The Ontario G1 written knowledge test is the first step toward getting your driver's licence. This guide covers everything you need to know — from booking your test at a DriveTest centre to the rules of the road and road signs you must memorize.
The G1 test is a 40-question multiple-choice exam administered by DriveTest Ontario. It consists of two sections: 20 questions on rules of the road and 20 questions on road signs. You must score at least 16 out of 20 on each section to pass. The test is based entirely on the Official MTO Driver's Handbook, and you can take it in English, French, or several other languages at any DriveTest centre across the province.
Candidates can also sharpen their skills with our G1 practice test 2026, which includes hundreds of practice questions in the exact format and difficulty of the real exam.
The G1 exam uses a multiple-choice format with questions covering all major domains. Most versions allow 2-3 hours for completion.
Questions test both knowledge recall and application skills. A score of 70-75% is typically required to pass.
Start early: Begin studying 4-8 weeks before your exam date.
Practice tests: Take at least 3 full-length practice exams.
Focus areas: Spend extra time on topics where you score below 70%.
Review method: After each practice test, review every incorrect answer with the explanation.
Before the exam: Get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy meal, and arrive 30 minutes early.
During the exam: Read each question carefully, eliminate obvious wrong answers, flag difficult questions for review, and manage your time.
After the exam: Results are typically available within 1-4 weeks depending on the testing organization.
The G1 test is Ontario's written knowledge exam for new drivers entering the graduated licensing system. Passing this test earns you a G1 licence, which is a learner's permit that allows you to drive under specific conditions while you gain experience before taking your G2 road test.
Ontario uses a graduated licensing system with three stages:
The G1 written test itself is a computerized multiple-choice exam taken at a DriveTest centre. You sit at a touch-screen terminal and answer 40 questions. The two sections — rules of the road and road signs — are scored independently. You must pass both to receive your G1 licence that same day.
Start building your knowledge now with the G1 Rules of the Road Marathon to see the types of questions you will face on exam day.
Getting your G1 test booked and completed is straightforward, but knowing what to bring and what to expect saves you from wasted trips.
Where to Take the Test
The G1 knowledge test is available at any DriveTest centre in Ontario. There are over 50 locations across the province, from large urban centres like Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton to smaller towns. Most centres accept walk-in candidates during business hours, though some high-traffic locations recommend arriving early to avoid long wait times.
What to Bring
What to Expect on Test Day
When you arrive, you will check in at the counter, present your documents, have your photo taken, and complete a brief eye test. If everything checks out, you proceed to the testing area. The knowledge test is self-paced, though most people complete it in 20 to 30 minutes. Your results appear on screen immediately after you finish.
If You Fail
You can retake the G1 test as many times as needed, but you must pay a retake fee (approximately $15.75) for each additional attempt. There is no mandatory waiting period — you can retake the test the same day at many centres, though you may need to wait for a terminal to become available.
The rules of the road section tests your understanding of Ontario traffic laws, safe driving practices, and what to do in specific driving scenarios. These 20 questions make up half of your G1 test score.
Right-of-Way Rules
Right-of-way questions appear on almost every G1 test. Key rules to memorize:
Speed Limits
Impaired Driving Laws
Ontario has strict impaired driving penalties. G1 and G2 licence holders must maintain a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of zero — no exceptions. Fully licensed drivers face criminal charges at 0.08 BAC. Ontario also has administrative penalties starting at 0.05 BAC ("warn range") including immediate licence suspension.
Following Distance and Lane Use
The recommended following distance is at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead, increasing to 3 or 4 seconds in poor weather. When changing lanes, check mirrors and blind spots. Always signal your intention at least 100 metres before turning on roads with speed limits above 80 km/h.
Practice these exact rule types with the G1 Road Rules practice test to identify which areas need more study time.
For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our g1 practice test pdf resource.
The road signs section of the G1 test presents 20 questions about regulatory, warning, and informational signs found on Ontario roads. You must correctly identify at least 16 to pass this section.
Regulatory Signs (Red, Black, and White)
These signs tell you what you must or must not do. They include:
Warning Signs (Yellow Diamond)
These signs alert you to hazards ahead:
Informational and Guide Signs (Green, Blue, Brown)
Pavement Markings
G1 test questions also cover pavement markings: solid yellow centre lines (no passing), broken yellow lines (passing permitted when safe), white lane lines, and painted crosswalks. Know the difference between a solid white line (lane change discouraged) and a broken white line (lane change permitted).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Multiple preparation pathways (self-study, courses, coaching) accommodate different learning styles and schedules | The scope of tested content requires substantial preparation time that competes with existing professional or academic commitments |
| A growing ecosystem of study resources means candidates at any budget level can access quality preparation materials | No single resource covers the full content scope — candidates typically need multiple study tools for comprehensive preparation |
| Clear score reporting allows candidates to identify specific strengths and weaknesses for targeted remediation | Test anxiety and exam-day performance variability mean preparation effort does not always translate linearly to scores |
| Professional recognition associated with strong performance provides tangible career and academic benefits | Registration, preparation, and potential retake costs accumulate into a significant financial investment |
Try these questions from our free G1 - Ontario G1 Driver's License practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
A person whose driver licence is under suspension, may
Answer: C. not operate under any circumstance
A driver's license suspension means that the individual's privilege to drive has been temporarily or permanently revoked. Operating a motor vehicle while a license is suspended is a serious offense with severe penalties, including fines, further license suspension, vehicle impoundment, and even jail time. Therefore, a person whose driver's license is under suspension may not operate a vehicle under any circumstance.
A class G1, G2, M1 or M2 driver may be required to attend an interview to discuss his/her record and give reasons why their licence should not be suspended:
Answer: C. When 6 demerit points have been accumulated
In Ontario's graduated licensing system, G1, G2, M1, or M2 drivers are subject to an interview and potential license suspension at a lower demerit point threshold than fully licensed drivers. Accumulating 6 demerit points triggers this interview, allowing the Ministry of Transportation to address unsafe driving habits early on. This measure aims to encourage responsible driving among new drivers and reduce risks on the road.
As a level one or two driver, if you collect nine or more points during a two-year period, your licence will be suspended for
Answer: D. 1 year
For Level One (G1) or Level Two (G2) drivers in Ontario, accumulating nine or more demerit points during a two-year period results in a mandatory license suspension. This suspension lasts for one year. This strict penalty is in place to encourage safe driving habits among new drivers and to remove high-risk drivers from the road.
When may you lend your driver's license to other drivers?
Answer: B. Never
Your driver's license is a legal document issued specifically to you and is not to be lent to anyone else. Lending your license is illegal and can result in serious consequences for both you and the person using it. It misrepresents their identity and driving privileges, which is a serious offense.
Take the full G1 - Ontario G1 Driver's License practice test
The G1 test has 40 multiple-choice questions divided into two sections. The first section has 20 questions about rules of the road, and the second section has 20 questions about road signs. You must score at least 16 out of 20 (80%) on each section independently to pass the test.
The G1 knowledge test package costs approximately $159.75 as of 2026. This fee covers the knowledge test, a 5-year licence card, and your first G2 road test attempt. If you fail and need to retake the knowledge test, the retake fee is approximately $15.75 per attempt.
Yes. The G1 test is available in English, French, and over 20 other languages at DriveTest centres across Ontario. Languages include Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Farsi, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, and Urdu, among others. You can request your preferred language when you check in at the centre.
If you fail one or both sections of the G1 test, you can retake it immediately at the same DriveTest centre (subject to terminal availability) or return another day. There is no mandatory waiting period between attempts. Each retake costs approximately $15.75. You only need to retake the section or sections you failed — a passed section carries forward.
A G1 licence is valid for 5 years from the date it is issued. You must pass the G2 road test within that 5-year period, or your G1 expires and you must restart the process from scratch, including retaking the knowledge test and paying the full fee. You can attempt the G2 road test after holding your G1 for at least 12 months, or 8 months if you complete an approved driver education course.