All about Ontario's G1 licence restrictions

If you ask an Ontario driver about when they got their licence, most can still remember the moment they walked out of the DriveTest centre with a fresh G1 licence in hand because it felt like the beginning of real independence. But with that newfound independence from a G1 licence also comes rules that may surprise new drivers if they’re not fully prepared and they need to understand G1 license restrictions.

The G1 stage is part of Ontario’s Graduated Licensing System, which was created to give new drivers the space they need to learn before facing the full pace of Ontario roads. The idea of the G1 stage is to set the training wheels, so to speak, while still letting you build real road experience.

That’s why it’s important to understand the restrictions that are placed on a G1 licence. These rules are in place to help reduce risk for you, your passengers, and the other drivers around you, which is why breaking them can lead to fines, delayed testing, loss of your beginner’s licence, and other additional costs. Below, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about your G1 stage, including the specific restrictions, what they mean for your insurance, and how to move to the next step.

What exactly is a G1 licence?

A G1 licence is the first step in the province’s Graduated Licensing System program, which was designed to ease new drivers into real-world traffic at a comfortable pace. It’s like having a learner’s permit that lets you sit in the driver’s seat so that you can build both your driving skills and your confidence on the road in a safe way. Here's what you should know:

What are the requirements for a G1 licence?

To get a G1, you need to:

• Be at least 16 years old

• Pass a vision test

• Pass the written knowledge test

This stage costs $159.75 in 2026, which includes your knowledge test fee, a G2 road test fee, and your five-year licence fee. If you happen to fail your knowledge test, you can pay an additional $16 to retake it. Once you pass your written test, your G1 will give you access to the road, but only when you have an experienced driver with a full Ontario driver’s licence in the passenger seat beside you.

How long do you keep your G1 licence for?

The MTO requires new drivers to keep their G1 for a full year because it wants to make sure you’re able to build enough real-world experience before moving on to more independent driving. When a new driver has to wait 12 months, it allows them to build road experience while driving in all four seasons in Ontario, with a licenced driver beside them who can teach them how to handle the changing weather conditions.

However, that length of time can be shortened to eight months if a new driver completes a driving course from a ministry-approved school. This is because these programs give you structured lessons and guided practice by a certified instructor, both in the classroom and on the road. After 12 (or eight) months, if you feel ready, you can go ahead and book your G1 road test, where you’ll be upgraded to a G2 licence once you’ve passed, giving you more freedom behind the wheel.

Ontario’s G1 licence restrictions in 2026

Once you receive your G1, the province sets a few boundaries in place to help you learn to drive safely without taking on more than you’re ready for. Here’s how they work in 2026:

You cannot have alcohol or cannabis in your system

A G1 driver cannot have any amount of alcohol, cannabis, or non-prescription drugs in their system when sitting in the driver’s seat because they affect one’s ability to react or pay attention. At this stage, the province wants you to drive with a clear head so you can build good habits from day one. Your blood alcohol level should be 0.

You can only drive with a fully licenced driver beside you

You cannot drive a vehicle unless a fully licensed driver is beside you. This person must have their full G licence and at least four years of driving experience, and they must sit in the front passenger seat. Also, your supervising driver must be the only person sitting up front with you.

Further, their blood alcohol level must stay below 0.05, unless they’re 21 or younger, where they should have a zero blood alcohol level. This is to keep your supervisor alert and able to guide you through situations or conditions that feel unfamiliar. So until you have your full G licence, you won’t drive on your own.

Everyone must wear a seatbelt

Every person in the vehicle must wear a properly working seat belt, and each seat belt can only be used by one person. Also, you can carry only as many passengers as there are working seatbelts. This is to make sure that everyone in the vehicle is safe and properly secured in the event of a collision.

You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m.

The hours between midnight and early morning bring darker roads, quieter streets and tired drivers. These conditions can be particularly challenging for someone who’s still learning. Until you’re further along in the licensing process, you’re not allowed to drive during this time window.

You cannot drive on 400-series highways or high-speed expressways

Ontario’s fastest roads require advanced driving skills, including faster reactions, quicker lane changes, and stronger awareness, which are all things that a new driver still needs to develop skills for. The only time you can take your G1 licence on highways or expressways with limits above 80 kilometres per hour is if your accompanying driver is a driver instructor who’s certified in Ontario.

Can a G1 driver drive alone in Ontario?

Not yet. A G1 driver must always have a qualified accompanying driver beside them because this stage is about learning to drive on the road, which means that support has to be on the road with you in the passenger seat.

What are the consequences if you ignore the G1 driving restrictions?

Because the G1 stage is built around supervised learning, Ontario treats violations at this level very seriously, which means that when a G1 driver breaks the rules, the consequences don’t just end once the ticket is written. In fact, they can influence how much your insurance will cost, how your driving record is viewed in the years ahead, and even how quickly you move to the next licensing stage. Even a single violation can delay your eligibility for taking the G2 test if your licence is suspended. G1 drivers follow the same demerit point system as everyone else, but the thresholds for demerit points are tighter:

• Two to five points will result in a warning from the MTO

• Six to eight will result in a second warning

• Nine or more will lead to a 60-day suspension of your licence

You’ll also face fines, licence suspensions, and other fees in addition to Ontario demerit points. Here are some examples:

Novice drivers are also subject to Ontario’s escalating penalties program, which could result in you losing your licence altogether and having to start over. Keep all that in mind as its important for your demerit point system passing.

What is the graduated licensing process in Ontario?

Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) notes that people who are just learning to drive, no matter their age, are far more likely to be involved in serious or fatal collisions than those with years of experience behind them. That reality is what pushed Ontario to introduce the Graduated Licensing System in 1994 to give new drivers more time to learn how to be a safe and responsible driver. Here’s the Ontario graduated licensing explained:

G1 licence

This is your entry point. To get your G1, you need to be at least sixteen and pass both a vision check and a written knowledge test that shows you understand the rules of the road and traffic signs. Once you have your G1, you get to start driving with supervision and learn the basics at your own speed.

Most people keep their G1 for 12 months, though that period can drop to eight months if you attend and complete a government-approved driving school. This is a popular option for many new drivers and families because it gives newly licenced drivers structured lessons and more confidence for the next stage.

G2 licence

To move forward in the graduated licensing system and get a G2 driver’s licence, you’ll need to pass a G2 road test (G1 exist test) to prove that you have acquired basic driving skills and are ready to take on more responsibility as a driver. With a G2 licence, you get to drive on your own and travel on highways, but there are still some rules to follow, including:

• Maintaining a zero blood alcohol level

• Making sure everyone in the car wears a seat belt

There are also additional restrictions for G2 drivers who are 19 or under. For the first six months, they can only drive at night with one passenger who is 19 or under in their car between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. After six months, they’re allowed up to three passengers who are 19 or under. You’ll need to have this licence for 12 months before being able to advance to the final Ontario driver’s licence tier.

Full G licence

The final step in Ontario’s graduated licensing system is receiving a full G driver’s licence by passing a G road test, where you demonstrate your driving experience. When you pass, you’ll join the group of fully licensed Ontario drivers with no licence restrictions. You don’t need to pass another knowledge test, only a road test.

How long does the graduated licensing process take?

The MTO notes that the average time from G1 to G is around 20 months for most people, although the pace will depend on a person’s training, practice, and comfort level. That’s why Ontario gives new drivers up to five years to complete the licensing steps.

If a driver reaches the five-year mark and still has a G1, they must take the written test again to get a new G1 licence (this written test includes questions about traffic signs, driving restrictions and demerit points). But for those who are already at the G2 level when the five years are almost up, they can take the G1 road test again, earn a fresh G2 licence by passing, and receive another five-year window to finish the final step.

Do I need auto insurance with my G1 Ontario licence?

Yes, G1 drivers, like all drivers, require car insurance to drive in Ontario. One key difference for G1 drivers is that they can’t carry their own insurance coverage. As such, they need to be covered by another driver’s coverage who holds a full and valid driver’s licence themselves.

Most people with a G1 licence (especially younger drivers) use a car owned and insured by a parent or guardian. As long as the vehicle is already covered, and the policyholder gives permission, the G1 driver can be covered under that existing insurance policy because G1 rules require a fully licensed driver to be present in the passenger seat. The primary driver would still be the G1 person. Here is some more important information on auto insurance you should know:

Why the insurer needs to know

Even though a G1 driver might not need a separate policy, it’s essential for the owner of the policy to notify their insurance company that a G1-licensed household member might be driving their insured car. It helps the insurer understand who might be driving the vehicle and avoids questions later on if something happens. It also ensures that any claims involving a G1 driver are handled smoothly.

What if I’m getting my G1 licence later in life?

For G1 drivers who are older or returning to driving, car insurance gets more complicated. Insurers typically don’t offer a standalone policy to someone with only a G1 licence since the G1 restrictions limit when and how the vehicle can be driven. Plus, you cannot register a car without proof of insurance in Ontario. Because of this, most people in the G1 stage do their learning in a family member’s car or a vehicle shared with someone they trust.

If you plan to practise in someone else’s car, it helps to be listed on their insurance as an occasional driver. This keeps everything legal while you learn and lets you start building a safe driving history that’ll help you when you’re finally allowed to buy your own car insurance as a G2 driver. Learn more about how insurance works for a G1 driver by connecting with an Ontario Brokerlink insurance broker today.

Does completing a driver training program help lower insurance?

Completing an approved driving course not only shortens the wait for the G2 test, but also helps many insurers look more favourably on new drivers, which can help make insurance more affordable once the learner moves into independent driving. These driver training centres can help with practical driving tips, as well as other road user rules. New drivers who’ve taken formal driver training can often save up to 15% on their policy with a driver’s education discount, depending on the insurer. Speak with a BrokerLink advisor today to learn more ways to save on Ontario car insurance.

Do traffic violations or collisions affect my future car insurance premiums?

Yes. If a G1 driver gets into an accident or receives a ticket while driving, those events can affect a new Ontario driver’s insurance rates when they upgrade to a G2 or full G. This is because tickets, collisions, and licence suspensions earned during the G1 stage don’t just disappear once you upgrade to a G2 licence.

When you apply for your own insurance, insurers will see these on your driving record, and they may be hesitant to insure you or offer you a much higher rate, as drivers who have violations or collisions during their learning years are statistically more likely to continue having issues later on.

A large study of more than twenty thousand novice drivers found that those with several offences were far more likely to be involved in crashes later, including serious or even fatal collisions. Their chances of being in a single-vehicle crash were more than three times higher than those of drivers with clean records. As such, having traffic convictions or at-fault collisions on your record during the G1 and G2 stages signals a higher risk for insurers going forward.

Do foreign or out-of-province drivers need to start with a G1 licence?

Not necessarily. Ontario has agreements with several places around the world, and those agreements let drivers exchange their existing driver’s licence for an Ontario one without repeating every test. The MTO’s exchange program includes countries such as:

• United States

• United Kingdom

• Australia

• France

• South Korea

• Japan

• Switzerland

• and more

If your licence comes from one of these regions, you may be able to move straight into a G licence or enter the system at the G2 level. However, if your home country is not part of an exchange agreement, you may still be able to receive credit for your previous driving experience. As long as you can show proof of licensed driving, the MTO may shorten your waiting period or let you move ahead in the process sooner. You may still need to complete some road tests, but you will not be starting from scratch.

Learn more with BrokerLink

BrokerLink is one of Canada’s leading insurance brokerages, with offices across the country and a long history of helping new drivers find affordable coverage that fits their budget and experience level. Whether you have questions about adding a G1 driver to a household policy, preparing for your first car insurance policy or finding ways to keep costs manageable as you move through the licensing stages, our team is here to support you on this journey.

You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Ontario. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. Don’t forget to take advantage of our free online quote tool to get competitive car insurance quotes right from your device!

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