A clear Ontario graduated licensing timeline for new drivers, newcomers and parents planning the path from G1 to full G.
Stage 1: G1 Licence
The G1 begins after you pass the vision and knowledge tests. Ontario says G1 drivers must follow restrictions such as zero blood alcohol, seat belts for every passenger, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., and no 400-series or high-speed expressways unless with a certified Ontario driving instructor.
In most cases, a G1 driver practices for 12 months before the first road test. Approved driver education can reduce that wait to eight months.
Stage 2: G2 Licence
After passing the G2 road test, you can drive without another experienced driver in the car, on all Ontario roads, and at any time in most cases. You still must have zero blood alcohol and carry only as many passengers as there are working seatbelts.
Drivers age 19 and under have extra late-night passenger restrictions between midnight and 5 a.m.
Stage 3: Full G Licence
Ontario says you can take the G road test after 12 months with a G2 licence. The test covers more advanced skills, including highway or expressway driving where available.
At full-time DriveTest centres, the modified G test continues to include major roads and expressways, merging, speed and space, signalling, turns, lane changes, intersections and business areas.
Current Fees To Know
- Class G1 licence package: $159.75 on the DriveTest fee page.
- Class G2 road test: $53.75 on the DriveTest fee page.
- Class G road test: $91.25 on the DriveTest fee page.
- Fees can change, so check DriveTest before booking or rebooking.
What should you plan at each licence stage?
Use the licensing timeline to plan the right kind of practice instead of treating every stage the same. A G1 driver needs supervised experience and basic control, a G2 driver needs safe independent experience, and a full G candidate needs consistent decisions on major roads and expressways.
- G1: practise observation, turns, stops, parking, speed control, and right-of-way decisions with a qualified accompanying driver.
- Before the G2 test: make sure basic skills are repeatable without reminders, not just successful once.
- With a G2: build varied experience in traffic, weather, darkness, and highway conditions when it is safe to do so.
- Before the G test: practise merging, exiting, lane changes, space management, and calm decision-making on major roads.
When can you move to the next stage?
Most new drivers wait 12 months from G1 to the first road test, or eight months after successfully completing an approved Beginner Driver Education course. After earning a G2, most drivers wait at least 12 months before the G road test. Foreign-licence applicants and reciprocal licence exchanges follow separate rules, so confirm your individual eligibility with DriveTest.
Need help getting road-test ready?
SparkOn Driving Academy helps students in Scarborough and nearby GTA areas prepare with patient lessons, mock tests and road-test car support.