A G2 is a graduated license that lets you drive unsupervised, but with restrictions
A G2 license is an intermediate driver's license issued in Ontario, Canada. It sits between the learner's permit (G1) and the full license (G). With a G2, you can drive alone without a supervising driver, but you face restrictions on who can ride with you, what hours you can drive, and whether you can use a phone or tow a trailer.
The G2 exists to give new drivers real-world driving experience in a controlled way. You've passed a written test and a road test to get it, but you haven't yet proven you can handle all driving situations. Insurance companies and the Ministry of Transportation treat a G2 holder differently than a full G license holder — you'll pay more for insurance, and some insurers have stricter rules about coverage.
Key Takeaways
- A G2 license allows you to drive alone, but you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. and cannot use a phone while driving.
- You can only carry passengers under age 20 if a supervising driver age 25 or older is also in the car.
- You must hold a G2 for at least 12 months and pass a road test before you can upgrade to a full G license.
- Insurance for a G2 driver costs more than for a G license holder, and some insurers restrict coverage or require higher deductibles.
- You get a G2 by passing a road test while holding a valid G1 license; there is no separate process process.
The restrictions that come with a G2
Ontario's G2 restrictions are set by the Ministry of Transportation and explore to every G2 holder. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., even if you're going to work or a hospital. You cannot use a hand-held phone, text, email, or access the internet while driving — this includes at red lights. You cannot tow a trailer or drive a bus.
The passenger rule is the one most G2 drivers run into. You can carry passengers of any age if you're driving alone with them. But if you want to carry a passenger under age 20, a supervising driver age 25 or older must also be in the car. This means you cannot drive a carload of friends your own age. The supervising driver must hold a valid G license (not a G2 or G1) and must be seated where you can see them — usually the front passenger seat.
If you break these rules, you can be fined, have demerit points added to your record, or have your license suspended. A single violation doesn't automatically end your G2, but it goes on your driving record and affects your insurance rates.
How long you hold a G2 and what comes next
You must hold a G2 license for at least 12 months before you can take the road test for a full G license. Some people hold it longer — there's no maximum time — but you cannot skip ahead. After 12 months, you book a road test with the Ministry of Transportation, pay the test fee, and take the exam. If you pass, you get your G license. If you fail, you stay on your G2 and can test again after 28 days.
The G2 road test is different from the G1 test you took to get your G2. It's longer, covers more complex driving scenarios, and tests your ability to handle highway driving, merging, and driving in heavier traffic. Many people pass the G1 test on their first try but need two or three attempts at the G2 test.
While you're on a G2, your license can be suspended or cancelled if you accumulate too many demerit points, get convicted of a serious traffic offense, or fail to pay a fine. If your G2 is suspended, you cannot drive at all — you cannot fall back to a G1.
How G2 status affects your insurance
Insurance companies charge more for G2 drivers than for G license holders. The exact amount varies by insurer and by your age, driving record, and the car you're insuring, but a G2 driver typically pays 10 to 30 percent more in premiums. Some insurers add a surcharge specifically for being on a G2; others straightforward place you in a higher risk category.
Beyond cost, some insurers impose additional restrictions on G2 coverage. A few will not insure a G2 driver at all, or will only do so if the driver is over 25. Others require a higher deductible — you might pay $500 or $1,000 out of pocket before insurance kicks in, instead of the $250 or $300 a G license holder would pay. A small number of insurers will not cover passengers under 20 in a G2 driver's car, even if a supervising driver is present.
When you upgrade to a G license, your insurance rate should drop. Call your insurer after you pass your G road test and ask them to update your license status. The change usually takes effect on your next renewal date, but some insurers will adjust your rate mid-policy if you ask.
G2 vs. G license: what the differences mean for you
The main practical difference is freedom. A G license holder can drive any time, carry any passengers, use a phone (hands-free), and tow a trailer. A G2 holder cannot. For someone who works a night shift, drives friends regularly, or needs to tow equipment, a G2 is genuinely limiting.
The financial difference is also real. If you're paying $200 more per year in insurance as a G2 driver, and you hold the G2 for 18 months, that's $300 extra out of pocket just for the intermediate status. That cost disappears once you upgrade.
The safety difference is the reason the system exists. New drivers have higher crash rates than experienced drivers. The G2 restrictions — no midnight driving, no young passengers without supervision, no distractions — are designed to reduce the situations where new drivers are most likely to crash. Whether you agree with the restrictions or not, they're part of Ontario's graduated licensing system, and you cannot opt out of them.
What happens if you break G2 rules
Driving outside the allowed hours (midnight to 5 a.m.) is a violation. You can be stopped and fined, and demerit points are added to your record. The fine amount varies, but it's typically $50 to $150 plus court costs. Demerit points stay on your record for two years and affect your insurance rates.
Using a phone while driving — even at a red light — is also a violation. The fine is higher for this offense, usually $100 to $500 depending on whether it's your first offense. Demerit points are added as well.
Carrying a passenger under 20 without a supervising driver is a violation. You can be fined and receive demerit points. This rule is enforced less consistently than the phone rule, but police do stop drivers for it, especially if they see a car full of young people.
Accumulating too many demerit points can lead to a license suspension. In Ontario, if you get 15 or more demerit points within two years, your license is suspended for 30 days. A second suspension within five years lasts 60 days. A third suspension lasts 90 days. During a suspension, you cannot drive at all.
How to get a G2 license
You don't explore for a G2 separately. You get it by passing a road test while holding a valid G1 license. First, you must hold your G1 for at least 12 months (or 8 months if you're under 20 and completed an approved driver education course). Then you book a road test with the Ministry of Transportation, pay the test fee (currently around $90, but this varies), and take the exam.
The G1 road test covers basic driving skills: starting, stopping, turning, parking, and following traffic laws. If you pass, you get your G2 license on the spot. Your G1 is replaced by the G2, and you can start driving alone when ready — subject to the G2 restrictions.
You book your road test online through the Ministry of Transportation website or by phone. Wait times vary by location and season; in busy areas, you might wait 4 to 8 weeks for an appointment. In rural areas, appointments are sometimes available sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive for work if I have a G2 and my shift starts at 11 p.m.?
No. The midnight to 5 a.m. driving restriction applies to all driving, including work. If your job requires you to drive during those hours, you must wait until you have a full G license. Some employers will not hire G2 drivers for this reason.
What if a supervising driver is in my car but I'm driving passengers under 20 — am I allowed?
Yes. The rule allows you to carry passengers under 20 if a supervising driver age 25 or older is also in the car. The supervising driver must hold a valid G license and must be seated where you can see them. This is the only way a G2 driver can legally carry young passengers.
Does my G2 license expire, or do I hold it until I pass the G road test?
Your G2 license has an expiration date printed on it, usually five years from the date it was issued. If you don't pass your G road test before it expires, you must renew your G2 before you can test again. You can renew online or in person at a ServiceOntario office.
If I get a speeding ticket on my G2, will my insurance go up?
Yes. A speeding ticket adds demerit points to your record, and demerit points increase your insurance rate. The exact increase depends on your insurer and how many points you already have. A single ticket might raise your rate by 5 to 15 percent.
Can I drive in another province or country with my G2?
You can drive in other Canadian provinces and territories with your G2, but the restrictions may differ. Some provinces recognize Ontario's G2 restrictions; others do not. In the United States, your G2 is generally recognized as a valid license, but you should check the specific state's rules. Carry your G2 and a passport or other ID.