The G1 knowledge test is the first step to getting a driver's licence in Ontario. It is a written multiple-choice test based on the Official MTO Driver's Handbook, and you take it at a DriveTest Centre. This guide covers the format, the pass mark, the fees, and how to check whether you are ready — before you pay for the real thing.
The format: two sections, multiple choice
According to DriveTest, the official test operator, the G1 knowledge test is a multiple-choice test divided into sections — one section on road signs and one section on rules of the road:
- Road signs — identifying warning, regulatory, and information signs
- Rules of the road — right-of-way, speed limits, demerit points, safe following distance, and other rules from the handbook
DriveTest also confirms the test is offered in 32 languages, and every computerized test kiosk has an audio option with the ability to skip and repeat questions.
The pass mark: 80%
To pass, DriveTest states you must earn a total score of at least 80%.
There is an important detail in the official retake rules: your test results are valid for one year, and if you re-try within that year, you only re-take the sections that did not meet MTO standards. In other words, each section is evaluated on its own — a weak road signs section will send you back to a DriveTest Centre even if you know the rules of the road cold.
This is why it helps to practice each section separately. Our free Ontario G1 mock exams are split the same way the real test is — one road signs exam and one rules of the road exam, each scored against the 80% mark.
What it costs
You pay for the G1 as a single Class G1 licence package at DriveTest. Per the official fee schedule, that one payment includes:
- A knowledge test
- A Class G2 road test (to earn your G2 licence)
- A five-year licence
If you fail the knowledge test, each extra attempt costs an additional fee. It is not a large one, but failing also means another trip to a DriveTest Centre and more waiting — so it is worth showing up prepared the first time.
What to bring on test day
According to ontario.ca, to get your G1 you must:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Bring original identification that shows your legal name and date of birth (the accepted documents depend on your residency status — check the official list before you go)
- Pass a vision test at the DriveTest Centre
- Pay the licence package fee
DriveTest confirms that no appointment is needed for the computerized knowledge test — just give yourself enough time to register and complete the test before the centre closes.
What the questions are actually like
DriveTest confirms that questions on the knowledge test are based on the official driver's handbook for the licence class you want — for the G1, that is the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. Expect questions that test precise details:
- Exact distances (how many metres before a turn you must signal, how far to park from a fire hydrant)
- Speed limits in specific situations (school zones, when passing streetcars)
- Demerit point values for specific offences
- The meaning of sign shapes and colours, not just individual signs
Reading the handbook once is usually not enough to lock in these details. The reliable way to find your weak spots is to test yourself with exam-style questions and review every answer you get wrong.
Check if you are ready — for free
Before heading to a DriveTest Centre, take a full practice run. We built two free 20-question mock exams following the same two-section structure — road signs and rules of the road — scored against the 80% pass mark, with instant results and explanations:
If you pass both comfortably, you are likely ready for the real thing. If you are close but not quite there, the Ontario G1 practice test app has 300+ questions covering every handbook topic, road sign flashcards, and smart review that resurfaces the questions you miss.