Ontario G1 with a Motorcycle Licence: Separate Car Licensing and GDL Requirements (2026)

Holding an Ontario motorcycle licence does not exempt you from the G1 level for a car licence. The two licence classes are separate streams with separate tests.

• If you have a motorcycle license in Ontario, you must start at the G1 level to drive a car.
• Your motorcycle experience does not exempt you from any part of the graduated licensing system for passenger vehicles.
• Prepare with Ontario G1 practice tests.

Does holding an Ontario motorcycle licence exempt you from the G1 car test?

Yes. A motorcycle license (Class M, M1, or M2) does not grant driving privileges for cars or light trucks. You must obtain a separate Class G1 instructional permit and complete all knowledge tests, vision exams, and road tests.

Requirements and Testing for Motorcycle License Holders

You follow the standard G1 application process. No waiting periods are shortened, and no tests are waived.

• ⚠ Application: Submit Form 023-SR-LD-054 at a DriveTest Centre to add Class G. Bring your motorcycle licence and two pieces of ID.
• ⚠ Fees: The G1 licence package fee is $159.75. This covers the written test and one G2 road test attempt.
• ⚠ Vision Test: Mandatory. You must meet a 20/50 standard.
• ⚠ G1 Knowledge Test: Required. The test has 40 questions. You must score at least 16 correct in each of the two sections.
• ⚠ Road Tests: Both the G2 and full G road tests are mandatory. Motorcycle riding skills do not replace car-specific assessments.

Example: A rider in Ottawa with an M2 license failed the G1 knowledge test by not studying the car-specific rules of the road, assuming their motorcycle test covered the same material. They had to pay $16.00 to rewrite the test.

Example: An experienced motorcyclist in Mississauga failed their G2 road test for not checking the car's blind spots over the correct shoulder, a critical error not applicable to motorcycles.

Do you pay the full G1 application fee if you already have an M licence?

Holding a motorcycle class does not waive the Class G testing requirements. The amount charged when adding a class can depend on the tests and licensing period already on your record, so check the current DriveTest fee for your exact class combination before paying.

No Exemptions: Waiting Periods and Rules

Your motorcycle license does not provide special considerations.

• Waiting Period: You must hold a G1 for 12 months before a G2 test. This reduces to 8 months only if you complete a Ministry-approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course.
• G1 Restrictions Apply: You must drive with a fully licensed G driver (4+ years experience), maintain 0.00% BAC, and cannot drive on 400-series highways or between midnight and 5 a.m.

Standard G1 knowledge tests at DriveTest Centres are available without an appointment on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointments are used for specific accommodations such as verbal knowledge tests.

Visit the Ontario learner's permit guide for step-by-step rules.

Can you hold an Ontario G1 car licence and a motorcycle permit at the same time?

Yes. You can hold a Class G1 (car) and a Class M1 (motorcycle) permit simultaneously in Ontario. Your licence card will display both classes, such as 'G1M1'.

Rules for Holding Both Permits

You must follow the specific restrictions for the vehicle you are operating.

Example: A Toronto driver with a G1M1 was fined for carrying a passenger on their motorcycle. They incorrectly assumed their G1 passenger rules applied to the motorcycle.

Applying for Both Permits Together

You can apply for both the G1 and M1 at the same time.

• Process: Request testing for both classes on a single application at a DriveTest Centre.
• Fees: Pay the G1 package fee ($159.75).
• Tests: You must pass two separate written knowledge tests: one for cars (G1) and one for motorcycles (M1).

Bring two original pieces of government-issued ID, not photocopies, to a DriveTest Centre like the one at 1445 Lawrence Ave E in Toronto. Applicants using a health card and a student ID are often turned away, causing rescheduling delays.

Adding Class G While You Hold a Motorcycle Licence

Yes. A motorcycle license (Class M, M1, or M2) does not grant driving privileges for cars or light trucks. You must obtain a separate Class G1 instructional permit and complete all knowledge tests, vision exams, and road tests. Requirements and Testing for Motorcycle License Holders You follow the standard G1 application process. No waiting periods are shortened, and no tests are waived. ⚠

• Application: Submit Form 023-SR-LD-054 at a DriveTest Centre to add Class G. Bring your motorcycle licence and two pieces of ID. ⚠
• Fees: The G1 licence package fee is $159.75. This covers the written test and one G2 road test attempt. ⚠
• Vision Test: Mandatory. You must meet a 20/50 standard. ⚠
• G1 Knowledge Test: Required. The test has 40 questions. You must score at least 16 correct in each of the two sections. ⚠
• Road Tests: Both the G2 and full G road tests are mandatory. Motorcycle riding skills do not replace car-specific assessments
• Example: A rider in Ottawa with an M2 license failed the G1 knowledge test by not studying the car-specific rules of the road, assuming their motorcycle test covered the same material. They had to pay $16.00 to rewrite the test
• Example: An experienced motorcyclist in Mississauga failed their G2 road test for not checking the car's blind spots over the correct shoulder, a critical error not applicable to motorcycles
• No Exemptions: Waiting Periods and Rules Your motorcycle license does not provide special considerations
• Waiting Period: You must hold a G1 for 12 months before a G2 test. This reduces to 8 months only if you complete a Ministry-approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course
• G1 Restrictions Apply: You must drive with a fully licensed G driver (4+ years experience), maintain 0.00% BAC, and cannot drive on 400-series highways or between midnight and 5 a.m. Standard G1 knowledge tests at DriveTest Centres are available without an appointment on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointments are used for specific accommodations such as verbal knowledge tests. Can you hold an Ontario G1 car licence and a motorcycle permit at the same time? Yes. You can hold a Class G1 (car) and a Class M1 (motorcycle) permit simultaneously in Ontario. Your licence card will display both classes, such as 'G1M1'. Rules for Holding Both Permits You must follow the specific restrictions for the vehicle you are operating. Feature Class G1 (Car) Rules Class M1 (Motorcycle) Rules Passengers Allowed with a supervising driver. You cannot drive alone. Strictly prohibited. Driving/Riding Times No driving between midnight and 5 a.m. Daylight only. No riding from half-hour after sunset to half-hour before sunrise. Road Access No 400-series highways or high-speed expressways. No roads with speed limits over 80 km/h
• No 400-series highways. Example: A Toronto driver with a G1M1 was fined for carrying a passenger on their motorcycle. They incorrectly assumed their G1 passenger rules applied to the motorcycle. You can apply for both the G1 and M1 at the same time
• Process: Request testing for both classes on a single application at a DriveTest Centre
• Fees: Pay the G1 package fee ($159.75)
• Tests: You must pass two separate written knowledge tests: one for cars (G1) and one for motorcycles (M1). Bring two original pieces of government-issued ID, not photocopies, to a DriveTest Centre like the one at 1445 Lawrence Ave E in Toronto. Applicants using a health card and a student ID are often turned away, causing rescheduling delays

• You can upgrade each licence class independently.
• For instance, passing the G2 road test changes your licence to 'G2M1'.
• Passing an M1 exit course changes it to 'G1M2'.
• If one class expires, you must retest for that class.

Are your Ontario motorcycle and G1 classes shown on the same licence card?

Ontario can record permitted licence-class combinations on one driver's licence. The exact class designation shown depends on the G and M stages you currently hold.

Does adding a G1 affect the expiry date of an existing motorcycle licence? Do not assume a new class creates an unrelated five-year period. DriveTest records the class combination on your driver record, so confirm the resulting expiry shown on the issued licence when adding a class.