G1 Requirements: Who Can Apply and What to Bring

Who can take the G1 test?

Anyone who is at least 16 years old and lives in Ontario can apply for a G1 licence. To get it, you must pass a vision test and a knowledge test on the rules of the road and traffic signs.

The official requirements from ontario.ca and DriveTest:

• Age: at least 16 at the time of application. This comes from Ontario Regulation 340/94, the regulation that sets licence rules under the Highway Traffic Act.
• Residency: you must be a resident of Ontario, not a visitor.
• Vision: you must meet the Ministry of Transportation's vision standards.
• Knowledge: you must pass the G1 knowledge test.

As of May 11, 2026, Ontario also asks every Class G applicant to declare that Ontario is their primary place of residence and that their presence in Canada is legal.

What to bring to the G1 test

Bring original ID, a way to pay, and your glasses or contacts if you need them to drive. The Official MTO Driver's Handbook gives this checklist for the G1 knowledge test:

• Two pieces of identification
• Money for test fees: cash, debit or credit card
• Glasses or contact lenses, if you need them to drive

Also study the Official MTO Driver's Handbook before you go. The handbook lists that as step one on the same checklist.

For what you'll pay, see G1 test cost. For the payment methods DriveTest accepts, DriveTest lists cash, Visa or Mastercard, debit, certified cheques, bank drafts, money orders and traveller's cheques.

What ID is accepted?

Your ID must prove two things: your legal name and your full date of birth (day, month and year). Documents must be original and valid. DriveTest says copies, including certified copies, are not accepted unless its list says otherwise.

Some single documents prove both. DriveTest's list includes:

Canadian citizens

• Passport
• Canadian or U.S. birth certificate (Quebec birth certificates issued before January 1, 1994 are not accepted)
• Certified copy of an Ontario Statement of Live Birth
• Canadian Citizenship Card with photo issued before February 1, 2012
• Secure Certificate of Indian Status Card issued on or after December 15, 2009
• Ontario Photo Card

Permanent and temporary residents

• Passport
• Permanent Resident Card
• Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292) with a valid passport from your country of origin
• Study Permit, Work Permit, Visitor Record or Temporary Resident Permit (IMM 1442)
• Ontario Photo Card
• U.S. Passport Card

If no single document covers both your name and birth date, you can combine documents. If the names on your documents don't match, or don't match the name you want on your licence, bring supporting documents such as a marriage certificate, change of name certificate or court order to link them.

Check the full list on DriveTest's acceptable ID page before you go. The handbook also notes that a parent or guardian identifying you directly is not accepted.

Gender on your record: the Ministry requires DriveTest to record M or F to create your driving record. If your documents are gender-neutral, you self-declare M or F at the counter. You can later change the designation to X at a ServiceOntario centre with no supporting documents.

The vision test

The vision test happens at the DriveTest centre when you apply. It takes a few minutes, and any customer service agent can give it. ServiceOntario does not give vision tests for driver's licences.

You look into a screening device, read out letters or numbers that get smaller, and say when and on which side a flashing light appears. For a G1, DriveTest's standard is:

• Visual acuity no poorer than 20/50, both eyes open and examined together, with or without corrective lenses
• A 120-degree horizontal field of vision (peripheral vision) in total

If you need glasses or contacts to drive, bring them. Your licence will show an X condition meaning you must wear corrective lenses while driving.

If you don't meet the standard, DriveTest gives you a form for your vision specialist. Bring the completed form back to any DriveTest centre to continue.

What happens at the counter

Expect a few short steps in this order:

1. Show your ID and complete the application forms.
2. Answer health questions. The handbook says people with certain medical conditions can't be licensed for safety reasons, and you'll be told when you apply if that affects you.
3. Take the vision test.
4. Pay the fees.
5. Write the knowledge test. No appointment is needed.
6. Get your temporary licence. If you pass, you receive a paper temporary licence valid for 90 days. Your plastic photo card arrives by mail. If it doesn't arrive before the paper one expires, visit ServiceOntario for an extension.

Your licence photo must meet set standards: your face fully visible, a neutral expression, facing the camera, and hair not covering your eyes. Religious or medical headwear is allowed if it doesn't cover your face.

Before you go

• Check your ID against DriveTest's list the night before.
• Arrive at least an hour before the centre closes. See how to take the G1 test.
• Review the G1 test format so nothing surprises you.
• Warm up with practice questions. Practise with G1 Prep.

After your G1, the next step is the G2 road test. Roadity helps with that, offering practice routes with spoken turn-by-turn guidance at Ontario DriveTest centres.