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.

Does Ontario require 50 hours of G1 driving practice?

No. Ontario does not set a statutory 50-hour practice minimum before the G2 road test. The 50–60 hour figure is a practical readiness recommendation, not a legal log requirement.

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 the 10 BDE in-car hours replace private G1 practice?

No. The 10 in-car hours satisfy the in-vehicle part of an approved BDE course, but they do not guarantee road-test readiness. Most learners still benefit from additional supervised practice in different traffic and weather conditions.

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).

The Declaration of Highway Driving Experience is for the later full G road test, not the G2 road test. For that G test, you declare qualifying highway-driving experience from the previous 3 months.

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

Do you need highway driving experience before the G2 road test?

No highway-driving declaration is required for the first G2 road test. The highway-experience declaration applies later when you take the full G road test.

G1 Practice Logs vs. the Full G Highway Declaration

Ontario does not require a G1 practice-hours log for the G2 road test. The highway-experience declaration is a separate requirement for the later full G road test. You can keep a personal practice log if it helps you track your progress, but it is not required.

For G2 preparation, focus on varied supervised practice. Before the full G test, keep enough detail about your recent qualifying highway trips to complete the declaration accurately.

Practical Tips for Ontario Drivers

• 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.
• Confirm your approved driving school has submitted your BDE completion to the MTO system before relying on the 8-month G2 eligibility date. You do not need to bring an original BDE certificate to prove eligibility.

Rules for Supervised Driving Practice

G1 practice must follow Ontario's normal learner restrictions, including using a qualified accompanying driver, avoiding the midnight-to-5 a.m. prohibited period, following the restricted-highway rule, and providing a working seatbelt for every passenger. Keep the detailed supervisor and highway rules on their dedicated pages.

Full G Highway-Experience Declaration Rules

The highway-experience declaration applies to the full G test. Give accurate information about your qualifying trips; false information can carry legal consequences.