The MTO (Ministry of Transportation Ontario) G1 knowledge test is the first step toward getting your Ontario driver's licence. The written exam tests your knowledge of road signs, rules of the road, and Ontario's graduated licensing requirements. This free printable PDF gives you practice questions across every topic the MTO tests, so you can study offline and arrive at the DriveTest centre fully prepared.
Ontario's G1 test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions split into two sections: 20 questions on road signs and 20 questions on rules of the road. You need at least 16 correct in each section to pass. Use this PDF to identify weak areas before your test date.
Road signs form half the test. You must identify regulatory signs (STOP, YIELD, speed limits, no-turn signs), warning signs (curve ahead, school zone, construction zone), and information signs (highway exits, service signs, route markers). Shape and colour are your first clues — red octagons always mean STOP, yellow diamonds warn of hazards, and orange signs indicate construction zones.
Rules of the road cover the everyday decisions drivers make. Right-of-way rules determine who goes first at intersections: a four-way STOP requires the first-to-arrive vehicle to go first; when two vehicles arrive simultaneously, yield to the vehicle on your right. Turning rules specify that left turns must be made from the leftmost lane and completed into the nearest available lane.
Speed limits in Ontario default to 50 km/h in urban areas and 80 km/h on rural roads unless posted otherwise. In school zones, the reduced speed (usually 40 km/h) applies during school hours; in construction zones, posted reduced speeds are in effect 24 hours a day, and fines are doubled when workers are present.
Alcohol and drug impairment laws are strictly tested. Ontario's legal BAC limit for fully licensed drivers is 0.08, but a warn range of 0.05–0.079 triggers immediate licence suspension. Zero tolerance applies to G1 and G2 drivers, novice drivers under 21, and commercial vehicle drivers — any alcohol or drug presence results in an immediate roadside suspension. Roadside breath testing (RIDE programs) is authorized province-wide.
Distracted driving laws prohibit the use of hand-held devices while driving, including talking, texting, dialling, and emailing. Hands-free devices are permitted for fully licensed drivers but not for G1 or G2 holders. Penalties include fines of $615–$1,000, three demerit points, and a licence suspension for novice drivers.
Winter driving requirements in Ontario do not mandate winter tires by law (unlike Quebec), but insurance companies may offer discounts. The test covers safe following distance on snow and ice (minimum 3 seconds in good conditions; double or triple in poor conditions), use of headlights in reduced visibility, and avoiding black ice on bridges and overpasses.
The graduated licensing system moves new drivers from G1 (knowledge test pass) to G2 (first road test pass) to full G licence (second road test pass). G1 holders must be accompanied by a fully licensed driver with 4+ years of experience, cannot drive on 400-series highways or high-speed expressways, and cannot drive between midnight and 5 AM. G2 holders can drive unaccompanied but face passenger restrictions at night.
Print the PDF and set aside 30–45 minutes for a timed practice session. Treat it like the real G1 test: work through the road signs section first (20 questions), then the rules of the road section (20 questions), without looking up answers. Once finished, check your score and identify any categories where you answered incorrectly.
If you missed road sign questions, review the signs chapter of the MTO Driver's Handbook and pay attention to shape and colour coding. If you missed rules-of-the-road questions, re-read the right-of-way, turning, and impairment chapters. Most people need 2–3 practice rounds before scoring consistently above 80% in both sections.
On test day, bring two pieces of acceptable ID to the DriveTest centre, pay the licensing fee, and complete the vision screening before the written test. The test is available in multiple languages at most DriveTest locations.