How many hours do I need to practice driving with a permit in Ontario?
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) does not set a mandatory minimum number of practice hours for G1 drivers. However, driving schools and examiners recommend at least 50 to 60 hours of supervised driving to pass the G2 road test.
If you take a government-approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course, you must complete 10 hours of in-car training with a professional instructor. This is the only mandatory hour requirement.
| Path | Mandatory Practice Hours | Recommended Practice Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (No BDE Course) | None | 50-60 hours |
| With BDE Course | 10 hours with instructor | 40-50 additional private hours |
What Counts Toward Your Practice Hours
You can count all supervised driving with a qualified accompanying driver. This includes time spent practicing in various conditions.
- Driver's Ed Hours: The 10 hours of behind-the-wheel training from a certified BDE course count toward your recommended total.
- Supervised Practice: All practice with a licensed driver who has held a full G licence for at least 4 years counts.
- What Doesn't Count: Driving alone, driving outside permitted hours (midnight-5 a.m.), or driving on prohibited 400-series highways without an instructor does not count as valid practice.
Do I need to log my driving hours in Ontario?
No, Ontario does not require G1 drivers to submit a daily practice logbook for the G2 test. The system is based on mandatory wait times: 12 months (or 8 months with BDE).
However, you must sign a legal Declaration of Highway Driving Experience before taking your G2 road test. This form requires you to state how many times you have driven on highways with an 80 km/h+ speed limit in the previous 3 months.
Logbook Verification and Common Issues
While a daily log is not checked, your highway experience declaration is verified.
- ⚠ Do they check your log book? There is no log book to check for the G2 test. For the G test, examiners verify your highway declaration. If you cannot name the highways or your answers are inconsistent, your test can be cancelled.
- Can you estimate hours retroactively? Since no formal log is required for practice hours, estimation is not an issue. For the G test highway declaration, you must accurately recall your trips. Guessing or fabricating this information is a legal offence.
- A student in Mississauga booked their G test at the Etobicoke DriveTest centre.
- Upon check-in, the agent asked which 400-series highways they had practiced on in the last three months.
- The student could only name the 401 twice and had no record of other trips.
- Their test was cancelled, and they lost the $91.25 test fee.
- An Ottawa driver estimated their highway trips for the declaration, stating they drove the 417 five times.
- When the examiner asked for specific entry/exit points, the driver's vague answers raised suspicion.
- The examiner postponed the test, requiring the driver to return with more verifiable experience.
A parent in Hamilton used the RoadReady app to track their teen's practice, including highway trips. When the teen was nervous before the G test, they reviewed the app's history together, ensuring an accurate and confident declaration at the Burlington DriveTest centre.
Practical Tips for Ontario Drivers
For Ontario G1 applicants in 2026: how many hours do I need to practice driving with a permit in Ontario? The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) does not set a mandatory minimum number of practice hours for G1 drivers. However, driving schools and examiners recommend at least 50 to 60 hours of supervised driving to pass the G2 road test. Quick NavigationHow many hours do I need to practice driving with a permit in Ontario? If you take a government-approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course, you must complete 10 hours of in-car training with a professional instructor. This is the only mandatory hour requirement. Path Mandatory Practice Hours Recommended Practice Hours Standard (No BDE Course) None 50-60 hours With BDE Course 10 hours with instructor 40-50 additional private hours What Counts Toward Your Practice Hours You can count all supervised driving with a qualified accompanying driver. This includes time spent practicing in various conditions. Driver's Ed Hours: The 10 hours of behind-the-wheel training from a certified BDE course count toward your recommended total. Supervised Practice: All practice with a licensed driver who has held a full G licence for at least 4 years counts. What Doesn't Count: Driving alone, driving outside permitted hours (midnight-5 a.m.), or driving on prohibited 400-series highways without an instructor does not count as valid practice. Do I need to log my driving hours in Ontario? No, Ontario does not require G1 drivers to submit a daily practice logbook for the G2 test. The system is based on mandatory wait times: 12 months (or 8 months with BDE). However, you must sign a legal Declaration of Highway Driving Experience before taking your G2 road test. This form requires you to state how many times you have driven on highways with an 80 km/h+ speed limit in the previous 3 months. Logbook Verification and Common Issues While a daily log is not checked, your highway experience declaration is verified. ⚠ Do they check your log book? There is no log book to check for the G2 test. For the G test, examiners verify your highway declaration. If you cannot name the highways or your answers are inconsistent, your test can be cancelled. Can you estimate hours retroactively? Since no formal log is required for practice hours, estimation is not an issue. For the G test highway declaration, you must accurately recall your trips. Guessing or fabricating this information is a legal offence. A student in Mississauga booked their G test at the Etobicoke DriveTest centre. Upon check-in, the agent asked which 400-series highways they had practiced on in the last three months. The student could only name the 401 twice and had no record of other trips. Their test was cancelled, and they lost the $91.25 test fee. An Ottawa driver estimated their highway trips for the declaration, stating they drove the 417 five times. When the examiner asked for specific entry/exit points, the driver's vague answers raised suspicion. The examiner postponed the test, requiring the driver to return with more verifiable experience. A parent in Hamilton used the RoadReady app to track their teen's practice, including highway trips. When the teen was nervous before the G test, they reviewed the app's history together, ensuring an accurate and confident declaration at the Burlington DriveTest centre. Practical Tips for Ontario Drivers. Review the section below for the full details and current rules.
- Track highway trips on a calendar immediately after each drive to avoid forgetting details for the mandatory G test declaration.
- Schedule your G2 test for a mid-morning weekday at a less busy centre like Port Union to avoid long waits that increase pre-test anxiety.
- Bring your original BDE course certificate to the DriveTest centre when booking your G2 test to instantly validate your 8-month wait time and avoid processing delays.
Rules for Supervised Driving Practice
All practice must follow these conditions:
- Accompanying Driver: Must have a full G licence for 4+ years, a blood alcohol level below 0.05%, and sit in the front passenger seat.
- Night Driving: G1 drivers are prohibited from driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
- Highways: Driving on 400-series highways, high-speed expressways, or certain municipal roads is prohibited unless with a licensed driving instructor.
- Passengers: The number of passengers must not exceed the number of working seatbelts.
Penalties for False Declarations
Signing the highway experience declaration is a legal act under the Highway Traffic Act. Providing false information can result in:
- A fine of $400 to $5,000.
- Up to 30 days imprisonment.
- A driver's licence suspension of up to 6 months.
- Potential insurance denial in the event of a collision.
