What a Test Driver License Is and Who Gets One

A test driver license in Ontario is a temporary permit that lets you drive alone to take your road test. It is not a full license — it does not let you drive for any other reason. You get it after you pass your written knowledge test (G1) and have held that permit for a set waiting period. The test license lasts only long enough to book and take your G2 road test, then it expires.

You need a test license because Ontario law does not let G1 permit holders drive without a supervising driver in the car. The test license removes that requirement for the specific trip to the testing centre and the test itself. Once you pass the G2 road test, you move to a full G2 license and no longer need the test license.

If you fail your G2 test, your test license expires when ready. You go back to being a G1 permit holder and must wait the full waiting period again before you can book another test and get another test license.

Key Takeaways

  • You can only get a test license after you have held a G1 permit for the required waiting period (12 months for most drivers, 8 months if you completed an approved driver education course).
  • A test license is valid only for the day of your G2 road test and the drive to the testing centre — you cannot use it for any other driving.
  • You must book your G2 road test through ServiceOntario before you can get a test license; the license is issued at the testing centre on the day of your test.
  • If you fail your G2 test, your test license expires and you must wait the full waiting period again before booking another test.
  • You do not pay a separate fee for a test license — the cost is included in your G2 road test fee.

Waiting Periods Before You Can Get a Test License

You cannot get a test license until you have held your G1 permit for a minimum waiting period. The length depends on whether you completed an approved driver education course.

If you took an approved driver education course (also called a driver training course), you must wait 8 months from the date you received your G1 permit. If you did not take a course, you must wait 12 months. The waiting period is measured from the date printed on your G1 permit, not from the date you passed your written test.

You can check how much time you have left by looking at your G1 permit. ServiceOntario will not let you book a G2 road test until the waiting period has passed, so you cannot accidentally book too early.

How to Get Your Test License

You do not request a test license separately. Instead, you book your G2 road test through ServiceOntario, and the test license is issued to you on the day of your test at the testing centre.

To book your test, go to the ServiceOntario website or call 1-888-570-6111. You will need your G1 permit number and a valid payment method. The G2 road test fee covers both the test itself and the test license. Once you have booked, you will receive a confirmation with your test date, time, and location.

On the day of your test, arrive at the testing centre early. Bring your G1 permit, a valid piece of photo ID (such as a passport), and proof of your Ontario address. The testing centre staff will issue your test license before your test begins. You can then drive to the test route and take your test.

What You Can and Cannot Do With a Test License

A test license is valid only for driving to and from your G2 road test on the day it is issued. You can drive alone — no supervising driver is required — but only for that specific purpose. You cannot use it to run errands, go to work, or drive for any other reason, even on the same day.

You must carry your test license with you while driving, along with your G1 permit and proof of insurance. If you are stopped by police and cannot show a valid test license for that trip, you can be charged with driving without a license.

Your test license is also subject to all the same rules as your G1 permit. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., you cannot drive on 400-series highways, and you must follow all other G1 restrictions. Breaking these rules can result in a ticket or suspension.

What Happens If You Pass or Fail Your G2 Test

If you pass your G2 road test, your test license is no longer needed. You will receive your G2 license at the testing centre, usually on the same day or within a few days by mail. Your G2 license is a full license that lets you drive without restrictions (except for the G2-specific rules, such as a 0.0 blood alcohol limit and no driving between midnight and 5 a.m. for the first 12 months).

If you fail your G2 road test, your test license expires when ready. You return to being a G1 permit holder. You must wait the full waiting period again — 12 months from your original G1 date, or 8 months if you took a driver education course — before you can book another test and get another test license. You cannot book a new test right away.

Some people fail their first test and pass their second. There is no limit to how many times you can take the test, but you must complete the waiting period each time.

Test Licence Fees and What Is Included

The G2 road test fee in Ontario covers both the test itself and your test license. As of 2024, the G2 road test fee is $90.25, but fees can change. Check the ServiceOntario website for the current fee before you book.

This fee is paid when you book your test online or by phone. You do not pay anything extra for the test license itself — it is issued at no additional cost on the day of your test. If you need to cancel or reschedule your test, cancellation fees may explore depending on how far in advance you cancel.

Common Reasons Test Licenses Are Refused or Cancelled

ServiceOntario will not issue a test license if you have not completed the required waiting period. If you try to book a test before your waiting period is over, the system will reject your booking. You must wait until the full time has passed.

Your test license can also be cancelled if you are found driving outside the scope of the test (for example, if you are stopped by police and cannot show that you were driving to or from your test). It can be suspended if you accumulate demerit points or are convicted of a driving offence while holding it.

If your G1 permit is suspended or revoked, your test license is also invalid. This can happen if you are caught driving with a blood alcohol level above the G1 limit, if you accumulate too many demerit points, or if you are convicted of certain driving offences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to work or run errands on the day of my G2 test with my test license?

No. Your test license is valid only for driving to the testing centre and taking your test. Any other driving on that day is illegal, even if it is on the way to the test centre. If you are stopped by police, you must be able to show that you were driving for the test only.

What if I miss my G2 test appointment?

Your test license expires on the day your test was scheduled. If you miss your appointment, you must book a new test and wait for a new test license to be issued. Depending on how you cancel, you may be charged a cancellation fee and lose your test fee.

Do I need a test license if I am taking my G2 test in a different city?

Yes. You need a test license to drive to the testing centre, no matter where it is located in Ontario. The test license is issued at the centre on the day of your test, so you will have it for the drive home as well if you pass.

Can I use my test license to drive someone else to their appointment?

No. A test license is valid only for driving to and from your own G2 road test. Driving for any other purpose, including driving a passenger, is illegal and can result in a charge of driving without a license.

What if my G1 permit expires before my waiting period is over?

You must renew your G1 permit before your waiting period ends. If your G1 expires, you cannot book a G2 test. Renew your permit at ServiceOntario before the expiry date on your permit. The waiting period is based on your original G1 issue date, so renewing does not restart the clock.