Checked against DriveTest and the MTO Driver’s Handbook in October 2026. Always confirm the latest details on DriveTest.ca before you go.
What the G1 knowledge test is
The G1 knowledge test is the written test you pass to get your first Ontario driver’s licence, the Class G1 learner’s licence. It’s a multiple-choice test made by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and based on the official Driver’s Handbook. You take it at a DriveTest Centre, on paper or on a computer at some locations.
What it covers
- Road signs: regulatory and warning signs, traffic lights, pavement markings and railway crossings.
- Rules of the road: right-of-way, speed and following distance, turning and lane changes, parking, freeway driving, sharing the road, alcohol and drugs, demerit points and the rules for new drivers.
The test is split into sections, usually one on signs and one on the rules of the road.
Passing score and timing
- You need a score of at least 80% to pass.
- The test isn’t timed. Most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes.
- You get your result right away, because the test is marked on the spot.
- If you don’t pass, you can pay and try again. Your result is valid for one year, and you only redo the sections you didn’t pass.
Booking, languages and fees
- You don’t need an appointment. Arrive at least an hour before the DriveTest Centre closes.
- The G1 test is offered in 32 languages, including English and French.
- The G1 licence package costs $159.75. It includes the knowledge test, your first G2 road test and a five-year licence. Each extra knowledge test attempt costs $16. See DriveTest fees.
Before you can take it
- You must be at least 16 years old.
- You must pass a vision test as well as the knowledge test. Bring your glasses or contacts if you need them.
- Bring original, valid ID that proves your legal name and date of birth, such as a passport or permanent resident card. Check the list of acceptable ID.
Rules once you have your G1
- Your blood alcohol level must be zero every time you drive.
- A fully licensed driver with at least four years of driving experience must sit next to you in the front seat. Their blood alcohol must be below .05%.
- You can’t drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
- You can’t drive on 400-series highways where the speed limit is over 80 km/h.
- You must hold your G1 for at least 12 months before the G2 road test, or 8 months if you finish an approved driver education course.