G1 Practice Test PDF 2026 October: Free Ontario Knowledge Test Questions
Free G1 practice test PDF with answers and detailed explanations for every question, printable PDF included. Matched to the current G1 exam. 🎓
G1 Practice Test PDF 2026: Free Ontario Knowledge Test Questions
Getting your G1 licence is the first step toward driving in Ontario — and the written knowledge test trips up more people than it should. Downloading a G1 practice test PDF lets you study anywhere: on the bus, during a lunch break, or in the car while someone else drives. No Wi-Fi required.
This page gives you a free, printable PDF packed with Ontario knowledge test questions and answers. It mirrors the real exam so you know exactly what to expect on test day.
What the official Ontario G1 knowledge test actually says (2026)
- The G1 knowledge test is created by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), multiple-choice, available on paper or computer, and is not timed — in practice a full test typically takes about 20-30 minutes and has two or three sections (e.g. one on signs, one on rules of the road). (source)
- You need a total score of at least 80% to pass. Results are valid for one year; if you retry within that year you only have to redo the section(s) that didn't meet the MTO standard. (source)
- Computerized G1 knowledge tests are offered in 32 languages, and every DriveTest Centre offers the test without an appointment. (source)
- Current fees (Government of Ontario driver examination pricing): the Class G1 licence package — knowledge test, Class G2 road test, and 5-year licence — is $159.75; an extra knowledge-test attempt is $16.00. (source)
- To apply you must be at least 16, an Ontario resident, and pass a vision test plus the knowledge test at a DriveTest Centre (or the ServiceOntario Bay & College location in Toronto, by appointment). (source)
Last verified: September 22, 2026 against DriveTest.ca (Ministry of Transportation of Ontario / ServiceOntario) and Ontario.ca.
What the Ontario G1 Knowledge Test Covers
The G1 test is split into two equal halves. Fail either section and you fail the whole test — even if your total score would otherwise pass. That's why you can't afford to focus on just one area.
Section 1: Road Signs (20 questions)
You need to identify signs by shape, colour, and symbol without any text labels. Regulatory signs (stop, yield, speed limits), warning signs (curves, pedestrian crossings, school zones), and informational signs all appear. Some test-takers assume they know signs from everyday driving. They're usually wrong about a few. The speed limit sign and the maximum speed sign look similar but mean different things. The difference matters.
Section 2: Rules of the Road (20 questions)
This section draws from the Ontario Driver's Handbook — all 200+ pages of it. Questions cover right-of-way at intersections, following distances, what to do when emergency vehicles approach, seatbelt laws, demerit points, blood-alcohol limits, and more. It's dense material. Reading the handbook once usually isn't enough — you need to test yourself repeatedly to make the rules stick.
Why a PDF Is Better for Studying
Apps and websites are great for quick practice, but a PDF gives you something different: the ability to study without distractions, mark up questions, and review at your own pace.
Print it out and use a pencil. Underline questions you got wrong. Circle answers you're unsure about. Research shows active engagement with material — writing, marking, re-reading — beats passive scrolling every time. When you review your mistakes on paper, they stick better than clicking "try again" on a screen.
The PDF format also means you can use it anywhere a DriveTest centre isn't nearby. Ontario is a big province. If you're in a smaller town without a nearby test centre, you can download the PDF now and study for weeks before you drive to take the actual test.
Our PDF includes the correct answer for every question plus a brief explanation. You're not just memorising answers — you're understanding why the rule exists. That understanding helps when the real test phrases a familiar question in an unfamiliar way.
What the Ontario Driver's Handbook Actually Says
The official Ontario Driver's Handbook is the source for everything on your G1 test. It covers:
- Licensing system — the graduated licensing stages (G1, G2, full G), restrictions at each stage
- Signs, signals, and road markings — every sign category with colours and shapes explained
- Rules of the road — right-of-way, lane use, speed limits, passing, merging
- Safe driving practices — following distances, blind spots, night driving, adverse weather
- Driving while impaired — zero tolerance for G1 and G2 drivers, consequences of drinking and driving
- Emergencies — what to do if your brakes fail, a tire blows, or you're in a crash
- Sharing the road — cyclists, pedestrians, large trucks, motorcycles
You don't need to memorise the handbook word for word. But you do need to understand its core rules well enough to answer questions about specific scenarios. That's what the practice PDF helps you do.
How to Use This PDF to Actually Pass
Don't just read through the questions and peek at the answers. That approach feels productive but doesn't work. Here's a method that does:
- Print the PDF (or open it on a tablet where you can't see the answers easily)
- Answer all 40 questions without looking at the answers
- Score yourself — aim for at least 36/40 before you book your real test
- For every wrong answer, read the explanation and find that rule in the handbook
- Wait a day, then take the test again from memory
- Repeat until you consistently score 38–40
One pass through isn't enough. Multiple spaced repetitions over several days is what locks the information in long-term. Aim to study over at least three or four sessions rather than cramming the night before.
You can also supplement with our interactive G1 practice test, which gives you instant feedback question by question and tracks which topics you're weak on.
- ✓For road signs: focus on shape and colour first — you can often identify a sign before reading any text
- ✓Know the difference between regulatory (white/red), warning (yellow diamond), and construction (orange) signs
- ✓Memorise the exact shapes: octagon=stop, triangle=yield, pentagon=school zone
- ✓For rules of the road: learn the 3-second following distance rule and when it increases
- ✓Know right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections — the car on the right goes first
- ✓Understand G1 restrictions: no alcohol at all (zero tolerance), must be accompanied by a fully licensed driver with 4+ years experience
- ✓Review demerit point values — minor vs. major infractions come up on the test
- ✓Learn what the different pavement markings mean (solid yellow, broken white, solid white)
Common Mistakes That Cause Failures
The DriveTest pass rate for the G1 knowledge test is lower than most people expect. Here's what causes failures:
Overconfidence on road signs. People assume they know signs from driving as a passenger for years. But the test is specific — it asks about signs you've never noticed, presented without any context. Study every sign category in the handbook, not just the obvious ones.
Ignoring G1-specific rules. The G1 level has restrictions that don't apply to full-licence drivers. Zero blood-alcohol tolerance, mandatory accompanying driver, and highway restrictions are all testable. If you study generic driving rules without focusing on G1 restrictions, you'll get caught out.
Misreading scenario questions. The test uses realistic scenarios: "You're at an intersection with a flashing amber light. What do you do?" You need to slow down and proceed with caution — not stop. Read every question carefully. The scenario matters.
Not knowing the handbook well enough. Rules that seem obvious ("yield to pedestrians") get complicated in the test ("who has right of way when a pedestrian is crossing against the light at a controlled intersection?"). The handbook has the precise answers. Our PDF tests you on exactly those edge cases.
What Happens If You Fail the G1 Test?
Failing isn't the end of the road. You can retake the G1 knowledge test — but you'll need to pay the test fee again ($16 as of 2026, though fees can change so check DriveTest.ca). There's no mandatory waiting period between attempts, but you do have to rebook a time slot, which can be a few days away depending on availability at your local DriveTest centre.
If you fail, DriveTest staff can tell you which section you failed (signs or rules of the road). That tells you exactly where to focus your studying before you rebook. Most people who fail do so because they underestimated one section. The PDF helps you catch those weak spots before you walk into the test.
Take the time to prepare properly. A few extra study sessions now saves you the cost, time, and frustration of a second attempt.
Official Resources
- Get a G driver's licence: new drivers (Ontario.ca) — the Ontario government's official page on G1 eligibility, the vision and knowledge tests, where to apply, and the current fee list.
- The Official MTO Driver's Handbook (Ontario.ca) — the free online edition of the handbook every G1 knowledge test question is drawn from, covering signs, signals, and rules of the road.
Sample G1 - Ontario G1 Driver's License Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free G1 - Ontario G1 Driver's License practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
When passing a cyclist in Ontario, what is the minimum space you must leave between your vehicle and the cyclist?
- A. 0.5 metres
- B. 1 metre
- C. 1.5 metres
- D. 2 metres
Answer: B. 1 metre
Ontario's Highway Traffic Act requires drivers to leave at least 1 metre of space when passing a cyclist.
What is the minimum following distance recommended in normal conditions in Ontario?
- A. 1 second
- B. 2 seconds
- C. 3 seconds
- D. 5 seconds
Answer: C. 3 seconds
Ontario recommends at least a 3-second following distance in normal driving conditions.
Under what condition must you turn on your headlights in Ontario?
- A. Only after sunset
- B. Anytime visibility is less than 150 metres, or between sunset and sunrise
- C. Only when it is completely dark
- D. Whenever the wipers are in use, per Ontario law
Answer: B. Anytime visibility is less than 150 metres, or between sunset and sunrise
Ontario requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is reduced to under 150 metres.
In a vehicle with manual transmission, when descending a steep hill, a good safe-driving practice is to:
- A. Disengage the clutch and coast
- B. Place the shift gear in neutral
- C. Gear down and allow the engine to assist in breaking
- D. Turn off the ignition
Answer: C. Gear down and allow the engine to assist in breaking
When descending a steep hill in a manual transmission vehicle, it is best practice to downshift to a lower gear. This uses the engine's compression to help control the vehicle's speed, a technique known as 'engine braking.' This reduces the reliance on and potential overheating of the friction brakes, allowing them to remain effective for emergency stops.
Take the full G1 - Ontario G1 Driver's License practice test
G1 Knowledge Test Flashcards
🎯 What score do you need to pass the G1 knowledge test?
You need an overall score of at least 80% on the multiple-choice test. Results stay valid for one year, so a retry only covers the section(s) you missed.
START G1 PRACTICE TEST🍺 What blood alcohol level is allowed with a G1 licence?
Zero. A G1 driver must not drive after drinking any alcohol, and the accompanying driver must be under .05% (zero if they are 21 or under).
START G1 PRACTICE TEST🧑✈️ Who can sit beside you when you drive on a G1?
A fully licensed Class G (or higher) driver with at least four years of driving experience. They must be the only other person in the front seat.
START G1 PRACTICE TEST🌙 What hours are G1 drivers banned from driving?
G1 drivers must not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. This curfew applies even with a qualified accompanying driver.
START G1 PRACTICE TEST🛣️ Can G1 drivers drive on the 401 or QEW?
No. G1 drivers cannot use 400-series highways or high-speed expressways like the QEW, DVP or Gardiner, unless the accompanying driver is a driving instructor.
START G1 PRACTICE TEST⏳ How long must you hold a G1 before the G2 road test?
12 months, or 8 months if you complete a government-approved driver education course. The full G1-to-G process takes at least 20 months.
START G1 PRACTICE TEST🚗 What following distance does the Ontario handbook teach?
At least a two-second gap. Pick a marker, count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two" after the car ahead passes it, and add more space in bad weather.
START G1 PRACTICE TEST🚌 When must you stop for a school bus in Ontario?
When its overhead red lights flash or its stop arm is out, stop from both directions unless there is a median. Coming from behind, stop at least 20 metres back.
START G1 PRACTICE TEST🚦 What does a flashing red light mean in Ontario?
Come to a complete stop and go only when it is safe, like a stop sign. A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution.
START G1 PRACTICE TEST⚠️ How many demerit points suspend a G1 licence?
Novice (G1/G2) drivers are suspended for 60 days at nine or more points within two years. A warning letter comes at two points and a second at six.
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