How to Practice Driving with a G1 Licence in Ontario
G1 drivers must always be accompanied by a fully licensed driver (full G licence, 4+ years experience) sitting in the front passenger seat. You can practice on most roads except 400-series highways. Your supervising driver must have a 0.05 BAC or less.
Key Facts
- Hold a full G licence (not G1 or G2)
- Have at least 4 years of driving experience
- Sit in the front passenger seat at all times
- Have a blood alcohol level of 0.05 or less
- Be the only person in the front seat besides you
In this article
Who Can Supervise a G1 Driver?
According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, the person sitting with you when you practice must meet specific requirements.
- Hold a full G licence (not G1 or G2)
- Have at least 4 years of driving experience
- Sit in the front passenger seat at all times
- Have a blood alcohol level of 0.05 or less
- Be the only person in the front seat besides you
Where Can You Drive with a G1?
Under Ontario's graduated licensing system, with a G1, you can drive on most roads in Ontario. The main restriction is 400-series highways, including the 401, 400, 404, 407, QEW, and others. You cannot drive on these highways unless your accompanying driver is a licensed driving instructor. You can drive on regular multi-lane roads and arterials as long as they are not designated 400-series highways.
What Other G1 Restrictions Apply?
Beyond the highway restriction, G1 drivers must follow these rules.
- Zero blood alcohol level (0.00 BAC)
- No driving between midnight and 5 AM
- All passengers must wear seatbelts
- No handheld electronic devices
How Do You Make Practice Sessions Count?
Random driving does not build test-ready skills efficiently. Follow a structured approach: practice specific manoeuvres in one session (turns, three-point turns), then move to intersections, then busier roads. Ask your supervising driver to give you specific feedback rather than general instructions. Review your driving school lessons between professional lessons to reinforce what you learned.
When Should You Book Professional Lessons?
Parent or family practice is valuable for building seat time, but professional lessons teach technique that passes the road test. Book your first professional lesson early to build correct habits from the start. Then use parent-supervised practice to reinforce those techniques between lessons. This combination is faster and more effective than either approach alone.
Related Questions
Can a Parent Teach You to Drive in Ontario?
Yes, a parent can teach you to drive in Ontario if they hold a valid full G licence (not G1 or G2), have at least 4 years of driving experience, and sit in the front passenger seat. However, only a licensed driving school can provide BDE certification.
Read answerHow Many Driving Lessons Do You Need to Pass?
Most students need 10 to 20 hours of professional driving lessons to pass the G2 road test, depending on their starting experience. Students in a BDE program get 10 in-car hours as part of the course. Additional individual lessons help build confidence for the test.
Read answerHow Long Is Your G1 Licence Valid in Ontario?
A G1 licence is valid for 5 years from the date it is issued. You must pass the G2 road test before your G1 expires. If it expires, you must restart the entire process, including retaking the written knowledge test.
Read answerWhat Do You Do at a Roundabout in Ontario?
At a roundabout in Ontario, slow down and yield to traffic already circulating inside. Enter when there is a safe gap, stay in your lane, and signal right when you are ready to exit. Do not stop inside the roundabout unless traffic ahead of you has stopped.
Read answerHow to Do a Proper Shoulder Check While Driving
A proper shoulder check means turning your head approximately 90 degrees toward the direction you are moving to visually confirm your blind spot is clear. Check your mirrors first, signal your intention, then do the shoulder check immediately before you move the vehicle. The head turn must be obvious and deliberate, not just a glance.
Read answerFrom Our Blog
Overcoming Driving Anxiety: Tips for Nervous Drivers
Feeling anxious about driving is more common than you think. Learn practical techniques to build confidence behind the wheel, whether you are a new driver or getting back on the road after an accident.
Read articleAdult Driving Lessons in Ontario: What to Expect and How to Start
Learning to drive as an adult is more common than you think. Whether you are starting at 25 or 55, Vaughan and Toronto have options built for adults. Here is what to expect, what is different about adult lessons, and how to choose the right instructor.
Read articleHow to Pass Your G2 Road Test in Ontario (2026 Guide)
The full 2026 guide to passing the G2 road test in Ontario. What the examiner marks on the score sheet, the mistakes that end a test, how parallel parking is actually graded, and how to prepare the week before. Written by a 25+ year MTO-certified instructor.
Read articleReady to Start Driving?
Book a lesson with Nadi and join 5,000+ students who passed with SafePass.