Ontario G1 Knowledge Test Study Guide - DriveTest
The G1 is the first stage of Ontario's Graduated Licensing System (GLS), administered by the Ministry of Transportation through DriveTest centres. To earn a G1 you must pass a vision screening, pay the package fee, and pass a 40-question written knowledge test. This guide walks through the structure of the test, the source material, the 12 sign families you must recognise, and the GLS rules that the test concentrates on.
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What the G1 written test covers
The G1 written test is sourced directly from the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. There are no surprise topics - every question is paraphrased from the handbook, but the wording is sometimes worded as a negative ('Which of the following is NOT...') so reading carefully matters.[1]
The test is split into two sections: 20 questions on traffic signs (presented as images), and 20 questions on rules of the road (text-only). You must score at least 80% on each section - not just overall - to pass.[2]
Graduated Licensing System (GLS)
Ontario's GLS has three stages: G1 (learner), G2 (provisional), and G (full). Each stage carries restrictions that the written test asks about repeatedly.
| Stage | How earned | Key restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| G1 | Pass the vision and written knowledge tests at age 16+ | Zero BAC, fully licensed driver in the front seat with 4+ years G experience, no driving 12am-5am, no 400-series highways or high-speed expressways |
| G2 | Hold G1 for 12 months (8 with approved driving school) and pass the G1 road test | Zero BAC, all passengers must wear seatbelts, passenger limits for first 6 months for under-19 drivers |
| G | Hold G2 for 12 months and pass the G2 road test | Standard adult licence: provincial BAC limit, no passenger restrictions |
The 12 sign families
Ontario follows the same shape-and-colour conventions as the rest of Canada. Memorising the mapping from shape/colour to category is the single highest-leverage thing you can do for the signs section.
| Family | Shape & colour | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory | White rectangle, black/red text | Speed limit, no parking, one way |
| Stop | Red octagon | Stop, four-way stop |
| Yield | Inverted red triangle | Yield to oncoming traffic |
| Warning (general) | Yellow diamond, black symbol | Curve, intersection, two-way traffic |
| Construction | Orange diamond | Workers ahead, lane closure |
| School | Yellow-green pentagon | School zone, school crossing |
| Pedestrian crosswalk | Yellow-green diamond | Pedestrians crossing ahead |
| Information | Green rectangle, white text | Highway exits, distance signs |
| Service | Blue rectangle, white symbol | Hospital, gas, lodging, food |
| Tourism | Brown rectangle, white text | Park, historic site |
| Bilingual | White rectangle, blue tab | French/English service signs |
| Emergency Detour Route | Yellow diamond with EDR letters | Detour around incidents |
Rules-of-the-road priorities
- Speed limits and following distance - Ontario default is 50 km/h in cities and 80 km/h on rural roads unless otherwise posted. The 2-second rule is the official following distance reference.
- Right-of-way - at uncontrolled intersections yield to the right; at four-way stops the first to arrive goes first; pedestrians always have right-of-way at marked crosswalks.
- Passing - never pass on the right except in the few legal cases (multiple lanes, vehicle turning left). On two-lane highways, complete the pass and return when you can see the passed vehicle's headlights in your mirror.
- Demerit points - accumulating 9 or more as a G2 or full G driver triggers an interview; 6 as a novice (G1/G2) triggers a 60-day suspension.
- Stopping for school buses - when the upper red lights flash, all traffic in both directions on undivided roads must stop. On divided highways, only same-direction traffic stops.
Common pitfalls on the G1 written test
- Confusing yellow (warning) and orange (construction) diamonds - both are diamond-shaped.
- Misremembering the 'school bus stopped' rule on divided highways (only same-direction must stop).
- Picking 'pass on the right is always illegal' when the question allows for the multi-lane exception.
- Forgetting that G1 holders cannot drive on 400-series highways (e.g. 401, 403, 407) unless accompanied by a licensed driving instructor.
- Mixing up demerit thresholds for novice (G1/G2 = 6 points) and full G (9 points).
A 7-day study plan
- Day 1: Read the MTO handbook chapter on signs in full. Take the signs section in tutorial mode.
- Day 2: Drill signs only until you can identify each by shape and colour from a flash card.
- Day 3: Read the MTO handbook chapter on rules of the road. Make a one-page summary.
- Day 4: Right-of-way scenarios - practise 4-way stops, roundabouts, school buses.
- Day 5: GLS restrictions and demerit points. Read every restriction line by line.
- Day 6: Full timed practice exam. Aim for 90%+ on both sections.
- Day 7: Review every missed item, then go to the DriveTest centre.
Ready to practice?
Try the G1 Practice Test (Ontario) - 30 questions in the pool, 20-question timed exam.
Frequently asked questions
What is the passing score for the Ontario G1 test?
You must score at least 80% on each section: 16 of 20 on signs and 16 of 20 on rules of the road. Failing either section fails the whole test, regardless of overall score.
How many questions are on the G1 knowledge test?
40 multiple-choice questions, split into 20 signs and 20 rules of the road. Most candidates finish in 20-25 minutes; there is no strict time limit at most DriveTest centres.
Do I need to book the G1 test in advance?
It depends on the DriveTest centre. Many accept walk-ins for the knowledge test, but some require an online appointment via drivetest.ca. Confirm before going.
What ID do I need to bring?
Bring two pieces of identification - one with your photo, signature, and date of birth (e.g. passport), and one with your address (e.g. utility bill, lease). Foreign documents are accepted; check the DriveTest list of acceptable IDs.
Can I take the test in a language other than English?
Yes. The G1 written test is offered in over 25 languages including French, Mandarin, Tagalog, Punjabi, Arabic, Spanish, and Tamil. Translators are not allowed in the testing room because the test itself is translated.
How much does the G1 cost?
The standard G1 package is $159.75 CAD as of 2024 - this covers the knowledge test, the road test for G2, and the licence itself for 5 years. Failed retakes cost $16 each. Confirm current prices on drivetest.ca.
References
- [1]Official MTO Driver's Handbook - Ontario Ministry of Transportation
- [2]DriveTest - G1 Test Information - Serco DES Inc. (DriveTest)
- [3]Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990 - Government of Ontario
- [4]Graduated Licensing - Novice Driver Restrictions - Ontario Ministry of Transportation
- [5]Demerit Point System - Drivers in Ontario - Government of Ontario