G1 Test Numbers to Memorize: 10 Key Rules From the MTO Handbook

Some Ontario driving rules depend on an exact number, and you have to memorize those rather than reason them out. The key ones for the G1: switch to low beams within 150 metres of an oncoming vehicle or 60 metres behind one, leave at least one metre when passing a cyclist, and tell the Ministry of Transportation within six days when you change your address. A full-licence driver is suspended at 15 demerit points, and driving 50 km/h or more over the limit counts as stunt driving.

This post lists 10 numbers that the Official MTO Driver's Handbook states clearly, with the handbook's wording and a link to the section each one comes from. The stunt driving rules also come from ontario.ca's speeding and aggressive driving page.

The 10 G1 numbers at a glance

The sections below give the exact wording for each one.

How far away do you dim your headlights in Ontario?

Numbers 1 and 2: 150 metres and 60 metres. The handbook's night and bad weather chapter says:

"Use your low-beam headlights within 150 metres of an oncoming vehicle or when following a vehicle within 60 metres."

The two distances are easy to swap. The larger number (150 m) is for a car coming toward you. The smaller number (60 m) is for a car you are following. The same paragraph adds that on country roads you should switch to low beams at a curve or hilltop.

The handbook's demerit table lists "Failing to lower headlight beam" as a two-point offence, in the Keeping your driver's licence section.

How much room do you give a cyclist when passing?

Number 3: one metre. From the handbook's sharing the road chapter:

"When passing a cyclist, drivers of motor vehicles must maintain a minimum distance of one metre, where practical between their vehicle and the cyclist."

The same paragraph says not doing so may lead to a fine and two demerit points, and that you should change lanes to pass whenever possible. The chapter also says cyclists riding slower than traffic are expected to ride about one metre from the curb or parked cars, but they can use any part of the lane when they need to for safety.

How many days do you have to change your address on your licence?

Number 4: six days. The Keeping your driver's licence section says:

"You must tell the Ministry of Transportation within six days of changing your name or address."

According to the same section:

• You need a new licence when you change your address. You can change it on the ServiceOntario website, at a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, or by mail.
• For a name change, you take your documents and current licence to a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, and a new photo is taken.
• There is no charge for the new licence when you change your name or address.

How many demerit points before your licence is suspended?

Number 5: 15 points for a fully licensed driver. The handbook's demerit-point section in Keeping your driver's licence sets out three steps for fully licensed drivers:

1. 6 points: a warning letter.
2. 9 points: a second warning letter.
3. 15 points: your licence is suspended for 30 days from the date you hand it over. After the suspension, your points are reduced to seven.

The same section says demerit points "stay on your record for two years from the date of the offence."

G1 and G2 drivers are on a different scale: the handbook says a Level One or Level Two driver's licence is suspended at nine or more points in a two-year period. For what the G1 and G2 levels are and how long each lasts, see our G1 to G2 to G licence timeline.

How fast over the limit is stunt driving?

Number 6: 50 km/h or more over the limit. The handbook's Other ways to lose your licence section lists "driving 50 km/h or more above the posted speed limit" as aggressive driving. Ontario's speeding and aggressive driving page puts it under stunt driving, along with two related numbers:

• 40 km/h or more over the limit on roads with a speed limit less than 80 km/h.
• 150 km/h or more anywhere in the province: "Drivers caught driving 150 kilometres per hour or more are subject to stunt driving charges."

The same ontario.ca page says stunt driving can bring an immediate 30-day licence suspension and an immediate 14-day vehicle impoundment at the roadside, along with six demerit points and a fine of at least $2,000.

The speeding demerit points in the handbook's table are also worth knowing:

What is the speed limit when no sign is posted?

Number 7: 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h elsewhere. From the Driving along section:

"Where there are no posted speed limits, the maximum speed is 50 km/h in cities, towns and villages, and 80 km/h elsewhere."

What is a safe following distance?

Number 8: at least two seconds. The same Driving along section says a safe following distance "is at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you." It also says to check your mirrors every five seconds or so. The demerit table lists following too closely as a four-point offence.

How far back do you stop for a school bus?

Number 9: at least 20 metres. The Stopping section says you must stop for a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing, whether you are behind it or coming toward it. "If you are coming from behind the bus, stop at least 20 metres away." Failing to stop is a six-point offence for a first offence.

How far from a railway crossing do you stop?

Number 10: at least five metres. Also from the Stopping section: "If a train is coming, stop at least five metres from the nearest rail or gate."

More handbook numbers that are easy to mix up

These didn't make the top 10, but each one is stated clearly in the handbook:

• Parking: not within 3 metres of a fire hydrant, 9 metres of an intersection, or 15 metres if the intersection has traffic lights (Parking along roadways).
• Fire vehicles: it is illegal to follow within 150 metres of a fire vehicle responding to an alarm (Dealing with particular situations).
• Streetcars: stay at least 2 metres behind the rear doors where passengers are getting on or off (Changing positions).
• U-turns: never make one unless you can see at least 150 metres in both directions (Changing directions).

Notice that 150 metres comes up in several rules on this page (oncoming headlights, fire vehicles and U-turns). Remembering that link can help when an answer choice looks close.

How to practise the G1 numbers

To see how the G1 knowledge test is split and what the pass mark is, read how the Ontario G1 test works.

To check yourself, try our free Rules of the Road mock exam (20 questions) or the Road Signs mock exam. The Ontario G1 practice test app has 250+ practice questions organized by handbook topic, 20 mock exams, and smart review that brings back the questions you miss, so the numbers you get wrong come up again.

Frequently asked questions

How far away do you dim your headlights in Ontario?

150 metres for an oncoming vehicle and 60 metres when you are following a vehicle. The handbook says to use low beams within those distances.

How many days do you have to change your address on your driver's licence in Ontario?

Six days. The handbook says you must tell the Ministry of Transportation within six days of changing your name or address, and there is no charge for the new licence.

How many demerit points does it take to lose your licence in Ontario?

15 points for a fully licensed driver, which leads to a 30-day suspension. For G1 and G2 drivers, the handbook says the licence is suspended at nine or more points in a two-year period.

How much space do you need to give a cyclist in Ontario?

At least one metre, where practical. Not doing so may lead to a fine and two demerit points.

How many km/h over the speed limit is stunt driving in Ontario?

50 km/h or more over the limit, or 40 km/h or more over on roads with a limit less than 80 km/h. Driving 150 km/h or more anywhere in the province also brings stunt driving charges.

What is the speed limit in Ontario if there is no sign?

50 km/h in cities, towns and villages, and 80 km/h elsewhere.

How far behind a school bus do you have to stop in Ontario?

At least 20 metres when you are coming from behind a stopped school bus with its upper red lights flashing.

Sources

• Government of Ontario, The Official MTO Driver's Handbook: Driving at night and in bad weather: 150 m and 60 m low-beam distances.
• Government of Ontario, The Official MTO Driver's Handbook: Sharing the road with other road users: one-metre passing distance for cyclists, two demerit points.
• Government of Ontario, The Official MTO Driver's Handbook: Keeping your driver's licence: six-day name and address change, no charge, demerit-point levels and offence table.
• Government of Ontario, The Official MTO Driver's Handbook: Other ways to lose your licence: 40 and 50 km/h over the limit as aggressive driving.
• Government of Ontario, Speeding and aggressive driving: stunt driving thresholds including 150 km/h, roadside suspension and impoundment, speeding demerit points.
• Government of Ontario, The Official MTO Driver's Handbook: Driving along: default 50 and 80 km/h limits, two-second following distance, mirror checks.
• Government of Ontario, The Official MTO Driver's Handbook: Stopping: 20 m behind a school bus, five metres from a railway crossing, school bus demerit points.
• Government of Ontario, The Official MTO Driver's Handbook: Getting your driver's licence: 60 days for new residents with an out-of-province licence.
• Government of Ontario, The Official MTO Driver's Handbook: Parking along roadways, Dealing with particular situations, Changing positions and Changing directions: parking distances, fire vehicles, streetcars and U-turns.

All quotations were checked against these pages in October 2026.