. They must be accompanied by a fully licensed driver who has a minimum four years of being a safe and responsible driver. The full G licence driver will also need to sit in the passenger seat of your vehicle.
Can a G1 driver drive on the highway with a G-licensed driver?
No, G1 licence drivers are unable to drive on the highway until they have passed their driving test and become G2 licence holders. They are only able to drive on Ontario roads with speed limits under 80 km/h.
What is the graduated licensing process in Ontario?
Ontario's graduated licensing program has three stages and is intended to help new drivers gain driving experience and develop their skills over time. Here's a look at how the graduated licensing system operates:
G1 driver's licence
Having a G1 licence is the first step in the process. You must be 16 years old, write and pass a knowledge test, and pass a vision test as well. With this Ontario driver's licence you will have driving restrictions.
New drivers will have their G1 licence for 12 months before they are able to apply for their G2 road test. However, if you enrol and successfully complete an approved driver education course, you can apply for your G2 road test in 8 months.
G2 licence
To move forward in the graduated licensing system and get a G2 driver's licence, you'll need to pass a road test to prove that you have acquired basic driving skills and are ready to take on more responsibility as a driver. With this driver's licence, you'll be able to begin highway driving. But you'll still have restrictions. The G2 driver's licence restrictions include:
- You must maintain a zero blood alcohol level.
- All passengers in your vehicle need to wear a seatbelt.
Again, as a novice driver with a G2 driver's licence, you'll need to have this licence for 12 months before being able to advance to the final driver's licence tier in Ontario.
Full G licence
The final step in Ontario's graduated licensing system is the G driver's licence. To obtain this, you'll have to pass a G road test that shows your driving experience. With this driver's licence, you'll be considered a fully licenced d driver and have no driving restrictions.
How long does it take to get your full G licence in Ontario?
To get from a G1 licence to a full G licence, on average can take anywhere between 20 months to 2 years to complete. During this time, drivers will need to take a series of knowledge and road tests. To shorten the time between a G1 and a full driver's licence in Ontario, drivers can take a driver training course.
Can I rent a car with a G1 or G2 licence?
No, if you have an Ontario driver's licence that is either a G1 or G2, you are not legally allowed to rent a vehicle in the province. You will need to wait until you have a full, valid driver's licence to do so. You will need someone else, like a parent or guardian, to be listed as the primary driver until you get your G2.
How can I apply for a driver's licence in Ontario?
There are some steps you need to follow to apply for a G1 licence in Ontario. Here's what you need to do:
Get your required documents together
The first thing you need to do is gather all of your required documents together which includes your proof of residency and proof of citizenship. You can either bring your Canadian citizenship card, birth certificate, passport, or permanent residency card with you to your knowledge test appointment.
Study for your knowledge test
Once you have the documents you require, you'll need to start studying for your written test. You can grab Ontario's official MTO driver's handbook, which contains all the necessary information you could be tested on during your written test, including traffic signs, speed limits, and more.
Make a written test appointment
Now that you feel ready to take your knowledge test, you can make an appointment with the nearest driver's centre or department of transportation or motor vehicles. At your appointment, you'll go through a vision test to ensure that you are fit to drive (with or without corrective lenses), and pass the written test, which consists of multiple choice questions.
Pay your test fees
Once you've successfully passed your written test, you'll need to pay a test fee, which will cost you around $150. After your payment goes through, you'll receive your G1 licence and be able to begin your journey on the way to being an experienced driver!
Do I need auto insurance with my G1 licence?
All drivers in Canada are required by law to have car insurance if they intend to operate a vehicle on a public road, regardless of which province or territory they live in. However, because an Ontario G1 licence is considered a learner's permit and not a full licence, you can't be listed as the primary driver on the insurance policy. So, when purchasing insurance, you'll need a parent or guardian listed as your primary driver until you get your G2 licence.
How many mistakes can I make on the G1 test?
A G1 test is made up of two separate sections. The first section is all about the rules of the road. The second section is about road signs. Each section has a total of 20 questions. You are allowed to make four mistakes in each section and still get a passing grade. If you make any more than four mistakes per section, you will have to retake the test.
Does my spouse need to tell their insurance company when I get my G1 licence?
If you plan on driving the vehicle of someone in your household while holding a G1 licence, they will have to notify their insurance company about this. In the event that the insurer asks about other licensed drivers in the household, you may have to disclose that your spouse recently obtained their licence, even if they will not be listed on your policy.
What are the demerit points for G1 licence holders?
While it’s not technically a restriction, it’s important to note that G1 drivers face harsher penalties when it comes to getting demerit points. A G1 driver can still receive demerit points if they are convicted of breaking the law while driving. These convictions will show up on the G1 driver’s record – any convictions will be used as a rating factor.
This can affect the driver’s premium when they receive their G2. If a driver receives too many demerits points, their licence can ultimately end up being suspended. They will then have to attend a meeting to explain why they should be allowed to keep their licence.
Demerits remain on your licence and your record for two years. If you intend to take your G2 test prior to these two years, those points will still count against you if you pass your test. That means higher rates for new drivers are high enough as it is. It’s best to drive very carefully and avoid getting any demerit points during your G1 period and throughout your driving career.
Other than demerits, any convictions or tickets that you receive while you have your G1 will affect your insurance when you get your G2 licence. These convictions will remain on your record for three years.
Having any insurance claims or being involved in any at-fault accidents can also impact your insurance when you get your G2 licence. At-fault accidents can last on your record for up to nine years.
Do I need to go through a graduating licensing system if I have foreign or out-of-province driving experience?
If you have a foreign driver's licence and have recently moved to Ontario, you may be able to use your previous experience toward your licence, but the process will differ for all drivers. Here's a closer look:
Out-of-province drivers
If you have a valid driver’s licence from another province or territory, you can exchange it for an Ontario licence without having to go through any extra testing.
Foreign drivers
Foreign drivers from specific countries may be able to exchange their licence for an Ontario one directly, provided that they have the correct documentation available. Other drivers however, will need to take a written test and take a G2 road test before they are able to drive in the province legally. The best thing you can do is reach out to a driving centre and speak with one of the representatives for more information.
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