How To Get Your G1 License In Ontario
Getting your G1 licence is the first step in Ontario’s graduated licensing system, and there are important rules to learn before you start driving. This guide explains what you need to apply, the restrictions for G1 drivers, how insurance works at this stage, and how you can move from your G1 to a G2 as smoothly as possible.
The G1 application process is straightforward. Here’s what’s required:
Applying for your G1 licence is simple. Here’s what you’ll need:
Eligibility
- You must be at least 16 years old
- Bring proof of your identity, like a birth certificate, passport, or citizenship card.
- You’ll also need to show proof that you live in Ontario, such as a utility bill, a school enrollment letter, or a letter from the government.
- You must pass a vision test (a basic eye exam done on-site at the DriveTest centre)
- You must pass a written knowledge test on road rules and signs
The Written Knowledge Test
The G1 knowledge test is split into two parts:
- Part 1 has 20 multiple-choice questions about road rules. You need to get at least 16 right.
- Part 2 has 20 multiple-choice questions about road signs. You also need at least 16 correct answers.
Cost
The G1 knowledge test package costs $160 (as of 2026). This fee includes your knowledge test, your G1 licence, and your future G2 road test. The G road test for a full licence is not included. You’ll have to pay a separate fee for that later.
How Ontario’s Graduated Licensing System Works
Ontario uses a three-step graduated licensing system for all new drivers:
| Stage | Licence | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | G1 | Learner’s permit — you can drive with restrictions and a supervising driver |
| Step 2 | G2 | Intermediate licence — most restrictions are lifted, but some conditions still apply |
| Step 3 | Full G | Unrestricted licence — full driving privileges in Ontario |
Ontario G1 Restrictions And Requirements
A G1 licence is a learner’s permit. With it, you must follow strict rules about when, where, and how you can drive.
| Restriction | Details |
|---|---|
| Supervising driver required | A fully licensed driver with at least four years of experience must always sit in the front passenger seat. This person must have a blood alcohol level of zero. |
| No driving between midnight and 5 a.m. | G1 drivers are not allowed to drive during these hours, even if a supervising driver is with them. |
| No 400-series highways or high-speed expressways | This includes the 401, 400, 404, 407, QEW, Gardiner Expressway, and Don Valley Parkway. Exception: you can drive on these roads if you’re with a certified driving instructor. |
| Zero blood alcohol | G1 drivers must always have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.00% while driving. There are no exceptions. |
| Seatbelts for all passengers | Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt. You cannot have more passengers than there are seatbelts. |
| No electronic devices | G1 drivers, like all drivers in Ontario, are not allowed to use handheld phones or other electronic devices while driving. |
How Many Passengers Are Allowed With An Ontario G1 License?
G1 drivers can have as many passengers as there are working seatbelts in the car. The key rule is that a supervising driver with a full G licence and at least 4 years of experience must sit in the front passenger seat at all times and have a blood alcohol level of zero.
Are You Allowed to Buy a Car as a G1 License Holder?
Yes. There is no law stopping you from buying a vehicle at any age or licence level. You can go to a dealership with a G1 and buy a car.
Can G1 Drivers Use Highways?
G1 drivers cannot drive on:
- Any 400-series highway (400, 401, 403, 404, 407, 410, 416, 417, 427, etc.)
- The Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW)
- The Gardiner Expressway
- The Don Valley Parkway
- Any other high-speed expressway
The exception is that you can drive on these roads if you’re accompanied by a certified driving instructor during a lesson.
Do G1 Drivers Need Insurance?
G1 drivers do not need their own separate insurance policy. However, every vehicle in Ontario must be insured, so the car you drive must have active coverage.
How Demerit Points Affect G1 Drivers
G1 drivers have much stricter rules regarding demerit points than fully licensed drivers.
| Demerit Points | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 2–5 points | You’ll receive a warning letter from the Ministry of Transportation |
| 6–8 points | You’ll be required to attend a mandatory interview to explain why your licence shouldn’t be suspended |
| 9+ points | Your G1 licence is automatically suspended for 60 days |
Should You Go to Driving School?
Completing a Ministry-approved driving course (commonly called a BDE course) has two major benefits:
- You can take your G2 test 4 months earlier, at 8 months instead of 12
- You may qualify for an insurance discount. Many insurers offer lower rates for drivers who have completed an approved course, and these savings can last for years.