Ontario G2 Rules: Passengers, Alcohol and What Changes From G1
What can an Ontario G2 driver do that a G1 driver cannot?
An Ontario G2 driver can drive without another experienced driver, on all Ontario roads, at any time of the day in most cases. A G1 driver needs an accompanying driver and cannot drive from midnight to 5 a.m. G2 still needs a zero blood alcohol level. At 19 or under, midnight to 5 a.m. allows one passenger aged 19 or under for six months, then up to three.
Where the G2 rules come from
Ontario sets the G2 conditions in O. Reg. 340/94, version of 1 July 2026. The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) explains them on its G driver's licence page and in the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. Alcohol and drug rules are on the impaired driving page, and the penalty steps are on the demerit points page. This guide is as of 2026 and follows the regulation where an MTO page words a rule differently. Confirm the rules with the Ministry of Transportation (ontario.ca) before you drive.
Ontario G1 and G2 rules side by side
| Rule | G1 | G2 |
|---|---|---|
| Driving alone | Not allowed. An accompanying driver sits in the front passenger seat. | Allowed. No other experienced driver is needed. |
| Highways | Not on the listed highways, such as the QEW, Highway 407 and the parts of the 401 with a posted limit over 80 km/h. | All Ontario roads, highways included. |
| Midnight to 5 a.m. | No driving. | Allowed in most cases. Passenger limits apply if you are 19 or under. |
| Passengers | In the front seats, only you and the accompanying driver. | No more passengers than working seat belts. More limits apply from midnight to 5 a.m. if you are 19 or under. |
| Alcohol | No alcohol, no drugs | No alcohol, no drugs |
| Time at this level | At least 12 months, or at least 8 months after an approved driver education course. | At least 12 months. |
G2 passenger limits from midnight to 5 a.m. for drivers 19 and under
| Time with your G2 licence | Passengers aged 19 or under you can carry |
|---|---|
| First six months | One |
| After six months, until you get a full G licence or turn 20 | Up to three |
Who counts toward the G2 passenger limit
Passengers aged 20 or older do not count toward the limit. The six months are counted back from the time you drive: you must have held a valid G2 licence for at least the six months just before. The practice test has a question on passengers in the first six months and one on passengers after six months.
When the G2 passenger limit does not apply
Alcohol and drugs for a G2 driver in Ontario
A driver of any age with a G2 licence must have no alcohol and no drugs in the system. The zero-tolerance laws also apply to cannabis. Impaired driving also covers over-the-counter drugs, prescription medication and illegal substances. The table below shows the penalties for a young or novice driver.
Penalties if a G2 driver has alcohol or drugs in the system
| Case | Immediate suspension | Other penalties |
|---|---|---|
| First time | 7 days | Fine of CAD 60 to 1,000 if convicted. 8-hour education course and a CAD 250 penalty. |
| Second time | 14 days | Same fine range. 16-hour treatment program and a CAD 350 penalty. |
| Third time | 30 days | Same fine range. 16-hour treatment program. Ignition interlock condition for six months and a CAD 450 penalty. |
What happens if a G2 driver breaks a G2 condition?
A conviction for breaking a G2 condition, such as the passenger limits, brings the licence penalties in the table below. A conviction for an offence worth four or more demerit points brings the same penalties. A separate guide explains demerit points for novice drivers. Two or more of these offences from the same circumstances count as one conviction. The 90-day suspension and the cancellation do not apply when the second or third conviction is more than five years after the previous one.
Licence penalties after a conviction for breaking a G2 condition
| Conviction | Penalty |
|---|---|
| First | 30-day licence suspension |
| Second | 90-day licence suspension |
| Third | Licence cancelled. You re-apply, take all tests again and pay all fees. |
How long until the G road test after G2?
- 1Hold the G2 licence for at least 12 months
The law sets a minimum of 365 days at the G2 level.
- 2Get highway driving experience
You need experience on highways with speed limits of at least 80 km/h before the test, and you fill in a Declaration of Highway Driving Experience form that describes it.
- 3Take the G road test
The G road test is also called the G2 exit test. You must pass it to get a full Class G licence.
Key takeaways
- A G2 licence allows driving alone, on all Ontario roads and at any time of the day in most cases, with zero blood alcohol.
- At 19 or under, midnight to 5 a.m. allows one passenger aged 19 or under in the first six months and up to three after.
- The passenger limit does not apply if you are 20 or older, if a qualified accompanying driver sits beside you, or for passengers who are immediate family.
- You can take the G road test after at least 12 months with a G2 licence.
- Next step: practise the G2 passenger and alcohol questions on the free Ontario G1 practice test.
Ontario G2 rules: common questions
Can a G2 driver drive on the 401?
Yes. A G2 licence allows all Ontario roads, highways included, if you follow the G2 passenger limits. A G1 driver is barred from the parts of the 401 with a posted limit over 80 km/h.
Can a G2 driver over 21 have one drink before driving?
No. In Ontario, the zero rule is not only for teenagers. A G2 driver of any age, and any driver aged 21 or under, must have no alcohol in the system, even after one drink.
Can a G2 driver carry a passenger who is 20 or older after midnight?
Yes. The midnight to 5 a.m. limits count only passengers aged 19 or under. Passengers aged 20 or older are not counted. At any hour, you still cannot carry more passengers than working seat belts.
How many passengers can a G2 driver carry in the daytime?
No more than the number of working seat belts in the vehicle. The one-passenger and three-passenger limits are extra rules for drivers 19 or under between midnight and 5 a.m.
How many years do I have to get my full G licence in Ontario?
You have up to five years to finish the whole graduated process, which includes both G1 and G2. After five years without a full G licence, you will need to start over.
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