G1 Written Test 2026: What Happens on Test Day in Ontario
What to bring, what the DriveTest visit looks like from the door to the result, and a free practice test to take the night before
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The G1 written test, in one paragraph
Ontario calls it the knowledge test. Everyone else calls it the written test. Here is exactly what it is.
A multiple-choice test on the rules of the road and traffic signs, written to the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook, taken in person at a DriveTest centre with no appointment, or at the ServiceOntario Bay and College office in Toronto by appointment. It cannot be taken online. You do a vision test first. DriveTest says the knowledge test typically takes 20 to 30 minutes, you need at least 80% to pass, a pass is valid for one year, and the computerized test is offered in 32 languages with paper versions available.
Pass it and you leave with your G1 the same day. The rest of this page is the day itself: what to bring, what happens at the counter, and what happens after. When you have read it, take one full practice test the night before.
What to bring: the checklist
The handbook’s own G1 knowledge-test checklist is three lines long. The ID line is where people get sent home.
| Bring | The detail |
|---|---|
| Two pieces of identification | Original documents proving your legal name and full date of birth. No photocopies, no expired documents, no digital copies. Canadian citizens: a passport (Canadian or foreign), a Canadian Citizenship Card with photo, a Secure Certificate of Indian Status Card, or an Ontario Photo Card. Permanent residents: a PR Card, a Record of Landing (IMM 1000), or a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292) with a valid passport, or an Ontario Photo Card. Temporary residents: a study permit, work permit, visitor record or temporary resident permit (IMM 1442), refugee documents with photo, or an Ontario Photo Card. The province publishes the full list |
| Money for the test fees | Cash, debit or credit card. The G1 package is $159.75 and covers the knowledge test, your G2 road test and a five-year licence. Each further knowledge-test attempt is $16 |
| Glasses or contact lenses | If you need them to drive. The vision test comes before the knowledge test |
| Since 11 May 2026: a declaration | When you apply for a class G licence you declare that Ontario is your primary place of residence and that your presence in Canada is legal |
Sources: ontario.ca, Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers (updated 11 September 2026) and the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook, Getting your driver’s licence (updated 14 September 2026), both read 2 November 2026; DriveTest (fees read 30 October 2026). Rules and fees change; the province posts the current version.
Test day, step by step
From the door to your G1, in the order it happens.
- Walk in. The knowledge test needs no appointment at a DriveTest centre. Booking is for road tests, not this one. Give yourself time before closing: the test takes 20 to 30 minutes and there is a counter before it.
- The counter. Show your two pieces of original ID, make the residency declaration, and answer the health questions the application asks. Certain medical conditions mean a licence cannot be issued; you are told at this point.
- Pay. The $159.75 G1 package, by cash, debit or credit card.
- The vision test. Wear your glasses or contacts if you need them to drive.
- The knowledge test. Multiple choice on the rules of the road and traffic signs, on a computer in any of 32 languages or on paper. Read every answer before you choose; the practice questions on this site use the same format as the province’s own samples.
- The result. 80% or more and you get your G1 the same day. Your 12 months on the G1 start now, 8 months if you finish a ministry-approved driver education course.
Take the night-before practice test
Sources: ontario.ca, Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers (updated 11 September 2026) and the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook, Getting your driver’s licence (updated 14 September 2026), both read 2 November 2026; DriveTest (fees read 30 October 2026). Rules and fees change; the province posts the current version.
If you pass, and if you fail
| If you pass | If you fail |
|---|---|
| You hold a G1. The G1 rules start the same day: zero blood alcohol, every passenger belted, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., no 400-series highways or high-speed expressways unless a certified instructor is with you, and a fully licensed driver with four years’ experience beside you | Each further knowledge-test attempt is $16. No waiting period for the knowledge test is published on the province’s pages; the handbook’s 10-day wait applies to road tests |
| After 12 months (8 with an approved course) you can take the G2 road test. You have five years from your G1 to finish the whole program or you start over | Before you go back: empty your Challenge Bank, run the topics you missed on the syllabus page, and pass three timed mocks in a row |
| Your pass is valid for one year, so you have a year to apply for the licence it earns | The ten signs learners miss most, with their pictures, are on the road signs page |
Sources: ontario.ca, Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers (updated 11 September 2026) and the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook, Getting your driver’s licence (updated 14 September 2026), both read 2 November 2026; DriveTest (fees read 30 October 2026). Rules and fees change; the province posts the current version.
Before test day: the rest of your preparation
The night before: one full practice test
45 questions from the whole bank with the explanation after every answer, free and without signup. Score 80% or more and sleep.
Take Practice Test 3G1 written test: frequently asked questions
Straight answers from the province’s own pages and DriveTest.
No. The knowledge test is taken in person, at a DriveTest centre without an appointment or at the ServiceOntario Bay and College office in Toronto by appointment. The province lists no online option. Practice is online; the test is not.
Two pieces of identification, original, proving your legal name and full date of birth. A passport, a Canadian Citizenship Card with photo, a Permanent Resident Card or an Ontario Photo Card are the common ones; temporary residents use their permit or visitor record. Photocopies and expired documents are not accepted. The full list is on ontario.ca.
DriveTest publishes the pass mark, 80%, not a count of mistakes. Practice guides describe 40 questions in two parts of 20 with 16 needed in each; the province does not confirm that on the pages we can read. Aim for 90% on the mock tests here and the count stops mattering.
No. You walk into a DriveTest centre; appointments are for road tests. The one exception is the ServiceOntario Bay and College office in Toronto, which takes the knowledge test by appointment only.
DriveTest offers the computerized G1 knowledge test in 32 languages, with paper versions available. Ask at the counter.
One year, DriveTest says.
Each further knowledge-test attempt costs $16. No waiting period for the knowledge test is published on the province’s pages. Before you go back, clear your Challenge Bank, redo the topics you missed and pass three timed mock tests in a row.
