Ontario G1 Knowledge Test
The G1 knowledge test is the first step in Ontario's graduated licensing system. It is a multiple-choice test on traffic signs and the rules of the road, written at a DriveTest centre after a vision test. Pass it and you get a G1 licence, which lets you start practising with an experienced driver.
- 40 questions
- 80% to pass
- 30 minutes
Last checked against Ontario Ministry of Transportation (tests delivered by DriveTest) on .
Ontario G1 at a glance
- Minimum age
- You must be at least 16 years old when you apply, and an Ontario resident rather than a visitor. source ↗
- Test format
- A multiple-choice test on the rules of the road and traffic signs, in two or three sections (such as signs and rules of the road). It is not timed and usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. source ↗
- Pass standard
- A total score of at least 80%. Results are valid for one year, and if you retry within that year you only retake the sections that did not meet MTO standards. source ↗
- Fees
- The Class G1 licence package is $159.75 and covers the knowledge test, a Class G2 road test and a five-year licence. Each extra knowledge test attempt is $16; the Class G road test is $91.25. source ↗
- Vision test
- A short vision test is done when you apply; bring your glasses or contact lenses if you need them. source ↗
- Identification
- Bring original identification that shows your legal name and date of birth; the accepted documents depend on your citizenship or residency status. source ↗
- Where and languages
- Written in person at a DriveTest centre with no appointment needed (arrive at least an hour before closing). The G1 test is offered in 32 languages, including English and French. source ↗
- G1 conditions
- Zero blood alcohol; an accompanying driver in the front seat with a full Class G (or higher) licence, at least four years' experience and under 0.05 blood alcohol; no driving from midnight to 5 a.m.; no 400-series highways posted over 80 km/h or listed expressways unless with a driving instructor. source ↗
- Time to G2 road test
- 12 months at Level One, or 8 months with a government-approved beginner driver education course. Level Two then lasts at least 12 months, and you have five years to finish the whole process. source ↗
Ready for the real Ontario G1 exam?
- ✓ 600 Ontario G1 practice questions, every answer explained and cited
- ✓ Full-length timed mock exams: 40 questions, 30 minutes, scored against 80%
- ✓ Practise by topic and review every question you missed
- ✓ Every other Canadian exam on VoltExam included
What the Ontario G1 covers
| Area | What to know |
|---|---|
| Road signs | Regulatory, warning, temporary condition and information signs, recognised by shape, colour and symbol, plus traffic lights, pedestrian signals and pavement markings. DriveTest describes the test as having separate sections such as one on signs; it does not publish the number of questions in each section, so this practice bank splits questions evenly. |
| Rules of the road | Graduated licensing conditions, right-of-way, speed limits, following distance, school buses, streetcars, emergency vehicles, pedestrian crossovers, roundabouts, seatbelts and child seats, impaired and distracted driving, demerit points, parking, freeways and driving in bad weather. |
How to get certified
- 1
Study the Official MTO Driver's Handbook
The knowledge test is based on the handbook's rules of the road and traffic signs. It is free to read on ontario.ca; Ontario lists the printed copy at $14.95 plus taxes.
- 2
Apply at a DriveTest centre
Bring original ID showing your legal name and date of birth, plus any corrective lenses. A customer service agent runs a quick vision test, and you pay the $159.75 Class G1 licence package.
- 3
Pass the G1 knowledge test
Write the multiple-choice test on signs and rules of the road; you need a total score of at least 80%. If you miss a section, you can pay $16 and retake just that section within one year.
- 4
Practise at Level One (G1)
Drive only with a qualified accompanying driver, with zero blood alcohol, no driving from midnight to 5 a.m., and no 400-series highways unless with a driving instructor. Level One lasts 12 months, or 8 months with an approved driver education course.
- 5
Pass the G2 road test
The G2 road test is included in your G1 package. Passing it moves you to Level Two, where you can drive on all roads without an accompanying driver, with zero blood alcohol and passenger limits for drivers 19 and under late at night.
- 6
Pass the G road test for a full licence
After at least 12 months at Level Two, take the Class G road test ($91.25). You must finish graduated licensing within five years or start over.
How to study
- Learn signs by shape and colour first: red octagon = stop, triangle = yield, five-sided yellow-green = school zone, yellow diamond = warning, orange diamond = temporary condition, green rectangle = directions.
- Remember that a red circle with a slash prohibits the action shown, while a green circle permits or requires it.
- Make a short list of the numbers the handbook repeats: 20 m behind a stopped school bus, 2 m behind streetcar doors, 5 m from railway tracks, 30 m no-passing zone at crossovers, 150 m for U-turns and dimming high beams, 60 m behind another vehicle, 3 m from a hydrant.
- Memorise the G1 and G2 conditions word for word; questions on blood alcohol, accompanying drivers and night hours come up often.
- Know the demerit thresholds: novice drivers are warned at 2 and 6 points and suspended at 9; fully licensed drivers are suspended at 15.
- Because each section is checked separately, don't skip signs just because the rules feel harder; practise both areas until you score well above 80% in each.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions do I need to get right to pass the G1 test?
DriveTest says you need a total score of at least 80% to pass. The test has two or three sections, such as signs and rules of the road, and each section must meet MTO standards; if you retry within a year you only redo the sections you did not pass. DriveTest's knowledge test page does not publish the number of questions in each section.
Is the G1 test timed?
No. DriveTest says the knowledge test is not timed, so you can take as long as you need until the office closes. Most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes. Arrive at least an hour before closing.
How much does the G1 cost?
The Class G1 licence package is $159.75, paid when you apply. It includes the knowledge test, one Class G2 road test and a five-year licence. Each extra knowledge test attempt costs $16, and the final Class G road test is $91.25.
What do I need to bring?
Bring original identification showing your legal name and date of birth (the accepted list depends on your citizenship or residency status) and any glasses or contact lenses you need, because a vision test is done when you apply.
Do I need an appointment, and can I write it in another language?
No appointment is needed at DriveTest centres; tests are first-come, first-served. A computerized version is available at some centres and a paper version at all of them. The G1 knowledge test is offered in 32 languages, including English and French.
What are the rules once I have my G1?
You must have zero blood alcohol, drive only with an accompanying driver who holds a full licence with at least four years' experience and sits in the front seat, make sure every passenger has a working seatbelt, not drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and stay off 400-series highways and listed high-speed expressways unless your accompanying driver is a driving instructor.
How soon can I take the G2 road test?
After 12 months at Level One, or after 8 months if you complete a government-approved beginner driver education course. The whole graduated licensing process takes at least 20 months, and you have five years to complete it.
What happens if I fail the knowledge test?
You can pay the fee and try again. Results are valid for one year, and if you retry within that year you only retake the sections that did not meet MTO standards. Anyone caught cheating loses their fee and must wait until the next day to retry.
Start practising for the Ontario G1 today
- ✓ 600 Ontario G1 practice questions, every answer explained and cited
- ✓ Full-length timed mock exams: 40 questions, 30 minutes, scored against 80%
- ✓ Practise by topic and review every question you missed
- ✓ Every other Canadian exam on VoltExam included
Official sources
- Ontario: Get a G driver's licence: new drivers ↗
- DriveTest: Knowledge tests ↗
- DriveTest: Driver's licences (Class G) ↗
- DriveTest: Fees ↗
- Official MTO Driver's Handbook ↗
- MTO Driver's Handbook: Getting your driver's licence ↗
- MTO Driver's Handbook: Signs ↗
- MTO Driver's Handbook: Keeping your driver's licence ↗
Sources checked November 3, 2026. VoltExam is independent and not affiliated with Ontario Ministry of Transportation (tests delivered by DriveTest). Rules change: confirm details with the official source before your exam.