Ontario Driving Updates
Stay current with Ontario driving law changes, DriveTest announcements, road safety reminders, and G1/G2 tips — all sourced from official Ontario government and MTO resources.
Ontario drivers caught using a hand-held device face fines of $615–$1,000, 3 demerit points, and a 3-day licence suspension on first conviction. Repeat offences escalate to a 30-day suspension.
Ontario's Move Over law requires drivers to slow down and move over one lane when passing stopped emergency vehicles, police, tow trucks, and road maintenance vehicles with flashing lights.
Spring and summer are the busiest seasons at Ontario DriveTest centres. Candidates are advised to book G2 and G road tests 4–8 weeks in advance to secure preferred dates and locations.
Ontario G1 licence holders must maintain a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of exactly 0.00% at all times while driving. Any detectable alcohol results in an immediate roadside licence suspension.
In Ontario, driving 40 km/h or more over the posted speed limit is classified as stunt driving. Penalties include immediate 30-day licence suspension, 14-day vehicle impoundment, and fines up to $10,000.
Automated stop-arm cameras on Ontario school buses can issue $400 fines to drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus. Fines increase to $4,000 for repeat offences. Six demerit points apply.
MTO reminds Ontario drivers that posted speed limits are maximums for ideal conditions. During winter storms, safe following distance should increase to 8–10 seconds on highways. All-season tires are legal but winter tires are strongly recommended.
During the first 6 months of holding a G2 licence, drivers aged 19 and under may only carry one passenger aged 19 or under between midnight and 5 a.m. (with limited exceptions for family members).
Most Ontario drivers can renew their driver's licence online at ServiceOntario.ca without visiting a centre. Licences expire on your birthday every 5 years. Renewal notices are mailed 90 days before expiry.
Ontario has added more roundabouts to reduce collision severity. The rule is simple: yield to all vehicles already circulating inside the roundabout before entering. Do not stop inside the roundabout.
The Ontario G1 knowledge test has two sections: 20 road sign questions and 20 rules of the road questions. You must score at least 16/20 on EACH section — passing one section does not carry over if you fail the other.
Ontario's Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras issue $5/km fines for speeding in designated school zones and community safety zones. Fines are issued to the vehicle owner regardless of who was driving.