Ready for Ontario's roads
Newcomers Guide to Graduated Licensing
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New to Ontario?
How to get an Ontario driver's licence
If you live in Ontario and want to drive, you must have an Ontario driver's
licence. If you are new to Ontario, this book will tell you how to get an
Ontario driver's licence.
In Ontario, you must be 16 years or older to drive. You must pass a vision
test to find out if you can see well enough to drive safely.
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All new drivers need to practise driving before they can get a full driver's
licence. Ontario's licensing system gives new drivers experience under
conditions that reduce the risk of collisions. This is called the "Graduated
Licensing System". There are two levels in graduated licensing. When you have a
Level 1 (Class G1) or Level 2 (Class G2) licence you must follow all of the laws of
Ontario's roads and the special rules for each level.
You must practise driving for two years and take two road tests during that time
before you can get a full licence to drive a car, van or small truck in
Ontario.
If you have a driver's licence from another country or from another Canadian
province or territory, that driving experience may help you get an Ontario
driver's licence sooner.
You can get more information about driving in Ontario by going to a
DriveTest Driver Examination Centre. The addresses of these centres are
also listed in the blue pages of your local telephone book.
At the Centre you can get a free copy of the booklet,
Ready for the road. This little book answers many questions about
graduated licensing. You can also buy
The Driver's Handbook. This handbook explains driving in Ontario.
Your first step to get an Ontario driver's licence depends on the answers to
these three questions:
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Where do you come from?
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Do you have a driver's licence from another place?
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How long have you been driving?
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| If you have never driven before OR you have never had a driver's licence
OR if you had a licence that has been expired for more than three years,
you are considered a new driver.
"I have never driven a car. I immigrated to Ontario last year and I would like to
drive to my job. How do I get an Ontario driver's licence?"
"I have been driving for many years in my home country but no one needs a licence
to drive there. I would like to drive in Ontario. How do I get an Ontario
driver's licence?"
You need to start at the beginning of "Graduated Licensing",
click here.
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| If you have a driver's licence from another Canadian province or territory, the
United States, Japan, Korea, Austria, Australia, Isle of Man, Germany, France, Great Britain, Belgium or Switzerland or Canadian Forces
Europe AND you have been driving for less than two years, you may be
able to start at Level 2 (Class G2). You may be granted time exemptions depending on
previous driving experience.
"I got my driver's licence in another Canadian province one year ago. I recently
came to Ontario. How do I get an Ontario driver's licence?"
You should click here.
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| If you have a driver's licence from another Canadian province or territory, the
United States, Japan, Korea, Austria, Australia, Isle of Man, Germany, France, Great Britain, Belgium or Switzerland or Canadian Forces
Europe AND you have been driving for two years or more, you may be able
to get a full licence without further testing.
"I was licensed to drive in Japan for 12 years. I would like to get a licence so
that I can take my parents shopping and to the doctor. How do I get an Ontario
driver's licence?"
You should click here.
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| If you have a driver's licence from any country other than Canada, the United
States, Japan, Korea, Austria, Australia, Isle of Man, Germany, France, Great Britain, Belgium or Switzerland or Canadian Forces Europe
AND you have been driving for less than one year, you will start at
Level 1 (Class G1).
"I had a licence to drive in another country but I was only driving there for six
months. I want a driver's licence so I can get around the city. How do I get an
Ontario driver's licence?"
You should click here.
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| If you have a driver's licence from any country other than Canada, the United
States, Japan, Korea, Austria, Australia, Isle of Man, Germany, France, Great Britain, Belgium or Switzerland or Canadian Forces Europe
AND you have been driving for more than one year but less than two years
, you may be able to book the Level 1
(Class G1) road test.
"I had a licence in another country for 18 months. I want to drive my children to
different places. How do I get an Ontario driver's licence?"
You should click here.
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| If you have a driver's licence from any country other than Canada, the United
States, Japan, Korea, Austria, Australia, Isle of Man, Germany, France, Great Britain, Belgium or Switzerland or Canadian Forces Europe
AND you have been driving for two years or more, you may be able to take
the Level 2 (Class G2) road test to get a full licence.
"I am from another country and I was driving there for five years with a
licence. I am now going to school in Ontario and I want to get a licence here.
How do I get an Ontario driver's licence?"
Click here.
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Notes
If you cannot show acceptable proof of your driving experience, you will be
considered a new driver and must start at the beginning of
Level 1 (Class G1).
Click here.
If you do not pass the knowledge test or road test, the examiner at the
DriveTest Centre will tell you what you need to do next.
If you would like information about the Graduated Licensing System for motorcycles,
please contact your nearest DriveTest
Centre.
You may photocopy this book. Also, please use the blank spaces in the book to
write in your own language any information you need.
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-268-4686 or contact your nearest
DriveTest Centre. The addresses of these centres are listed in the blue
pages of your local telephone book.
If you have any questions concerning new drivers and insurance, call the
Insurance Bureau of Canada, from Toronto at 416-362-9528; from area
code 807 call collect 416-362-2031; elsewhere in Ontario call 1-800-387-2880.
Ready for the road is sponsored by Ontario's car insurance companies.
ISBN 0-7778-3824-9
See also:
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