The full journey
How to Get Your Driver's Licence in Ontario: G1 → G2 → G
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Getting your driver's licence in Ontario means moving through three stages (G1, then G2, then your full G) under a system called graduated licensing. Here's the whole path from your first test to a full licence.
Ontario uses graduated licensing
Ontario doesn't hand out a full licence in one go. New drivers earn their privileges in steps, so you build real experience before you drive on your own. There are two learning levels and one full licence:
- Level One (G1): your learner stage.
- Level Two (G2): your probationary stage, where you can drive alone with some limits.
- Class G: your full, unrestricted licence.
You have five years to finish the whole process once you start, so it's worth keeping things moving.
Step 1: Pass the G1 knowledge test
To begin, you must be at least 16, pass a vision test, and pass a knowledge test on road signs and the rules of the road. Pass all three and you get your Class G1 licence, Level One.
The knowledge test is the part you can study for right now. The questions come straight from the Official MTO Driver's Handbook, and the format is plain multiple choice. Start with free practice questions (no account needed) and see what the G1 test costs and where to book it when you're ready to sit it.
Step 2: Drive at G1, then take your first road test
At G1 you're still learning, so you can't drive alone. An accompanying driver with a full G licence and at least four years of driving experience must sit beside you, and your own blood-alcohol must be zero. A few other limits apply too: no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., and no high-speed 400-series highways (unless a licensed driving instructor is with you).
Level One lasts 12 months. Finish an approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course and that drops to 8 months. When your time is up and you feel ready, you take a road test to move up to G2.
Step 3: Drive at G2, then take the final road test
G2 is a big step up. You can finally drive on your own. A few rules still apply: zero blood-alcohol, everyone belted, and younger G2 drivers have limits on late-night passengers. You must hold G2 for at least 12 months before your final road test.
That last test (the G2 exit test) earns you your full Class G licence. It includes highway driving, so you'll need real highway experience first.
The short version
- Pass the G1 knowledge test → Level One (G1).
- Hold G1 for 12 months (8 with a BDE course), then pass a road test → G2.
- Hold G2 for at least 12 months, then pass the exit road test → full G.
Want each stage compared side by side? Read G1 vs G2 vs G explained. Curious how fast you can move through it? See the graduated licensing timeline.
Start where it starts
Every full licence in Ontario begins with the G1 knowledge test, and that's the one you can nail today. Jump into free practice and take the first step.
Common questions
What are the three stages of a driver's licence in Ontario?
G1 (Level One, your learner stage), G2 (Level Two, where you can drive alone with some limits), and full Class G (your unrestricted licence). You move up by passing tests along the way.
How long does it take to get a full G licence?
You hold G1 for 12 months (8 months with an approved driver-education course), then at least 12 months at G2 before your final road test. The exact timing depends on when you pass each road test.
What's the first step to getting my licence?
Pass the G1 knowledge test. You must be at least 16, pass a vision test, and pass a test on road signs and the rules of the road. That gives you your Class G1 licence.
Ready to practise?
Put it into practice with free, real-format questions and a plain-English explanation for every answer.
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