RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in Ontario

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

More provinces coming soon.
Car licence, Class G

Getting your licence in Ontario

Knowledge test questions (20 rules, 20 signs)40
Pass mark in each part16 of 20
G1 package: knowledge test, G2 road test, 5-year licence$159.75
G road test$91.25
Road tests (G2 and G)2
Shortest route to a full G licence20 months

The G1 package covers the knowledge test, your first G2 road test and a 5-year licence. Retests cost extra.

Before you start driving

2
Learner licenceYes. Pass the vision and knowledge tests to get a G1 licence.
Medical checkNo doctor's exam. DriveTest tests your vision.

Required lessons

2
Supervised practiceG1 drivers practise only with a driver who has held a full licence for 4+ years. No set number of hours.
Driver education (optional)A government-approved course cuts the G1 stage from 12 to 8 months.

Good to know

8
Minimum age16 for a G1 learner licence. The full G licence takes at least 20 months, through the G1 and G2 stages.
Licence validity5 years.
Exam languagesKnowledge test in English, French and several other languages. Road tests are in English or French.
If you failKnowledge test: retake it with no waiting time, paying for the part you failed. Road test: wait at least 10 days, then book and pay again.
Automatic or manualNo restriction. A licence earned in an automatic covers manual cars too.
New driversZero alcohol in the G1 and G2 stages. G1 drivers always drive with an experienced driver, not between midnight and 5 am, and not on 400-series highways.
Already have a licence from abroad?Licences from Ontario's exchange countries are exchanged without tests. Others count for up to 1 year of experience: knowledge test and G2 road test, then the G road test after 12 months. See the Abroad tab.
Also worth knowing
  • Read the Official MTO Driver's Handbook: the knowledge test is based on it.
  • Book road tests early: centres around Toronto often have long waits.

Step by step

  1. Vision and knowledge testAt a DriveTest centre. Pass to get your G1 licence.
  2. G1 stage12 months (8 with an approved course), always with an experienced driver.
  3. G2 road testTurns, parking, lane changes and intersections. Pass to get your G2 licence.
  4. G2 stageAt least 12 months of driving on your own.
  5. G road testIncludes highway driving. Pass to get your full G licence.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • Stop fully, without rolling, behind the stop line, or before the crosswalk if there's no line. Leave enough room to pull out without reversing.
  • When you're waiting to turn left, keep your front wheels pointing straight ahead.
  • Slow down before a curve, not in it, and check your mirrors every 5 to 10 seconds.
  • For the G test, you must declare at least 5 trips on 80 km/h+ roads or 400-series highways in the past 3 months. Without them, the test is cancelled and you lose half the fee.
  • Bring a car in good working order with enough fuel, and switch off any dashcam. Otherwise the examiner can refuse to start the test.

Based on: Official MTO Driver's Handbook: Level two road test ↗ · DriveTest: Road tests ↗

Official links

Ontario: Get a G driver's licence ↗Ontario e-Laws: Highway Traffic Act ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

Is RoadVisa free?

Yes, RoadVisa is free to use.

I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

Your situation matters. The answer can depend on your residence status, licence category, age and when your licence was issued. If you're unsure, ask the licensing authority or your embassy.

Car hire and insurance. Car hire companies and insurers can set their own rules, for example asking for an International Driving Permit even where it isn't required. Check with them too.

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