RightSite Blog · G1 Guide
Ontario G1 Test 2026: Questions, Road Signs, Rules & How to Pass
Short answer: The Ontario G1 test is a multiple-choice knowledge test on road signs and rules of the road. You take it at a DriveTest centre, no appointment needed, along with a quick vision test. You need at least 80% to pass. The G1 package costs $159.75 and also covers your first G2 road test and a five-year licence.
The G1 is the first step to driving in Ontario. Pass it and you can start practising behind the wheel with a qualified driver beside you. Fail it and you're back at the DriveTest counter on another day, paying $16 to try again.
Most people who fail the G1 didn't skip studying. They studied the wrong way. They clicked through practice tests until the answers looked familiar, then walked in and got caught by a question worded a little differently. This guide is built to stop that from happening. It covers what's on the test, the road signs people mix up, the rules that trip up most new drivers, 31 practice questions with explanations, and a simple study plan.
We're a driving school based in Wasaga Beach, so we've also included where people from Wasaga Beach, Collingwood and Stayner actually go to write the test. (Hint: it's not Collingwood.)
What is the Ontario G1 test?
The Ontario G1 test is the written knowledge test you pass to get your G1 licence, the first level of Ontario's graduated licensing system. It checks that you know the road signs and the rules of the road before you ever drive on a public street.
Anyone getting their first Ontario car licence needs it. That includes teenagers who just turned 16, adults who never got licensed, and many newcomers to Canada. (Some newcomers can exchange a licence from another country instead of starting at G1. That depends on the country and your driving history, so check with DriveTest before you assume either way.)
Ontario's system has three levels:
| Level | How you get it | Minimum time at this level |
|---|---|---|
| G1 | Vision test + knowledge test | 12 months (8 months with an approved BDE course) |
| G2 | Pass the G2 road test | 12 months |
| G | Pass the G road test | Full licence |
You have up to five years to get from G1 to your full G. If you don't finish in that time, you start over.
What do you need to take the G1 test in Ontario?
To take the G1 test, you must be at least 16 years old, be a resident of Ontario (not a visitor), bring original ID, pass a vision test, and pay the fee.
- Age: at least 16 on the day you apply.
- Residency: you have to live in Ontario. Tourists can't apply.
- ID: original identification showing your legal name and date of birth. Examples include a passport (Canadian or foreign), Canadian citizenship card with photo, permanent resident card, or a valid study or work permit. Photocopies aren't accepted. If the name on your ID doesn't match your other documents, you may need extra proof of your legal name.
- Vision test: done at the counter when you apply. It takes a few minutes. Bring your glasses or contacts if you wear them.
- Fee: the G1 package is $159.75. It includes the knowledge test, your first G2 road test and a five-year licence. Extra knowledge test attempts are $16 each.
Check before you go: fees and ID rules can change. Confirm the latest on DriveTest's fees page and Ontario's Get a G driver's licence page.
How does the G1 knowledge test work?
The G1 knowledge test is multiple choice, split into two or three sections, one on road signs and one on rules of the road. You need a total score of at least 80% to pass, and you get your result right away.
Here's what DriveTest says about the format:
| Format | Multiple choice. On paper at all locations, on computer at some. |
|---|---|
| Sections | Two or three, for example one on signs and one on rules of the road |
| Pass mark | At least 80% total |
| Time | Not timed. Most people take 20 to 30 minutes. You have to finish before the office closes. |
| Appointment | Not needed. First-come, first-served. Arrive at least one hour before closing. |
| Languages | 32 languages, including English and French |
| Results | Marked on the spot |
| If you fail | Results are valid for one year. Retry within that year and you only redo the sections you didn't pass. |
How many questions? DriveTest doesn't publish an exact number on its knowledge test page. The Class G test is widely reported as 40 questions, 20 on signs and 20 on rules. Because you only retake the sections you didn't pass, the safe way to think about it is: you need 80% in each section, not just overall. Don't plan to make up for weak sign knowledge with strong rules knowledge.
Source: DriveTest knowledge tests.
What topics are covered on the G1 test?
The G1 test covers everything in the Official MTO Driver's Handbook, which is free online. That's the only official study source. According to the handbook, the knowledge test includes questions on:
- Traffic signs and lights
- Rules of the road
- Right-of-way at intersections
- Speed limits
- Seatbelts
- Emergency vehicles
- School buses and streetcars
- Using headlights
- Getting on and off a freeway
- Passing other vehicles
- Sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists and others
- Collision reporting
- The demerit point system
- Licence suspensions
Two areas catch people more than any others. The first is right-of-way: who goes first at an all-way stop, at an intersection with no signs, or coming out of a driveway. The second is numbers: 20 metres behind a school bus, two seconds of following distance, one metre when passing a cyclist, 50 and 80 km/h default speed limits. These are easy marks if you learn them and easy to lose if you don't.
The G1 rules themselves also show up, and they matter beyond the test:
- Your blood-alcohol level must be zero.
- You can't drive alone. Your accompanying driver sits in the front passenger seat and needs a valid Class G (or higher) licence, at least four years of driving experience, and a blood-alcohol level under .05.
- Everyone in the car needs a working seatbelt.
- No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
- No 400-series highways with a posted limit over 80 km/h, or certain other high-speed roads, unless your accompanying driver is a driving instructor.
Ontario road signs you should know before the G1 test
You can often tell what a sign means from its shape and colour before you can read it. The handbook groups signs like this: regulatory signs are usually rectangular or square with a white or black background, warning signs are usually yellow diamonds, and temporary condition signs are usually orange diamonds. A few signs have their own unique shape so you can't mistake them.
Here are the ones that matter most, what you should do, and the mistake we see people make.
| Sign | What it means | What you do | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stop sign Red octagon (8 sides), white letters | Come to a complete stop | Stop at the stop line. If there isn't one, stop at the crosswalk. If there's no crosswalk, stop at the edge of the sidewalk. Go when it's safe. | Treating a slow roll as a stop. The wheels have to stop. |
| Yield sign Triangle, white with red border | Let traffic in or close to the intersection go first | Slow down, stop if you need to, and go when it's clear | Thinking yield means "merge without looking" |
| School zone sign Pentagon (5 sides), fluorescent yellow-green | A school zone is ahead | Slow down, watch for kids and crossing guards | Mixing it up with the pedestrian crossover sign |
| School zone speed limit with flashing lights | Lower limit when the yellow lights flash | Obey the posted speed while the lights are flashing | Guessing the times instead of watching the lights |
| Railway crossing sign X-shaped (crossbuck), white with red outline | Railway tracks cross the road | Slow down, look both ways, be ready to stop | Assuming no train is coming because there are no gates |
| Pedestrian crossover | Be ready to stop and yield to pedestrians | Wait until pedestrians and any crossing guard are safely on the sidewalk | Driving through once the person clears your lane |
| Community Safety Zone | Area with special risk to pedestrians | Drive carefully. Fines for traffic offences are increased here. | Thinking it sets a specific speed limit. It doesn't on its own. |
| No right turn on red | You can't turn right on a red light here | Wait for the green | Turning anyway because "right on red is legal in Ontario" |
| Do not enter | Don't enter this road | Find another route | Confusing it with a one-way sign pointing the other way |
| Slow-moving vehicle Orange triangle, red border | Vehicle ahead travels 40 km/h or less | Slow down early and only pass when it's legal and safe | Confusing it with a yield sign because both are triangles |
| Curve warning + advisory speed tab | Curve ahead; the tab shows the maximum safe speed | Slow down before the curve, not in it | Reading the tab as the speed limit for the whole road |
| Divided highway begins / ends | Traffic is (or stops being) separated by a median | Keep right when it begins; watch for oncoming traffic when it ends | Mixing up the "begins" and "ends" versions |
| School bus stop arm | Stop when the bus signals are flashing | Stop at least 20 m behind. Without a median, traffic both ways stops. | Thinking oncoming traffic never has to stop |
| Orange construction signs | Temporary condition, usually roadwork | Slow down, expect a lower limit, follow any traffic control person | Ignoring them on weekends or evenings when no one seems to be working |
The sign pairs people mix up most
- Yield sign vs. slow-moving vehicle sign. Both are triangles. Yield is white with a red border and points down. The slow-moving vehicle sign is orange with a red border and sits on the back of a vehicle.
- School zone (pentagon) vs. warning signs (diamond). Count the sides. Five sides always means school.
- Yellow diamond vs. orange diamond. Yellow is a permanent warning. Orange is temporary, usually construction.
- Flashing red vs. flashing yellow light. Flashing red means stop completely, then go when safe. Flashing yellow means slow down and go through with caution.
Around Wasaga Beach and Stayner, you'll see the slow-moving vehicle sign a lot more than people in the city do. Farm equipment on Highway 26 and the county roads in spring and fall is normal. Once you have your G1, point these signs out while someone else is driving. Seeing them in real life makes them stick.
Traffic lights: the quick version
| Light | What you do |
|---|---|
| Red | Stop. You may turn right after a complete stop when the way is clear, unless a sign says no. |
| Yellow | Stop if you can do so safely. Otherwise go through with caution. |
| Green | Go, turn left or turn right after yielding to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection. |
| Flashing green or green arrow with green light | Advanced green. You may turn left, go straight or turn right from the proper lane. Oncoming traffic still has a red. |
| Yellow arrow | The protected left turn is ending. Don't start your turn. |
| Flashing red | Stop completely. Go when it's safe. |
| Flashing yellow | Drive through with caution. |
| Lights not working | Treat it like an all-way stop. |
Source: MTO Driver's Handbook: Signs and Traffic lights.
Ontario G1 practice questions (with answers)
These 31 questions are written by us, not copied from the real test. They cover signs, lights, right-of-way, sharing the road, safe driving and the G1 rules. Try each one before you tap to see the answer. If you get one wrong, read the explanation and find that topic in the handbook. That's where the real learning happens.
1 · Signs
You're driving along Main Street and see an eight-sided red sign with white letters. What do you have to do?
- A Come to a complete stop
- B Slow down and go through if nobody is coming
- C Yield only to pedestrians
- D Stop only if another car is already at the intersection
Show answer
Answer: A. Come to a complete stop
An eight-sided red sign is a stop sign. A rolling stop doesn't count. Your wheels have to stop moving completely, even when the road looks empty.
2 · Signs
A triangle-shaped sign with a white background and a red border means:
- A Stop for at least three seconds
- B The road ahead is closed
- C Let traffic in or close to the intersection go first
- D Traffic merges from the left only
Show answer
Answer: C. Let traffic in or close to the intersection go first
That's a yield sign. You slow down, stop if you need to, and let traffic that's already in or near the intersection go first.
3 · Signs
You see a five-sided sign with a fluorescent yellow-green background. What's coming up?
- A A railway crossing
- B A school zone
- C A hospital
- D A playground only open on weekends
Show answer
Answer: B. A school zone
The five-sided (pentagon) sign warns you that you're coming to a school zone. Expect children, crossing guards and a lower speed limit.
4 · Signs
A school zone speed sign has yellow lights on it. When does the lower speed limit apply?
- A Only in September
- B Only between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- C Only when a crossing guard is standing on the road
- D When the yellow lights are flashing
Show answer
Answer: D. When the yellow lights are flashing
The handbook says to observe the speed limit shown when the yellow lights are flashing. Don't try to guess the hours, watch the lights.
5 · Signs
Most warning signs in Ontario are:
- A Round with a red background
- B Diamond-shaped with a yellow background
- C Rectangular with a green background
- D Square with a blue background
Show answer
Answer: B. Diamond-shaped with a yellow background
Warning signs (curves, hills, hidden intersections, deer) are usually yellow diamonds. Orange diamonds are for temporary conditions like construction.
6 · Signs
You pass a diamond-shaped sign with an orange background. What does the orange colour tell you?
- A There's a temporary condition, such as construction
- B The road is private
- C You're entering a tourist area
- D Snowmobiles have the right-of-way
Show answer
Answer: A. There's a temporary condition, such as construction
Orange means temporary condition, most often roadwork. Slow down and watch for workers, equipment and lane changes.
7 · Signs
A sign says you're entering a Community Safety Zone. What's different about this stretch of road?
- A The speed limit is always 30 km/h
- B Parking is free
- C Only local residents can drive there
- D Traffic fines are increased
Show answer
Answer: D. Traffic fines are increased
A Community Safety Zone marks an area with a special risk to pedestrians, and traffic offences there carry increased fines.
8 · Signs
A farm tractor ahead of you on Highway 26 has an orange triangle with a red border on the back. What does it mean?
- A The driver is about to turn left
- B The vehicle is carrying dangerous goods
- C The vehicle will be travelling at 40 km/h or less
- D The vehicle is broken down
Show answer
Answer: C. The vehicle will be travelling at 40 km/h or less
That's the slow-moving vehicle sign. You'll see these on farm equipment around Simcoe County. Leave extra space and only pass when it's legal and safe.
9 · Signs
A small square sign under a curve warning shows “40 km/h”. What is it telling you?
- A The maximum safe speed for that curve
- B The minimum speed on the curve
- C The speed limit for the next 40 km
- D Trucks must drive 40 km/h
Show answer
Answer: A. The maximum safe speed for that curve
It's an advisory speed tab. It shows the maximum safe speed for the curve in good conditions. In rain or snow you may need to go slower.
10 · Signs
You see a sign for a pedestrian crossover and someone is crossing. When can you drive through?
- A As soon as the person passes your lane
- B When the person has crossed and is safely on the sidewalk
- C After waiting five seconds
- D When the car beside you starts moving
Show answer
Answer: B. When the person has crossed and is safely on the sidewalk
At pedestrian crossovers and school crossings, you wait until pedestrians (and crossing guards) have crossed and are safely on the sidewalk.
11 · Signs
A white rectangular sign reads “Slower traffic keep right”. What should you do?
- A Only use the right lane to pass
- B Stay in the left lane unless turning
- C Pull over onto the shoulder when a car comes up behind you
- D Drive in the right lane if you're going slower than the traffic around you
Show answer
Answer: D. Drive in the right lane if you're going slower than the traffic around you
On multi-lane roads, slower traffic keeps right. The left lane is for passing.
12 · Lights
You come up to a flashing red light. What do you do?
- A Slow down and continue with caution
- B Stop only if a car is coming
- C Come to a complete stop and go only when it's safe
- D Treat it as a yield sign
Show answer
Answer: C. Come to a complete stop and go only when it's safe
A flashing red light works like a stop sign. Come to a complete stop, then move through only when it's safe.
13 · Lights
The traffic lights at an intersection are completely out because of a power failure. How do you treat the intersection?
- A Like a green light for the main road
- B Like an all-way stop
- C Like a yield sign
- D Drive through slowly without stopping
Show answer
Answer: B. Like an all-way stop
When a traffic light isn't working, use the intersection the same way you'd use an all-way stop.
14 · Lights
You're waiting to turn left and see a flashing green light (or a green arrow with a green light). What does it mean?
- A You can turn left, go straight or turn right from the proper lane while oncoming traffic still faces a red
- B Oncoming traffic also has a green light, so be careful
- C The light is about to turn red
- D Only buses may go
Show answer
Answer: A. You can turn left, go straight or turn right from the proper lane while oncoming traffic still faces a red
That's an advanced green. Oncoming traffic still has a red light, so you can make your left turn without waiting for a gap.
15 · Lights
The light turns yellow as you approach. What should you do?
- A Speed up to beat the red
- B Stop suddenly no matter what
- C Honk to warn other drivers
- D Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise go through with caution
Show answer
Answer: D. Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise go through with caution
Yellow means red is coming. Stop if you safely can. If you're too close to stop safely, continue with caution.
16 · Lights
You're stopped at a red light and want to turn right. There's no sign saying otherwise. What's the rule?
- A Right turns on red are never allowed in Ontario
- B You may turn right without stopping if nobody is coming
- C You may turn right after coming to a complete stop and waiting until the way is clear
- D You must wait for a green arrow
Show answer
Answer: C. You may turn right after coming to a complete stop and waiting until the way is clear
Right on red is allowed in Ontario unless a sign prohibits it, but only after a complete stop and once the way is clear, including pedestrians.
17 · Right-of-way
Two cars reach an all-way stop at the same time. You're on the left. Who goes first?
- A The car on the right
- B You do, because you're on the left
- C Whoever is driving the bigger vehicle
- D Whoever waves first
Show answer
Answer: A. The car on the right
When two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.
18 · Right-of-way
You reach an intersection with no signs or lights at the same time as a car coming from your right. Who has the right-of-way?
- A You do
- B Whoever is going straight
- C The car coming from the right
- D Whoever is going faster
Show answer
Answer: C. The car coming from the right
At an uncontrolled intersection, if you arrive at the same time, the vehicle approaching from the right has the right-of-way.
19 · Right-of-way
You're pulling out of a plaza driveway onto the road. Who do you have to yield to?
- A Only cars that honk
- B Vehicles on the road and pedestrians on the sidewalk
- C Nobody, if you signal
- D Only pedestrians
Show answer
Answer: B. Vehicles on the road and pedestrians on the sidewalk
When entering a road from a private road or driveway, you yield to vehicles on the road and pedestrians on the sidewalk.
20 · Sharing the road
You're behind a school bus that stops with its red lights flashing. How far back do you stop?
- A At least 5 metres
- B At least 10 metres
- C It doesn't matter as long as you stop
- D At least 20 metres
Show answer
Answer: D. At least 20 metres
Stop at least 20 metres behind the bus and don't move until the bus moves or the red lights stop flashing.
21 · Sharing the road
You're driving toward a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing, on a two-lane road with no median. What do you do?
- A Stop
- B Keep going, the rule only applies to traffic behind the bus
- C Slow down to 40 km/h and pass
- D Honk and pass carefully
Show answer
Answer: A. Stop
On a road without a median, traffic in both directions must stop. Only when a median separates the road can oncoming traffic keep going.
22 · Sharing the road
An ambulance with its lights and siren on is coming up behind you. What should you do?
- A Speed up to get out of the way
- B Pull as far to the right as is practical and stop
- C Stop right where you are in your lane
- D Keep driving at the same speed
Show answer
Answer: B. Pull as far to the right as is practical and stop
Move as close as practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the road and stop until it passes.
23 · Sharing the road
A tow truck is stopped on the shoulder with its lights flashing. You're on a road with two lanes going your way. What does the law expect?
- A Nothing, it's on the shoulder
- B Stop behind the tow truck
- C Slow down, go with caution, and move into the lane away from it if it's safe
- D Honk to let them know you're passing
Show answer
Answer: C. Slow down, go with caution, and move into the lane away from it if it's safe
Slow down and pass with caution. If there's another lane in your direction, move over into it when it's safe.
24 · Sharing the road
When you pass a cyclist, how much space does Ontario require where practical?
- A At least half a metre
- B At least two car lengths
- C There's no rule
- D At least one metre
Show answer
Answer: D. At least one metre
Leave at least one metre between your vehicle and the cyclist where practical. More is better, especially on narrow roads.
25 · Safe driving
What is the minimum safe following distance behind the vehicle in front of you in good conditions?
- A At least one second
- B At least two seconds
- C At least one car length
- D At least 10 metres
Show answer
Answer: B. At least two seconds
The handbook says at least two seconds. In rain, snow or at night, give yourself more.
26 · Safe driving
There are no speed limit signs on a street in town. What's the maximum speed?
- A 50 km/h
- B 40 km/h
- C 60 km/h
- D 70 km/h
Show answer
Answer: A. 50 km/h
Where no limit is posted, it's 50 km/h in cities, towns and villages, and 80 km/h elsewhere.
27 · Safe driving
Can you use a hand-held phone to check a text while stopped at a red light?
- A Yes, you're stopped
- B Yes, if it's a short text
- C Only if the accompanying driver says it's fine
- D No, it's illegal to use a hand-held device while driving, except to call 911 in an emergency
Show answer
Answer: D. No, it's illegal to use a hand-held device while driving, except to call 911 in an emergency
Being stopped at a light still counts as driving. Hand-held phone use is illegal except to call 911 in an emergency.
28 · G1 rules
As a G1 driver, what does your blood-alcohol level have to be?
- A Under .05
- B Under .08
- C Zero
- D It depends on your age
Show answer
Answer: C. Zero
G1 drivers must have a blood-alcohol level of zero.
29 · G1 rules
Who can sit beside you as your accompanying driver on a G1?
- A Anyone 18 or older with a G2
- B A fully licensed driver (Class G or higher) with at least four years of driving experience and a blood-alcohol level under .05
- C Any adult family member
- D A friend who has had their G for one year
Show answer
Answer: B. A fully licensed driver (Class G or higher) with at least four years of driving experience and a blood-alcohol level under .05
Your accompanying driver needs a valid Class G (or higher) licence, at least four years of driving experience, and a blood-alcohol level under .05 while accompanying you.
30 · G1 rules
It's 12:30 a.m. and a G1 driver wants to drive home from Collingwood with a fully licensed parent. Is it allowed?
- A No, G1 drivers can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
- B Yes, the parent is fully licensed
- C Yes, if they stay under 60 km/h
- D Only on weekends
Show answer
Answer: A. No, G1 drivers can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
G1 drivers can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m., even with a qualified accompanying driver.
31 · G1 rules
Can a G1 driver drive on a 400-series highway with a speed limit over 80 km/h?
- A Yes, any time
- B Yes, if a parent is in the car
- C Only in the right lane
- D No, unless the accompanying driver is a driving instructor
Show answer
Answer: D. No, unless the accompanying driver is a driving instructor
G1 drivers can't use 400-series highways with a posted limit over 80 km/h (and some other high-speed roads). The exception is when your accompanying driver is a driving instructor.
Scoring yourself: 25 or more out of 31 is about 80%. If you're right on the edge, don't book your trip to Barrie yet. Spend another day on the sections you missed.
Common mistakes people make on the G1 test
Memorizing answers instead of understanding them
Free practice sites reuse the same questions. After a few rounds, you recognise the answer without knowing why it's right. Then the real test words it differently and you freeze. For every question you get right, ask yourself: could I explain this to my little brother? If not, you've memorized it, not learned it.
Confusing signs that look alike
Yield vs. slow-moving vehicle. School zone vs. pedestrian crossover. Yellow diamond vs. orange diamond. Go back to the sign pairs above. Learning shapes and colours first gives you a way to work out signs you've never seen.
Skipping right-of-way
People study signs hard because they're visual and easy to quiz. Right-of-way gets skimmed because it's text. It's also where a lot of marks disappear. Learn the all-way stop rule, the uncontrolled intersection rule, and the driveway rule until you can answer without thinking.
Guessing on number questions
20 metres, two seconds, one metre, 50 km/h, 80 km/h, midnight to 5 a.m., .05, four years. Write them on one card and read it every day. These questions are either instantly right or a guess.
Not reading the whole question
Watch for words like "not", "except", "always" and "never". A question that asks what you should not do flips the whole thing around. The test isn't timed, so there's no reason to rush. Read the question, read all four answers, then choose.
Studying from outdated material
Some practice sites and old printed handbooks carry rules or fees that have since changed. The official handbook on ontario.ca is the version the test is based on. Use practice sites for drilling, and the handbook for the truth.
How to study for the Ontario G1 test
The best way to study for the G1 test is to read the MTO Driver's Handbook once, learn signs by shape and colour, drill right-of-way rules, then take practice tests until you score 90% or more on sets you haven't seen before.
How long that takes depends on you. Someone who's been a passenger for years and pays attention to the road might be ready in three days. Someone brand new to Ontario roads, or studying in a second language, should give it a week or more. Neither is better. Rushing and failing costs you $16, another trip and a lot of confidence.
3-day plan (if you already know the basics)
| Day 1 | Read the handbook sections on signs and traffic lights. Make flashcards for every sign by shape and colour. Do one practice test on signs only. |
|---|---|
| Day 2 | Read the sections on intersections, sharing the road, and the G1 rules. Write your "numbers card". Do two mixed practice tests and look up every wrong answer in the handbook. |
| Day 3 | Take the practice questions in this article cold. Then two more full practice tests from a different source. If you're scoring 90%+ on new questions, you're ready. |
7-day plan (recommended for most people)
| Day 1 | Skim the whole handbook once. Don't memorize anything yet. Just get the big picture. |
|---|---|
| Day 2 | Signs: regulatory, warning, temporary condition, school, railway. Flashcards by shape and colour. |
| Day 3 | Traffic lights, pedestrian signals and pavement markings. |
| Day 4 | Intersections and right-of-way. Draw an all-way stop on paper and move coins around as cars. |
| Day 5 | Sharing the road: school buses, emergency vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians. Plus the G1 rules and your numbers card. |
| Day 6 | Two full mixed practice tests. For every miss, reread that section of the handbook. |
| Day 7 | This article's 31 questions, then one fresh practice test. Rest. Go write the test the next day while it's fresh. |
A tip for parents: quiz your teen in the car. When you pull up to an all-way stop, ask "who goes next?" When you pass a school bus, ask "how far back would you stop?" Real roads make the rules make sense.
How do you know you're ready for the G1?
You're ready for the G1 test when you can score 90% or higher on practice tests you've never seen before, and you can explain why each answer is right.
Here's a checklist that's more useful than "feel confident":
- You score 90%+ on at least two full practice tests from different sources.
- You can name what a sign means from its shape and colour alone, before reading any words.
- You can answer every all-way stop and uncontrolled intersection question without hesitating.
- You know every number on your numbers card without looking.
- You can list all the G1 rules from memory.
- When you get a question wrong, you know why within a few seconds.
- You have your original ID ready, plus glasses if you wear them.
If you tick all seven, go write it.
What happens after you pass the G1?
After you pass the G1 test, you get your G1 licence and can start practising with a qualified accompanying driver. You must hold your G1 for at least 12 months, or 8 months if you complete a government-approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course, before you can take your G2 road test.
The path looks like this:
- Pass the G1. You're a Level One driver with the restrictions listed above.
- Practise and train. Drive with your accompanying driver. Many people add professional lessons or a BDE course here.
- Pass the G2 road test. After 12 months, or 8 with BDE. It's already paid for in your G1 package.
- Hold your G2 for 12 months. You can drive alone, with some rules.
- Pass the G road test. Full licence.
Where BDE fits in. An MTO-approved BDE course is at least 40 hours: 20 hours of classroom (in person or online), 10 hours in the car, and 10 hours of flexible instruction. Finishing it cuts four months off your G1 waiting time. Many insurance companies also offer a discount to BDE graduates, but it isn't guaranteed and it varies by insurer, so ask your broker directly. We break down the full costs in how much a BDE course costs in Ontario.
The G1 test tells DriveTest you know the rules. It doesn't teach you to drive. Most of what fails people on the G2 is habits, not knowledge: missed shoulder checks, rolling stops, poor speed control. If you want to see what those look like, read the 10 mistakes that fail most people on the G2. It's worth reading early, while your habits are still forming.
And if you're choosing a driving school, make sure it's actually MTO-approved. Some aren't. Here's how to check a driving school is licensed before you pay.
Where can you take the G1 test near Wasaga Beach and Collingwood?
There's no place to take the G1 knowledge test in Wasaga Beach, Collingwood or Stayner. The nearest full DriveTest centres that offer knowledge tests are in Barrie, Orillia, Owen Sound and Orangeville.
This catches a lot of people out. Collingwood does have a DriveTest location, inside the ServiceOntario office at 191 Hurontario St, Unit 6. But it's a travel point run out of the Barrie centre, and it only does G2 and G road tests, generally on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You can't write your G1 there. ServiceOntario offices can't do knowledge tests either.
| Location | Address | G1 knowledge test? | Road tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrie (full centre) | 520 Bryne Dr, Unit 7, Barrie | Yes | G2, G |
| Orillia (full centre) | 404 Laclie St, Unit 3, Orillia | Yes | G2, G |
| Owen Sound (full centre) | 107 Jason St, Unit 1, Owen Sound | Yes | G2, G |
| Orangeville (full centre) | 50 Fourth Ave, Orangeville | Yes | G2, G |
| Collingwood (travel point) | ServiceOntario, 191 Hurontario St, Unit 6 | No | G2, G only |
For most people in Wasaga Beach, Stayner and Collingwood, Barrie is the closest option. The Barrie centre's inside services run Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Since knowledge tests are walk-in, go early in the day and early in the week if you can. Arriving at 3:45 p.m. and hoping for the best isn't a plan.
Verify before you drive: DriveTest hours and services change, and centres occasionally close for the day. Check the DriveTest centre list the morning you plan to go.
Once you've got your G1 and your waiting time is up, your G2 road test can usually happen much closer to home at the Collingwood travel point. We've written a full guide on booking your G2 road test in Collingwood.
Frequently asked questions about the Ontario G1 test
How many questions are on the Ontario G1 test?
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DriveTest describes the G1 knowledge test as multiple choice, in two or three sections: road signs and rules of the road. It doesn't list a fixed question count on its website. The test is widely reported as 40 questions, 20 on signs and 20 on rules, so study both halves equally.
What score do you need to pass the G1?
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You need a total score of at least 80%. If you fail, you only redo the sections that didn't meet the MTO standard, as long as you retry within one year. So aim for 80% or better in each section, not just overall.
How much does the G1 test cost in Ontario?
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The G1 package is $159.75. It covers the knowledge test, your first G2 road test and a five-year licence. An extra knowledge test attempt is $16. Check drivetest.ca/tests/fees before you go, because fees can change.
What documents do I need for the G1 test?
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Bring original identification showing your legal name and date of birth, such as a passport, citizenship card, permanent resident card or a valid study or work permit. Bring your glasses or contacts too, because you'll do a vision test on the spot.
Do I need an appointment for the G1 test?
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No. Knowledge tests are first-come, first-served at DriveTest centres. Arrive at least an hour before the centre closes. The test isn't timed, but you have to finish before closing.
Can I take the G1 test in Wasaga Beach or Collingwood?
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Not right now. Wasaga Beach has no DriveTest centre, and the Collingwood location at 191 Hurontario St is a travel point that only does G2 and G road tests. The closest full centres for the knowledge test are Barrie, Orillia, Owen Sound and Orangeville.
Can I take the G1 test in another city?
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Yes. You can take the knowledge test at any DriveTest centre in Ontario that offers it. You still need to be an Ontario resident, and you need to bring acceptable ID.
How long is a G1 licence good for?
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You have up to five years to finish the whole graduated licensing process, from G1 to full G. If you don't get your full G within five years, you have to start over.
How long do I have to wait after my G1 to take my G2 road test?
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Twelve months. If you finish a government-approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course, you can take your G2 road test after eight months instead.
What languages is the G1 test offered in?
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DriveTest offers the Class G1 knowledge test in 32 languages, including English and French. Check the list on drivetest.ca before you go to confirm your language is available.
Got your G1? Here's the next step
Passing the G1 means you know the rules. Learning to actually use them in traffic is the next part, and it's the part that decides whether you pass your G2 the first time.
RightSite Driving School is an MTO-approved BDE provider based in Wasaga Beach. We teach new drivers from Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Stayner and nearby communities. In-car lessons are one-on-one, and pickup and drop-off are included.
- Full BDE course — $649 + HST. Classroom online, 10 hours in the car, and your G2 road test eligibility after 8 months instead of 12. Flexible payment plans are available.
- Individual lessons — $50 + HST per 60-minute lesson. Good for building confidence before or after BDE, or for G2 and G test prep.
Tell us your availability and we'll work with you to find available lesson times.
Sources: DriveTest: Knowledge tests · DriveTest: Fees · DriveTest: Centre list · Ontario: Get a G driver's licence · Official MTO Driver's Handbook · Ontario: School bus safety. RightSite Driving School is a private, MTO-approved driving school, not a government office. Rules and fees can change; always confirm with DriveTest or ontario.ca.