G1 test day checklist: what to bring and what to expect

People turned away at a DriveTest Centre usually didn't fail to study. They brought the wrong ID, arrived too late, or forgot their glasses. This checklist covers the practical side of G1 test day in Ontario.

Before you go: are you eligible?

To apply for a Class G1 licence, DriveTest says you must:

• be at least 16 years old on the day you apply;
• be an Ontario resident (visitors and tourists can't apply);
• meet MTO's vision standard;
• pass the knowledge test on rules of the road and traffic signs.

Since May 11, 2026, applicants also have to declare that Ontario is their primary place of residence and that their presence in Canada is legal.

What to bring

1. Original ID that shows your legal name and full date of birth (day, month and year). Photocopies are not accepted, and documents must be valid. One document can cover both, for example a passport, a Canadian Permanent Resident card, a study or work permit, or an Ontario Photo Card. If one document doesn't show both, you may need two. The list is long and specific, so check DriveTest's acceptable ID documents page before you go.
2. Supporting documents if your names don't match, such as a marriage certificate or change-of-name certificate. Documents that aren't in English or French need a translation from an MTO-approved translator, and you bring the original too.
3. Payment for the fees. You pay at the centre. DriveTest accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, debit, and a few cheque and money-order types. See G1 fees and process for current amounts.
4. Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive. Bring them for the vision test.
5. Wired headphones (optional). If you plan to use the audio option, DriveTest provides disposable headphones. Your own are allowed only if they are wired with a 3.5 mm plug (no Bluetooth).

Walk-in or appointment?

At DriveTest Centres, the knowledge test is first-come, first-served and no appointment is needed. DriveTest recommends arriving at least one hour before the centre closes, and earlier on Saturdays and school holidays when lines are longer.

The exception in Toronto is the ServiceOntario location at Bay and College, where ontario.ca says knowledge tests are by appointment only. If you need an interpreter or a verbal (read-aloud) test, you also need to book ahead.

What happens at the centre

1. Application and ID check. A customer service agent checks your documents and you fill out forms.
2. Vision test. It takes a few minutes. You read letters or numbers on a screen and say when you see flashing lights to the left or right. For a G1, vision must be no worse than 20/50 with both eyes open (glasses allowed), plus a 120° field of vision.
3. Pay the fees. The G1 licence package is paid when you apply, before you write the test.
4. Knowledge test. It's multiple choice and has a section on signs and a section on rules of the road. It isn't timed, but most people take 20 to 30 minutes. You get your result on the spot. See how the G1 test is scored.

Plan for one to two hours in total, mostly waiting in line.

If you pass

You get a temporary paper licence, valid for 90 days, and you can start practising right away under G1 rules. Your plastic photo card arrives by mail. If it hasn't arrived before the paper licence expires, go to a ServiceOntario office for an extension. Learn the G1 restrictions before your first drive.

A licence also helps with work: many Ontario job postings list one as a requirement or an asset. When you're ready to look, ai-job.ca lists Job Bank postings by province and job title.

If you don't pass

You can pay the retest fee (currently $16 per extra attempt) and try again. DriveTest says results are valid for one year: if you retry within a year, you only redo the sections you didn't pass. Anyone caught cheating loses the fee, gets a failing mark, and has to wait until the next day to try again.

FAQ

Sources: DriveTest – Drivers' Licences (Cars), DriveTest – Acceptable ID Documents, DriveTest – Knowledge Tests, DriveTest – Vision Tests, Ontario.ca – Get a G driver's licence. Checked November 2026.