Ontario G1 Rules: Highways, Night Driving, Passengers and Alcohol
What are the Ontario G1 licence rules?
An Ontario G1 driver must have a fully licensed driver in the seat beside them, licensed for at least four years. A G1 driver must not drive from midnight to 5 a.m., on all of Highway 407 or the QEW, or on the parts of the 401 and other listed 400-series highways with a posted limit over 80 km/h. A G1 driver must have no alcohol or drugs in their system.
Where the G1 rules come from
Ontario sets the G1 conditions in O. Reg. 340/94. This guide uses the version of 1 July 2026 (as of 2026). The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) explains the rules on its G driver's licence page and in the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. When a Ministry page words a rule differently from the regulation, this guide follows the regulation. Confirm each rule with the Ministry of Transportation (ontario.ca) before you drive.
Who can drive with a G1 driver: the accompanying driver rules
- You cannot drive alone at any hour. An accompanying driver must sit in the seat beside you to give you instruction.
- The accompanying driver must hold a full Class G (or higher) licence now. A G1 or G2 licence does not count, so a friend who still has a G2 cannot supervise you.
- The accompanying driver must have been licensed for at least four years in total, in Ontario or elsewhere. Valid time at G2 counts toward the four years.
- The accompanying driver's blood alcohol must be below 0.05 (50 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of blood) while you operate the vehicle.
Can a G1 driver drive on the highway in Ontario?
Not on the roads in the table below. On the 401 and the other listed 400-series highways, the ban covers the parts with a posted limit over 80 km/h. On Highway 407, Highway 407 East and the QEW, it covers the whole road. The regulation restricts "parts" of the Don Valley Parkway, the Gardiner Expressway and the E. C. Row Expressway: treat all three as off-limits unless a licensed driving instructor is beside you. A G1 driver can use any other road, with an accompanying driver. The question on which highways a G1 driver cannot use tests this rule.
Highways a G1 driver cannot use in Ontario
| Road | Restricted part |
|---|---|
| Highways 400, 400A, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 409, 410, 412, 416, 417, 418, 420 and 427 | Only the parts with a posted speed limit over 80 km/h |
| Highway 407 East | All of it |
| Highway 407 (the private toll highway) | All of it |
| Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) | All of it |
| Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner Expressway and E. C. Row Expressway | Parts of each road |
| Conestoga Parkway | From Highways 7 and 8 (west end) to Highway 86 (north end) |
When the highway rule does not apply
Can a G1 driver drive at night in Ontario?
Yes, with an accompanying driver beside you, but not between midnight and 5 a.m. The regulation bans a G1 driver from driving in those hours, and an accompanying driver does not change that. The question on the hours a G1 driver cannot drive tests this rule.
How many passengers can a G1 driver carry?
- Front seats: only the G1 driver and the accompanying driver.
- Seats other than the front seats (in most cars, the back seats): the number of passengers must not exceed the number of working seat belts in those seats.
- The G1 driver must make sure that every passenger wears a properly working seat belt.
Alcohol and drugs for a G1 driver
A driver of any age who holds a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence cannot have any alcohol or drugs in the system, under Ontario's zero tolerance law. These zero-tolerance laws also apply to cannabis. A first case brings a 7-day immediate licence suspension, an 8-hour education course and a $250 penalty, plus a fine of $60 to $1,000 if convicted. A second case brings a 14-day suspension, a 16-hour treatment program and a $350 penalty. A third case brings a 30-day suspension. A convicted novice driver can also lose the licence for an extra 30 or 90 days, or have it cancelled, depending on age and licence class.
What happens if a G1 driver breaks a G1 condition?
If a novice driver breaks a graduated-licensing condition, the licence is suspended for 30 days, says the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. The suspension starts when you give up your licence. The handbook says escalating penalties apply when any of these happens within five years: repeat violations of novice restrictions, a Highway Traffic Act conviction with four or more demerit points, or a court-ordered licence suspension. The guide to demerit points for G1 and G2 drivers has the full rules. The table follows the demerit points page and the distracted driving page.
Penalties for a G1 driver in Ontario
| What happens | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Escalating penalty, first offence | 30-day licence suspension |
| Escalating penalty, second offence | 90-day licence suspension |
| Escalating penalty, third offence | You lose the novice licence, then re-apply, take all tests and pay all fees again |
| 9 or more demerit points | 60-day licence suspension |
| Distracted driving, first conviction | 30-day suspension and no demerit points. The fine is $615 if settled out of court, or up to $1,000 after a summons or a lost court fight |
| Distracted driving, second conviction | 90-day licence suspension |
| Distracted driving, third conviction | Licence cancelled and removal from graduated licensing. You must redo the program |
Key takeaways
- A G1 driver always needs a fully licensed accompanying driver beside them, licensed for at least four years, and cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
- Stay off all of Highway 407, Highway 407 East and the QEW, and off the listed 400-series highways where the posted limit is over 80 km/h.
- Front seats are for the G1 driver and the accompanying driver. Other seats are limited by the working seat belts.
- A G1 driver of any age cannot have any alcohol or drugs in the system.
- Next step: practise the G1 rules questions on the free Ontario G1 practice test.
Ontario G1 rules: common questions
Can a G1 drive on the 401?
Not on the parts of the 401 with a posted speed limit over 80 km/h. The same rule covers the other listed 400-series highways, and Highway 407 and the QEW are off-limits in full.
Can I drive with my G2 friend beside me?
No. Your accompanying driver must hold a full Class G licence, so a friend who still has a G2 cannot supervise you.
Can a G1 driver drive alone in Ontario?
No. A G1 driver needs an accompanying driver in the seat beside them at every hour of the day, not only at night.
Can a G1 driver carry friends in the back seat?
Yes, up to the number of working seat belts in the seats other than the front seats. You must make sure that each passenger wears a belt.
Can a G1 driver over 21 drive after one drink?
No. A G1 driver of any age must have no alcohol in the system. A first case brings a 7-day immediate licence suspension and a $250 penalty.
How long do I need to keep my G1 before the G2 road test?
At least 365 days, or 245 days (about 8 months) with a Ministry-approved driver education course. The guide to the G1 to G2 wait explains the details. A G1 licence is valid for five years.
Practise for your Ontario G1 test
6 free practice tests with 120 questions, answers and explanations.
Start free Practice Test 1Share or ask AI about this article
Continue the conversation or send this guide to someone who needs it.
Related guides
How to Get a Class 7 Learner's Licence in Alberta (2026 Steps)
You can apply for an Alberta Class 7 learner's licence at 14. See the four steps, the knowledge test fee, the temporary licence and what you may drive.
Florida Learner's License at 15: Requirements, Hours and Rules
How to get a Florida learner's license at 15: the tests, the course, parental consent, who must ride with you, when you can drive and what comes next.
Can International Students Drive in Michigan? License Rules
Yes, if you are temporarily in the U.S., you may drive on your home license, with a translation or IDP if it is not in English. See the F-1 and J-1 documents.