In Ontario, one needs to be at least 16 years old to get the full “graduate” driving license. The process is divided in 3 parts: G1 Knowledge Test, G2 Road Test and G Road Test.
G1 Knowledge Test:
Usually, there are 20 questions from traffic rules and 20 questions from traffic signs. You need to correct 16 from each set of 20 to pass the test. There is no appointment required, one can just walk-in to the nearest drive test centre and take the test. It’s a pencil-paper based test at most locations, not time-limited and marked immediately. One can take the test as many times as he needs to pass.
[certain restrictions apply to G1 license holder]
G2 Road Test:
After passing G1 Knowledge Test, one needs to wait minimum of 12 months (can be shortened to 8 months if taken MTO approved driving course) before taking G2 Road Test. These 12 months are meant for applicants to learn and practice driving under supervision of a G license holder who has at least 4 years of driving experience. G2 Road Test, otherwise called “City test”, is normally 20 min long which involves regular city driving, multiple left-right turns, lane changes, going through intersections, stopping at red signal/stop sign, emergency stop, 3-point turn, normal/parallel parking etc. The G2 license is 5-year valid within which you need to take G Road Test.
[certain restrictions apply to G2 license holder]
G Road Test:
There is again a mandatory 12-month waiting period after G1 Road Test to qualify for G Road Test. This test is usually 30-min long which covers everything from G1 Road Test plus driving on highway.
Vision Test:
Each time you pass a test and apply for your certain level of license, your vision will be tested. It evaluates your visual acuity and peripheral vision. It only takes a few minutes and involve looking into a piece of equipment at a DriveTest Centre. If you need corrective lens/glasses, you may need to use them which will be imprinted on back of your license.
Foreign Exchange/Credits:
If you have valid driving license from certain countries, you may directly exchange for Ontario Driving License. The list of countries with whom Ontario has a license exchange agreement has: US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Belgium, France, Japan, Korea & Taiwan.
If your country is not in the above list but have a valid foreign license with some experience, you may be eligible for some credits provided you have:
- A valid driving license with an expiry date
- You’re over 16 years old
- Can show proper identification (i.e. passport, CoPR etc.)
- Can show official letter of authentication/ driver’s abstract (less than 6 months old) from your country’s licensing authority/embassy which clearly states number of years of experience
- Any document that is not in English/French needs to be translated by a certified translator
The credits will be determined basically on your foreign driving experience (number of years). The following table will make you understand better:
| < 12 months | 12 – 23 months | > 23 months |
| G1 Test | Must | Must | Must |
| G2 Test | 12 months waiting minus | Can be taken anytime post-G1 | Can be waived |
| any credited experience | | |
| G Test | 12 months waiting post-G2 | 12 months waiting post-G2 | Can be taken anytime post-G1 |
| | | (but if you fail, you will need to take both G2 & G) |
| Vision Test | Must | Must | Must |
Ref:
1)
Licensing process
2)
License exchange/credits
3)
All licensing fees
4) MTO Driver's Handbook
-
Online version
-
Downloable PDF version
5)
Learning resources
6)
MTO approved driving schools
7)
Ontario Highway Traffic Act
8 )
Instructions for new drivers
Auto Insurance Discounts:
- Having G license
- Age over 25
- Experienced driver
- Accident-free, claim-free record
- MTO approved driving course
- Alumni from Canadian college/univ
- Member of certain professional associations
- Bundling auto with home/other insurances
- Certain vehicle type
- A family car will have low premium than a luxury/sports car
- Cars which are stolen more often will have high premium rate
- Most aftermarket mod done to the car will have high premium rate
- It’s commonly believed that newer vehicle will have high premium rate
- Extra security feature installed may benefit you with slightly lower premium
- Full > Comprehensive > Liability
- High deductible amount
- If you lease/finance your car, you may have to get Full Coverage
- If you buy an older car, you may just want to have Liability Coverage
- Adding other family members to current insurance will increase premiums
- Individual driving routine
- Daily commute to work/school will have slightly higher premiums
- Parking conditions during day and night (closed garage, secured/monitored lot vs open/public space etc.)
- Shorter driving distance for daily commute and yearly mileage
- Major cities will have much higher premium as rate of accidents/vandalism/theft is high
- For example, insurance premium may double or more in Toronto than in Windsor[/color]
Note: Please follow official website of MTO and DriveTest for authentic information.
