If you or a family member is ready to get your G2 licence, we have all the requirements and restrictions to make this happen. Read on to learn all you need to become a G2 licensed driver. The graduated licensing process ensures that all those wanting to drive in the province of Ontario are well-prepared. If you pass your G1 written test, you are ready to get behind the wheel. Let’s break down the G2 driving test and look at some pointers on how to prepare successfully for the G2 road test in Ontario.
What are the next steps after G1?
After passing the G1 test, you need to start your G2 preparation. You must pass the G1 written exam and the G2 road test (a.k.a. the G1 exit test) before obtaining your G2 licence. When you have met all the requirements of the G1, you can book a G1 exit test or G2 road test, which will test your basic driving abilities.
When can I book my G1 exit test or G2 road test?
In Ontario, you must have your G1 licence for 12 months before you can try for your G2. However, taking a driver education course can cut your wait time to eight months. It’s essential to keep in mind that there are several driving restrictions that you need to be aware of as a G1 driver:
- You must not drive if you have been drinking alcohol. Your blood alcohol level must be zero.
- You must not drive alone; an accompanying driver must sit in the front passenger seat and have a valid Class G (or higher) licence, at least four years of driving experience, and must have a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) level of less than .05% when accompanying you.
- Each person in the vehicle must have a working seatbelt. Unless a driving instructor accompanies you, you must not drive on 400-series highways or high-speed roads with a speed limit over 80 km/h.
- You must not drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
Preparing for your G2 Test
You should take advantage of the waiting period before taking your G2 road test. Gaining valuable driving experience under the watchful eye of a seasoned driver is critical to your success. There is no requirement to put in a particular number of driving hours before testing for your G2 driving test. However, if you put in 50 or 100 hours of driving prior, you will be more competent and confident during your test.
To prepare for the G2 road test, you should:
- Drivers education course: Provides in-class lessons followed by road lessons to let you do the road test in eight months
- Practice driving extensively in various conditions, including different times of day and weather, side roads, local roads, highways, rush hour, construction and school zones, and nighttime driving.
- Master essential driving skills: Checking blind spots and lane changes, properly scanning mirrors, proper signaling, and performing smooth maneuvers.
- Familiarize yourself with the local roads around the test center and
- Take practice runs with an instructor to receive feedback on your techniques; ensuring you are confident and comfortable behind the wheel on test day is key to success.
- Commentary driving: Practice verbalizing your driving actions to demonstrate your awareness of your surroundings to the examiner.
- Observe traffic rules: Be aware of traffic signs, signals, and speed limits.
- Defensive driving: Maintain a safe following distance and anticipate potential hazards.
TIP: Becoming a G2 licensed driver requires taking a G2 road test. Certain times of the year, like the summer or March Break, can be hectic, so book your G2 road test in advance.
The day of your G2 road test
Here are some quick tips to keep in mind on the day of your driving test:
- Arrive early: Arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment to check-in. You don’t want to arrive late and be flustered before your test.
- Make sure the car is working: Check that the lights are functioning, and ensure that you have a full gas tank and that the wiper fluid is full. Your vehicle needs to be free of mechanical issues. Otherwise, you may be prohibited from taking the test that day. Before beginning the G1 driving test, the examiner will check to make sure that everything works well on the vehicle you have brought to the test. For example, the horn, parking brake, high beams, turn signals, etc.
- Bring your ride OR your driving instructor’s: It’s always best to bring a vehicle you have practiced driving on your test day. Whether it’s the family car or your driving instructor’s vehicle, familiarity with the vehicle is essential to help set your mind at ease.
- Don’t forget to bring your driver’s license, identification, and payment method.
- Book before license expiration: Book well before the G1 expiration date. This will give you time to re-book if you need to retake the test.
What do you need to do to pass the G2 test?
The G1 driving test assesses your basic driving abilities and comfort level when driving on non-highway roads. During your driving test, instructors will evaluate your ability to follow the rules of the road. You’ll need to show safe driving behaviour at all times. During the exam, the instructor will provide you with verbal directions. The G2 road test will be conducted on local roads and usually lasts about 20 minutes. The test will assess your basic driving skills, including:
- Recognizing and following road signs, turning, stopping, passing, and obeying the rules of the road
- Driving through both controlled and uncontrolled intersections
- Parking, backing up, and parallel parking
- Practicing safe driving, such as correct steering and following the speed limits
You should be told immediately if you’ve passed, and your license should be upgraded to a G2 instantly. If you don’t pass, you can rebook another test before leaving. The examiner will give you feedback on what you need to improve on.
Five most common mistakes made during a G2 test
The best way to prepare for the G2 road test is to practice on the road. The more comfortable you become with signs and traffic, the more intuitive the road rules will become. Knowing the most common driving mistakes can help you before and during the test. Here are the five most common mistakes that happen during G2 assessments:
- Forgetting to signal turns: Don’t forget to use your turn signal when you do a three-point turn, pull out of your parking spot, or drive through a roundabout.
- Not following the posted speed: Keep a consistent speed that obeys the posted speed. If it says 50km/h, do not drive 70 km/h.
- Not checking your mirrors: Check your mirrors every five seconds or so, especially when turning and changing lanes.
- Not entirely stopping: Stop at any stop sign for three seconds – no rolling stops!
- Parallel parking mistakes: Practice makes perfect! Master this tricky parking maneuver before your test.
G2 road licence – Restrictions
Once you’ve passed the G2 road test, you are one step closer to being a fully licensed driver. However, before hitting the open road, familiarize yourself with the G2 licence restrictions and other driving responsibilities. G2 licence restrictions can be broken down into two categories – impairment and passengers:
Impairment
- Your blood alcohol level must be ZERO while driving
- You cannot drive with ANY cannabis in your system
Passengers
- Normally, passengers are held responsible for seatbelt use. With your G2, however, you are held accountable for passengers wearing seatbelts. You are only allowed as many passengers as working seatbelts in your vehicle.
- If you are 19 or younger, between the hours of midnight and 5 am:
- For the first six months of having your Ontario G2 licence, you can carry only one passenger aged 19 or under
- After these first six months, or if you turn 20, you may carry up to three passengers, ages 19 or under
What you can do as a G2 licensed driver
Although the G2 restrictions may seem limiting, you do, however, have more privileges than you did with a G1. You can now drive:
- Without a supervisor
- On highways
- Between the hours of midnight and 5. a.m.
After preparing for the G2 road test and acquiring your G2 licence, you will need to consider more insurance coverage. Please speak to one of our isure representatives about the best coverage options available!
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