Stepping into the driver’s seat is an exciting time for any 16-year old. However, as times change, so has the process for obtaining your driver’s licence. While there are still the obligatory tests for vision and knowledge of the rules of the road, Ontario now has a graduated system that requires your child to pass two road tests in order to be fully licensed. It’s important that both parents and young drivers understand how the Ontario driver’s licensing system works—and how it affects your insurance.
A Quick and Helpful Guide to Understanding Graduated Licensing in Ontario
Before a new driver can apply for a licence, there are three conditions they must meet:
- Be 16 years of age or older
- Pass an eye test
- Pass a written test about traffic signs and rules of the road
They will also need to provide proof of identification, such as:
- Passport
- Ontario Photo Card
- Secure Certificate of Indian Status Card
- Canadian Citizenship Card
- Permanent Resident Card
Once they have passed the written test, they will graduate to a G1 licence.
The G1 Licence
A G1 is Ontario’s equivalent of a learner’s permit and must be held for a minimum of 12 months before attempting to graduate to a G2. This period can be reduced to 8 months if the new driver completes an approved driver education course. There are important conditions that a G1 driver must follow:
- Maintain a 0% blood alcohol level while driving
- Zero cannabis in your system
- Be accompanied by a fully licenced driver with at least 4 years of driving experience
- All passengers must wear seatbelts
- No driving on the 400 series highways or expressways
- No driving between 12 am and 5 am
When it comes to insurance, a G1 driver must be insured on another person’s policy—someone with a G2 or G licence who lives in your household. Please contact your insurer immediately if you have a G1 driver using your car. There is typically no premium for adding a G1 driver to your policy. However, if a collision or any other driving convictions are caused by a G1 driver, they could affect your policy rates.
The G2 Licence
Once a driver is ready to move on to the G2 stage, they must complete a road test. If they pass, they can now drive on their own. A G2 must be held for a minimum of 12 months before attempting the final road test. While there are fewer restrictions on a G2 driver than a G1, there are still some rules they must follow:
- Maintain a 0% blood alcohol level while driving
- Zero cannabis in your system
- For the first 6 months, you are only allowed to carry one passenger aged 19 or younger
- After 6 months, or if you turn 20, a limit of three passengers aged 19 or younger
- There’s an exemption for younger passengers if they are immediate family members
G2 drivers can also be the primary policyholder for auto insurance. However, the policy will likely be more expensive than a full G licensed driver. If a G2 driver lives in your household, does not have their own car/policy, and is driving a car, they must be added to your insurance policy. Driver training discounts can apply if the G2 driver completed an approved driver education course.
The Full G Licence
The G licence is the final step in Ontario’s graduated licensing system. In order to achieve it, a final road test must be passed. After this, most restrictions are removed and you can drive on all roads at any time. Insurance rates are also typically lower for fully-licensed drivers. While you cannot be demoted to G1 or G2, you can still have your licence suspended, so always follow the rules of the road. Safe driving prevents accidents and keeps your insurance rates low.
Do you have a child looking to get on the road? At Regal Insurance, we’re here to help. Talk to one of our brokers today, and they’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
