- Q1. What does a flashing red light at an intersection mean?
Answer: Stop completely, then proceed when safe (treat as a stop sign). Rationale: MTO rules chapter: flashing red = stop, then go when safe
- Q2. In a 60 km/h posted zone, the maximum speed you may drive is:
Answer: 60 km/h. Rationale: Posted limit = maximum; speed limits are not "minimum + a bit faster"
- Q3. A sign with an orange diamond and a worker silhouette warns of:
Answer: Construction zone ahead; slow down and follow the flagger. Rationale: Orange diamond signs = temporary conditions
- Q4. When two vehicles arrive at an uncontrolled intersection at the same time, who has the right-of-way?
Answer: The driver on the right. Rationale: Yield-to-the-right rule for uncontrolled intersections
- Q5. The legal minimum following distance in good conditions on a highway is:
Answer: 2 seconds (3 seconds in rain/snow). Rationale: Ontario MTO recommends the 2-second rule
- Q6. A solid yellow line on your side of the road means:
Answer: Do not cross — passing is prohibited. Rationale: Solid yellow on your side = no passing
- Q7. What is the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) for a G1 driver in Ontario?
Answer: Zero (0.00%). G1 and G2 drivers must maintain a zero BAC. Rationale: Graduated Licensing Act: zero BAC for novice drivers
- Q8. A school bus with flashing red lights is stopped ahead. You must:
Answer: Stop in both directions unless the bus is on a divided highway with a median. Rationale: Highway Traffic Act §175: stop when red lights flash on a school bus
- Q9. The "3-second following distance" rule means:
Answer: Pick a fixed point, count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three" after the car ahead passes it; you should not pass the same point before counting to three. Rationale: MTO recommended following distance in adverse conditions
- Q10. At a four-way stop, if two cars arrive at the same time, who goes first?
Answer: The driver on the right has the right-of-way; if the cars are face-to-face, the one going straight has priority over the one turning left. Rationale: MTO rules chapter on four-way stops
- Q11. The "emergency vehicle" with flashing lights and siren approaching from behind means you must:
Answer: Pull to the right and stop. Rationale: Highway Traffic Act §159: pull right and stop for emergency vehicles
- Q12. The maximum speed limit in a school zone, when the sign is flashing, is:
Answer: 40 km/h. Rationale: Reduced-speed school zones default to 40 km/h when signs flash
- Q13. A circular sign with a red border and a white centre (no symbols) is a:
Answer: Do Not Enter. Rationale: Regulatory prohibition sign
- Q14. When parking on a hill facing downhill with a curb, you must:
Answer: Turn the wheels toward the curb (right) and engage the parking brake. Rationale: MTO hill-parking rule
- Q15. A green arrow signal means:
Answer: You may proceed in the direction of the arrow; oncoming traffic is stopped. Rationale: Protected turn phase
- Q16. If your brakes fail while driving, the FIRST action is to:
Answer: Pump the brake pedal rapidly to build pressure, then downshift to use engine braking. Rationale: Standard MTO emergency procedure
- Q17. The legal BAC for fully licensed (G) drivers in Ontario is:
Answer: 0.08% (80 mg / 100 ml blood). Rationale: Criminal Code of Canada limit
- Q18. A blue circular sign with a white "P" indicates:
Answer: Parking permitted. Rationale: Blue signs in Ontario designate driver-services or permitted actions
- Q19. The minimum legal tread depth on a passenger vehicle is:
Answer: 1.5 mm across the tread surface (Ontario HTA). Rationale: Highway Traffic Act minimum, lower than many other provinces
- Q20. In a roundabout, you should signal:
Answer: Right when entering, left (or no signal) when circulating, and right when exiting. Rationale: MTO roundabout rules
- Q21. A solid double yellow line in the middle of the road means:
Answer: No passing in either direction. Rationale: MTO pavement marking rule
- Q22. When must you use your headlights?
Answer: From one hour before sunset to one hour after sunrise, and any time visibility is reduced to 150 metres or less. Rationale: Highway Traffic Act §62
- Q23. The legal minimum age to drive alone on a G2 licence in Ontario is:
Answer: 16 (with parental consent and approved driver-ed course); 17 otherwise. Rationale: MTO minimum age rules
- Q24. If you miss your exit on a 400-series highway, you must:
Answer: Continue to the next exit and double back; never stop, reverse, or back up on the highway. Rationale: Highway Traffic Act §154: no backing on a highway
- Q25. The fine for using a hand-held mobile device while driving in Ontario is:
Answer: Up to $1,000 fine, 3 demerit points, and 3-day licence suspension on first offence (tougher penalties apply for repeat offenders).
Rationale: Highway Traffic Act amendments.
Booking, retakes, and 2026 fees
- Book via DriveTest.ca. The official booking service is drivetest.ca. Walk-in is available at some centres but online booking is recommended (DriveTest, 2025).
- Fees from April 2026. G1 knowledge test fee is $16 (written test) plus $90 licence fee = $106 total (DriveTest, 2026).
- Retake wait. You can retake the G1 test the next day if you fail; some centres apply a same-day policy (DriveTest, 2025).
- Documents to bring. Original Canadian passport, birth certificate, or PR card plus proof of Ontario residency (utility bill, bank statement).
- Min. age and ID. 16 with parental consent OR 18 without; original ID required.
8-week prep plan
A proven cadence that scales to any starting level — adjust hours, not the sequence:
- Weeks 1–2 — Diagnostic + base content. Take a full-length timed diagnostic. Score it. Identify the bottom-three sections. Spend 6–8 hours/week on foundational topics (formulas/grammar/reading pacing). Free official practice tests are the best starting material.
- Weeks 3–4 — Skill building. Switch to a structured book or course. Daily practice questions with active review (re-visit every missed question the next day). Add a weekly timed section. Hours: 8–10/week.
- Weeks 5–6 — Full practice tests. One full timed test per weekend + a 60-minute review session analyzing every wrong answer. Mid-week: timed sections only on the weak sections. Hours: 10–12/week.
- Weeks 7–8 — Sim + taper. Two full timed tests per week under strict test-day conditions (same start time, same breaks, same allowed items). Light review the final 48 hours. Hours: drop to 6 hours the final week.
Free resources: Official test-body practice tests (highest fidelity). Khan Academy (for SAT digital). Test-maker mobile apps for on-the-go drills.
Paid resources: Use a single recent-edition prep book from a major publisher. Avoid courses older than 2 years; test format changes.
What to do next
- Bookmark the official test-body calendar page; dates + registration windows post 12+ months out.
- Pull together your testing-day ID and approved calculator (if applicable) the week before.
- Reach for the prep book that matches your weakest section; don't try to read every book.
- Book your seat at the first sitting that fits — early dates give you a retake cushion if needed.
Frequently asked questions — see top of page
The 7 FAQs cover the pass mark, the G1 → G2 → G ladder, retake rules, the 5-question oral interview, the eye test, the driver-education course, and the zero-BAC rule.
Resources and next steps
Download the MTO "Driver's Handbook" (free PDF, official source) and the DriveTest appointment FAQ before your visit. For driver-education providers, the MTO-Approved Beginner Driver Education Curriculum list is the canonical source. Free G1 practice tests are widely available — pair with this guide's 25 questions for a 2-week study plan.
Fazlur Rahman
