Ontario G1 Rules Practice — Right of Way, Intersections, and Key Driving Laws

Right of Way

Right-of-way questions are among the most frequently tested on the G1 exam. The rules are specific and situational — the test will present a scenario and ask who goes first.

Key right-of-way rules:

• Four-way stop: First to stop, first to go. If two vehicles arrive simultaneously, the one on the right has the right of way. If facing each other going straight, both may proceed.
• Uncontrolled intersection: Yield to vehicles already in the intersection. If arriving simultaneously, yield to the vehicle on your right.
• Left turns: Oncoming traffic has the right of way. You must wait for a safe gap before turning left, even on a green light.
• Roundabouts: Traffic already in the roundabout has the right of way. Yield before entering.
• Merging: Traffic on the main road has the right of way. Merging vehicles must yield.
• Pedestrians: Pedestrians in a crosswalk or crossover always have the right of way. You must stop and wait until they have completely crossed.

Traffic Lights and Intersections

• Green light: Proceed if the intersection is clear. You do not automatically have the right of way — you must still yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.
• Yellow light: Prepare to stop. You may proceed only if stopping safely is not possible. Do not accelerate to beat a yellow light.
• Red light: Stop completely before the stop line. You may turn right on a red light after a complete stop, unless a sign prohibits it. You may also turn left onto a one-way street from a one-way street after a complete stop.
• Flashing red: Treat as a stop sign — come to a complete stop and proceed when safe.
• Flashing yellow: Slow down and proceed with caution.

School Bus Rules

School bus questions are a reliable part of the G1 test. The rules are specific and the test exploits common misunderstandings.

• Upper alternating red lights flashing + stop arm extended: You must stop, regardless of direction, unless on a divided road.
• Divided road (median separating lanes): Only traffic travelling in the same direction as the bus must stop. Traffic on the other side of the median may proceed.
• Lower alternating amber lights flashing: The bus is preparing to stop. Slow down and prepare to stop — do not pass.
• When may you proceed? Only after the red lights stop flashing, the stop arm is retracted, and the bus begins moving — or the driver signals you to pass.

Emergency Vehicles

• When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and sirens: Pull to the right and stop. Do not block intersections. Wait until the vehicle has passed before proceeding.
• Move Over law: When passing a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, or road maintenance vehicle with lights flashing, you must move to the next lane if safe to do so. If you cannot move over, slow down to a safe speed.
• At an intersection: If an emergency vehicle is approaching, do not enter the intersection even on a green light. Pull to the right and stop.

Passing, Lane Changes, and Parking

• Passing: Pass on the left. Signal before changing lanes. Do not pass on a solid yellow line on your side. Do not pass within 30 metres of a railway crossing, bridge, or tunnel.
• Lane changes: Check mirrors, signal, check blind spot, then move. Signal before the lane change — not during it.
• Parking near a fire hydrant: You must not park within 3 metres of a fire hydrant.
• Parking on a hill: Turn wheels toward the curb when facing downhill. Turn wheels away from the curb when facing uphill.

The G1 rules of the road practice test covers all of these topics with 25 questions and detailed explanations.

Safe Following Distance

The two-second rule is the standard for following distance in normal conditions: pick a fixed point, and when the vehicle ahead passes it, you should not reach that point for at least two seconds. In poor conditions — rain, snow, fog — increase to three or four seconds.

Tailgating is one of the leading causes of rear-end collisions and is a demerit-point offence. The test may ask about following distance in specific conditions.

Demerit Points

Demerit points are added to your licence when you are convicted of certain traffic offences. As a G1 driver, the thresholds are lower than for fully licensed drivers:

• 2 demerits: Warning letter from the MTO
• 6 demerits: Licence suspension for 30 days (G1/G2 drivers)
• 9 demerits: Licence suspension for 90 days (G1/G2 drivers)

Common demerit-point offences include speeding, failing to stop for a school bus, careless driving, and failing to remain at the scene of a collision.

Frequently Asked Questions