Total Cost of an Ontario Driver's Licence: G1 to Full G: Every Fee Listed (2026)

Getting a full Ontario G licence from scratch costs a minimum of several hundred dollars including the $159.75 G1 package, G2 and G road test fees, and BDE course costs if taken.

• The total cost to get a full G license in Ontario ranges from $251 to over $1,400.
• The final price depends on whether you take driver's education and how many tests you pass on the first try.
• Prepare with Ontario G1 practice tests.

What is the total cost of getting a full Ontario G licence from scratch?

Ontario's graduated licensing system has fixed government fees. Optional training creates the major cost difference.

What is the minimum government cost from G1 to full G if you pass first time?

Using the current standard fees, the minimum government examination cost is $251.00: the $159.75 G1 package plus the $91.25 Class G road test. This assumes the included first G2 road test is passed and no retests, replacements, or optional training are needed.

Is the Class G road test included in the $159.75 G1 package? No. The package includes the first G2 road test, but the final Class G road test is paid separately.

Does Starting at 18 Reduce Ontario Licensing Costs?

Turning 18 does not let a normal first-time Ontario driver skip G1 or G2. The main cost difference comes from optional training and whether extra tests or replacement services are needed.

For BDE pricing details, see the dedicated BDE cost guide.

Does turning 18 make an Ontario driver's licence cheaper?

No. Turning 18 does not remove the G1 or G2 stages for a normal first-time driver and does not create a lower DriveTest fee schedule. Total cost changes mainly with optional training, retests, replacements, and test-day expenses.

Does taking BDE reduce Ontario government licensing fees?

No. An approved BDE course can shorten the G1 waiting period, but it does not reduce the standard DriveTest examination fees. The course itself is an additional private training cost.

Total Cost with Test Failures

Extra attempts increase the total cost: an additional G1 knowledge-test attempt is $16.00, a G2 road-test retest is $53.75, and a Class G road-test retest is $91.25. Detailed retake rules are covered in the failed knowledge test guide.

Licence-expiry consequences depend on the stage. A G2 driver nearing expiry may be able to requalify for another five-year G2 term by passing the G2 road test again before expiry; after expiry, restart rules can apply. See the dedicated permit validity and renewal guide for the stage-specific rules.

Additional Costs Beyond Ontario Licensing Fees

Retest fees ($16.00 per G1 attempt, $53.75 per road test), replacement licence fees ($35.75), and BDE course registration deposits are costs most new applicants overlook.

• Document Verification Fees: If your proof of address doesn't match MTO requirements, you may need a guarantor or notarized statement. A student in Ottawa was turned away from the DriveTest centre on Walkley Road because a bank statement wasn't an original mailed copy. They paid $50 for a notary.
• Test Day Car Rental: Without access to a suitable, insured vehicle, you must rent one. Many driving schools charge $100-$150 to use their car for the test. A Mississauga test-taker arrived with a burnt-out brake light and the test could not proceed. An out-of-order road test results in a 50% fee loss, with the other 50% remaining as credit; vehicle-rental costs are separate.
• ? Last-Minute Cancellation Fees: DriveTest charges a fee if you cancel or reschedule your road test with less than 48 hours notice. This fee is often the full test cost ($53.75 for G2, $91.25 for G).

Practical Tips to Avoid Delays and Extra Fees

• G1 Written Test Retest: $16 per attempt
• G2 Road Test Retest: $53.75 per attempt
• Class G Road Test Retest: $91.25 per attempt
• Example Total with Failures: A DIY driver who fails the G1 test once and the G2 test twice would pay: $159.75 (G1 package) + $16 (G1 retest) + ($53.75 x 2) (G2 retests) + $91.25 (G test) = $374.50. A major hidden cost is license expiry. Your G1 license is valid for 5 years. Expiry consequences depend on the licence stage; some G2 drivers may requalify before expiry, while restart rules can apply after expiry. Additional Costs Beyond Ontario Licensing Fees Retest fees ($16.00 per G1 attempt, $53.75 per road test), replacement licence fees ($35.75), and BDE course registration deposits are costs most new applicants overlook
• Document Verification Fees: If your proof of address doesn't match MTO requirements, you may need a guarantor or notarized statement. A student in Ottawa was turned away from the DriveTest centre on Walkley Road because a bank statement wasn't an original mailed copy. They paid $50 for a notary
• Test Day Car Rental: Without access to a suitable, insured vehicle, you must rent one. Many driving schools charge $100-$150 to use their car for the test. A Mississauga test-taker arrived with a burnt-out brake light and the test could not proceed. An out-of-order road test results in a 50% fee loss, with the other 50% remaining as credit; vehicle-rental costs are separate. ?
• Last-Minute Cancellation Fees: DriveTest charges a fee if you cancel or reschedule your road test with less than 48 hours notice. This fee is often the full test cost ($53.75 for G2, $91.25 for G). Practical Tips to Avoid Delays and Extra Fees

• Bring the accepted original identity document or document combination required for your application to your G1 application to avoid being sent home. A common mistake is bringing a health card as the only photo ID; it is not accepted by itself.
• Check all vehicle lights, signals, and horn the day before your road test. A vehicle problem such as a non-working brake light can cause the test to be declared out-of-order. In that case, 50% of the prepaid road-test fee is lost and the other 50% remains as a credit.
• Book your next road test before your licence expires. An expired novice licence cannot simply be renewed, but expiry does not always mean every waiting period starts over. The result depends on your licensing stage and how long the licence has been expired; see the dedicated permit validity and renewal guidance for the applicable rule.