Ontario licenses new drivers in three steps: G1, then G2, then a full G. Each step comes with its own rules, and each one ends with a test. It sounds like a lot, but it’s simple once it’s laid out.

The short version

  1. G1: pass a vision test and a knowledge test. Practise with an experienced driver beside you.
  2. G2: after 12 months on your G1 (8 with an approved driver education course), pass the G2 road test.
  3. G: after 12 months on your G2, pass the G road test.

The fastest route takes at least 20 months, and DriveTest says most people take about 20 to 24. You have five years from your G1 to finish.

Getting your G1

You need to be at least 16 and an Ontario resident. At a DriveTest centre you pass a vision test and a knowledge test on the rules of the road and traffic signs. The knowledge test is walk-in, with no appointment, and takes about 30 minutes. Since May 11, 2026, applicants also declare that Ontario is their primary residence and that they are legally present in Canada.

G1 rules

  • A fully licensed driver with at least four years of experience sits beside you, and they’re the only other person in the front seat.
  • Their blood alcohol must be under .05, or zero if they’re 21 or under. Yours must be zero.
  • No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
  • No more passengers than working seatbelts.
  • No 400-series highways, such as the 403, and no high-speed expressways, such as the QEW.

The rule

The instructor exception

If the person beside you is a driving instructor licensed in Ontario, the highway rule doesn’t apply, so you can practise on any road. That’s why many learners get their first highway time in lessons.

G2 and its rules

Pass the G2 road test and you can drive on your own, on any road. A few rules still apply:

  • Zero blood alcohol.
  • No more passengers than working seatbelts.
  • If you’re 19 or under, between midnight and 5 a.m.: one passenger aged 19 or under in your first six months, then up to three, until you get your G or turn 20. Family members and a fully licensed driver in the front seat are exceptions.

Starting your G1, or ready for the G2? Call or text Mrs. Akbar.

Call Mrs. Akbar 416-457-5778Text her

The full G

After 12 months on your G2, the G road test is your last step. It includes highway driving, and you’ll sign a declaration of your recent highway experience first. The G road test guide explains both.

One rule doesn’t go away with a full licence: every driver aged 21 or under must keep their blood alcohol at zero, whatever licence they hold.

What about driver education courses?

A government-approved beginner driver education course takes four months off the time you must spend on your G1, so you can take the G2 test after eight months instead of twelve. Approved courses run at least 40 hours and are offered by driving schools. Ask any school you’re considering whether its course is ministry-approved.

Sources

Quick answers

How long does it take to get a full G licence in Ontario?

At least 20 months: 8 months on a G1 with an approved course (or 12 without), then 12 months on a G2. DriveTest says most people take about 20 to 24 months, and you have five years in total.

Can a G1 driver drive on the highway?

Not on 400-series highways or high-speed expressways like the QEW, unless the accompanying driver is a driving instructor licensed in Ontario.

Can I drive alone on a G1?

No. A fully licensed driver with at least four years of experience must always sit beside you.