How do I pass my G2 road test on the first try?

You’ve spent months getting comfortable behind the wheel and now that it’s getting closer, your upcoming road test is starting to feel real. If you can feel the panic starting to set in, take a deep breath; you’re in the right place.

Below, we’ll walk you through what you need to know to book your G2 road test, what they’re looking for during it, the common mistakes that cause most people to fail and how to reschedule if that happens to you. Have questions about Ontario’s Class G licence process or car insurance? Talk to a BrokerLink advisor.

The Class G licensing path at a glance

Getting your full Ontario licence happens in three steps over a period of 20 months to five years. Here’s a quick look at how the process unfolds:

Class G1 licence

You start with your G1, which lets you drive with an experienced and licenced driver while you learn basic driving skills, like steering, spacing, traffic flow and how to read the road without feeling rushed. This stage comes with several G1 licence restrictions to help keep you and others safe while you learn. After 12 months, or eight with an approved driving course, you can book your G2 road test, the first of two road tests that you must pass to become a fully licenced driver.

Class G2 licence

The G2 driving test (level one exit test) looks at how well you can manage everyday city driving on your own. Once you pass, you can drive solo for the next 12 months while you practise in different traffic and weather conditions. Some restrictions still apply, but far fewer than with a G1. We’ll explore these later on.

Class G licence

The final road test looks at how safely you can handle high-speed routes, complex traffic and longer reaction windows. Pass it and you earn your full Class G driver’s licence.

What your examiner is watching for on the G2 road test

We’ve put together the following list of what examiners will be watching for on your G2 road test in Ontario, including the feel of your driving, like how smoothly you start, stop and shift if you’re in a manual and perform left and right turns. While the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) doesn’t share its full scoring sheet, these points still reflect how DriveTest approaches the exam and what examiners tend to look for:

• You’re checking your mirrors frequently so you always know what’s around you

• You’re signalling early and checking mirrors/blind spots before turning or changing lanes

• You can stay centred in your lane

• You can keep a consistent speed within the speed limit

• You’re making full stops where required and watching for people crossing or approaching traffic

• You’re able to read the road to prevent any late reactions

• You’re leaving plenty of space ahead of you

It might help to remember that the G2 test isn’t about driving perfectly. It’s really a chance to show how you handle yourself in everyday traffic. Every small action you take behind the wheel will help them decide if you’re ready to take the car out on your own.

Please note that highway driving is not part of the G2 road test since drivers with a G1 licence are not allowed on highways or expressways. You will be tested for this as part of your final road test.

How to book your G2 road test

When you’re ready to book your G2 road test, DriveTest gives you a few ways to do it. You can:

• Book and pay online

• Call 1-888-570-6110 (or 647-776-0331 in the GTA)

• Visit your nearest DriveTest centre in person

The easiest way is often online through DriveTest’s “Book a Road Test” system. Once you’ve gathered your G1 driver’s licence and a credit card, booking usually takes about five minutes. The Class G licence examination and road test fees as of December 2025:

If you prepay for an examination test you don’t end up taking, you can ask for a refund of that unused fee. Just make sure you submit the request within six years of the original payment.

When’s the best time to book a road test?

While there’s no specific time that’s better, some seasons do tend to fill up faster, like late spring and summer, because people often prefer to learn and test in better weather. This means that you might find it easier to book in winter simply because fewer people want to risk having to test in the snow.

If you’re flexible about when and where you book, you may find a better timeslot by checking the booking system regularly for cancellations. Please note that DriveTest may delay or cancel tests during heavy snow or ice, but light rain or normal winter conditions usually won’t stop the exam.

How to reschedule or cancel a road test

You can reschedule or cancel your G2 road test online using your Ontario driver’s licence number and expiry date. Just make sure to do it at least 48 hours before your appointment, so that you don’t lose your prepaid fee. If you’re unable to book, reschedule or cancel your road test online, or if you need accommodations, you can always go to a DriveTest Centre directly or call their booking line for assistance.

What to practise in the weeks leading up to your G2 test

You’ll likely feel more confident heading into the test when you spend the weeks leading up to it practicing your driving skills. Try to work on these skills in a mix of conditions, including busy and quiet roads, different weather conditions and both in daylight and at dusk. Here's what you should know:

4 weeks before

Try to spend this week driving along quiet streets to help you get comfortable behind the wheel. Pay attention to how the car responds when you turn, brake, or pick up speed and get used to braking smoothly and checking all three of your mirrors often.

3 weeks before

This week, you’ll want to move into busier areas where you’ll face more quick decisions. Try routes with different types of intersections and traffic patterns, practice pacing your speed with the flow and work on learning to read the road.

2 weeks before

This week is for working on skills that are the more “technical” parts of the test. Practice parallel parking, three-point turns, reversing in a straight line and easing into parking spaces. You’ll want to make sure you’re familiar with all the steps, such as when to use your turn signals or turn the steering wheel.

1 week before

Use this week to visit the area around your test centre and run two or three practice routes. Since the G2 road test takes approximately 20 minutes, try to keep each one around the same and treat it like the real thing. You’ll want to:

• Keep the car quiet (e.g., no radio, no coaching chatter)

• Use simple prompts, such as “turn left at the next street”

• Use a mix of neighbourhood driving, parking and main-road turns

After each run, make sure to take note of what felt smooth and what you’d like to practise more.

Pro tip: Driving past the test centre the day before at the same time as your appointment can give you a sense of traffic patterns, so you’re more prepared for your test.

What to prep the day before your G2 test

The day before your G2 is a good time to do some prep so that you can avoid a stressful morning the day of. Try to get enough sleep and choose clothes and shoes that feel comfortable and easy to move in. If you wear glasses or contacts, make sure they’re clean and ready.

If you’ll be using your own car for the test (instead of a driving instructor’s vehicle), give it a quick once-over using DriveTest’s list of vehicle requirements to make sure that everything is working, because it will need to pass a safety check before your test. It’s also a good idea to lay out anything you’ll need for the test by the door or put it in your bag so you’re not searching for it in the morning. We’ll go over the full list in the next section.

Your G2 road test-day essentials

Before the driving part begins, there are a couple of things you’ll need to show and a quick check that your car has to pass. Here’s what to bring with you and what will happen before you start your test:

What to bring with you

For the G2 road test, you’ll need to bring your:

• Ontario G1 driver’s licence

• Road test confirmation

• Glasses or contact lenses (if you need to wear them to drive)

• Payment method (if you still need to pay a fee or are hoping for a standby road test appointment)

The basic vehicle check

Before your test begins, the examiner will take a walk around your car to do a quick check to make sure the car is safe to drive. They’ll be checking for damage, safety hazards or anything that could affect the test. If they determine that the vehicle does not meet the MTO standards, they will declare the road test to be “out-of-order", the exam won’t begin and you’ll lose half of the road test fee.

What your G2 test will look like from start to finish

Before you start, it may help to picture how the test could actually play out on the road. Because we feel that knowing the general flow often makes the experience feel more manageable, we’ve put together the following walkthrough so you’ll have a better idea of what to expect. Here's what to expect:

Checking in and pre-drive briefing

You need to arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment to ensure you have time to check in and move your car to the road-test lane when instructed. Remember to turn off your cell phone. Note, any passengers, including parents, must wait inside the centre.

Once you’re with the examiner, they’ll explain how they’ll give directions and remind you that they can repeat an instruction but won’t coach you through the test. Settle into the car, set up your mirrors and seat and let yourself breathe for a moment.

On the road

Depending on the DriveTest Centre’s location, the test will begin on either a quiet street or a busier road. Early on, the examiner will watch for smooth steering, gentle turns, steady speed, full stops, frequent mirror checks and following all traffic laws. As heavier traffic builds, they’ll be looking for things like safe merging, a comfortable following distance and your ability to read the road rather than react late. Note, you will not be asked to drive on any 400-series highways or expressways during your test.

Pro tip: When checking all three mirrors, make sure to physically move your head in each direction so that the examiner can see you checking them, as they won’t always notice just your eyes moving.

Intersections, turns and lane changes

You’ll likely have to handle a mix of controlled (and possibly uncontrolled) intersections. Your examiner will be watching for your knowledge of the right-of-way rules, like:

• Making a complete stop where required

• Yielding when required

• Checking both ways

• Waiting for a safe gap before continuing

When turning, they’ll be watching for you to signal early, move into the far left or far right lane as soon as the way is clear, be aware of people crossing and turn only when the roadway is clear. If you’re turning left, keep your wheels straight while waiting. As for lane changes, they’ll be watching for mirror and blind spot checks, signals and that you move over only when the space is clear.

Technical manoeuvres

These are often done along residential streets, though this may depend on the areas around the test centre. Let's have a closer look:

Special situations you might see

Some routes may include moments where you need to show calm, clear judgment in less routine situations, such as:

Returning and debriefing

The examiner will let you know how you did once you’re back at the test centre. If you pass, they’ll explain your next steps. If you need another try, they’ll point out what to practise for next time.

What happens if you don’t pass the G2 road test?

The truth is, many drivers fail their G2 on the first try. If you don’t pass, as long as your G1 licence is still valid, you can just retake your test, but you’ll have to wait at least 10 days before rebooking it. Try to use this time to practice driving as much as you can. If you fail your G2 road test a second time, don’t worry; you can keep retaking it until you pass, but you will have to pay the $53.75 fee each time.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Here are some of the most common mistakes that examiners often see and how you can avoid them to prevent losing points or failing your test:

Now let's look at what happens if you make multiple of these mistakes:

How many mistakes can you make?

It really comes down to the type of mistakes. One major mistake could lead to an automatic fail (e.g., running a red light, speeding, failing to yield to pedestrians), but a few minor slips usually won’t prevent you from passing.

Rules and restrictions after getting your G2 licence

Once you earn your G2, you’re free to drive on any Ontario road, but you must still maintain a zero blood-alcohol level, including cannabis or anything else that could impair you and only carry as many passengers as you have working seatbelts. If you’re 19 or under, some passenger limits will apply from midnight to 5 a.m:

• One passenger aged 19 or under for the first six months

• Up to three passengers aged 19 or under after six months

These limits don’t apply if you’re with a fully licenced driver in the front seat or driving an immediate family member(s).

How does car insurance work for G2 drivers?

As a G2 driver, you can either be added to a parent or guardian’s policy or have a G2 policy of your own. Staying on a household policy is usually more affordable, but it also means following that household’s rules about who can drive which vehicle.

A separate policy can offer more independence, though often at a higher cost. But as a G2 driver, you may qualify for discounts to help reduce that, particularly if you completed a driver’s education course and/or defensive driving course, agree to use a telematics device or winter tires or choose a higher deductible.

In Ontario, a car insurance policy must have:

• Third-party liability coverage

• Accident benefits coverage

• Uninsured automobile coverage

Though many G2 drivers often choose to increase their minimum $200,000 liability limit or add optional coverage, like:

• Collision coverage

• Comprehensive coverage

• Accident forgiveness

Because every situation is different, a BrokerLink advisor can discuss the most cost-effective setup for yours.

Learn more with BrokerLink

If you still have questions about the G2 road test, BrokerLink is here to not only help you navigate this challenging test but also to ensure you have the right coverage as soon as you pass, so you can hit the road on your own.

Get in touch with BrokerLink by phone, email or in person at any one of our locations throughout Ontario to get started and request your free quote now. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

Get an auto insurance quote