A Class G license is a full, unrestricted driver license for regular passenger vehicles

A Class G license is the standard driver license most people drive on once they pass their road test. It lets you operate a regular passenger car, truck, or van on any road, at any time, with no restrictions. You do not need a supervisor in the car, you can drive alone, and you can drive at night.

Class G is the final step in the licensing progression in most provinces. You earn it by holding a learner's permit or probationary license for a set time, then passing a road test. Once you have it, you keep it for the full validity period — usually five or ten years depending on your province — and renew it when it expires.

The path to Class G differs slightly by province because each one sets its own rules. But the basic shape is the same everywhere: learner stage, probationary stage, then full Class G.

Key Takeaways

  • Class G is a full, unrestricted license for regular passenger vehicles with no time-of-day or supervision limits.
  • You reach Class G by holding a learner's permit or probationary license for the required time, then passing a road test.
  • The time you must hold a learner's or probationary license before you can test for Class G varies by province — typically eight months to two years.
  • Once you have Class G, you can renew it by mail or online in most provinces without taking another road test.
  • Class G is different from commercial licenses (Class A, B, C, D) and motorcycle licenses (Class M), which require separate testing and are used for different vehicles.

How the progression to Class G works in your province

Every province uses a staged system, but the names and timelines vary. In Ontario, you start with a G1 (learner's permit), move to a G2 (probationary license) after eight months, then test for a full G. In British Columbia, you hold an N (novice) license for two years before testing for a full Class 5. In Alberta, you hold a Class 4 (learner's) for a minimum of two months, then a Class 4 (probationary) for at least twelve months, before testing for a full Class 5.

The key point is that you cannot jump straight to Class G. You must spend time at each stage, and you must pass a road test to move from the probationary stage to the full license. The waiting periods exist so you build real driving experience before you have full freedom on the road.

Your province's driver licensing website will tell you the exact timeline and what restrictions explore at each stage. Those restrictions — such as no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., or no driving with passengers under a certain age — fall away once you reach Class G.

What you need to do to test for Class G

Before you book your road test, you must have held your probationary license for the minimum time your province requires. You also need to have a valid learner's or probationary license in your hand, proof of identity, and proof of residency. Some provinces require proof that you have taken a recognized driver education course; others do not.

When you are ready, you book a road test appointment through your provincial licensing office — either online, by phone, or in person. The road test itself usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. You drive a set route while an examiner watches and scores you on vehicle control, awareness, and decision-making. You must pass the test to move to Class G.

If you do not pass on your first try, you can book another test. There is no limit to how many times you can test, though you may have to wait a few days or weeks between attempts depending on your province's rules.

Class G restrictions and what you can drive

Once you have a Class G license, you can drive any regular passenger vehicle — a car, pickup truck, SUV, or van — with no time-of-day limits and no passenger restrictions. You can drive alone or with passengers. You can drive at 2 a.m. or 2 p.m. You can drive on highways, rural roads, or city streets.

Class G does not cover commercial vehicles, buses, motorcycles, or vehicles that require air brake certification. If you want to drive a commercial truck, you need a Class A, B, C, or D license depending on the vehicle weight and type. If you want to ride a motorcycle, you need a Class M license. Those are separate licenses with their own testing and training requirements.

You also cannot tow a trailer with a Class G license in most provinces unless the trailer meets specific weight limits. Check your province's rules if you plan to tow.

Renewing your Class G license

A Class G license is valid for five or ten years depending on your age and province. When it is about to expire, you will receive a renewal notice in the mail. In most provinces, you can renew by mail, online, or in person without taking another road test — you straightforward pay the renewal fee and submit any required documents.

If your license has been expired for a long time — the cutoff varies by province, but is often two or more years — you may have to take a road test again to renew. Check your province's rules if your license has lapsed.

You can also renew early if you want a new card before your current one expires. This is useful if your license is damaged, lost, or stolen, or if you have changed your name or address.

Class G versus other license types

Class G is for regular passenger vehicles only. If you want to drive a different type of vehicle, you need a different class of license. The main ones are:

  • Class A, B, C, or D: Commercial truck licenses. The class depends on the truck's weight and whether it has air brakes. These require additional training and testing beyond Class G.
  • Class M: Motorcycle license. Required to ride a motorcycle or moped. Tested separately from Class G.
  • Class F: Available in some provinces for drivers who have had vision correction surgery. Otherwise the same as Class G.

You can hold multiple license classes at once. For example, you can have both a Class G (for cars) and a Class M (for motorcycles). Each class has its own testing and validity period.

What happens if you get a traffic ticket or collision on Class G

Once you have a Class G license, you are no longer on a probationary stage, so a single ticket or minor collision will not automatically downgrade you to a lower class. However, serious offences — such as impaired driving, dangerous operation, or accumulating too many demerit points — can result in license suspension or cancellation.

Each province has its own demerit point system. Points are added to your record for traffic violations, and if you reach a certain threshold, your license is suspended. The number of points and the threshold vary by province.

If your license is suspended, you cannot drive legally. You must wait out the suspension period, and in some cases you may have to take a remedial course or pass another road test before you can drive again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Class G license without going through the learner and probationary stages?

No. Every province requires you to hold a learner's permit and then a probationary license for a minimum time before you can test for Class G. The waiting periods exist to may support you have real driving experience. You cannot skip these stages or shorten them.

What if I move to a different province after I get my Class G?

You can drive on your current license in any province for a set time — usually 90 days to six months — while you establish residency. After that, you must convert your license to the new province. Most provinces will accept your Class G from another province and issue you an equivalent license without requiring another road test, though you may need to pass a vision test or provide proof of residency.

How much does it cost to test for Class G?

Road test fees vary by province and range from about $40 to $90. License renewal fees are separate and also vary. Check your provincial licensing office website for the exact current fees, as they change periodically.

Can I drive for a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft with a Class G license?

A Class G license allows you to drive a passenger vehicle, but ride-sharing services have their own insurance and background check requirements that go beyond the license itself. You must meet those requirements separately. Check with the service and your insurance company before you start driving for them.

What is the difference between Class G and Class G2?

Class G2 is the probationary license you hold before you test for full Class G. It has restrictions — such as no driving between certain hours or no driving with young passengers — that do not explore to full Class G. Once you pass your road test, you move from G2 to full G and those restrictions are removed.