The Resource Portal is a part of a site system known as the HelpWeb for Students - for more info, click the button right
Information is relevant to Ontario Driver's Licenses only, unless otherwise mentioned.
Do you want to learn how to drive? Despite self-driving cars going around and car usage declining due to awareness of carbon footprint, having a car and knowing how to use it is a very useful skill. The standard driving testing is the G series protocol, composed of three parts, the easy entry knowledge test, G1 (which has a harder knowledge test and an easy road test) and G2 (which is an advanced road test) Once you pass G2, you officially get a valid G driver's license. You require a G license to get any other vehicle license.
This process takes about 24 months from start to finish, G1 and G2 taking a year each, though you have up to 5 years to complete it before you have to restart your progress. If you complete a ministry approved course, G1 will take just 8 months, reducing your time to just 24 months.
There are also special driving academies for new drivers, so don't worry! You'll do great!
Useful Link: https://www.insurancehotline.com/resources/getting-your-ontario-g-licence/
License Classes! PLEASE READ!
(Restrictions on G class license, and other types of vehicle licenses: (non-car vehicle licenses)
Once you get your G class license (this MUST be the first license you get), you are "Allowed to drive any car, van or small truck or combination of vehicle and towed vehicle up to 11,000 kilograms, provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kilograms. A pickup truck towing a house trailer exceeds 4,600 kilograms but the total combined weight of the truck and trailer does not exceed 11,000 kilograms is deemed a Class G."
There are other types of license you can obtain to drive different types of vehicle, such as M class (motorcycle), A class (large tractor trailers), B class (school buses), and more!
See the below link for full information!
MTO Driving License Classes (or see below)
Note: A common experience is that DriveTestCentres have immensely long lines (as in 4+ hr wait).
Be prepared to wait, and come early (as in 6:00am or so), and then there will be a QR code. Scan the QR code, which will enter you in a virtual line.
Or alternately, there will be an automated booth where you can get a ticket. You'll need to wait for anywhere between 1hr to 4hr. You will see the ticket names on top of the booths, and will need to wait anywhere in the building. You may even leave, and come back later with your ticket - judge your time well by looking at the rate of change/speed of line and the current tickets, so you don't miss your slot.
Ask any staff present for help, if you can. Once the app has safely entered you in the line, you can go back home, then return when the line says you have about an hour or so left
Even before you begin your driver's license, there is a short process and list of requirements that you must fulfill before you begin the G1 Stage. Of course, you'll need to fill out an application at your nearest Drive Test Centre (where you'll also do the road tests and knowledge tests).
You'll also need to fulfill the following requirements:
Be 16 years of age
Pass a vision test (if you already wear glasses/contacts/corrective lenses, bring those with you)
Identification papers that prove your name, date of birth and signature (example of such a document: Canadian or foreign passport). One ID will be sufficient, typically use your passport.
Fee for G1 package ($160.00 CAD + taxes) (involves fee for knowledge test and G2 Road Test)
Pass knowledge test (takes approximately 30 mins) If you do not pass the first time, you may try again, however the fee for each subsequent attempt is $16.00 CAD
More Info about G1 Basic Requirements https://www.insurancehotline.com/resources/ontario-g1-license-requirements-and-restrictions/
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all information presented here is public domain and sourced from "The Official MTO Driver's Handbook", 2018 Edition, by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. The HelpWeb for Students and its affiliates and subsidiaries do not own this information, and are not held liable for any accidental damages caused regarding this information's usage.
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There is an official handbook published by the MTO, which is a complete guide to all you need to know about G1 and G2 (Road Rules, road signs, how to drive safely, etc.) There are three ways you can get the book: buy it, borrow it from your local library, or use an online PDF. Links to all three are included if you click the button to the right.
If you click the button to the right, you'll see a list of driving academies near your area. This is a non-exhaustive list, and only contains three driving schools per borough of Toronto (East York, North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, etc)
There is also a full list of ministry approved driving schools, organized by city, in alphabetical order. That is harder to search through, but more reliable, so we included it as well.
Want some preparation for the knowledge tests? There's a great site called DrivingTestsCanada, where you can practice for (both) knowledge tests! It includes questions on all the topics, like traffic signs, road rules, etc. It includes slightly different tests for each province/territory of Canada, as the road rules/signs in each province may be slightly different. Click the button to the right (the big one saying "forward") to be redirected to their website.
The below button is the home-page for this site. where you can also practice for the M-series test (motorcycle test)
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To the right is another cool site where you can practice for the knowledge tests, and learn more about the process of getting a driver's license (in any Canadian province), as well as access some cool resources, find driving schools, driver's license offices, and car insurance.
To the right you can learn about demerit points (the system implemented where you get penalties/fines/license suspensions on your record if you violate driving rules). Novice drivers (G1 and G2) have stricter penalty rules than fully licensed drivers. Click the button right to learn how you can avoid demerit points and the different offenses that get you demerit points.
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