Ontario G1 Test: Format, Pass Mark and How Long It Takes
What is the Ontario G1 test format and pass mark?
The Ontario G1 knowledge test is multiple choice and covers the rules of the road and traffic signs. You take it at a DriveTest centre. DriveTest says it has two or three sections and that you need a total score of at least 80% to pass. It is not timed, a typical test takes 20 to 30 minutes, and you get your result at once.
Where these G1 test facts come from
The format, pass mark and timing are on the DriveTest knowledge tests page, and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) creates the tests. The steps to get a G1 are on the ontario.ca G driver's licence page. The Official MTO Driver's Handbook is the study source, and O. Reg. 340/94 sets the G1 licence term. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the current test rules with DriveTest or the Ministry of Transportation (ontario.ca) before you go to your test.
What is on the Ontario G1 knowledge test?
The questions are based on the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. One section can cover signs and another the rules of the road. All new drivers must take this test. A free question on what you must pass to get a G1 shows how a multiple-choice question reads.
Topics the handbook says the written test may ask about
- Seatbelts
- Traffic signs and lights
- Emergency vehicles
- How to use headlights
- Speed limits
- Getting on or off a freeway
- What drivers must do when they meet streetcars and school buses
- Driver licence suspensions
- The demerit point system
- Passing other vehicles
- Collision reporting
- Sharing the road with other road users
- Rules of the road
How early should you arrive for the G1 test?
You can take all the time you need until the office closes. DriveTest recommends that you arrive at least one hour before the office closes, so that you have enough time to register and finish the test.
What happens if you cheat on the G1 test?
The test is supervised at a DriveTest centre to prevent cheating. Anyone who cheats or disrupts other test takers is asked to leave the test room, gets an unsuccessful mark and loses the test fee. That person must wait until the next day to try again.
What you do at the DriveTest centre when you apply for a G1
- Take a vision test. A customer service agent does it when you apply, and it takes only a few minutes.
- Pay the fee to apply for a licence and take the knowledge test. See what the G1 fees cost.
- Pass the vision test and the knowledge test.
G1 test options: paper, computer and verbal
| Option | What to know |
|---|---|
| Paper test | Offered at all test locations. |
| Computer test | Offered at some locations. Every computer test has an audio function, with options to skip or repeat a question. |
| Verbal test | Given at all DriveTest centres by appointment only. For example, it is for people who cannot take an audio test. |
How long a G1 test result and a G1 licence last
| What | How long |
|---|---|
| Knowledge test result | One year |
| Temporary paper licence | 90 days |
| G1 licence | Five years |
What happens after the G1 test?
Key takeaways
- The G1 test is multiple choice, has two or three sections and needs a total score of at least 80%. It is not timed, and you get your result on the spot.
- A test result is valid for one year. A retry in that year covers only the sections that did not meet MTO standards.
- DriveTest recommends that you arrive at least one hour before the office closes.
- Next step: practise on the free Ontario G1 practice test.
Ontario G1 test: common questions
Can I take the G1 test without an appointment?
Yes, at a DriveTest centre. You do not need an appointment for the knowledge test, and tests run first come, first served. The ServiceOntario Bay and College location in downtown Toronto is the exception: it is by appointment only.
How do I study for the Ontario G1 test?
Study the Official MTO Driver's Handbook before the test. It has eight sample questions with an answer key. They are in the same multiple-choice format as the test and show you what to expect.
What happens if I fail the Ontario G1 test?
You know your result at once, because the test is marked on the spot. If you do not pass, you pay the fee and try again. Test results are valid for one year. If you retry within that year, you redo only the sections that did not meet MTO standards.
Can I take the G1 test in a language other than English?
Yes. The computer G1 test is offered in 32 languages, from Arabic, Punjabi and Spanish to Cree and Ukrainian. English and French are two of the 32. The full list of G1 test languages is in a separate guide.
Can I use an interpreter for the G1 test?
Yes, but you must book an appointment at a DriveTest centre first. Interpreters must meet certain criteria, and support persons must not interfere with a verbal test. If you are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing, you must find a sign-language interpreter yourself. DriveTest does not provide one, but it reimburses reasonable and necessary costs.
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