Free practice test
G1 practice test for Ontario
The real G1 knowledge test has a road signs section and a rules of the road section, and you need 80% to pass. Practise both here, with the answer and the reason after every question. When you’re ready, walk into any DriveTest centre: no appointment needed.
G1 practice test
20 questions, answers explained as you go
Like the real test, you pass with 80% in each section. A new random set every time, from 65 questions.
What’s on the G1 test
Everything comes from the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: signs by shape and colour (octagon stop, triangle yield, pentagon school zone, yellow diamond warnings, orange construction signs), traffic lights, right-of-way, school buses and streetcars, speed limits, G1 and G2 conditions, alcohol and drugs, and what to do after a collision. Your results stay valid for a year.
After you pass you’re a G1 driver: here are the rules and the wait before your G2.
Study every question
Road signs (22)
What must you do at this sign?
Answer: Come to a complete stop, then go when it’s safe
A stop sign means a full stop at the stop line (or before the crosswalk or intersection if there’s no line), then you go only when the way is clear.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: Let traffic in the intersection or close to it go first; stop if you need to
A yield sign means slow down, give the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians, and stop if necessary.
A five-sided sign like this one means…
Answer: You’re entering a school zone: drive slowly and watch for children
The five-sided (pentagon) sign marks a school zone. Slow down and watch for children.
What does this sign mark?
Answer: A railway crossing
The white X (crossbuck) marks a railway crossing. Slow down, look both ways and be ready to stop.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: Do not enter
A red circle with a white bar means do not enter: you’d be driving the wrong way.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: No left turn
A red circle and slash means the action shown is not allowed. Here, no left turn.
This sign means…
Answer: No U-turns
The red circle and slash over a U-shaped arrow means no U-turns.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: No parking in the area shown
A red circle and slash over a P means no parking.
What does this sign tell you?
Answer: The maximum speed in good conditions is 50 km/h
It’s the speed limit: the most you may drive in ideal conditions. Drive slower when conditions are poor.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: Traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow
A one-way sign means traffic on this road moves only in the direction of the arrow.
This yellow diamond sign warns of…
Answer: A curve to the right ahead
Yellow diamond signs warn of hazards. This one shows a curve to the right ahead: slow down before it.
This sign means…
Answer: Two-way traffic ahead
The arrows pointing opposite ways warn that you’re moving from a one-way road onto a two-way road.
What does this sign warn you about?
Answer: Traffic lights ahead
It warns of traffic signals ahead. Be ready to stop.
This sign warns of…
Answer: A road joining from the right ahead
It shows a side road meeting your road from the right. Watch for vehicles entering.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: Divided highway begins: keep right
The road ahead becomes a divided highway, with a median between the directions. Keep to the right.
This sign tells you…
Answer: The right lane ends ahead: merge left when it’s safe
The right lane is ending. If you’re in it, signal and merge left when there’s a safe gap.
An orange diamond-shaped sign like this means…
Answer: Construction or roadwork ahead
Orange signs are for construction zones. Slow down, obey flaggers and watch for workers and equipment.
An orange triangle with a red border on the back of a vehicle means…
Answer: It’s a slow-moving vehicle, going 40 km/h or less
The slow-moving vehicle sign is used by farm machinery and other vehicles that travel 40 km/h or less. Be ready to slow down.
A blue sign with a white H means…
Answer: Hospital
Blue signs point to services. The white H marks a hospital.
This white rectangular sign tells you to…
Answer: Keep to the right of the island or obstruction
Keep right of the traffic island or obstruction ahead.
What colour are signs that show the way to places (destinations, distances, exits) on Ontario highways?
Answer: Green
Green guide signs show directions and distances.
Signs with a red circle and a slash mean…
Answer: The action shown is not allowed
A red circle with a slash means the action inside it is prohibited.
Rules of the road (43)
What blood-alcohol level must a G1 driver have?
Answer: Zero
G1 and G2 drivers, and all drivers 21 and under, must have a blood-alcohol level of zero.
G1 drivers may not drive between…
Answer: Midnight and 5 a.m.
G1 drivers can’t drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
The person sitting with a G1 driver must…
Answer: Have a full licence with at least four years of driving experience
The accompanying driver needs a full Class G (or higher) licence, at least four years of experience, and a blood-alcohol level under 0.05.
Can a G1 driver drive on the 401?
Answer: Only if the accompanying driver is a licensed driving instructor
G1 drivers can’t use 400-series highways or high-speed expressways unless the accompanying driver is a licensed driving instructor.
A fully licensed 20-year-old driver must have what blood-alcohol level?
Answer: Zero
Every driver 21 and under must have a blood-alcohol level of zero, whatever licence they hold.
In good conditions, how far behind the vehicle ahead should you stay?
Answer: At least two seconds
Keep at least a two-second gap, and more in bad weather, at night or behind large vehicles.
You come up behind a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. You must…
Answer: Stop at least 20 metres behind it
Stop at least 20 metres behind it and wait until the lights stop flashing and the bus moves.
A school bus with flashing red lights is stopped on the other side of an undivided road. You must…
Answer: Stop
Traffic in both directions must stop, unless the road has a median dividing it.
A streetcar stops to let passengers off and there’s no safety island. You must stop…
Answer: At least 2 metres behind the rear doors
Stop at least 2 metres behind the rear doors where passengers are getting on or off, and wait until they’re safely off the road.
At a pedestrian crossover, when may you drive through after a pedestrian has stepped onto the road?
Answer: Only when they’ve completely crossed the road
At pedestrian crossovers and school crossings with a guard, you must wait until the person has completely crossed the road.
You must turn on your headlights…
Answer: From half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunrise, and when you can’t see clearly 150 metres ahead
Headlights go on from half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunrise, and any time visibility is less than 150 metres.
Switch to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within…
Answer: 150 metres
Dim your lights within 150 metres of an oncoming vehicle, and within 60 metres when you’re following one.
When you have to stop at a railway crossing, stop at least how far from the nearest rail?
Answer: 5 metres
Stop at least 5 metres from the nearest rail or gate, and don’t cross until the train has passed and it’s safe.
An emergency vehicle with lights and siren comes up behind you. You should…
Answer: Pull to the right as far as you safely can and stop
Pull to the right and stop, clear of intersections, until it has passed.
You’re approaching a stopped tow truck or emergency vehicle with its lights flashing on the shoulder. You must…
Answer: Slow down and move over a lane if it’s safe
Slow down, take care, and move into the next lane away from it if you can do so safely.
At an intersection with no signs or signals, two vehicles arrive at the same time. Who goes first?
Answer: The vehicle on the right
At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to the vehicle on your right.
At a four-way stop, who has the right-of-way?
Answer: The first vehicle to come to a complete stop
The first to stop goes first. If two stop at the same time, the one on the left yields to the one on the right.
Can you turn right on a red light in Ontario?
Answer: Yes, after a complete stop, if no sign forbids it and the way is clear
Unless a sign says otherwise, you can turn right on red after stopping fully and yielding to pedestrians and traffic.
When is a left turn on a red light allowed?
Answer: From a one-way road onto a one-way road, after a full stop
You may turn left on red from a one-way road onto a one-way road, after a full stop and when it’s clear, unless a sign forbids it.
A flashing green light or a green left arrow means…
Answer: You may turn left while oncoming traffic waits on a red
It’s an advance green: you can turn left while oncoming traffic is held on a red. With a flashing green you may also go straight or turn right from the proper lane.
A flashing red traffic light means…
Answer: Come to a complete stop and go only when it’s safe
Treat a flashing red light like a stop sign.
The light turns yellow as you approach the intersection. You should…
Answer: Stop if you can do it safely; if you can’t, go through with care
A yellow light means stop unless you’re too close to stop safely.
With no speed limit posted, what’s the limit in cities, towns and villages?
Answer: 50 km/h
The default limit is 50 km/h in cities, towns and villages, and 80 km/h elsewhere.
With no speed limit posted outside a city, town or village, the limit is…
Answer: 80 km/h
80 km/h outside cities, towns and villages, unless a sign shows otherwise.
On a road with a speed limit under 80 km/h, driving how far over the limit counts as stunt driving?
Answer: 40 km/h or more
Stunt driving includes going 40 km/h or more over a limit under 80 km/h, and 50 km/h or more over a limit of 80 km/h or higher. It brings an immediate licence suspension and vehicle impoundment.
When can you hold a phone while driving?
Answer: Only to call 911 in an emergency
Holding or using a hand-held device while driving is illegal, including at red lights. Calling 911 in an emergency is the exception.
A child needs a booster seat until they reach which of these?
Answer: 8 years old, 36 kg or 145 cm tall
Children who have outgrown a forward-facing seat use a booster until they turn 8, weigh 36 kg or are 145 cm tall.
Who is responsible for making sure passengers under 16 wear a seat belt?
Answer: The driver
The driver is responsible for passengers under 16 being properly buckled up or in the right car seat.
To signal a left turn by hand, you…
Answer: Hold your left arm straight out the window
Left turn: arm straight out. Right turn: arm bent up. Stop or slowing: arm pointing down.
A driver holds their left arm out the window, bent down at the elbow. They are…
Answer: Stopping or slowing down
An arm bent downward signals that the driver is stopping or slowing down.
When entering a roundabout, you must…
Answer: Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout and to pedestrians, then drive counter-clockwise.
If your car starts to skid, you should…
Answer: Take your foot off the gas and steer where you want to go
Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the car to go. Don’t slam on the brakes.
When another vehicle is passing you, you should…
Answer: Keep your speed or slow down a little, and stay right
Don’t speed up when someone is passing you. Stay in your lane and let them get by.
Before changing lanes you should check your mirrors and…
Answer: Look over your shoulder to check your blind spot
Mirrors don’t show everything. Check your blind spot by looking over your shoulder.
When merging onto a freeway from the on-ramp, you should…
Answer: Speed up to match freeway traffic and merge into a safe gap
Use the ramp to reach freeway speed, signal, and merge smoothly into a safe gap.
When parking uphill next to a curb, turn your front wheels…
Answer: Away from the curb
Uphill with a curb: wheels away from the curb, so the car rolls back into it. Downhill: wheels toward the curb.
When parallel parking, your car should be within how far of the curb?
Answer: 30 cm
Park parallel to the curb and no more than 30 cm from it.
How close to a fire hydrant can you park?
Answer: 3 metres
Don’t park within 3 metres of a fire hydrant.
You must report a collision to the police if anyone is hurt or the damage is more than…
Answer: $2,000
Report it if someone is injured or total damage looks to be over $2,000.
If you move, how long do you have to tell the Ministry of Transportation your new address?
Answer: 6 days
You must report a change of address within 6 days.
A fully licensed driver’s licence is suspended when they reach how many demerit points?
Answer: 15
At 15 points a fully licensed driver’s licence is suspended. Novice drivers face suspension much sooner, at 9 points.
Driving in fog, you should use…
Answer: Low beams
High beams reflect off fog and make it harder to see. Use low beams and slow down.
When turning right, you must watch for…
Answer: Cyclists and pedestrians on your right
Check for cyclists coming up on your right and pedestrians crossing before you turn.
Sources: DriveTest’s knowledge tests page and the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook. Questions are our own; this isn’t a DriveTest or Ministry test.
Driving lessons
Want a lesson or two before your road test?
Tell us where you are and what you need: a road test refresher, practice on the test routes, or a beginner driver education (BDE) course that lets you take your G2 road test after 8 months instead of 12.
Questions people ask
+How do I pass the G1 test?
Score at least 80%. The test has sections on road signs and on rules of the road. If you fail a section, you only redo that section on your next try within a year.
+Do I need an appointment for the G1 test?
No. It’s first come, first served at every DriveTest centre. Arrive at least an hour before closing, and longer on Saturdays and school holidays.
+How long does the G1 test take?
Usually 20 to 30 minutes. It isn’t timed, so you can take until the office closes.
+How much does the G1 test cost?
The G1 licence package is $159.75, which covers the knowledge test, your first G2 road test and a five-year licence. Each extra knowledge test attempt is $16.00.
+What languages is the G1 test in?
32, including English, French, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese), Farsi, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean and Russian.
+What do I bring to the G1 test?
Acceptable ID, money for the fee, and your glasses or contacts if you need them to drive. You’ll take a vision test when you apply.
+Are these the real test questions?
No. They’re our own questions, written from the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook, which is what the real test is based on.
More tools
- G1, G2 and G licence rulesThe waits, conditions and timeline from G1 to a full G licence.
- G2 road test guideWhat the examiner checks on each manoeuvre, what to bring, and how to book.
- M1 practice testMotorcycle knowledge test practice: M1 rules, riding safety and signs.
- Ontario driver’s licence and test feesThe G1 package, road tests, retests and motorcycle and commercial fees.