Ontario G1 Licence and Car Insurance: What G1 Drivers Actually Need (2026)

No. Proof of car insurance is not required to apply for or receive a G1 licence at a DriveTest Centre or ServiceOntario. Prepare with Ontario G1 practice tests.

However, the vehicle you drive for practice or a road test must be insured. Ontario law requires insurance on the vehicle, not the driver.

Does a G1 driver in Ontario need their own car insurance?

No. You do not need your own car insurance policy during the G1 phase. The vehicle you practice in must have valid Ontario auto insurance and you must carry proof of insurance in the car.

Applying for Your G1 and Practicing

You pay the $159.75 G1 licence package fee. No insurance card is checked.

Once you have your G1, any vehicle you drive on public roads must have valid Ontario auto insurance. You do not need your own policy during the G1 phase.

• If you don't own a car: You do not need personal insurance. The vehicle must have valid Ontario auto insurance when you drive it.
• Using a parent's policy: Yes, you can use a parent's insured vehicle even if your name isn't on the policy. The insurance follows the car. Parents must notify their broker a G1 driver is in the household.
• Insurance card shows a different vehicle: Practice only in a vehicle that is properly insured; the proof you carry should match that vehicle. The insurance card must be for the specific vehicle you are driving.

Coverage Needed and Proof for Road Tests

The vehicle used must meet Ontario's statutory insurance requirements:

• Minimum $200,000 Third-Party Liability.
• Statutory Accident Benefits coverage.
• Direct Compensation - Property Damage (DC-PD) coverage.

• For the G2 road test, bring valid proof of insurance for the test vehicle.
• Ontario accepts paper or digital proof.
• Ontario accepts paper or digital proof. The name on the card does not need to match yours, but it must be for that vehicle.

Consequences and Common Verification Issues

Driving without valid insurance can lead to fines and other penalties under Ontario law.

Common insurance verification issues:

• Expired Pink Card: A driver in Ottawa was turned away from their G2 test at the Walkley Road DriveTest because the insurance card had expired two days prior. They had to reschedule and pay the $53.75 retest fee.
• Excluded Driver Form (OPCF 28A): If an exclusion applies to you, you must not drive that vehicle. Doing so means driving without insurance, even if the car is otherwise insured.
• Vehicle Mismatch: A learner in Mississauga borrowed a neighbor's car for practice, assuming coverage extended. The neighbor's policy did not cover occasional drivers, resulting in the learner driving uninsured.

Ontario G1 insurance: what to confirm before every supervised practice drive

Confirm that the vehicle has active Ontario insurance, that you are not listed as an excluded driver on that policy, and that your supervising driver holds a valid Class G licence with 4 or more years experience.

• ⚠ Verify the insurance pink card's expiry date and vehicle details match the car you will use, at least one week before your road test appointment to avoid cancellation.
• A government-approved BDE course reduces the G1-to-G2 wait from 12 months to 8 months. Your insurer may also offer a discount.
• Ensure your supervising driver has held a full G licence for at least 4 years and has a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) below 0.05% every time you practice.