Getting Your Ontario G License

You can take your G2 road test when you've been a G2 driver for a minimum of 12 months.

In order to take the G2 road test (or G2 driving test as it is sometimes called), you will be required to have adequate prior highway driving experience. The answer to the question: "can you drive on the highway with a G2?" is obviously yes - you absolutely must do so to practice for the G2 driving test.

• You are required to have experience driving on highways with a minimum speed of at least 80 km/hr and/or a 400 series highway ex. 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 409, 410, 416, 417, 420, 427, Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), Don Valley Parkway (DVP), Gardiner Expressway, E.C.Row Expressway or Conestoga Parkway
• You must have driven at least five times on one of these roadways in the last three months
• You will be required to sign off on a Declaration of Highway Driving Experience form indicating the location and average length of the highway trips (<5km, 5-15km, >15 km)
• Make sure you have adequate driving experience prior to attempting the G2 driving test, or your test appointment will be cancelled, and you will lose 50% of your G2 road test fee

You need to schedule your G2 road test booking in advance, at a G2 driving test centre that you feel comfortable with. Certain times of the year like the summer or March break can be very busy so make sure your G2 road test booking is made in advance. Find a G2 driving test location here.

Whether you are preparing for your G1, G2 or G licence, it's always a good idea to review and brush up on the Ontario Driver's handbook, and study the Ontario road signs and rules of the road.

Ontario Driver's Handbook

While the G1 road test to get your G2 licence assesses basic driving skills, a G2 road test helps an examiner determine if a driver is capable of also driving on highways - this is essential for the G licence Ontario makes available. The majority of the G2 driving test is dedicated to assessing entering, merging onto, driving on and exiting off the highway, so it's a good idea to really get comfortable driving on highways, especially in the area around where you intend to take your G2 road test. In addition to highway driving, you should also brush up on basic driving skills like:

• Proper signaling and speed control
• Left and right turns
• Stopping at and passing through intersections
• Adhering to proper driving in your lane and remaining aware of your surroundings
• Using the mirrors
• Properly checking blind spots
• Changing lanes
• Roadside stops
• Driving along curves
• Defensive driving
• Driving in business and residential areas
• Parallel parking
• Three-point turns
• Backing up
• Knowing what to do around emergency vehicles

Getting a full G license also entails knowing how to handle a vehicle around potentially hazardous situations, like for example:

• Dangerous drivers
• Emergency vehicles
• Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles
• Blind spots and hidden driveways
• Animals
• Icy or snowy roads
• Uneven roads
• Construction sites

Before beginning the G2 road test Ontario offers, the driving examiner will check your vehicle to make sure all the important parts are working and that you know where everything is. For example, the horn, parking brake, high beams, turn signals etc. etc. Chances are you will also be asked to demonstrate the hand signals for turning, so make sure you review those in the Drivers Handbook sections when studying for your G2 driving test.

The vehicle pre-check is very important because it ensures that your vehicle is safe to drive. If for some reason the examiner determines your car isn't meeting all the safety checklist items, they might not let you take the Ontario G license test.

Vehicle Checklist

After the vehicle pre-check, the examiner will begin your road test. You will be asked to drive through a pre-set route during which the examiner will ask you to demonstrate various driving skills, for example, turning, changing lanes, merging on the highway, parking etc. You could also be asked to identify potential driving hazards on route, so stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, and make sure you concentrate on driving properly - just like you've practiced so often before - right?

After the G license test is over, and you bring your vehicle back to the examination center, the driving examiner will go over it with you, to tell you where you did well and where you might need to improve. They will also tell you right away if you passed and are now the proud recipient of an Ontario G license  or if you need to take the test again.

If you cancel or reschedule your road test appointment with less than 48 hours notice, or if you fail to attend your appointment, your prepaid road-test fee will not be refunded.

Try to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment to take care of any administrative items, as well as have time to settle down and be relaxed before your test.

One of the first things the examiner will check is whether your vehicle is safe and operable enough for the test, so make sure you review your vehicle against the vehicle safety checklist.

Vehicle Checklist

Make sure your car has enough gas to complete the test. Just to be on the safe side a full tank of gas is always a good idea.

If you need glasses or contacts to drive, make sure you take them along.

Each driving test has a specific fee requirement so make sure you are prepared to pay the fees prior to starting the test.

Ontario Licensing Fees

Print off a copy of your G2 road test confirmation and bring it along.

Bring your current driving licence with you.

You typically have 5 years between the time you get your G1 and the time you must pass all the steps to get your full Ontario G license. If you fail an Ontario G license test prior to the 5-year expiry period, you can re-take the test and just re-pay the fee. However, if your G2 expires prior to passing your G licence test, you may have to start the process over and/or negotiate a grace period with the Ministry of Transportation while you re-take the test.

An Ontario G license is valid for 5 years. You will get a notice in the mail or via email, 2-3 months prior to expiry, reminding you to renew your G licence before the next renewal date comes up.

If you're under the age of 21, by law, you cannot consume any alcohol when driving a vehicle - even with a full G license.