Ontario G1 Test exam-day guide
Ontario G1 Test · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Two original pieces of identification
Bring original documents, not photocopies or photos on your phone. At least one should show your name, date of birth and signature, plus a second piece with your name and signature. Accepted combinations are set by the testing provider - confirm the current list with DriveTest before test day.
Proof of legal presence in Ontario/Canada (if required for your situation)
Applicants who are not Canadian citizens may be asked for immigration or residency documents. The exact documents accepted change from time to time - confirm with DriveTest what applies to you.
Parent or guardian signature if you are under 18
Ontario requires a parent or guardian to sign the consent portion of the application for a G1 licence for applicants under 18. Confirm whether the signature must be given at the centre or on a form in advance.
Payment for the knowledge test and licence fee
Bring a method of payment accepted at the centre. Fee amounts and accepted payment types are set by the provider - confirm the current amount and payment options before you go.
Glasses or contact lenses if you wear them
A vision check is part of the licensing process at the centre. Bring whatever you normally use to see clearly at a distance so you are not caught without it.
Your full current address and postal code
You will be asked to provide your mailing address for the application and for the licence to be mailed. Know it accurately, including unit number and postal code.
Appointment or booking confirmation, if you booked ahead
Some centres take walk-ins and others are busier at certain times. If you have a booking reference or confirmation, have it accessible on your phone or printed.
Study material you have already reviewed
Base your preparation on the official provincial driver's handbook and the official sample questions published by the province, not on unofficial third-party banks that may contain outdated rules.
A plan for getting home afterwards
A G1 holder cannot drive alone, so arrange a ride or transit in advance. Do not plan to drive yourself to or from the test.
Arrive with buffer time
Aim to be at the centre well before your slot so you can complete paperwork and any queue without rushing. Confirm the centre's hours and closure days directly.
Reading or language accommodation request, if you need one
Knowledge tests may be available in several languages and accommodations may exist for reading or other needs. Ask the provider in advance; availability is not guaranteed and is not something to assume.
Plan the day
Work through the official handbook section by section, focusing on signs and road rules, and take the official practice questions under quiet, timed conditions. Note any topic you keep missing and re-read only that section.
Gather your identification and confirm it matches your name exactly across documents. Check that nothing is expired. If anything looks borderline, call the provider now rather than on test day.
Confirm your centre's address, opening hours, parking or transit options, and whether you need an appointment. Confirm the current test fee and acceptable payment methods.
Do one last light review of signs and a few tricky rules, then stop. Cramming new material the night before tends to increase errors rather than reduce them.
Lay out your identification, payment and glasses in one place. Charge your phone and set two alarms. Plan your route and departure time, including traffic buffer.
Eat something and arrive hydrated. Re-read a short summary of the rules you found hardest, but do not open new material.
Leave early enough to arrive ahead of time. Bring only what you need; keep identification in one envelope or pocket so you are not searching at the counter.
Read each question fully and watch for words like 'must', 'never' and 'except'. Answer the question asked rather than the one you expected.
If the format allows you to move between questions, answer the ones you know first and return to the harder ones. If you are unsure, eliminate the obviously wrong options before choosing.
Pace yourself against the number of questions and the time allowed. There is no prize for finishing first; use any remaining time to check that you did not misread a question.
Ask the staff to explain the result and the next step in the licensing process, including any conditions on your G1 and when your first road-test eligibility begins.
Rules to check
Bring original identification only. Photocopies, screenshots and expired documents are generally not accepted, and the accepted combinations are set by the provider - confirm the list with DriveTest.
Your name and date of birth must match across your documents. If you have recently changed your name, bring the supporting document that links the old and new names, or confirm the requirement beforehand.
You must meet the minimum age for a G1 licence in Ontario. If you are under 18, the parent or guardian consent requirement applies.
The knowledge test is made up of two sections, signs and rules, each with its own set of questions. You must reach the passing mark in each section to pass overall, so a strong score in one section does not compensate for a weak score in the other.
A G1 driver must follow the conditions attached to the licence, including the accompanying-driver and blood-alcohol requirements, and cannot drive alone. Review the conditions on the official provincial source before test day.
Follow the centre's conduct rules: no assistance from other people during the test, no phones or notes out during the test, and follow staff instructions on seating and breaks.
If you fail, ask staff about the waiting period before you can re-attempt, and whether the fee is payable again. These details are set by the provider - confirm them at the counter rather than relying on what you have heard.
If you need a break, a language option or another accommodation, request it before the test begins. Availability varies by centre, so confirm in advance rather than assuming it will be offered.