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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The official Ontario Driver's Handbook is the source for everything on your G1 test. It covers:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.