There are three different levels of driving licenses in Ontario.
The first is the G1 (knowledge exam), then the G2 (exit test) and then the Full G licence. Each one comes with conditions. The holders of a Full G driving licence can operate any car, van and small truck. This can be taken a year after the G2 licence is obtained. This test is to ensure that you can drive on the highway at high speeds. In order to get your Full-G, you need to pass the G2 test.
Ready to take the exam? These tips will help you pass
- Before you leave the house check that your turn signals, brake light and headlights are all in working order.
These parts will get tested before you even leave the parking lot for the road test. If you don’t want to get your test rescheduled because something isn’t working then check them! You also have to check the paperwork that you have to turn in and make sure you have your learners permit. - Get to the testing area on time or early. You may want to walk around and check out all the road signs nearby.
Most license bureaus are crowded and there can be very long waits even past your appointment time. You should bring something to occupy your time like a book. I loaded my iPod with m favourite songs to put me in a good mood. I knew I would be nervous, so I put lots of up-beat songs. - Leave your cell phone at home or turn it off.
Getting a call in the middle of your road test would not look favourably on you. Furthermore, you must keep your hands off your device even at red lights. Under HTA s. 78.1 (1) and the R. v. Kazemi precedent, the legal definition of “driving” includes being stopped at red lights, and “holding” includes phones that are off or merely in hand without use. This eliminates the “I was just holding it” or “I was stopped” defense; mere physical contact triggers a major violation and a 30-day suspension. Try to relax with your examiner but let him do the talking. He does not know you and is going into traffic not knowing what your driving skills actually are. Chances are he is just as nervous as you! - When you get in the car listen to the examiner.
You won’t be doing anything you haven’t done before from the driving manual. You should have practised extensively at this point. If you are not sure what they want from you, make sure you ask instead of doing something dangerous. When my instructor told me to turn right, I replied, “at the stop sign?” and he replied, “no, into the plaza.” If I didn’t ask, I would have taken a wrong turn, which would have made me more nervous!
You will drive for about 30 minutes behind the wheel and you will evaluated on the basis of:
- proper lane use
- proper observation skills
- mirror use
- blind spot checks
- space between vehicles
- approach to an intersection when left turning
- road side stops
- freeway driving
- parallel parking
- proper lane change procedures
- defensive driving
You will also have to do some expressway driving in order to get your g-full. You have to pass the Level Two road test to get you licence class G-full driver. People from other countries can bypass and drive in Canada from 6-8 months and get a license much faster. However, you must get the Embassy Letter; under MTO Admin Directives, claiming non-reciprocal foreign experience of over 12 months requires a formal “Letter of Authentication” from an embassy or consulate. To claim over 1 year of foreign driving experience, you need this authenticated letter, not just a translation, which also prevents “administrative drift” where drivers accidentally accrue fines or suspensions due to missed mail. While going through these tests can be nerve wracking you have to do it to get to your g full licence. As long as you are prepared then taking the Full G exam should not be a huge deal. Just make sure you follow instructions and listen to your instructor and you should do fine. The final g-test should cost you around $75. You should take a driver’s education course before you take your test, which can give you lower insurance rates and ensure you pass quickly. To secure these discounts without delays, remember that under MTO Driver Education Policy, paper certificates are obsolete. Proof of driving school completion is exclusively found on the “Driver’s Licence History” abstract, meaning you must download your history and request this digital record from ServiceOntario for your insurance provider.
