G1 Eye Test in Ontario: What They Check and What If You Fail

The G1 eye test checks two things: how sharp your vision is (visual acuity) and how wide your side vision is (horizontal visual field). For a G1 licence you need acuity of 20/50 or better and a 120-degree horizontal visual field, with both eyes open, and you can wear your glasses or contact lenses. It takes a few minutes at a DriveTest Centre, and if you don't meet the standard, you get a form to take to a vision specialist rather than a final "no".

This guide explains what happens during the test, what the numbers mean, how glasses and the "X" condition work, and what to do if you don't pass. Everything here comes from DriveTest's vision test page, ontario.ca's medical review page and the regulation behind them.

Do you need an eye test for your G1?

Yes. To apply for a driver's licence in Ontario, ontario.ca says you must be at least 16, be an Ontario resident, pass a vision test and pass a knowledge test. Once you pass both tests, you get your G1. The Official MTO Driver's Handbook also says you must be at least 16 and pass a vision test and a knowledge test.

DriveTest says "Vision tests are completed at DriveTest Centres" and "ServiceOntario does not administer vision tests for driver’s licences." (Ontario.ca does list one ServiceOntario location, Bay and College in downtown Toronto, by appointment only, as a place to apply and take knowledge tests. If you book there, ask that office how the vision test is handled.)

For the rest of test day (what to bring, fees, and how the knowledge test is marked), see how the Ontario G1 test works.

What do they check in the G1 eye test?

DriveTest says your eyes are tested for two things:

1. Visual acuity (VA): how clearly you can see letters or numbers.
2. Horizontal visual field: your peripheral (side) vision.

DriveTest describes the test in three steps:

1. You look into the screen reader vision testing equipment.
2. You read a series of letters or numbers that get smaller as you go. You can read them aloud, write them, or use sign language.
3. You indicate when a flashing light appears and on which side (left or right) it appears.

DriveTest says each vision test "takes only a few minutes," and any DriveTest customer service agent can give it.

Is the G1 eye test a full eye exam?

No. Ontario.ca calls it a screening:

"Your vision will be screened with both eyes open and examined together, with or without the aid of corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses)."

The screening checks whether you meet the vision standard in the driving regulation. DriveTest lists only the two checks above (sharpness and side vision). If you don't meet the standard, DriveTest refers you to a vision specialist (see below).

The G1 vision standard: 20/50 and 120 degrees

The rules come from Ontario Regulation 340/94, section 18, under the Highway Traffic Act. DriveTest's page states the standard for G1 (and G2, G, the M classes and driving instructors) in plain words:

"Must not be poorer than 20/50, with both eyes open and examined together, with or without the aid of corrective lenses."

A few points that are easy to mix up:

• The limit is "not poorer than 20/50". Acuity is measured by the Snellen rating. 20/50 meets the standard. Anything worse does not.
• Both eyes are tested together. For G1, the standard is for both eyes open and examined together. DriveTest lists a separate weaker-eye limit (20/100) only for commercial classes A to F, which also need 20/30 with both eyes and a 150-degree field.
• Vision in one eye only. Ontario.ca says that if you have vision in one eye only, your vision will be screened using only your functioning eye.

Can you wear contacts or glasses for the G1 eye test?

Yes. Both the regulation and DriveTest say the acuity standard applies "with or without the aid of corrective lenses," and ontario.ca says corrective lenses means glasses or contact lenses.

DriveTest says that if you need eyeglasses or contact lenses to drive, you must bring them on the day of your vision test, and you can choose to wear them while looking into the testing equipment. The handbook's G1 knowledge test checklist also includes "Glasses or contact lenses (if you need to wear them to drive)."

What is the "X" condition on an Ontario licence?

The X condition is the code for corrective lenses. DriveTest says:

"An X condition on your driver’s licence photo card indicates that you require glasses or corrective lenses for driving."

What DriveTest says about adding and removing it:

If you use a vision form to remove the X condition, DriveTest says the form must have a complete reading for every field (both eyes and horizontal visual field), and vision examination results are valid for six months.

What happens if you fail the eye test at DriveTest?

Not meeting the standard on the day doesn't end your application. DriveTest says:

"If you do not meet the vision requirements at a Drivetest Centre, you will be provided with a form to take to your vision specialist."

Here is the process, step by step, from DriveTest's vision test page:

1. DriveTest gives you a form.
2. You take the form to your vision specialist.
3. You return the completed form to any DriveTest Centre (not only the one where you took the test).
4. You continue with your application.

DriveTest's page doesn't give a deadline for returning the form or say whether there is a fee. Ask at the DriveTest Centre when they give you the form.

What if the problem is your side vision?

The 120-degree field has its own path. Ontario.ca says that if you don't meet the standard for peripheral vision, the ministry will decide if you are eligible to apply for a vision waiver. For a Class G waiver, you need:

• a satisfactory medical report
• a satisfactory vision assessment from an optometrist or ophthalmologist

If the ministry approves those reports, you must also complete a functional assessment at an approved assessment centre for Class G vision waivers. Ontario.ca says this includes several standardized tests, both in the clinic and on the road. The full eligibility list is on the medical review page.

Do they ask about your health too?

Yes. The handbook says that when you apply for your licence, you will be asked questions about your health. People with certain physical or medical conditions are not allowed to drive for safety reasons, and if that applies to you, you will be told when you apply. Once you have a licence, the handbook says you should report any change in your medical condition that may affect your ability to drive safely.

How to practise for the part after the eye test

The knowledge test is the part you study for. You can try a free 20-question Road Signs mock exam and a free 20-question Rules of the Road mock exam online.

The Ontario G1 practice test app has 250+ practice questions organized by handbook topic, 85 road sign flashcards, 20 mock exams, and smart review of the questions you miss. If you're new to the licence system, our G1 to G2 to G timeline explains what comes after the G1.

Frequently asked questions

What do they check in the G1 eye test?

Two things: visual acuity (how sharp your vision is) and horizontal visual field (side vision). You read letters or numbers that get smaller, then say when and on which side a flashing light appears.

What vision do you need for a G1 in Ontario?

20/50 or better, with both eyes open and tested together, and a horizontal visual field of at least 120 degrees. Glasses or contact lenses are allowed for the acuity part.

Can I wear contacts for the G1 eye test?

Yes. Ontario.ca says vision is screened with or without corrective lenses, meaning glasses or contact lenses. DriveTest says you must bring them if you need them to drive.

What happens if I fail the eye test at DriveTest?

DriveTest gives you a form to take to your vision specialist. You bring the completed form back to any DriveTest Centre and continue your application.

Can I do the vision test at ServiceOntario?

Not according to DriveTest, which says vision tests are completed at DriveTest Centres and ServiceOntario does not administer them. Ontario.ca does list the ServiceOntario Bay and College location in Toronto (by appointment only) for applying and knowledge tests, so ask that office if you book there.

What does the X condition mean on an Ontario licence?

It means you need glasses or corrective lenses to drive. DriveTest says there is no charge to add or remove it at a DriveTest Centre.

Can I get a G1 if I only see out of one eye?

Ontario.ca says that if you have vision in one eye only, your vision will be screened using only your functioning eye. It doesn't list a separate standard for this case, so ask at the DriveTest Centre or the Driver Medical Review Office if you're unsure.

How long does the G1 vision test take?

A few minutes. DriveTest says each vision test "takes only a few minutes."

Sources

• DriveTest, Vision Tests: what the test checks, how it works, where it's done, glasses and contact lenses, the X condition, the 20/50 and 120-degree standard, what happens if you don't meet it.
• Government of Ontario, Medical review for Ontario drivers: screening with both eyes open, glasses or contacts, vision in one eye, the vision standard, the Class G vision waiver.
• Government of Ontario, O. Reg. 340/94: Drivers' Licences, section 18: the legal vision standard for Class G, G1 and G2.
• Government of Ontario, Get a G driver's licence: new drivers: the requirements to apply for a G1.
• Government of Ontario, The Official MTO Driver's Handbook: Getting your driver's licence: vision test requirement, health questions, test-day checklist.

All quotations were checked against these pages in October 2026.