Ontario · G Licence · MTO · July 2026 · 7 min read
How Long Does It Take to Get a Full G Licence in Ontario?
The shortest path to a full G licence in Ontario is 20 months. Without driver education it is 24 months. Here is exactly what happens at each stage, what speeds it up, and what the G road test adds that most people are not ready for.
The Short Answer
With driver education
20 months
8 months G1 + 12 months G2 + pass G road test
Without driver education
24 months
12 months G1 + 12 months G2 + pass G road test
Real-world average
2–3 years
Booking wait times at DriveTest often add 1–6 months
These are the legal minimums set by the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO). The actual time most people take is longer — mainly because DriveTest centre appointments in the GTA and other urban areas book out weeks in advance, and many people do not schedule their tests as soon as they become eligible.
Stage 1: G1 Licence
Without driver education
12 months minimum
You must hold the G1 for at least 12 months before you can take the G2 road test. During this period you must always drive with a qualified supervisor.
With driver education
8 months minimum
Completing an approved BDE (Beginner Driver Education) course — 20 hours in-class + 10 hours in-car — reduces your G1 wait from 12 to 8 months. This is the only legal shortcut in the system.
The G1 test itself is a 40-question knowledge test at a DriveTest centre. You need 80% (32 correct) to pass. Part 1 covers road signs (20 questions), Part 2 covers rules of the road (20 questions). If you fail one part, you only redo that part. The fee is around $16 and includes one free retest if you fail.
G1 restrictions during the holding period: must drive with a qualified supervisor at all times (Class G licence, sitting in front passenger seat), cannot drive on 400-series highways or high-speed expressways, cannot drive between midnight and 5 AM, zero BAC required.
Stage 2: G2 Licence
After passing the G2 road test, you enter the G2 stage. The minimum hold time is 12 months regardless of whether you took driver education. You can drive alone as a G2, but restrictions apply:
Zero BAC — entire G2 stage
Not 0.05%, not 0.08%. Absolute zero for the full 12+ months you hold the G2.
Passenger limit — first 6 months only
Between midnight and 5 AM, you cannot carry more than one passenger aged 19 or under. After 6 months this restriction lifts. Daytime passenger count is unlimited from day one.
400-series highways — first 6 months only
No 401, 400, 404, 407, 410, etc. for the first 6 months. After 6 months this lifts — and you will need highway experience to pass the G test anyway.
No Uber or Lyft
Both platforms require a full G licence in Ontario. A G2 is rejected at document review. You must pass the G road test before applying to either platform.
Your G2 licence is valid for 5 years. If you do not pass the G road test within 5 years, your licence expires and you must restart from the G1 knowledge test. Most people do not wait anywhere near that long, but it is worth knowing.
Stage 3: The G Road Test
The G road test is the final step. You can book it after holding your G2 for 12 months. It is harder than the G2 test — the main addition is a mandatory highway driving component on a 400-series highway. This is where most people fail.
G2 road test
- Local streets only
- Parallel parking, 3-point turn
- Turns, intersections, observation
- Typically 20–30 minutes
G road test (harder)
- Local streets + 400-series highway
- Highway entry from on-ramp
- Lane changes at highway speed (100–110 km/h)
- Highway exit to deceleration lane
- Typically 30–40 minutes
The most common G test failure points: not doing a full head-check (mirror + shoulder check) before every lane change, following too close on the highway, merging too slowly from the on-ramp, and not using the deceleration lane fully before braking on exit. Practice these specifically in the weeks before your test.
The G road test fee is around $90. If you fail, you pay again to rebook. There is no limit on retries, but each attempt costs money and you must rebook — there is no same-day retry.
The Full Timeline at a Glance
Month 0
Pass the G1 knowledge test at DriveTest
40 questions, 80% to pass, ~$16 fee
Month 8–12
Become eligible for G2 road test
Month 8 with BDE course; month 12 without
Month 8–12+
Pass the G2 road test
Local streets, parallel parking, observation. ~$53 fee
Month 20–24
Become eligible for G road test
12 months after your G2 test date
Month 20–24+
Pass the G road test → full G licence
Local streets + highway. ~$90 fee
What Slows Most People Down
DriveTest booking wait times
In the GTA (Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton), G2 and G road test appointments often book out 4–8 weeks. In smaller cities like Sudbury or Kingston, waits are shorter. Book your test the day you become eligible — you can always cancel if needed.
Not practising highway driving
Many G2 drivers avoid 400-series highways because they are restricted in the first 6 months. By the time they book the G test, they have almost no highway experience. Start practising on the highway at month 7 or 8 of your G2.
Forgetting the G2 expiry
G2 licences are valid for 5 years. Some people become complacent after passing the G2 and delay booking the G test for years. If your G2 expires before you pass the G test, you restart at G1.
Skipping driver education
BDE courses cost $500–1,000 and take 2–4 weeks to complete. Many people skip it to save money, losing 4 months of timeline. If you are starting from zero, the BDE cost usually pays for itself in insurance savings alone.
Total Cost to Get a Full G Licence
- G1 knowledge test fee~$16 (includes one free retest)
- BDE course (optional but recommended)~$500–1,000
- G2 road test fee~$53
- G road test fee~$90
- Total without BDE~$160
- Total with BDE~$660–1,160
Fees are approximate and subject to change. Check DriveTest Ontario for current rates.
The BDE course adds upfront cost but typically saves money on car insurance — most Ontario insurers give a 5–10% discount to G2 drivers who completed an approved course. Over a few years of driving, that discount usually exceeds the course cost.
After the Full G — What Changes
Once you pass the G road test, you receive a full Class G licence. The restrictions are gone immediately:
Start Preparing for the G1 Knowledge Test
The G1 is where the clock starts. The test covers road signs and rules of the road — 40 questions, 80% pass mark. Most people who fail do so on the signs section. Practice until you are consistently getting 36 or higher before you book.
Ready to start? Begin with the G1 practice test.
Free Ontario G1 questions based on the MTO Driver's Handbook. Road signs, rules, and parking — the exact topics on the real test.