By law, when you have a G1 licence, you must:
Zero Alcohol Tolerance: G1 license holders must not have any alcohol content in their blood while driving.
Seatbelt Requirement: Every passenger traveling with a G1 license holder must wear a functioning seatbelt.
Nighttime Driving Restriction: G1 license holders are prohibited from driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
Highway Restrictions: G1 license holders are not allowed to drive on 400-series highways or expressways such as Highway 401, Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), and Gardiner Expressway. However, if accompanied by an Ontario certified driving instructor, G1 license holders can drive on any road.
Supervision Requirement: G1 license holders must drive accompanied by a G license holder who meets specific conditions:
1. at least four years of driving experience;
2. a blood alcohol level of less than .05 (if this person is 21 and under, their blood alcohol level should be zero).
3. The driver accompanying you must be the only other person in the front seat. If you are driving with a driver instructor certified in Ontario, you can drive on any road.
In most cases, you practice with your G1 licence for 12 months.
The above information is from the official website of the Government of Ontario.
After passing the G2 road test, you will obtain a G2 license. You need to practice driving on the G2 license for 12 months before you can take the G road test. （*unless your overseas driving experience is over two years and recognized, in which case you may be exempt from the waiting period.）
As a G2 licensed driver,（above 19 years old）:
- drive without another experienced driver in the car
- drive on all Ontario roads
- drive at any time of the day, in most cases
You must still:
- have a zero blood alcohol level
- carry only as many passengers as there are working seatbelts
If you are 19 and under, some other restrictions still apply.
As a G2 licensed driver（under 19 years old）:
Between midnight and 5 a.m.: you can only drive with one passenger who is 19 or under in your car. This condition applies for the first six months of G2 licensed driver. After six months, you can drive with up to three passengers 19 or under between midnight and 5 a.m.
This condition does not apply, if:
- you have a fully licensed driver in the car (with four years plus experience driving)
- your passengers are immediate family members (e.g. parents, brother or sister)
Once a student obtains a G class licence, they are able to independently drive on highways, however there are some restrictions that come with the G class driver's licence.
G Licence Restrictions:
- A driver with a G license drive cannot have their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceed 0.05%.
- Note: Under the law, all drivers age 21 and under, regardless of the level of the driver's license, must have a blood alcohol concentration level of zero while driving.
- Holders of G licence can drive a vehicle that does not weigh more than 11,000 kilograms, limited to small cars, vans and trucks. If there is a trailer (RV, etc.), then the weight of the trailer cannot exceed the total weight of 4600 kg and the total weight of two vehicles cannot exceed 11,000 kg.
- A G class licence holder can carry up to 11 passengers (with specific permits).
- Every passenger in the car must have a working seat belt.
- A G class licence is not a valid licence for motorcycles, electric bikes, bus or emergency vehicles.
For more information, please visit the Ministry of Transportation's official website at www.mto.gov.ca.
