Ontario G1 Licence Application: Steps, DriveTest Locations, Documents and Rejection Rules (2026)

Apply in person at any Ontario DriveTest Centre.

Apply in person at any Ontario DriveTest Centre. You must be 16+, bring original ID, pay the $159.75 G1 package fee, pass a vision screening, and score 16 out of 20 in each section of the knowledge test.

• Apply in person at any Ontario DriveTest Centre.
• You must be 16+, bring original government-issued ID, pay the $159.75 package fee, pass a vision screening, and score 16 out of 20 in each section of the G1 knowledge test.
• Download Form 023-SR-LD-054 in advance and find your nearest centre at drivetest.ca.

What documents do you need to apply for an Ontario G1 at DriveTest?

You must apply in person at any DriveTest Centre across Ontario. The process requires you to be at least 16 years old, pass a vision test, and pass the G1 knowledge test.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Arrive at the centre, take a number, submit your ID to the clerk, pass the vision test, sit at the computer terminal for 40 questions, and collect your temporary licence if you pass.

1. Confirm Eligibility: Be at least 16 years old. Declare any medical conditions that could affect driving.
2. Gather Original Identity Documents: You need one original document proving your legal name and date of birth, such as a valid passport or Canadian birth certificate. Hospital 'souvenir' certificates are not accepted.
3. Complete the Application Form: Download and fill out the Application for Ontario Driver's Licence (Form 023-SR-LD-054). Do not sign it until instructed at the counter.
4. Study for the Knowledge Test: The test has 40 questions split into road signs and rules of the road. Score 16 correct out of 20 in each section.
5. Visit a Testing Centre: Go to a DriveTest Centre (walk-in, first-come first-served). Check your local centre hours before you go; closing times vary by location.
6. Take the Vision and Knowledge Tests: Present your documents, pay the $159.75 fee, take the vision test, and then take the G1 knowledge test, prepare with free Ontario G1 practice tests.

Where to Apply for Your G1 Licence

Apply at any DriveTest Centre across Ontario. Use the DriveTest Centre Locator to find a Knowledge Test location near you.

For Ontario permit process details, see the Ontario permit guide.

Common Application Issues and Resolutions

Most delays are caused by incorrect documents or poor timing. Here's what happens in specific situations.

• If your documents are rejected: You can correct the issue and return the same day only if you have the correct, original documents and the centre is still open. If you need to obtain a new document, you must reschedule.
• If you lose your appointment slot: For the appointment-only Bay Street location, if your documents are wrong, you lose that appointment slot and must rebook for another day.
• If the centre closes before processing you: DriveTest enforces a strict one-hour cutoff. If you arrive less than one hour before closing, you will be turned away and must return another day.

Mistakes That Cost Applicants Weeks

Arriving after the intake cutoff, bringing a photocopy, or forgetting a second piece of ID are the three most common reasons applicants are turned away without testing.

• Toronto (Bay Street): An applicant arrived for their 3:30 PM appointment with a hospital birth certificate, which was rejected. They lost their appointment slot and had to rebook two weeks later to return with their official long-form birth certificate.
• Mississauga (DriveTest): Someone arrived at 4:15 PM for a walk-in test at a centre closing at 5:00 PM. They were denied service due to the one-hour cutoff rule and had to return the next morning.
• Ottawa (DriveTest): An applicant presented a signed application form. The agent rejected it because the signature must be witnessed in-person. They had to fill out a new form on-site, adding 20 minutes to their wait during a busy Saturday rush.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Application

Bring one primary ID (passport or Canadian birth certificate) and one secondary signed document. Originals only; photocopies are rejected at every DriveTest counter.

• Verify your birth certificate is government-issued to avoid immediate rejection and losing your appointment.
• Arrive at least 90 minutes before a DriveTest Centre closes to ensure you beat the one-hour cutoff and have time for paperwork and testing.
• Leave the signature line on Form 023-SR-LD-054 blank and sign only when the agent instructs you, preventing form rejection and a restart.