How the G1 test is scored

The G1 knowledge test checks two things: whether you recognise Ontario's road signs and whether you know the rules of the road. Here's how the test is set up, what DriveTest officially says about the pass mark, and how to prepare.

The format

• Multiple choice. Each question has one correct answer out of several options. The questions are created by the Ministry of Transportation and based on the Official MTO Driver's Handbook.
• Sections. DriveTest says each knowledge test has two or three sections, for example one on signs and one on rules of the road. For the G1, that means a road signs part and a rules part.
• Computer or paper. DriveTest says knowledge tests are available on paper at all locations and on computer at some locations. Computer kiosks have an audio option that lets you skip or repeat questions.
• No time limit. The test isn't timed, so you can take as long as you need until the office closes. DriveTest says most knowledge tests take about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Instant results. The test is marked on the spot.

How many questions, and what's the pass mark?

The commonly reported format for the G1 is 40 questions: 20 on road signs and 20 on rules of the road. Each part is marked separately, and you need at least 16 out of 20 (80%) in each part. A perfect signs score doesn't make up for a weak rules score.

DriveTest doesn't publish a fixed question count. Its official wording is that each knowledge test has "two or three sections" and that you need "a total score of at least 80%" to pass. DriveTest also says that if you retry within one year, you only redo the sections that didn't meet MTO standards. That supports the common understanding that the sections are judged separately.

What the questions cover

Signs: regulatory signs (stop, yield, speed limits, turn restrictions), warning signs (curves, merges, school zones, railway crossings), temporary construction signs, information signs, and traffic lights and pavement markings.

Rules: right-of-way, intersections and turns, stopping for school buses and emergency vehicles, speed and following distance, parking, passing, G1/G2 conditions, demerit points, impaired driving, and penalties. Questions with numbers come up often: distances, fines, points, blood alcohol limits and suspension lengths. Our G1 restrictions cheat sheet covers many of them.

Tips for passing

1. Study both parts on purpose. Many people focus on signs because they look easier, then lose points on rules questions with numbers in them. Balance your practice.
2. Use the handbook as your base. The questions come from the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. Practice questions, including ours, are a way to check what you know. They don't replace the handbook.
3. Read every option. Two answers are often almost right. Pick the one that matches the rule exactly.
4. Use the audio if it helps. If you read more slowly in English, you can ask for audio and repeat questions as many times as you need.
5. Don't rush. There's no time limit, so arrive early enough that the office closing time doesn't pressure you.
6. Take a full mock exam first. Practise with our mock exam. Keep track of your signs and rules results separately, and aim to score well above 80% in both several times before test day.

FAQ

Sources: DriveTest – Knowledge Tests, DriveTest – Drivers' Licences (Cars), Official MTO Driver's Handbook. Checked November 2026.