What Is a G2 License in Ontario? Rules, Restrictions & How to Get One

A G2 license is the second stage of Ontario's graduated licensing system, allowing new drivers to drive on their own without a supervising driver, subject to zero blood alcohol and passenger restrictions if they're under 19. You earn a G2 license by holding a G1 for at least 12 months (or 8 months after completing an MTO-approved beginner driver education course) and passing the G1 exit road test at a DriveTest centre. After holding your G2 for a minimum of 12 months, one more test gets you a full G license.

What Is a G2 License in Ontario?

A G2 license is the middle level of Ontario's graduated licensing program, which is designed to introduce new skills and freedoms in stages. Once you pass your G1 exit test, you move from G1 (where a fully licensed driver must sit beside you at all times) to G2, where you can drive independently on any road in the province, including 400-series highways, without a supervising driver in the vehicle.

G2 is still considered a "novice" license under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act, which is why several restrictions remain in place until you graduate to a full G license.

How Do You Get a G2 License?

To get a G2 license in Ontario, you need to:

• Pass the G1 knowledge test at a DriveTest centre.
• Hold your G1 license for at least 12 months, or 8 months if you complete a government-approved BDE course.
• Book and pass the G1 exit test (often just called the "G2 road test"), which checks basic vehicle control, mirror checks, turns, parking, and reversing in lower-speed conditions.

Good preparation matters here — our G1 knowledge preparation resources and in-car lessons are built to get new drivers to this stage with real confidence behind the wheel, not just enough to scrape by on test day.

What Are the Restrictions on a G2 License?

Once you have your G2, the following rules apply:

• Zero blood alcohol concentration — this applies to every novice driver, at any age, with no exceptions.
• Seatbelts — you're responsible for making sure every passenger in the vehicle is buckled up.
• Passenger limits for drivers under 19 — between midnight and 5 a.m., you can only have as many passengers as seatbelts for the first six months on G2, unless you're supervised by a fully licensed driver with at least four years of experience, or the passengers are immediate family. After six months, this drops to one passenger aged 19 or under during those hours, again unless supervised or accompanied by family.
• No restriction on highway driving — unlike G1, G2 drivers can use 400-series highways and high-speed expressways.
• No accompanying driver required — G2 drivers can legally drive alone.

How Long Do You Need to Hold a G2 License?

You must hold your G2 for a minimum of 12 months before you're eligible to book the final road test for a full G license. There's no maximum wait built into the license itself, but Ontario's graduated licensing rules give new drivers up to five years total, from the day you first got your G1, to complete both the G1 and G2 stages. If you don't pass the required tests within that window, your license is cancelled and you'll need to start over from G1.

G2 vs. G License: What's the Difference?

The G road test is a longer, more advanced evaluation that includes highway driving, lane changes at speed, and more complex traffic situations than the G1 exit test. Passing it removes the novice restrictions entirely. For a full side-by-side comparison of what changes between the two stages, see our post on G2 vs. G license differences.

How Can Driving Lessons Help You Move Through G2 Faster and With More Confidence?

Most new drivers who struggle on the G2 or G road test aren't missing knowledge — they're missing seat time in situations like highway merges, four-way stops, and parallel parking under pressure. A structured in-car program builds that comfort before test day, rather than during it. If you're preparing for either test, our tips for passing the G2 and G road tests cover the details examiners look for most often.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to be a certain age to get a G2 license?

There's no separate minimum age for G2 itself. Since you must first hold a G1 (available from age 16) for 12 months, or 8 months with an approved course, most drivers reach G2 at 16 years and 8 months at the earliest.

Can a G2 driver drive on the highway?

Yes. Unlike G1 drivers, G2 license holders can drive on 400-series highways and other high-speed expressways without any special supervision.

Can a G2 driver drive alone?

Yes. A G2 license lets you drive without a supervising driver in the vehicle, which is the main difference from the G1 stage.

How many passengers can a G2 driver have?

If you're 19 or older, there's no passenger limit. If you're under 19, you face passenger restrictions between midnight and 5 a.m. for at least the first six months on G2, unless supervised by an experienced fully licensed driver or travelling with immediate family.

Does a G2 license have a zero-alcohol rule?

Yes. All novice drivers in Ontario, including every G2 license holder regardless of age, must maintain zero blood alcohol concentration whenever they're driving.

How long can you stay on a G2 license?

You must hold your G2 for at least 12 months before booking the G road test, and you have up to five years from your original G1 date to complete the full graduated licensing process before needing to start over.

Ready to move through G1, G2, and G with real confidence instead of guesswork? Check out our Programs and Fees page for in-car lessons and BDE course options, or read our guides on passing the G2 and G road tests and G2 vs. G license differences.