Often-Asked G1 Exam Questions
78 of the highest-yield question patterns from our practice bank, plus every official MTO sample question, grouped by topic and condensed to a stem, the correct answer, and a one-line why. Study them as fact cards below, or switch to Test mode to take the same questions as a scored quiz. For the full bank, try a practice test.
Official MTO sample questions
These 8 questions are published directly by the Ministry of Transportation as examples of what the real knowledge test looks like, not derived from our bank.
1. To get your vehicle out of a skid, you should first:
Answer: Steer in the direction you want to go.
To recover from a skid, steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go, overcorrecting or braking hard can make the skid worse.
2. When may you lend your driver's licence?
Answer: It is not permitted.
Your licence is proof you're allowed to drive; lending it lets someone impersonate you, and it is not permitted under any circumstance.
3. What must a driver do before entering a highway from a private road or driveway?
Answer: Yield right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the highway.
Drivers entering a road from a private driveway or road have no right-of-way, they must yield to all traffic already on the highway.
4. Never change lanes in traffic without:
Answer: Giving proper signal and looking to make sure the move can be made safely.
A lane change is only safe once you've signalled and confirmed the space is clear, mirrors alone don't cover blind spots.
5. When the driver of another vehicle is about to overtake and pass your vehicle, you must:
Answer: Move to the right and allow such vehicle to pass.
If someone is passing you, move right and let them by rather than speeding up or blocking, which is unsafe and can escalate the situation.
6. When you are deciding whether or not to make a U-turn, your first consideration should be to check:
Answer: Traffic regulations.
Before a U-turn, checking the traffic regulations for that location comes first, many are simply illegal there regardless of visibility or turning radius.
7. It is more dangerous to drive at the maximum speed limit at night than during daytime as:
Answer: You cannot see as far ahead at night.
Headlights only illuminate a limited distance ahead at night, so you can't see hazards as early as you would in daylight even at the same speed.
8. You should under all conditions drive at a speed which will allow you to:
Answer: Stop within a safe distance.
You must always be able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear, not a fixed number of metres, following distance and speed have to adapt to conditions.
Right-of-Way
Two vehicles arrive at the same time at an uncontrolled intersection with no signs or lights. Who has the right-of-way?
Answer: The vehicle on the right
At an intersection without signs or lights, if two vehicles arrive at the same time the vehicle approaching from the right has the right-of-way.
At an intersection with stop signs at all four corners, two vehicles stop at the same time. Which one must yield?
Answer: The vehicle on the left
At a four-way stop, if two vehicles stop at the same time the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.
What must a driver do before entering a highway from a private road or driveway?
Answer: Yield right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the highway.
This is a real official MTO sample knowledge-test question. Entering a road from a private road or driveway requires yielding to traffic on the road, and to pedestrians.
When entering a road from a private driveway, who must you yield to?
Answer: Vehicles on the road and pedestrians on the sidewalk
A driver leaving a private driveway must yield to both vehicles travelling on the road and to pedestrians on the sidewalk.
When you are turning left at an intersection, you must yield the right-of-way to:
Answer: Approaching traffic and pedestrians in or approaching your path
A left-turning driver must wait for approaching traffic to pass or turn, and for pedestrians in or approaching their path to cross.
Does signalling a turn or lane change give you the right-of-way?
Answer: No, you must still make sure the way is clear
Signalling never grants the right-of-way by itself.
At a pedestrian crossover, when may drivers and cyclists proceed?
Answer: Only once pedestrians and crossing guards reach the sidewalk
Drivers and cyclists must wait until pedestrians, and school crossing guards, have completely crossed and are safely on the sidewalk.
You must yield the right-of-way and wait for pedestrians to completely cross the road at:
Answer: Pedestrian crossovers and school crossings with crossing guards
Drivers must yield and wait for pedestrians to completely cross at pedestrian crossovers and at school crossings staffed by a crossing guard.
In a roundabout, who has the right-of-way?
Answer: Traffic already circulating in the roundabout
Traffic already circulating in a roundabout has the right-of-way over vehicles trying to enter, the "yield to the left" principle.
Once you are travelling inside a roundabout, when should you stop?
Answer: Never, except to avoid a collision
Once in the roundabout you have the right-of-way over entering traffic and should not stop except to avoid a collision.
Penalties & Demerit Points
How many demerit points are added to your record if you are convicted of following too closely?
Answer: 4
Following too closely is a 4-demerit-point offence under the Highway Traffic Act.
As a full-licence driver, what happens when your demerit point total reaches 9 to 14 points?
Answer: You are sent a second warning letter encouraging you to improve your driving
A full-licence driver with 9 to 14 demerit points is sent a second warning letter, one step below the 30-day suspension that applies at 15 or more points.
How many demerit points are added to your record if you are convicted of failing to stop for a school bus?
Answer: 6
Failing to stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing is treated as a serious offence and carries 6 demerit points, the same as careless driving or racing.
Which of these convictions carries 6 demerit points?
Answer: Careless driving
Careless driving is one of the more serious Highway Traffic Act offences and results in 6 demerit points upon conviction.
How many demerit points does a conviction for following too closely carry?
Answer: 4
Following too closely (tailgating) carries demerit points, one of the higher point values below the most serious offences.
How many demerit points are added for driving while holding or using a hand-held wireless communications device?
Answer: 3
Driving while holding or using a hand-held wireless communication or entertainment device carries 3 demerit points, separate from any distracted driving suspension.
As a full-licence driver, what happens when your demerit point total reaches 6 to 8 points?
Answer: You are sent a warning letter
A full-licence driver who accumulates 6 to 8 demerit points is sent a warning letter, the first step in the escalating consequences for high demerit-point totals.
A full-licence driver who reaches 15 or more demerit points faces:
Answer: A 30-day licence suspension
Once a full-licence driver reaches 15 or more demerit points, their licence is suspended for 30 days.
As a novice driver (G1/G2), you are sent a warning letter once you reach:
Answer: 2 to 5 points
Novice drivers face stricter thresholds than full-licence drivers: a first warning letter arrives at just 2 to 5 demerit points.
A novice driver whose demerit points reach 9 or more faces a licence suspension of:
Answer: 60 days
Novice drivers (G1, G2, M1, M2) are suspended for 60 days once they reach 9 or more demerit points, a much lower threshold than what is required to suspend a full-licence driver.
Speed & Passing
Where there are no posted speed-limit signs, the maximum speed in a city, town or village is:
Answer: 50 km/h
Where there are no posted speed limits, the maximum speed is 50 km/h in cities, towns and villages.
Where there are no posted speed-limit signs outside a city, town or village, the maximum speed is:
Answer: 80 km/h
Outside cities, towns and villages, the default maximum speed with no posted signs is 80 km/h.
You should under all conditions drive at a speed which will allow you to:
Answer: Stop within a safe distance.
This is a real official MTO sample knowledge-test question, the correct answer is that you should always be able to stop within a safe distance, not a fixed number.
Never change lanes in traffic without:
Answer: Giving proper signal and looking to make sure the move can be made safely.
This is a real official MTO sample knowledge-test question. A lane change requires the proper signal plus confirming the move can be made safely.
When the driver of another vehicle is about to overtake and pass your vehicle, you must:
Answer: Move to the right and allow such vehicle to pass.
This is a real official MTO sample knowledge-test question. When being overtaken, move right and let the other vehicle pass.
On an undivided road, another driver has pulled into the opposite lane to pass you. What should you do?
Answer: Watch oncoming traffic and move closer to the right of your lane
When being passed on an undivided road, pay attention to oncoming traffic and move closer to the right side of your lane, being prepared to slow down.
Passing is not permitted within how many metres of a pedestrian crossover?
Answer: 30 metres
Passing within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover is not permitted.
Passing left of the centreline is not permitted within 30 metres of a:
Answer: Bridge, viaduct or tunnel
Passing left of a centreline is not permitted within 30 metres of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel.
Impaired Driving
What blood alcohol concentration (BAC) range defines the "warn range" in Ontario?
Answer: 0.05–0.079
The warn range is a blood alcohol concentration between 0.05 and 0.079, below the criminal threshold, but still enough to trigger an immediate roadside suspension.
A driver caught in the warn range (BAC 0.05–0.079) for the first time faces an immediate roadside licence suspension of:
Answer: 7 days
A first warn-range occurrence carries a 7-day immediate roadside licence suspension, an 8-hour education course, and a $250 penalty.
A driver caught in the warn range for a second time faces an immediate roadside licence suspension of:
Answer: 14 days
A second warn-range occurrence carries a 14-day immediate licence suspension, a 16-hour treatment program, and a $350 penalty.
A driver caught in the warn range for a third time faces an immediate roadside licence suspension of:
Answer: 30 days
A third warn-range occurrence carries a 30-day immediate licence suspension, a 16-hour treatment program, a 6-month ignition interlock condition, and a $450 penalty.
What is the penalty amount for a second warn-range occurrence?
Answer: $350
A second warn-range occurrence carries a $350 penalty, in addition to the licence suspension and treatment program.
What is required on a third warn-range occurrence, in addition to the suspension and fine?
Answer: A 16-hour treatment program and a 6-month ignition interlock condition
A third warn-range occurrence adds a 16-hour treatment program and an ignition interlock condition for six months, on top of the 30-day suspension and $450 penalty.
At what blood alcohol concentration can you be criminally charged with impaired driving?
Answer: 0.08 or more
A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more crosses the criminal threshold, triggering an administrative licence suspension and possible Criminal Code charges.
A driver with a BAC of 0.08 or more faces an immediate licence suspension of:
Answer: 90 days
A BAC of 0.08 or more results in an immediate 90-day licence suspension, a 7-day vehicle impoundment, and a $550 penalty, every occurrence.
Sharing the Road
When passing a cyclist, drivers of motor vehicles must maintain a minimum distance of:
Answer: 1 metre, where practical
Drivers must maintain a minimum distance of one metre, where practical, when passing a cyclist. Failing to do so brings a fine and demerit points.
Failing to leave the required minimum passing distance from a cyclist may result in:
Answer: A fine and two additional demerit points
Failure to maintain the minimum one-metre distance when passing a cyclist may result in a fine and an additional two demerit points.
Where a curb exists, cyclists and mopeds are expected to ride about how far from the curb or parked cars?
Answer: 1 metre
Cyclists and mopeds are expected to ride about one metre from the curb or parked cars, or as close as practical to the right edge where there is no curb.
You are turning left and a cyclist is approaching from the opposite direction. What must you do?
Answer: Stop and wait for the oncoming bicycle to pass before turning
When turning left, you must stop and wait for oncoming bicycles to pass before completing the turn.
What should cyclists do when crossing railway or streetcar tracks?
Answer: Cross at a 90° angle
Cyclists should cross railway or streetcar tracks at a 90° angle, to avoid catching a tire in the tracks.
A large commercial vehicle's side-view mirror does not show the driver's face. What does this tell you?
Answer: The truck driver cannot see you
If you cannot see the driver's face in the large vehicle's side-view mirror, the driver cannot see you.
A large vehicle ahead of you is making a right turn and first swings wide to the left. What should you do?
Answer: Stay well back until the truck has completely cleared the lane
Do not move into the space that opens up in the right lane when a large vehicle swings wide for a right turn, stay well back until it has completely cleared the lane.
Why should you leave plenty of room if stopped behind a large vehicle?
Answer: Because the vehicle may roll back when the brakes release
A large vehicle may roll back when its brakes are released after being stopped, so leave plenty of room.
Traffic Lights & Signals
At a green light, when may you turn left, go straight, or turn right?
Answer: After yielding to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection
A green light means you may turn left, go straight or turn right, but only after yielding to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection.
A green light gives you the right to proceed, but when turning left or right you must:
Answer: Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the intersection
A green light does not remove your duty to pedestrians: when turning left or right you must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the intersection.
A yellow (amber) traffic light means:
Answer: The red light is about to appear, stop safely if you can
A yellow light means the red light is about to appear. You must stop if you can do so safely; otherwise, go with caution.
At a red light with no stop line and no crosswalk, where should you stop?
Answer: At the edge of the sidewalk
If there is no stop line, stop at the crosswalk, marked or not. If there is no crosswalk, stop at the edge of the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, stop at the edge of the intersection.
After stopping at a red light, when should you move through the intersection?
Answer: Once the light changes to green and the intersection is clear
You must wait until the light changes to green and the intersection is clear before moving through it.
Unless a sign says otherwise, when may you turn right on a red light?
Answer: After a complete stop, once the way is clear
Unless a sign tells you not to, you may turn right on a red light only after coming to a complete stop and waiting until the way is clear.
When is a left turn on a red light permitted?
Answer: From a one-way road onto a one-way road, after a complete stop
You may turn left on a red light if you are moving from a one-way road onto a one-way road, but you must come to a complete stop first and wait until the way is clear.
What does an advance green light allow you to do?
Answer: Turn left, go straight or turn right, oncoming traffic still faces red
This is called an advance green light: you may turn left, go straight ahead or turn right from the proper lane, because oncoming traffic still faces a red light.
Pavement Markings
White pavement lines are used to separate:
Answer: Traffic travelling in the same direction
White lines separate traffic travelling in the same direction; yellow lines are used for opposing traffic.
Yellow pavement lines are used to separate:
Answer: Traffic travelling in opposite directions
Yellow lines separate traffic travelling in opposite directions, while white lines separate traffic travelling in the same direction.
A solid line at the left of your lane means:
Answer: It is unsafe to pass
A solid line at the left of your lane means it is unsafe to pass.
A broken line at the left of your lane means:
Answer: You may pass if the way is clear
A broken line at the left of your lane means you may pass if the way is clear.
You notice continuity lines, broken lines that are wider and closer together than usual, on your left. What do they mean?
Answer: Your lane is ending or exiting, change lanes to continue
Continuity lines on your left side generally mean the lane you are in is ending or exiting, and that you must change lanes if you want to continue in your current direction. Continuity lines on your right mean your lane will continue unaffected.
What is a stop line, and where should you stop if there is no stop line marked?
Answer: A single white line; if none, stop at the crosswalk
A stop line is a single white line painted across the road at an intersection, showing where you must stop. If there is no stop line marked, stop at the crosswalk, marked or not; if no crosswalk, at the edge of the sidewalk; if no sidewalk, at the edge of the intersection.
Regulatory Signs
A sign that is eight-sided (an octagon) with a red background always means:
Answer: Come to a complete stop
A stop sign is eight-sided with a red background and white letters, and it means you must come to a complete stop.
At an intersection controlled by a stop sign, if there is no stop line and no crosswalk marked on the pavement, where must you stop?
Answer: At the edge of the sidewalk
The handbook sets an order of priority: stop at the stop line, or the crosswalk if there is no stop line, or the edge of the sidewalk if there is no crosswalk, or the edge of the intersection if there is no sidewalk.
A triangular sign with a white background and a red border is a:
Answer: Yield sign
A yield sign is a triangle with a white background and a red border.
At a yield sign, you must:
Answer: Let traffic in the intersection go first
A yield sign means you must let traffic in the intersection or close to it go first, stopping if necessary and going only when the way is clear.
Regulatory signs are usually which shape?
Answer: Rectangular or square
Regulatory signs give a direction that must be obeyed and are usually rectangular or square, with a white or black background and black, white or coloured letters.
On a regulatory sign, a green circle means:
Answer: You may or must do the activity shown inside the ring
A green circle on a regulatory sign means you may or must do the activity shown inside the ring.
Warning Signs
Most warning signs on Ontario roads are which shape and colour?
Answer: Diamond-shaped, yellow background with black symbols
Warning signs warn of dangerous or unusual conditions ahead and are usually diamond-shaped with a yellow background and black letters or symbols.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: Narrow bridge ahead
This warning sign means a narrow bridge is ahead.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: Road branching off ahead
This warning sign means a road branches off ahead.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: It shows which direction of traffic has the right-of-way
This warning sign shows an intersection ahead, and the arrow shows which direction of traffic has the right-of-way.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: Roundabout ahead, reduce speed
The counter-clockwise arrows on this sign show the direction of vehicle traffic within an upcoming roundabout, and drivers should reduce speed.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: Drivers on the sideroad ahead don't have a clear view of traffic
This sign warns that drivers on the sideroad at the intersection ahead don't have a clear view of traffic.
Temporary Conditions Signs
Temporary conditions signs, such as road work zones, detours and lane closures, are usually which shape and colour?
Answer: Diamond with an orange background
Temporary conditions signs warn of road work zones, diversions, detours, lane closures or traffic control people, and are usually diamond-shaped with an orange background and black letters or symbols.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: Construction work begins in one kilometre
This temporary conditions sign gives advance warning that construction work is one kilometre ahead, so you should be prepared to slow down and use extra caution.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: Road work is taking place ahead
This sign is a plain warning that road work is taking place ahead, so drivers should watch for workers and equipment.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: A survey crew is working on the road ahead
This temporary conditions sign warns that a survey crew is working on the road ahead, so drivers should slow down and watch for workers near the travelled portion.
Information & Direction Signs
Information and direction signs telling you about distances and destinations are usually which colour?
Answer: Green background with white letters
Information and direction signs are usually rectangular with a green background and white letters; other colours are used for facilities, services and attractions.
What is the purpose of this sign?
Answer: It shows directions to nearby towns and cities
This type of information and direction sign shows directions to nearby towns and cities.
What does this sign tell you?
Answer: The distances in kilometres to towns and cities on the road
This sign shows the distances in kilometres to towns and cities on the road.
Why are overhead and ground-mounted exit signs especially important on urban freeways?
Answer: Because urban exit ramps often have more than one lane
In urban areas, many exit ramps have more than one lane, so overhead and ground-mounted signs help drivers choose the correct lane to exit or stay on the freeway.