If your G1 licence expires in Ontario before you pass the G2 road test, it becomes invalid and you cannot legally drive. You must restart the graduated licensing process from scratch: write the G1 knowledge test again, pay the fee, and wait the required holding period before attempting the G2 road test.
Key Facts
- Book your G2 test as soon as you are eligible
- Check your G1 expiry date now
- Book early: test slots can be several weeks out
- Consider targeted lessons to get test-ready faster
In this article
Do You Have to Start the Process Over?
According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, there is no renewal option for an expired G1 licence. Once expired, it becomes invalid and you cannot drive on it. To get back on the road as a learner driver, you must visit a DriveTest centre and write the G1 knowledge test again. This means paying the licensing fee again (which includes 5 years of licensing, the knowledge test, and two road test attempts) and starting the holding period fresh.
How Long Is the G1 Valid For?
Under Ontario's graduated licensing system, the G1 licence is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. You have this 5-year window to pass the G2 road test. If you complete BDE, you can take the G2 test after 8 months. Without BDE, you must wait 12 months. After passing the G2, your G2 licence is also valid for 5 years, during which you must pass the G road test.
What Should You Do If Your G1 Is About to Expire?
If your G1 is expiring soon and you have not yet passed your G2, book your G2 road test as soon as possible. You can book up to 6 months in advance on the DriveTest website. If the licence expires before your test date, you must cancel, restart the process, and rebook after getting a new G1.
- Book your G2 test as soon as you are eligible
- Check your G1 expiry date now
- Book early: test slots can be several weeks out
- Consider targeted lessons to get test-ready faster
What Is the Financial Cost of Letting It Expire?
You lose any progress toward BDE completion, any road test appointments you had booked, and the forfeited test fee if the appointment date already passed. Starting over means paying the full initial licensing fee again.
Related Questions
How 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 answerHow to Get Your G1 Licence in Ontario
To get your G1 licence, visit a DriveTest centre with valid ID and proof of Ontario residency, pay the combined licence and test fee, pass a vision test, and pass a 40-question written knowledge test. You need at least 80% on each of two sections: road rules and road signs.
Read answerWhat Is Graduated Licensing in Ontario?
Ontario's graduated licensing system (GLS) introduces new drivers in stages: G1 (written test, supervised driving with restrictions), G2 (first road test, most restrictions lifted), and full G (final road test, full driving privileges). Each stage has mandatory waiting periods and specific rules.
Read answerWhat Happens After Passing the G1 Test in Ontario?
After passing the G1 knowledge test, DriveTest issues your G1 licence card on the spot. You can begin driving immediately under G1 restrictions, which include a licensed supervisor, 0 BAC, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., and no 400-series highways. You must hold your G1 for at least 12 months before booking a G2 road test.
Read answerCan a Permanent Resident Get an Ontario Driver's Licence?
Yes, permanent residents of Canada can get an Ontario driver's licence. Permanent residents are eligible to apply for a G1 licence, complete Ontario's graduated licensing program, and obtain a full G licence just like Canadian citizens. You must bring your Permanent Resident card and passport to the DriveTest centre.
Read answerFrom Our Blog
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