Getting your G1 in Ontario? Brush up on the regulations

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As Ontario starts nibbling away at the pandemic backlog that has halted driver testing, it’s important for a refresher in just what having that newly-minted licence means — at each level. It’s also important for parents who may have a new driver in the house.

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Your 16-year-old (now maybe 17?) is eligible to get their G1 licence. They’ll have to go to the Ministry for an eye test and a written knowledge test. The cost for the G1 package is $159.75 for the written test, a Class G2 road test (to get to the next level; this is sometimes called a G1 road test, but it can be taken when you’ve held your G1 for minimum one year (or 9 months if you take a certified instruction course) and a licence is good for 5 years. All fees are here . 

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You book an appointment for the written test, and bring acceptable I.D . The Driver’s Handbook is now available online, as are practice tests. Don’t use an older version, because laws are updated often and that’s reflected in the content. Parents should take this opportunity to go over it again, too. You kid will ask you questions, and a lot has changed.

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With their G1, they can officially get behind the wheel. They must always be accompanied by a fully licensed driver (at least four years) who is not under suspension. Any passengers must be buckled up. The driver must maintain a zero blood alcohol level and have no cannabis in their system. The accompanying driver must be under .05 BAC (unless they are under 21, then it’s a zero), but please don’t use a beginner as your designated driver.

A G1 driver cannot drive between midnight and 5 am; they cannot drive on any 400 series or high-speed highways, unless with a certified driving instructor. For parents, you don’t need to add your G1 driver to your insurance policy yet.

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There’s a couple of things parents should keep in mind. Even if you’re an excellent driver, teaching that skill to someone else, especially someone you know really well, can end disastrously. Learning to drive — and to drive well — takes time, patience and a thorough knowledge of driving rules. It can be nerve-wracking for the new driver to handle a whole new skill set at the same time they’re still dealing with Mom or Dad. A third-party instructor is the way to go.

That said, once a driver is learning, they need all the wheel time they can get. There is no replacing actual experience. When my sons were learning, the house rule was G1 does the driving whenever possible. If driving with your newbie is too nerve-wracking for you , ask a trusted friend to assist. There’s enough things to worry about outside the car without conflict happening on the inside. 

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With a G2 licence in hand, now you add this driver to your policy. They are occasional drivers (unless they have their own car) but your policy will reflect their status; don’t be surprised to see a bump in your premium. You might have a perfect 7-star rating, but, “most carriers will start the newest driver at a 1 star, but some are 0 — unless they’ve completed a certified driver training course. Then they will begin at a 3 star, but will not exceed the 3-star rating for 3 years,” says Debbie Arnold, a broker with Sound Insurance. A certified training course is worth it. 

With your G2 licence, restrictions are lifted. You can drive alone; you can have as many passengers as there are working seatbelts; you can drive on any road; you must still maintain a zero BAC and have no cannabis in your system.

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Except, G2 but under 19? “ Between midnight and 5 a.m.: you can only drive with one passenger who is 19 or under in your car. This condition applies for the first six months of G2. After six months, you can drive with up to three passengers 19 or under between midnight and 5 a.m. This condition does not apply, if: you have a fully licensed driver in the car (with four years plus experience driving) or your passengers are immediate family members (e.g., a parent, brother or sister).”

When your offspring get their G2, the clock starts ticking on their insurance rating. They’re on their way to a clean driving record, which will make securing their own insurance less expensive in the future. If you get your licence for the first time at 35 or 50, you will still be charged as the new driver that you are. Even if your kid isn’t sure they want to get licensed, it’s a good skill to acquire, and a good way to help them in the future. Talk to them about the implications. It’s also easier to learn how to drive when you have access to a car to practice, something that might not be so readily available in the future. 

The biggest talk to have right now is surrounding cannabis. Just as any driver 21 and under has to have a zero BAC, there is also zero tolerance for drugs. The penalties are hefty. The difference between alcohol and cannabis is how it can be measured in your system. Alcohol is water-soluble and will clear out in hours; weed is fat-soluble and will be detectable for far longer, even a month. Flunk a field sobriety test (even due to nerves) and that toke you took two weeks ago might show up. 

Be patient, practice, and stay clean.