In Ontario, every driving journey starts in the same place: the G1 knowledge test. It is the written exam you sit before you are ever allowed behind the wheel, and for many people it is also the first real hurdle on the road to a full licence. The good news is that it is very passable on the first attempt — as long as you understand what it actually covers and you prepare for it properly. Here is how to walk in ready.
What the G1 knowledge test is
The G1 test is a written knowledge test, and it is the first step in Ontario's graduated licensing system. You take it at a DriveTest centre, and passing it is what gives you your G1 licence. With a G1 in hand, you are allowed to start driving on the road — but only under supervision and with restrictions in place. It is also the document that lets you begin in-car training. In other words, no G1 means no lessons and no practice driving, so this test really is the gateway to everything that comes next.
What the test looks like
The G1 test is split into two sections. One covers road signs and the other covers the rules of the road. Each section typically has around 20 questions, for roughly 40 in total, and they are multiple choice. You are allowed to get a few wrong in each section and still pass — most candidates need to answer about 16 of 20 correctly per section, but you should confirm the current pass mark before you go. Both sections must be passed; doing well on one will not carry a weak score on the other.
The test is widely accessible. It is offered in many languages, and audio support is usually available for people who would rather listen to the questions than read them. If a language other than English would help you focus on the content instead of the wording, ask about it when you arrive.
The G1 test is not a memory trick. It rewards people who actually understand why each rule and sign exists.
What you need to take it
To sit the G1 test in Ontario, you generally need to be at least 16 years old and bring acceptable proof of identity. At the centre you will also complete a quick eye and vision test on-site, and you will pay the applicable fee. Fees and exact ID requirements can change, so check the current details on DriveTest.ca or Ontario.ca before you go, and bring a payment method they accept.
How to study
There is one source that matters above all others: the official MTO Driver's Handbook. Every question on the test is drawn from it, so read it cover to cover rather than relying on summaries. As you study, group the road signs by shape and colour — once you learn that, for example, certain shapes always mean "warning" and others always mean "regulatory," you can often identify a sign you have never seen before.
Back up your reading with practice tests. They get you used to the multiple-choice format and quickly show you which topics you have not really absorbed yet. Pay special attention to the rules that trip people up most often:
- Right-of-way at intersections, four-way stops, and roundabouts.
- Demerit points — what they are and what earns them.
- Alcohol and the zero blood-alcohol (BAC) rule that applies to novice drivers.
- Speed limits, including default limits where none is posted.
- School zones and bus zones, including the rules around stopped school buses with flashing lights.
These are the areas where confident guessers lose marks, so do not skim them.
Test-day tips
On the day itself, a few simple habits make a real difference. Bring your ID and arrive early so you are not rushing or stressed when you sit down. Read every question fully, including all of the answer choices, before you select one — many wrong answers come from stopping at the first option that looks right. Do not rush; the test is not timed in a way that should force you into careless mistakes. And manage your nerves: if you have studied the handbook, trust your preparation and take the questions one at a time.
After you pass
When you pass both sections, you receive your G1 licence — and with it, a set of restrictions designed to keep new drivers safe while they build experience. As a G1 holder you must maintain a zero blood-alcohol level, you can only drive when accompanied by a fully-licensed G driver (with at least four years' experience and a blood-alcohol level under .05) in the front passenger seat, you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you cannot drive on 400-series highways or high-speed expressways unless your accompanying driver is a licensed driving instructor. Treat the G1 stage as practice time, not a waiting period.
This is also where a Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course pays off. Completing an MTO-approved BDE course can shorten your wait to take the G2 road test from 12 months to 8 months, on top of giving you structured in-car training and a certificate many insurers recognize for a discount. For the full picture of how the stages connect, read our guide to the Ontario licensing timeline.
One important note: the format, the number of questions, the pass mark, and the fees described here can all change. Always confirm the current details on DriveTest.ca and Ontario.ca before your appointment so there are no surprises.
Where Colors Drivers fits in
Once your G1 is in hand, the next step is real driving — and that is where we come in. Our full course is $769 plus HST and includes classroom certification, 10 hours of in-car instruction, and your city G2 road test, with instruction available in four languages across the GTA and Niagara region. We have built our whole approach on one belief: we teach the rules of driving, not just driving. That is the same mindset that gets people through the G1 test, and it is what keeps our students safe and confident long after. Explore our courses, check the FAQ, or register when you are ready.
Ready to turn your G1 into a licence? Book your course with Colors Drivers today and let us teach you the rules behind every move.
