Ontario G1 Test Pass Rates: First-Attempt Data and Whether Any DriveTest Centre Is Easier (2026)

The MTO does not publish official G1 first-time pass rates by location. Test content is identical province-wide. Applicants who study the official MTO Drivers Handbook consistently outperform those who do not.

• MTO does not publish official first-time pass rates for the G1 permit test.
• For the G2 road test, the first-time pass rate averages 59%, but varies significantly by location.
• Prepare with Ontario G1 practice tests.

What is the Ontario G1 permit test pass rate and which centres are easiest?

Roughly half of all new applicants fail their initial G1 knowledge test attempt. The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) uses a split-section scoring rule that contributes to this learners permit success rate.

Estimated G1 Pass Rates by Applicant Group

Pass rates differ by age group. The overall first time permit test pass rate is a composite of these key applicant categories.

• The permit test failure rate is high because you must pass the 'Rules of the Road' and 'Traffic Signs' sections independently. Scoring 15/20 on one section is an automatic fail.
• Common mistakes include missing updated 2025 penalty questions, like the $615 fine for a first distracted driving conviction.

Does DriveTest publish G1 pass rates for each Ontario test centre?

DriveTest does not publish a current public centre-by-centre G1 knowledge-test pass-rate table. Treat unofficial location pass rates cautiously and do not assume one centre is easier based on anecdotes.

Does a shorter DriveTest queue make the G1 test easier?

No. Queue length can change your wait, but it does not change the G1 test standard or passing requirement. For current wait-time and best-time guidance, see the DriveTest Hours & Best Times guide.

What actually determines whether you pass the Ontario G1 test first try?

For the G1 knowledge test, preparation matters more than location. Study both road signs and rules of the road and make sure you can reach the required score in each section.

Test Difficulty and Common Failures

Common problems include weak preparation in one section, misreading scenario questions, and relying on outdated study material. Use the current handbook and practise both sections rather than choosing a centre because it is believed to be easier.

Test-Day Preparation That Can Affect Your Result

Bring accepted original identification and arrive early enough to complete testing before the centre closes. Detailed queue and best-time advice belongs in the DriveTest Hours & Best Times article.

G1 Retest Fee and Failed-Section Rules

The G1 licence package is $159.75 and an extra knowledge-test attempt is $16. There is no normal appointment requirement for a G1 retest. If you retry within one year, you retake only the section or sections that did not meet the MTO standard. See the Failed Knowledge Test guide for full retake rules.

Do different Ontario DriveTest centres use different G1 questions?

All G1 knowledge tests are created to the same MTO standard. The exact live questions are not published, so changing centres is not a reliable way to get an easier test.

Is the paper G1 test easier than the computer version?

There is no official easier version. Paper and computer tests assess the same Ontario driving knowledge, although some applicants may personally prefer one format.

Does the day or time you take the G1 test change its difficulty? No official rule makes the test easier at a certain hour or day. Timing can affect the queue and how rushed the visit feels, not the passing standard.