Congratulations, you’ve passed your G1 written test and have waited the eight to 12-month period to apply for your G2 licence. However, before you complete your road test, you should be aware of the G2 licence restrictions in Ontario, and what this means for you as a new driver.

What is a Class G2 licence?  

Ontario follows a graduated licensing system so that new drivers have adequate time to gain their skills and experience gradually. Now that you’ve successfully completed the G1 written test of road rules and traffic signs, you are ready to take your G1 road test, which is the first of two that you will be required to take in order to get your full G licence. You have up to five years to finish the whole process. After five years, if you do not get your full G licence, you will need to start over. 

What is the G1 road test and what can I expect? 

As mentioned above, you can take your first road test 8-12 months after obtaining your G1 license. You can apply for your road test at the 8-month mark if you’ve taken the appropriate driving school lessons. This exam tests your basic driving skills, such as stopping, parking, speed maintenance and turns. Once you pass this stage, you will obtain your G2 licence. 

What are the G2 licence restrictions in Ontario? 

After passing your G1 road test, you get your G2 licence. You are now authorized to: 

  • Practice with your G2 licence for 12 months until you can apply for your full G licence 
  • You can drive without another experienced driver in the car a.k.a. first time in the car alone, hooray! 
  • You’re able to drive on all Ontario roads, no restrictions 
  • Drive at any time of the day, in most cases 

HOWEVER, with this new-found driving freedom, you must still: 

  • Have a zero blood alcohol level 
  • Carry only as many passengers as there are working seatbelts 

If you are 19 and under, some other restrictions still apply: 

  • Between midnight and 5 a.m., you can only drive with one passenger who is 19 or under in your car. This condition applies for the first six months of your G2 licence. After six months, you can drive with up to three passengers 19 or under between midnight and 5 a.m. 

This condition does not apply, if: 

  • You have a fully licensed driver in the car (with four years+ experience driving) 
  • Your passengers are immediate family members (e.g., a parent, brother or sister) 

What happens if I fail a G1 or G2 road test? 

  • If your G1 licence is not expired, you can try the road test again 
  • In the case that your G1 licence is expired, you will need to start all over and pay the test fees again 
  • If your G2 licence is about to expire, you can take your G1 road test again and get five more years as a G2 to finish the process 
  • There are more charges for your second road test and for any retests you may need to take, which can be found at drivetest.ca/fees 

Important note: You have a period of 5 years from when you get you G1 licence to obtain your G2 and G to be fully licensed. After this period, you will have to start over. 

Booking your road test 

To book a road test appointment, you will need to provide: 

  • Your valid Ontario driver’s licence number 
  • A preferred location for taking the test, which you can find here 
  • A second and third choice of location 
  • A preferred date and time 
  • You can book a road test online here 

You can book, cancel or reschedule a road test appointment: 

  • Online 
  • By phone at 647-776-0331 or 1-888-570-6110 
  • At any DriveTest Centre 
  • You need to cancel a test at least 48 hours ahead of your appointment to avoid a cancellation fee. 

For further details on applying for a licence, visit the Ministry of Transportation website 

What fees are associated with my first road test?  

When you applied for your G1 licence, you paid a $159.75 fee, which included the cost of the knowledge test, your first road test and a five-year licensing fee. There are more charges for your second road test and for any retests you may need to take, which can be found at drivetest.ca/fees 

Once you’ve obtained your G2 licence, you will have up to five years to finish the whole graduated licensing process. As mentioned earlier, if you do not get your full G licence after five years, you will need to start over from the beginning. If you have any insurance questions regarding a G2 driver in your family, please contact your isure broker today.  

For more information on applying for your G2 licence and the G2 licence restrictions in Ontario, visit ontario.ca. 

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