So recently, I got my G1 licence from Driver’s Ontario. In case you don’t know,
you need to be 16 years old in order to be legible for a driver’s licence. My birthday was on January 19, but I just recently got my driver’s licence. I’m not sure why, but I held off the test for a long time, which was a bad decision. If I took the drivers test right after my birthday, and then took the driving lessons that I am now, I would have had my G2 licence by September, where I would have been able to drive alone, and to school on the first day too. Well, can’t do anything about it now. Everyone makes mistakes.
Before listing the steps to getting your licence in Ontario, i’m going to tell you the classifications and restrictions of Ontario licences. G1 is the licence you get after taking the written test. The restrictions for this licence include driving with a “zero” blood alcohol level, driving with a person who has a full licence and at least 4 years of driving experience, the fully licensed person should be in the passenger seat, and should be the only person in the car while you are driving. This person must not have a blood alcohol level of over 0.05%, unless they are under 21, as their blood alcohol level should be 0.0% as well. Yo must insure that you and your passenger are wearing functional seat belts, that you are not permitted to drive on the 400 series highways, and that you cannot drive between the hours of 12:00am, and 5:00am, as sleep deprivation is a problem.
The restrictions for a G2 licence are maintain a “zero” blood alcohol level while driving and ensuring 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. Although it is not stated on Ministry of Transport Ontario website, it is critical to ensure that the accompanying G licensed driver must also have a blood alcohol limit of less than 0.05%. Finally, the G licence does not require any restrictions, as you are now a fully licensed driver.
So, in order to get your G1 licence, you need to find the location of your nearest 
“Drive Test Ontario Center”, which is where you are going to be taking your G1 written test. When you get to the teller in the center, they are going to ask you for documentation, therefore, you should bring your passport, or birth certificate. As you have the information about the drive center, make sure that you have the timings for the location, as you need to get there at least 30 minuted before is happens. When I went to the drive center, my Dad and I got there 30 minuted earlier. Seeing no one there, we went to Tim Horton’s to get some hot chocolate and breakfast. Once we got back, the line grew by about 100 people, and I was really surprised. So make sure your there early!
Once the center opens, they will invite you and the people in line inside. Once inside, they will ask why you at the drive center. Some people may say they are renewing their documents, and some will also say that they are taking their G2 drivers test. When you get to the person printing out the tickets, you need to say that you are here to take your G1 written test. After receiving you ticket, they will tell you to be seated. Unless you are at or near the front of the line, you can sit down and relax, as they go through the numbers on the screen above the tellers. Once the code on the screen matches the one on you ticket, you will have to look for your code above the teller, where they will ask you for your documents, and require you to fill out some forms with your name, date, signature, and other small information.
As they process everything, you will need to take a sight test, which requires you to look into a slideshow, showing you different sized codes. While you look inside the “binoculars”, they will ask you what you see, and keep changing the slides and asking what you see. Then the second and last part of the sight test sill required you to look into the “binoculars”, but there will be lights flashing on your right eye and left eye. As it is happening, the person at the desk will ask you what side the light is flashing on. Before finishing up, you will have to pay the fee for your G1 test and other stuff, which will cost you $148.50. In case you don’t pass our test the first time, you will have to pay $15.00 every time you come back. After finishing up with the teller, they will give you a yellow piece of paper, and tell you to go to the back, where you will be taking the test.
As you approach the person behind the desk at the back, they will ask you a 
couple questions, and then tell you you the number of the station where you will be writing the test. So when they say that it is a written test, they really mean that it is a multiple choice test. As you sit down, or even before, you will see that your multiple choice driver’s test is on a computer. So now, about the test. The test is split up into 2 parts, rules, and signs. In order to pass, you will have to answer all 40 questions (20 for rules, and 20 for signs), and you are only allowed to get a maximum of 4 questions wrong on each part, having a sum of no more than 8 questions wrong in total. For the rest of the test, good luck, and hopefully you studied your rules and signs well! After completing the test, you are required to go back up to the desk, and tell them that you are finished, and the number of the station that you were at, and then they will tell you to be seated. By the end of the test, the computer would have told you if you have passed or failed the part. As you wait for them to call you up, you will either be happy that you passed both parts, or, um, the other option.
Once they call you up, they will say to you “congratulations, you have passed you G1 written test”, or they may unfortunately say that you have been unsuccessful, or they will ask you if you are aware of your results. If you passed the test, they will ask you your name, date of birth, and your address. They will also give you a brochure, a pamphlet, and your temporary driver’s licence. They will also tell you that your actual licence will come in the mail after 90 days. If you have been unsuccessful with the test, they will ask you your name, your date of birth, and your address. Then, they will complete the form, and tell you to comeback and re-take the test when ever you are ready. Hopefully you won’t experience that, and don’t worry, as long as you know your stuff well, you won’t have to go through the process.
This brings us to the end on how to obtain your G1 Driver’s Licence. Some additional information is that after getting your G1 licence, you will have to wait 1 year in order to get your G2 licence, where you are able to drive by yourself, but, if you take driving lessons, including 20 hours of theory and 10 hours of driving instruction. After finishing those required hours, you will be able to obtain your G2 driver’s licence 4 months earlier (will receive your G2 8 months after receiving you G1). Reminding you, the driving classes will have to be paid for, but I think it’s worth it, as I am currently taking driving classes.
Before finishing this post, I want to remind you to follow the restrictions put down on your G1 and G2 licences, and if you are not sure what they are, there are many sites, including the one below, that you can check your licence restrictions. Also, ask anyone with a full licence and at least 4 years of driving experience if you can drive, as you should get as much driving experience as possible. Happy driving, and drive safe!