G1 Test • Updated June 2026

How to Pass Your G1 Test: Study Tips & What to Expect

The G1 knowledge test is the first step toward your Ontario driver's licence — and with the right preparation, it's very passable on the first try. Here's exactly what the test covers, how to study efficiently, and what to do on test day, whether you're testing in Ottawa or Peterborough.

What the G1 Test Actually Covers

The G1 is a written knowledge test based entirely on the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. ^[1] It is made up of 40 multiple-choice questions, split into two sections of 20:

• Road signs — recognizing signs by shape, colour, and meaning
• Rules of the road — right-of-way, speed, safe driving practices, and the law

You generally need to answer at least 16 of 20 correctly in each section (about 80%) to pass. Get one section wrong and you'll need to retake that portion, so it pays to be solid on both. ^[2]

G1 Test Study Tips That Actually Work

Studying for the G1 doesn't take months — it takes a focused, consistent approach. These are the strategies that get new drivers through on the first attempt:

1. Use the official handbook first

Every G1 question comes from the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. ^[1] Start there before any app or third-party site. Free or unofficial study material can be outdated; the handbook is the source of truth.

2. Study in short, regular sessions

Thirty focused minutes a day beats one exhausting cram session. Break the handbook into sections — signs one day, right-of-way the next — so the material actually sticks.

3. Master the road signs by shape and colour

Signs are half the test and the easiest marks to lock in. Learn the system: red means stop or prohibition, yellow warns of hazards ahead, green guides direction, orange signals construction. Flashcards work well here.

4. Take practice tests until you're consistently scoring high

Practice tests get you used to the question style and timing, and they expose your weak spots. Don't just take them — review every wrong answer and go back to that handbook section.

5. Focus your time on your weak areas

Keep a quick record of your practice scores. If you keep missing right-of-way or roundabout questions, that's where your next study session goes.

How to Use Practice Tests Effectively

What to Bring & What to Expect on Test Day

G1 tests are taken at a DriveTest Centre. ^[2] Ottawa drivers typically test at the Walkley or Canotek centres, and Peterborough drivers at the local Peterborough DriveTest Centre. To avoid a wasted trip:

• Bring acceptable identification proving your name, date of birth, and signature (check DriveTest's accepted ID list before you go).
• Arrive early to handle check-in, the vision test, and the licensing fee without rushing.
• Read each question carefully — many wrong answers come from skim-reading, not lack of knowledge.
• Stay calm. You've prepared. A rested, focused mind recalls far better than a panicked one.

Build Good Habits From Day One

Passing the G1 is just the start. The safe-driving habits you learn now — scanning ahead, keeping a safe following distance, avoiding distractions — are the same ones examiners look for at your G2 and G road tests. Starting with professional instruction means you learn it right the first time, instead of unlearning bad habits later.