Before you book your G1 knowledge test, it’s worth checking the G1 driving test requirements and that you actually meet Ontario’s eligibility rules. Getting turned away at a DriveTest centre because of a missing document or a misunderstanding about age is a common and completely avoidable mistake. Here’s everything you need to know.
G1 Driving Test Requirements
To take the G1 knowledge test in Ontario, you need to meet a short list of requirements:
16+ years old
There’s no exception for this, regardless of how prepared you are.
Ontario resident
Be a resident of Ontario, or fall under one of the newcomer/exchange categories below.
Vision screening
at the DriveTest centre before you’re allowed to write the test.
Pass the knowledge test
40 multiple-choice questions split into two 20-question sections (road signs and rules of the road), with a minimum of 16 out of 20 needed per section to pass.
Newcomers to Ontario
If you’re new to Canada, you can still take the G1 test at 16+ regardless of immigration status. If your home country has a licence-exchange agreement with Ontario (this includes countries like Germany, France, the UK, the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and a few others), you may be able to skip the G1 stage entirely and convert straight to a G2 or full G licence, worth checking before you assume you need to start from scratch.
Foreign driving experience
If you don’t qualify for a direct licence exchange, you may still be able to count up to 12 months of verified foreign driving experience toward your waiting period between G1 and G2, provided you can document it with an authenticated letter from the issuing jurisdiction.
Documents required for the G1 test
DriveTest centres are strict about ID. Arriving with the wrong documents is one of the most common reasons people get sent home. You’ll need:
Primary ID
one document proving your legal name and date of birth, such as:
- A valid passport
- A Canadian birth certificate
- A Permanent Resident card
- A Secure Certificate of Indian Status
- A Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292), paired with a valid passport from your country of origin
A document with your signature
if your primary ID doesn’t include one (a birth certificate, for example), bring a secondary piece of ID that does, like a bank card or credit card.
For newcomers/students specifically:
- A foreign passport plus a valid immigration document (study permit, work permit, or PR card)
- International students should bring their passport and current study permit
A few important notes:
- No photocopies; documents must be original.
- No expired documents.
- No visibly altered documents.
- Payment for the test fee (approximately $158–160, which typically bundles your G1 licence and first G2 road test booking).
G1 Driving Test Age Ontario
- Minimum age: 16. The DriveTest staff check ID on the spot, and there’s no flexibility for someone who’s “almost 16.”
- Maximum age: none. Whether you’re 16 or 76, the eligibility criteria and test format are identical.
Requirement |
Detail |
|---|---|
|
Minimum age |
16 (no exceptions) |
|
Maximum age |
None |
|
Residency |
Ontario resident (or eligible newcomer) |
|
Vision test |
Required before the knowledge test |
|
Primary ID |
Passport, birth certificate, PR card, etc. |
|
Signature ID |
Required if the primary ID lacks one |
|
Test fee |
~$158–160 |
|
Test format |
40 questions, 2 sections, 16/20 to pass each |
Note
MTO fees, ID rules, and exchange-agreement countries can change — double-check current details on ontario.ca or with your local DriveTest centre before booking.