If you live in Ontario and love to drive like me, then you must have an Ontario driver’s license. However, the process of getting it will depend on whether you are new or you have prior driving experience. If you are planning to visit Canada and have an IDP or International Driver’s Permit then you can use it to drive in Canada.

Basic Information That You Should Know

I want to share with you some general details first that you should know about. Do you know that in Ontario, you need to qualify on certain criteria of age and vision? Let’s talk about it in detail:

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First of all, your age must not be less than 16 years. To have a driver’s license, you need to prove your age, and for that, you must have the following documents: legal name, photo ID, and birth certificate, without which you may not be able to have a driving license. 

Secondly, vision tests are conducted at the driving test center to ensure that you have proper eyesight and that giving you a driving license won’t be harmful to anyone at any cost. You must pass the vision test to get the license. During the vision test, you are allowed to drive a small truck along a path filled with hurdles and breakers. You must cross all of them smoothly without causing any harm to the vehicle or to yourself. If you have recently shifted to Ontario and you have a driving license from some other country or state, you can use that in Ontario for up to 60 days.

However, you must apply for the license beforehand as, after the end of 60 days, your license will become invalid and useless. But if you are a permanent resident of Ontario, then you must have a driver’s license in Ontario to move your Vehicles onto the roads of the city.

Types of Driving Licenses in Ontario

There are two levels of driving license prevalent in Ontario – class G and class M licence. The Class G licence is basically for cars, small trucks, and vans, and the Class M licence is for motorcycles, scooters and mopeds. The class G or class M licence is further subdivided into two graduated licensing levels, namely G1 and G2 or M1 and M2, respectively. The full class G licence is the last level of licence in Ontario. All three licence systems are collectively known as the graduated licensing system.

For Inexperienced Drivers

I must tell you that there are separate rules for experienced and inexperienced drivers in Canada.

If you don’t have any driving experience and you are applying for the license for the first time, then you must follow the steps given below:

1. First of all, you have to take a road test appointment at a drive test center or travel point either through online or offline mode. This appointment will include a written knowledge test and a driving test.
2. Then prepare for the written test by going through the driver’s handbook. The handbook describes the do’s and don’ts of the road and traffic signals.
3. To appear in the road tests, you need to pay a minimal fee, which is fixed depending on the level of license you are applying for. This fee includes the cost of appearing for the online written test and road test.
4. To apply for a driver’s license, you need to be on time and visit the driver’s test center on the day of the appointment.
5. At the centre, you must show your valid photo ID and documents proving your legal name, date of birth and age. You will also have to undergo an eye test and answer questions related to your medical history to ensure that you can drive safely.
6. After verifying all the supporting documents, you are now ready to appear for the knowledge test.
7. After clearing the knowledge test, you are now an owner of the G1 licence or the beginner’s licence. You can apply for a G2 license only after the completion of 12 months of a G1 license.

If You Have a Prior Driving Experience

For drivers having previous driving experience, separate rules need to be followed. The rules depend on the country whose licence you have. Ontario may or may not have a reciprocal agreement with the country whose license you have. Both cases have some separate rules.

When Your Country Has a Reciprocal Arrangement For Driver’s Licence

Countries like Australia, Japan, New Zealand, France, Germany, etc., have a reciprocal arrangement for Ontario driver’s licences. If you also belong to these, then the process to apply for your driving license in Ontario would be easier.

You won’t even require a driving test if you have two or more years of driving experience in the reciprocal country. I have listed the steps involved in the process of getting the license in such case:

1. Go to the temporary drive test center or service Ontario in person and apply for the license.
2. You will have to take an eye test.
3. You must bring your original photo ID, which includes your date of birth, full name, and signature.
4. Also, carry your valid driver’s license from the reciprocal country. Do not forget to ensure the licence expires.
5. At the drive test center, you have to pay the required fee before submitting the application form

For less than two years of driving experience or if you have a learner’s license from the reciprocal country, you cannot have the Ontario license directly. However, you will get some advantages from having a temporary driver’s license. Additionally, you will have to pass the G2 or M2 road test after completing two years of driving experience.

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When Your Country Does Not Have a Reciprocal Arrangement For Driver’s Licence

In this case, you will have to provide the relevant documentation based on your driving experience. If you have one year of driving experience, you will have to show the usual driving license that you have. For two or more years of driving experience, you must possess a driving extract.

Now what is driving extract? Let me tell you this-

• It consists of the issue and expiration date, whether it is a learner’s license or a full-class license.
• It also mentions confirmation that the license was valid for the said period.

There are separate rules according to the years of your driving experience. For more than two years of driving experience, passing both the G1 and G2 road tests is compulsory. The G1 test can be taken after the written test.

• In the G1 test for drivers, your driving skills, such as parking, stopping or turning the car, and your knowledge of speed limits are checked. After passing this driving test, you will get your G1 licence.
• After completing one year of experience in a G1 licence, you can apply for a G2 licence. In this process, a license from any other country is also considered.

Noe here is an exception. If you have one year of driving experience from a foreign country, you can directly apply for a G2 licence. After passing the G2 driving test, you will have your full licence.

For two or more years of driving experience, you will have to take one G2 driving test after clearing the written test and eye test. On successful completion of the G2 road test, you will have your full license in your hand. It’s not a big deal to have a driver’s licence in Ontario. You just need to gather all the documents before applying for the license. Also, you must have a good knowledge of the traffic rules and road signs and, most importantly, about the rules of the road and traffic signs while driving a vehicle.

So, Get Your Ontario’s Driver License

Sufficient knowledge and practice can give you a driver’s license in Ontario in no time. While appearing for the written and road tests, you must have a deep knowledge of the frequently asked questions and the trick of answering the questions to clear the test. You must practice road tests beforehand, like turning the car, parking or stopping the car, making a pattern while driving the car, etc. If you practice these tricks beforehand, there’s no doubt that you will have your driver’s licence in your hand within a few days or months.

Last Updated on April 11, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani