Graduated Licensing
As of April 1, 1994, all new drivers applying for their first car or motorcycle licence enter Ontario's Graduated Licensing System (GLS). Graduated licensing lets new drivers get driving experience and skills gradually. The two-step licensing process takes at least 20 months to complete.
To apply for a licence, you must be at least 16 years old and pass a vision test and a test of your knowledge of the rules of the road and traffic signs. After you pass these tests, you will get a Class G1 or M1 licence and a driver information package for new drivers. You must pass two road tests to become fully licensed.
New drivers earn full driving privileges in two stages and have five years to complete the program (Classes G1, G2, M2 or M2 with condition "L") and graduate to a full licence (Classes G, M or M with condition L).
- Graduated Licensing for Automobile Drivers
- Graduated Licensing for Motorcycle Riders
- Zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) for Novice and Young Drivers 21 and Under
- Escalating Sanctions for all Novice Drivers (G1, G2, M1, M2)
Getting Your Ontario Driver’s Licence – Get Started
Graduated Licensing for Automobile Drivers
Class G1
New drivers of passenger vehicles learn to drive with six important conditions with a G1 licence. A new driver must hold a G1 licence for a minimum of 12 months before attempting the G1 road test. This time can be reduced to eight months if you successfully complete a Ministry-approved Beginner Driver Education Course . Drivers earn more privileges after passing their G1 road test.
As a G1 driver, you are required to:
- maintain a zero blood alcohol level while driving;
- be accompanied by a fully licensed driver, who has at least four years driving experience, and a blood alcohol level of less than .05 (accompanying drivers 21 and under must have zero per cent), in case he/she needs to take over the wheel;
- ensure the accompanying driver is the only other person in the front seat;
- ensure the number of passengers in the vehicle is limited to the number of working seat belts;
- refrain from driving on Ontario's "400-series" highways or on high speed expressways such as the Queen Elizabeth Way, Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner Expressway, E.C. Row Expressway and the Conestoga Parkway;
- refrain from driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
Note: If your accompanying driver is a driving instructor licensed in Ontario, you may drive on any road.
See also: Ministry-Approved Beginner Driver Education Courses
Getting Your Ontario Driver’s Licence – Life in G1
Class G2
New drivers must hold a G2 licence for a minimum of 12 months before they can attempt the G2 road test. At this level, you have more privileges because of your driving experience. You may drive without an accompanying driver on all Ontario roads anytime. However, you are still required to:
- maintain a zero blood alcohol level while driving;
- ensure the number of passengers in the vehicle is limited to the number of working seat belts.
- For the first six months, G2 driver aged 19 and under cannot carry more than one passenger aged 19 and under between midnight and 5 a.m.
- After the first six months, G2 driver aged 19 and under cannot carry more than three passengers aged 19 and under between midnight and 5 a.m. * These passenger restrictions do not apply if the G2 driver is accompanied by a full "G" licensed driver (with at least four years driving experience) in the front seat, or if the passengers are immediate family members.
Our Graduated Licensing System has been a resounding success in reducing death and injury among novice drivers. Ontario research shows that new teenage drivers are almost three times more likely to be involved in a fatal or serious collision when they are carrying teenage passengers. In fact, research shows the more teenage passengers, the higher the risk.
Thirty-one jurisdictions in Canada and the U.S. have some form of teenage passenger restrictions in effect.
Getting Your Ontario Driver’s Licence – Get Your G2
Getting Your Ontario Driver’s Licence – The G2 Road Test and Getting Your Full Licence.
Graduated Licensing for Motorcycle Riders
If you're a new driver applying for your first licence to ride a motorcycle, you'll need to enter Ontario's graduated licensing system. That means you'll earn full driving privileges in two stages.
Class M1
After you pass a motorcycle knowledge test, you will get a Class M1 licence and an information package for new riders.
New motorcycle riders with an M1 licence learn to ride under these four conditions:
- your blood alcohol level must be zero;
- you must ride only during daylight hours (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset);
- you must not ride on highways with speed limits of more than 80 km/h except highways 11, 17, 61, 69, 71, 101, 102, 144, 655;
- you cannot carry passengers.
Motorcycle riders with an M1 licence who successfully complete an approved motorcycle safety course that includes a road test with an M1 licence are exempt from taking the ministry's M1 road test and can move to an M2 licence after 60 days. If you complete an approved safety course in either level, you can reduce the time that you must hold an M2 licence from 22 to 18 months. While the motorcycle safety course certificate is valid for two years from its issue date, it may only be used for the M1 road test exemption within six months of its issue date.
See also: Motorcycle Safety Course Providers
With a Class M1 licence, an operator can drive a moped, limited-speed motorcycle and a motorcycle.
Class M2
You must pass an M1 road test or complete an approved motorcycle safety course before receiving a Class M2 licence. You must have a Class M2 licence for a minimum of 22 months. If you complete an approved motorcycle safety course, you may reduce this time requirement by four months. With an M2 licence, you gain more privileges - you may ride at night and on any road. However, at this level:
- your blood alcohol level must be zero;
- you will be eligible to take a Class M road test after you have completed the time required with an M2 licence;
- you must pass this test to get a Class M licence.
Note: Class M2 and Class M licence holders may also drive Class G vehicles under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 licence holder.
With a Class M2 licence, the operator can drive a moped, limited-speed motorcycle and a motorcycle.
Graduated Licensing applies to drivers of limited-speed motorcycles and mopeds
A restricted class M licence can be obtained by drivers who operate a limited-speed motorcycle or moped. A limited-speed motorcycle is a motorcycle that has a maximum speed of 70 km/h. Applicants for the restricted class M licence are required to take both M1 and M2 road tests.
Like standard motorcycle drivers, new drivers applying for their limited-speed motorcycle or moped licence will enter Ontario's graduated licensing system. You must be at least 16 years of age and pass a vision test and a test of your knowledge of the rules of the road and traffic signs. After you pass these tests, you will enter Level One and get an M1 licence. You must pass two road tests to become fully licensed on a limited-speed motorcycle or moped. Passing the first road test lets you move to Level Two (class M2 with L condition). Passing the second road test gives you restricted class M driving privileges. With this licence, you can drive mopeds and limited-speed motorcycles only; you will not be able to operate a full-powered motorcycle.
The ministry has approved motor scooter training courses. These courses are offered by motorcycle safety associations/colleges and these courses include road testing. Motorcycle safety associations/colleges may also offer motor scooter training courses without road testing. You may contact them directly to see what courses are offered.
We would encourage you to check this website for information on motor scooter training courses.
Zero Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) for Novice and Young Drivers 21 and Under.
Effective August 1, 2010, both novice drivers of any age and all drivers 21 and under, regardless of licence class, must have a blood alcohol level of zero when operating a motor vehicle.
If you are a novice driver and are caught with any amount of alcohol in your blood, you will receive an immediate 24-hour roadside driver licence suspension. If convicted, will be subject to a fine from $60-$500 and will receive a suspension period as per the Novice Driver Escalating Sanction scheme, up to and including cancellation of the novice licence. You will also have to return to the start of GLS.
If you are a fully licensed driver who is 21 and under and you are caught with alcohol in your blood, you will receive a 24-hour roadside driver licence suspension. If convicted, you will be subject to a fine of $60-$500 and a 30-day licence suspension.
Ontario's Zero BAC for Drivers 21 and Under
Escalating Sanctions for all Novice Drivers (G1, G2, M1, M2)
Effective August 1, 2010, novice or hybrid drivers (drivers that hold a novice licence and full licence, e.g., G/M2) will be subject to Novice Driver Escalating Sanctions. These sanctions will apply if, within a five year period, you:
- are convicted of violating any of the graduated licensing conditions;
- are convicted of HTA offences that result in 4 or more demerit points; or,
- receive a court-ordered suspension for an HTA offence that would have resulted in 4 or more demerit points
Novice Drivers
The Novice Driver Escalating Sanctions are as follows:
- 30-day licence suspension for the first occurrence;
- 90-day licence suspension for the second occurrence; and
- Novice licence cancellation for the third occurrence. Upon a third occurrence, your novice driver’s licence will be cancelled and any time discount earned, time credited or fees paid would be forfeited. You must re-apply to the graduated licensing program by passing a vision and knowledge test and paying all licensing fees. After you pass these tests, you will enter Level One and get a Class G1 licence. You must serve all the Level One and Level Two waiting periods and start as a new driver. You would need to take a beginner driver education course to qualify for a time discount.
Hybrid Drivers
Drivers that hold a novice licence and full licence, e.g., G/M2.
The penalties for Escalating Sanctions are as follows:
- 30-day licence suspension for the first occurrence; both full and novice driver’s licence will be suspended.
- 90-day licence suspension for the second occurrence; both full and novice driver’s licence will be suspended.
- Novice Licence cancellation for the third occurrence. Upon a third occurrence, your novice driver’s licence will be cancelled. You must re-apply to the graduated licensing program by passing a vision and knowledge test and paying all licensing fees. After you pass these tests, you will enter Level One and get a Class G1 licence. You must serve all the Level One and Level Two waiting periods and start as a new driver. You will not receive any driving experience credit from your previous novice class. Your full driver’s licence class will not be cancelled and a new licence card will be issued with your full class.
Note: If you receive a conviction for an escalating sanction offence but now hold a full class G driver’s licence, you will be required to serve the following:
- 30-day licence suspension for the first occurrence;
- 90-day licence suspension for the second occurrence; and
- 90-day licence suspension for the third occurrence.
Forfeited Fees:
If you prepaid any examination fees and are convicted for a third occurrence under Escalating Sanctions, all your pre-paid fees will be lost. You will be required to pay all fees once you re-enter the GLS.
See also: Licensing for Operators of Motor Scooters and Mopeds
See also:
- Licence Types
- Demerit Point System
- Road Test Booking Online
- The Official Driver's Handbook
- The Official Air Brake Handbook
- The Official Motorcycle Handbook
Related Links
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Last modified: March 15, 2012