To apply for a driver's license in Ontario, you must be at least 16 years old, pass an eye test, and pass a written test about the rules of the road and traffic signs.
There are three classes of driver's licenses in Ontario.
G1 License
The G1 is the first class of licensing for drivers of cars, vans and small trucks. When you pass the eye and written tests, you get a G1 license and are then expected to get practical knowledge of the road before proceeding to the next tier.
There are strict rules to adhere to when driving with a G1. For example, you can only drive with a fully licensed driver who has at least four years of driving experience, and you cannot drive between 12 midnight and 5am.
Find the full list of rules here.
G2 License
The second class of licensing requires that you pass a basic road test. You can take your road test after 12 months with a G1 license.
With a G2, if you are above 19 years old, you can drive at any time of the day and without another experienced driver in the car. But you must have a zero blood alcohol level and can carry only as many passengers as there are working seat belts.
Find the full list of rules here.
G License
The third and final class of licensing requires you to pass an advanced road test: driving on a highway, parallel parking. You can take the test after 12 months with a G2 license.
You have 5 years to complete the licensing process (G1 to G2 to G), otherwise you will have to start the entire process (from the writing test) all over again.
As an immigrant you can convert your home country's license to a Canadian G class license after the G2 road test (you don't have to wait for two years) as long as your home country is in the list of approved countries. If you home country isn't in the list, you have to present documentation, from your home country's driving regulatory body, proving that you have been driving for at least 5 years.
Find more information about the Ontario driving process here.
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