Last updated: October 2026. Fees and rules checked against ontario.ca and DriveTest.
No time limit. No appointment at most centres. No car. On paper, the Ontario G1 knowledge test looks like the easiest step to getting your driver's licence.
But the pass mark is 80%, the questions go beyond common sense (exact rules, limits and licence conditions you only know if you've studied them), and every retry costs another $16 and another trip to DriveTest.
This guide covers everything you need for the G1 test in 2027: the format, the fees, what to bring, the mistakes that quietly cost people points, and a simple 7-day study plan so you walk in prepared, not hopeful.
Not sure where you stand? Take 10 free G1 practice questions before you read on. No sign-up, no card. It takes about five minutes and shows you exactly which topics need work.
Ontario G1 Test at a Glance (2027)
| Minimum age | 16 |
| Format | Multiple choice, in two or three sections (for example, road signs and rules of the road) |
| Pass mark | At least 80% |
| Time limit | None. Most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes |
| Appointment | Not needed for a standard knowledge test. Arrive at least one hour before closing |
| G1 licence package | $159.75 (knowledge test + first road test + five-year licence) |
| Each extra knowledge test attempt | $16.00 |
| Also required | Vision test and original, valid ID |
Sources: DriveTest fees, DriveTest knowledge tests, Ontario.ca: Get a G driver's licence. Fees include taxes.
What's on the G1 Knowledge Test?
The test is based on the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. The test checks two things: whether you can read the road, and whether you know the rules that apply to you as a new driver. In practice, the questions fall into a few big groups.
1. Road signs, signals and markings
Regulatory, warning and temporary signs, traffic lights, and pavement markings. Shapes and colours carry meaning before you read a single word, and that's exactly what the test checks.
2. Rules of the road
Right-of-way at intersections, school buses, emergency vehicles, passing, speed limits, parking and what to do after a collision. This is where "I think it's probably…" answers lose marks.
3. Licensing rules and your responsibilities
Graduated licensing, novice driver conditions, alcohol rules, seatbelts and the demerit point system. Many people skim this part because it feels like paperwork. It's also some of the easiest marks on the test if you've actually read it.
G1 Rules You Must Know (On the Test and on the Road)
Once you pass, these conditions apply to you the same day. They're also fair game on the test, so learn them cold:
- Zero blood alcohol while driving.
- You must drive with a fully licensed driver with at least four years of driving experience. Their blood alcohol must be under .05 (zero if they're 21 or under), and they must be the only other person in the front seat.
- No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
- No 400-series highways or high-speed expressways, unless you're driving with a certified Ontario driving instructor.
- Every passenger must wear a working seatbelt.
After your G1, you'll usually practise for 12 months before your first road test, or just 8 months if you complete a government-approved driver education course. You have five years to finish the whole graduated licensing process.
What to Bring to DriveTest
- Original, valid ID showing your legal name and date of birth. Photocopies and expired documents are not accepted. Check the accepted list before you go.
- Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive. You'll take a vision test first.
- Payment: cash, debit or credit card.
- Time: the test isn't timed, but it ends when the office closes. Arrive at least an hour early.
New in : since May 11, 2026, applicants for a G or M licence must declare that Ontario is their primary place of residence and that their presence in Canada is legal (source).
5 Mistakes That Make People Fail the G1
1. Reading the handbook once and calling it done
Reading feels productive, but the test asks you to recall. Learning research consistently shows that testing yourself beats rereading for long-term memory. Read a chapter, then answer questions on it right away.
2. Guessing on the numbers
Distances, hours, years of experience, alcohol limits. If two answers look "about right," only one of them is. Make a short list of every number in the handbook and quiz yourself on it.
3. Skipping the licensing chapter
Questions about G1 and G2 conditions, demerit points and penalties are pure memory. No driving instinct will save you here, and no instinct is needed either. They're easy points if you've studied them.
4. Rushing because everyone else is done
There's no clock. Read every option, including the ones you think are wrong. It's easy to lose marks by picking the first answer that sounds reasonable.
5. Practising only what you already know
Doing 100 questions feels great when you get 90 right. The 10 you missed are the only ones that matter. Track your wrong answers and redo them until they stick.
Fix mistake #5 automatically. G1 Drive keeps a list of every question you got wrong, so your review time goes only to your weak spots. Each answer comes with an explanation linked to official Ontario guidance.
A 7-Day G1 Study Plan (About 30 Minutes a Day)
| Day | Focus | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baseline | Take 10 practice questions cold. Note which topics you missed. |
| 2 | Signs and signals | Read the signs chapter, then drill sign questions until you're above 90%. |
| 3 | Intersections | Right-of-way, turns, stop signs and traffic lights. |
| 4 | Driving, parking and sharing the road | School buses, emergency vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, parking rules. |
| 5 | Conditions, safety and licensing | Weather, night driving, G1/G2 conditions, alcohol and demerit points. |
| 6 | Mistake review | Redo every question you've missed. Reread those handbook sections. |
| 7 | Final check | One mixed practice set. Pack your ID and check DriveTest service alerts. |
Tip: the official pass mark is 80%. Aim to score comfortably above that in practice, around 90%, so nerves on test day don't push you under the line.
Try It: 3 Quick G1 Questions
Q1. As a G1 driver, what blood alcohol level must you have while driving?
A) Under .08 B) Under .05 C) Zero
Show answer
C) Zero. G1 and G2 drivers must have zero blood alcohol.
Q2. Your accompanying driver must be fully licensed with at least how many years of driving experience?
A) 2 years B) 4 years C) 6 years
Show answer
B) 4 years. Their blood alcohol must also be under .05.
Q3. G1 drivers are not allowed to drive between:
A) 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. B) Midnight and 5 a.m. C) 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Show answer
B) Midnight and 5 a.m.
Got all three? Nice. The real test covers far more ground: signs, intersections, sharing the road and more. See how you do on 60 free questions across all six topics.
Best Free G1 Practice Resources
- Official MTO Driver's Handbook: free to read online, and the test is based on it. A print copy costs $14.95 plus tax.
- Official sample knowledge test questions: a short set from the Ministry. Good for getting a feel for the style.
- G1 Drive: 700 original practice questions sorted into six topics (signs and signals, intersections, driving and parking, sharing the road, conditions and safety, licensing and duties). Every answer has an explanation linked to official Ontario guidance, and a mistake list lets you review only what you got wrong. The first 60 questions are free with no sign-up. It's an independent site, not affiliated with DriveTest or the Ontario government, and it says plainly that its questions are practice questions, not real exam questions.
G1 Test FAQ
How many questions are on the Ontario G1 test?
You'll often see "40 questions" quoted online. DriveTest's own knowledge test page doesn't give a fixed number. It says the test is multiple choice in two or three sections, and you need a total score of at least 80% to pass.
Is the G1 test timed?
No. You can take as long as you need until the office closes. Most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes.
Do I need to book an appointment?
Not for a standard knowledge test at most DriveTest centres. If you need an accommodation, such as a verbal test or an interpreter, book ahead.
How much does the G1 test cost in 2026?
The G1 licence package is $159.75. It covers the knowledge test, your first road test and a five-year licence. Each additional knowledge test attempt is $16.
Can I take the G1 test in a language other than English?
Yes. The G1 knowledge test is offered in English, French and a range of other languages. Check DriveTest's languages page for the current list and which formats each centre offers.
How soon can I take my road test after getting my G1?
Usually after 12 months, or after 8 months if you complete a government-approved driver education course.
Walk In Prepared
The G1 isn't designed to trick you, but it does reward people who've studied the details. Read the handbook, test yourself every day, fix your mistakes, and you'll walk into DriveTest knowing you're ready.
Your first 60 G1 practice questions are free.
No account. No card. Just start.
Fees, rules and requirements in this post come from ontario.ca and DriveTest as of October 2026 and can change. Always check the official pages before your test.