Ontario G1 Licence and Car Insurance: What G1 Drivers Actually Need (2026)

No. Proof of car insurance is not required to apply for or receive a G1 licence at a DriveTest centre or ServiceOntario Bay and College in downtown Toronto. Prepare with Ontario G1 practice tests.

However, the vehicle you drive for practice or a road test must be insured. Ontario law requires insurance on the vehicle, not the driver.

Does a G1 driver in Ontario need their own car insurance?

No. You do not need your own car insurance policy during the G1 phase. The vehicle you practice in must have valid Ontario auto insurance and you must carry proof of insurance in the car.

Insurance Requirements When Practising With a G1

You pay the $159.75 G1 licence package fee. No insurance card is checked.

Once you have your G1, any vehicle you drive on public roads must have valid Ontario auto insurance. You do not need your own policy during the G1 phase.

Check the Ontario learner's permit guide for current rules and fees.

• If you don't own a car: You do not need personal insurance. The vehicle must have valid Ontario auto insurance when you drive it.
• Using a parent's policy: Yes, you can use a parent's insured vehicle even if your name isn't on the policy. The insurance follows the car. Parents must notify their broker a G1 driver is in the household.
• Insurance card shows a different vehicle: Practice only in a vehicle that is properly insured; the proof you carry should match that vehicle. The insurance card must be for the specific vehicle you are driving.

Can an Ontario G1 driver practise in a borrowed car?

Yes, if the vehicle is properly insured and the policy permits the learner to drive it. The G1 driver must still follow all supervision rules, and the owner should confirm coverage with the insurer before regular practice.

Do you need to carry proof of insurance while practising with a G1?

The vehicle must have valid insurance and proof should be available during the drive. Ontario insurers can provide paper or electronic proof, so make sure the proof matches the vehicle being used.

Coverage Needed and Proof for Road Tests

For a G2 road test, the vehicle must be properly insured and valid proof of insurance must be available. Ontario accepts insurer-issued paper or electronic proof.

Common G1 Insurance and Proof-of-Coverage Problems

Driving without valid insurance can lead to fines and other penalties under Ontario law.

Common insurance verification issues:

• Expired Pink Card: A driver in Ottawa was turned away from their G2 test at the Walkley Road DriveTest because the insurance card had expired two days prior. They had to reschedule and pay the $53.75 retest fee.
• Excluded Driver Form (OPCF 28A): If an exclusion applies to you, you must not drive that vehicle. Doing so means driving without insurance, even if the car is otherwise insured.
• Vehicle Mismatch: A learner in Mississauga borrowed a neighbor's car for practice, assuming coverage extended. The neighbor's policy did not cover occasional drivers, resulting in the learner driving uninsured.

Can a G1 driver use electronic proof of car insurance during a traffic stop? Yes. Ontario accepts insurer-issued electronic proof of auto insurance on a mobile device. A photo of an old or expired card is not a substitute for current proof.

Ontario G1 insurance: what to confirm before every supervised practice drive

Confirm that the vehicle has active Ontario insurance, that you are not listed as an excluded driver on that policy, and that your supervising driver holds a valid Class G licence with 4 or more years experience.

• ⚠ Verify the insurance pink card's expiry date and vehicle details match the car you will use, at least one week before your road test appointment to avoid cancellation.
• A government-approved BDE course can reduce the G1-to-G2 wait from 12 months to 8 months; insurance discounts vary by insurer.
• Ensure your supervising driver has held a full G licence for at least 4 years and has a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) below 0.05% every time you practice.