Driving Tests

Failed the G1 Test? How to Retake It in Ontario

informational·how to guide·Published August 5, 2026

What happens if I fail the G1 test in Ontario?

If you fail the Ontario G1 knowledge test, you pay CAD 16.00 for each extra attempt and try again. The DriveTest FAQ says a rewrite on the same day needs no new appointment. Your result is valid for one year, and within that year you redo only the sections that did not meet the standard. The pass mark is a total score of at least 80%.

Where these retake rules come from

This guide uses the DriveTest knowledge test, fee, FAQ and car licence pages, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) G driver's licence page and Driver's Handbook, as of 2026. Fees and rules can change, so confirm them with a DriveTest Centre or the Ministry of Transportation (ontario.ca) before you retake the test.

How to retake the G1 test in Ontario, step by step

1
Study again
The questions are based on the official MTO Driver's Handbook. Read the online version on ontario.ca again before you retry.
2
Pick a day and arrive early
Go to a DriveTest Centre. Come at least one hour before it closes, especially on Saturdays and school holidays. You need time to register and to finish the test.
3
Bring your documents
Bring your ID (the Driver's Handbook checklist says two pieces), money for the test fee, and glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive. For the full list, see what to bring to the G1 test.
4
Pay the fee and sit the test
You can pay by cash, debit card or credit card (VISA or MasterCard). Certified cheques, bank drafts and money orders are also accepted.

What a G1 knowledge test retake costs in Ontario (CAD, taxes included)

What a G1 knowledge test retake costs in Ontario (CAD, taxes included)
Item	Amount	What it covers
Each extra knowledge test attempt	CAD 16.00	One more try at the knowledge test
G1 licence package, paid when you apply	CAD 159.75	One knowledge test, a G2 road test and a five-year licence
Package plus 1 extra attempt (you pass on the second try)	CAD 175.75	CAD 159.75 + CAD 16.00
Package plus 2 extra attempts (you pass on the third try)	CAD 191.75	CAD 159.75 + 2 × CAD 16.00

Same-day retake and appointments for the Ontario G1 test

You want to rewrite the test on the same day

The DriveTest FAQ says a customer who rewrites the same day does not need another appointment. Pay the fee again and leave enough time to register and finish before the office closes.

You want to rewrite the test on a different day

The DriveTest FAQ says to book a new appointment, while its knowledge test page and ontario.ca say no appointment is needed at a DriveTest Centre. Ask the centre before you go.

You need a verbal knowledge test (for example, you cannot take the audio test) or an interpreter

Book an appointment at a DriveTest Centre.

You test at the ServiceOntario Bay and College location in downtown Toronto

That location takes knowledge tests by appointment only.

Redo only the sections that did not meet the standard

The G1 knowledge test has two or three sections, for example one on road signs and one on rules of the road. Within one year of your result, you redo only the sections that did not meet the standard, not the whole test. After one year, ask the DriveTest Centre which sections you must take again before you pay. For more, read how the test sections and marks work.

What happens if you are caught cheating on the G1 test

You are asked to leave the test room.
You receive an unsuccessful mark.
You lose your test fee.
You must wait until the next day to try again.
The same four steps apply if you disrupt other test-takers.

Key takeaways

A retake costs CAD 16.00 for each extra attempt.
A same-day rewrite needs no new appointment. For another day, ask the DriveTest Centre.
Within one year, you redo only the sections that did not meet the standard.
Anyone caught cheating loses the test fee and waits until the next day.
Next step: practise on the free Ontario G1 practice test before you retake the test.

Ontario G1 retake: common questions

How long does the G1 test take?

Typically 20 to 30 minutes. The test is not timed, so you can use all the time you need until the office closes. Give yourself enough time to register before you start.

How long do I wait to retake the G1 test?

You can rewrite on the same day, with no new appointment (DriveTest FAQ). A person caught cheating must wait until the next day. The 10-day wait in the Driver's Handbook is for road tests, not for the knowledge test.

What score do I need to pass the G1 test?

You need a total score of at least 80%. The test is multiple choice and is marked on the spot, so you see your result at once. If you do not pass, you pay the fee and try again.

Do I pay again if I fail the G1 test?

Yes. The first attempt is part of the CAD 159.75 G1 licence package that you pay when you apply. Each extra attempt costs CAD 16.00 and includes all taxes. For every fee on the way to a G licence, see the G1 test cost guide.

Where can I retake the G1 test?

Go to a DriveTest Centre and arrive at least one hour before the office closes. For a retake on a later day, ask the centre if you need an appointment. The ServiceOntario Bay and College location in downtown Toronto also takes knowledge tests, by appointment only.