To pass the G1 knowledge test in Ontario, you need a score of at least 80%. So here's a fair warm-up: 10 questions, and you need 8 to "pass."
None of these are trick questions, but each one turns on a detail the handbook mentions once: a sign shape, a distance, an exception. Those are the easiest marks to lose when you've only skimmed.
New to the G1 process? Our complete Ontario G1 test guide covers fees, format and what to bring. This post is just the practice. The questions are written from the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. They're practice questions, not real exam questions.
How it works: pick your answer, tap "Show answer" and keep count. No peeking at the handbook.
Road signs
1. A five-sided sign with a fluorescent yellow-green background means:
A) Railway crossing ahead
B) School zone
C) Hospital nearby
D) Rest area ahead
Show answer
B) School zone. It warns that you're coming to a school zone: slow down, drive with extra caution and watch for children. While you're at it, stop signs are eight-sided, yield signs are triangles and railway crossing signs are X-shaped.
2. A diamond-shaped sign with an orange background warns you about:
A) A curve or side road ahead
B) A school zone
C) A temporary condition, such as road work or a detour
D) A scenic or tourist route
Show answer
C) A temporary condition. Orange diamonds cover things like road work zones, detours and lane closures. Yellow diamonds are the regular warning signs, for things like a curve, turn, dip or side road ahead.
Right-of-way
3. Two cars stop at a four-way stop at the same time. Who goes first?
A) The car on the left
B) The car on the right
C) The larger vehicle
D) Whoever signals first
Show answer
B) The car on the right. When two vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.
4. At a pedestrian crossover, a pedestrian has just finished crossing your half of the road. When can you go?
A) Right away, since they're out of your lane
B) After a short tap of the horn
C) Once they've completely crossed the road
D) When the overhead lights stop flashing
Show answer
C) Once they've completely crossed the road. At a pedestrian crossover you must yield and wait until pedestrians have crossed the entire road, not just your side. At school crossings, wait until pedestrians and the crossing guard are safely on the sidewalk.
5. A school bus ahead of you stops with its upper red lights flashing. How far back must you stop?
A) At least 5 metres
B) At least 10 metres
C) At least 20 metres
D) At least 30 metres
Show answer
C) At least 20 metres. The twist: drivers coming toward the bus from the other direction must stop too. The only exception is a road with a median strip, where only traffic behind the bus has to stop.
Speed and space
6. You're driving through a town and there's no speed limit sign. What's the maximum speed?
A) 40 km/h
B) 50 km/h
C) 60 km/h
D) 80 km/h
Show answer
B) 50 km/h. Where no limit is posted, the maximum is 50 km/h in cities, towns and villages, and 80 km/h everywhere else.
7. In ideal conditions, what's the minimum safe following distance?
A) 1 second
B) 2 seconds
C) 4 seconds
D) One car length
Show answer
B) 2 seconds. The handbook calls two seconds a minimum that applies only to ideal conditions, so leave more room when conditions aren't ideal.
8. Where does Ontario's handbook say to place your hands on the steering wheel?
A) 10 and 2 o'clock
B) 9 and 3 o'clock
C) 12 and 6 o'clock
D) Anywhere that feels comfortable
Show answer
B) 9 and 3 o'clock. If you've heard "10 and 2," note that the handbook says nine o'clock and three o'clock.
Night driving and G1 rules
9. When do you have to switch from high beams to low beams?
A) Within 150 m of an oncoming vehicle, or within 60 m of a vehicle you're following
B) Within 300 m of an oncoming vehicle only
C) Within 60 m of an oncoming vehicle, or within 150 m of a vehicle you're following
D) Only in fog or heavy rain
Show answer
A) 150 m for oncoming traffic, 60 m when following. Option C flips the two numbers. It's an easy mix-up, so learn them as a pair.
10. You have your G1, and your accompanying driver has held a full licence for 10 years. Can you drive on Highway 401?
A) Yes, because your accompanying driver is experienced
B) Yes, but only in daylight
C) No, unless your accompanying driver is an Ontario-certified driving instructor
D) No, G1 drivers can't use any highway, even with an instructor
Show answer
C) No, unless you're with a certified instructor. G1 drivers can't use 400-series highways or high-speed expressways. The one exception: if your accompanying driver is a driving instructor certified in Ontario, you can drive on any road.
How did you do?
- 8 to 10: You'd clear the 80% bar on this one. The real test covers more topics than these ten, so keep the streak going with a bigger set before test day.
- 5 to 7: Just under the line. Every question here turns on a number, a shape or an exception, so the cheat sheet below should close the gap.
- 0 to 4: Start with the handbook, then come back. The G1 guide has a simple 7-day study plan.
Want a bigger set? G1 Drive has 60 free G1 practice questions across six topics, with no sign-up. Every answer has a short explanation and a link to the official Ontario guidance behind it, and the questions you miss go into a review list.
G1 cheat sheet: numbers and shapes
Every answer from this quiz, plus the G1 licence numbers, in one place. Save or screenshot it.
| Rule | Number |
| Minimum score to pass the knowledge test | 80% |
| Maximum speed with no posted limit: cities, towns and villages / elsewhere | 50 km/h / 80 km/h |
| Minimum following distance in ideal conditions | 2 seconds |
| Stopping distance behind a school bus with red lights flashing | At least 20 m |
| Switch to low beams: oncoming vehicle / vehicle you're following | 150 m / 60 m |
| Hands on the steering wheel | 9 and 3 o'clock |
| How often to check your mirrors | About every 5 seconds |
| G1 driver's blood alcohol level | Zero |
| Accompanying driver's experience | Fully licensed, at least 4 years |
| Accompanying driver's blood alcohol level | Under .05 (zero if they're 21 or under) |
| Hours a G1 driver can't drive | Midnight to 5 a.m. |
| Time with a G1 before the G2 road test | 12 months (8 with an approved driver education course) |
| Sign shape and colour | Meaning |
| Eight-sided, red with white letters | Stop |
| Triangle, white with a red border | Yield |
| Five-sided, fluorescent yellow-green | School zone |
| X-shaped, white with a red outline | Railway crossing |
| Diamond, yellow | Warning: a curve, turn, dip or side road ahead |
| Diamond, orange | Temporary condition: road work, detour or lane closure |
Know someone taking their G1 soon? Send them this quiz and compare scores, or drop yours in the comments. And if you want one more check the night before, try a free practice round.
Sources: Official MTO Driver's Handbook, Ontario.ca (Get a G driver's licence: new drivers) and DriveTest (knowledge tests). Checked in October 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on the official sites before your test.