Driver's License

Driving in Canada is extremely important, especially if you live out of the city and do not have access to good public transportation. Driving distances are a lot shorter than those used by public transit systems and therefore you can save a lot of time if you know how to drive. This is my first piece in a several part series on acquiring a driver's license in Canada. Please note that everyone will have a different experience and the rules for qualification are different for different provinces and territories in Canada.

Canada has a graduated system of licensing for motor vehicles of different categories and my pieces will only talk about the (G category) of licenses. There are two steps to a G class license - G1 & G2. Before you qualify for a license, you first need to pass a knowledge test. Based on the Ministry of Transportation Office (MTO) in your area, this test maybe a written or a computer test. The test has two parts, driving rules and driving signs. There are 40 questions, 20 in each section. I took the written exam and you need to get 16 questions right in each section. If you fail, you can take the test as many times as you want, after paying a $10 fee. I passed on first attempt. Yipee!

Passing the Test - After you pass the written test, they give you a temporary Driver's License which is a paper license which allows you to drive. The card follows in the mail.

G1 License - The G1 license is your first step and requires you to drive with a licensed G class driver with at least four years of driving experience at all times. You are allowed to drive on only certain roads and at only during certain times of the day. The G1 does not allow you to get on to the Queen Elizabeth Way, 400 series highways, Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner Expressway, E C Row Expressway or the Conestoga Parkway unless accompanied by a driving instructor licensed in Ontario. You also cannot drive between midnight and 5 AM with a G1 and can only drive a G Class vehicle. Most Important - You cannot drive with any alcohol in your blood stream.

G2 License - After driving for 12 months with a G1 license you qualify to give the G1 Road test for the G2. With the G2 you can drive independently on all highways and expressways and at any time of the day. You must also limit the number of passengers to the number of working seat belts in your vehicle. There are slightly different rules for teenagers acquiring a G2 and these can be read online. Even with a G2 license your blood alcohol level must be zero.

Important: If you use a government approved motor school to learn to drive, you can cut your wait time for the G1 road test for the G2 to about 8 - 10 months depending on your ability and skill.

Tips - If you have a driver's license in your country of residence and it is valid and have had it for more than two years then get it along when you come to Canada. Do not bother with an international driver's license as that allows you to drive in Ontario for only two months. The license from your home country will give you one year's worth of experience in Canada and will let you take the G1 road test for the G2 immediately without having to wait for the 12 months.

Once you pass the G1 road test, you get a G2 license that allows you to drive independently and that is very important here if you don't have anyone you know in the country. After you get the G2 you have to wait for 12 months before you can give the G2 road test for the G. During this period you need to prove your highway driving experience.

You can also take the G2 road test for the G immediately after you pass the knowledge test if the Minsitry/Department of Transportation in your home country can give a letter of authority to the MTO to prove your driving experience.

Summary - So in summary, it takes 24 months to graduate to a fully licensed driver in Ontario. If you use a government approved motor school you cut this down to 20 - 22 months. Also, if you have driving experience in another country, you can jump directly to a G2 and get your G class license in 12 months or if your local Ministry can give a letter of authority to the MTO, you may get your G license almost immediately.



All these steps require you to pass a road test, so in my view, get the G2 and the road experience before qualifying for your G license directly.