Ontario Comprehensive Driver Education and Handbook Guide

Ontario Graduated Licensing System and Preliminary Requirements

The Budget Publishing Co. Driver's Handbook Study Guide, priced at $13.95$ and assigned ISBN 0929061-09-8, is designed to facilitate the preparation for the Ontario G1 and G2 road tests. Every new driver in Ontario must navigate the Graduated Licensing System (GLS), a two-step process that takes a minimum of $20$ months to complete the transition to a full G-licence. Candidates have up to $5$ years to finalize the system from the date they pass their initial knowledge test.

To begin the process, applicants must visit a DriveTest Centre, such as Toronto-Queen's Park, Toronto-Metro East, Toronto-Downsview, or Toronto-Morningside. The initial fee of $125$ covers the knowledge test, the first G1 road test, and a driver's licence valid for $5$ years. Applicants must provide proof of identity and date of birth using documents such as a passport, citizenship card, or birth certificate. Proof of signature is also required, which can be satisfied via an Ontario Health card or credit card. Before the written exam, a vision test is administered where the applicant must read numbers and identify the location of flashing red lights.

Class G1 and G2 Licensing Restrictions

As a Class G1 driver, specific rules are mandatory. Licensed G1 drivers must be accompanied by a fully licensed driver with at least $4$ years of experience (or a licensed driving instructor) who maintains a blood alcohol level below $0.05\%$. The G1 driver must have a zero blood alcohol level. Restrictions include no driving between midnight and $5:00\,\text{a.m.}$, no driving on "400-series" highways or expressways (unless with a licensed instructor), and the accompanying driver must be the only other person in the front seat. This stage lasts at least $12$ months, reducible to $8$ months upon completing a Ministry-approved driver education course.

Upon passing the G1 road test, the individual becomes a Class G2 driver. G2 drivers may drive on any Ontario road at any time but must still maintain a zero blood alcohol level and limit passengers to the number of working seat belts. Specific passenger rules for teenage G2 drivers (ages $19$ and under) apply between midnight and $5:00\,\text{a.m.}$. In the first $6$ months, they may carry only $1$ passenger aged $19$ or under. After $6$ months, they may carry up to $3$ such passengers until they turn $20$ or obtain a full G-licence. Exemptions exist if a fully licensed driver with $4$ years of experience is in the front seat or if passengers are immediate family members.

The Provincial Demerit Point System

Demerit points are added to a driver's record upon conviction for specific offenses. At $7$ points, the penalty is failing to remain at the scene of a collision. $6$ points are assigned for careless driving, racing, exceeding the speed limit by $50\,km/h$ or more, and failing to stop for a school bus. $5$ points are given to bus drivers failing to stop at unprotected railway crossings. $4$ points result from exceeding the speed limit by $30$ to $49\,km/h$ or following too closely. $3$ points apply to speeding by $16$ to $29\,km/h$, failing to yield right-of-way, following a police officer's directions, and improper turns or passing.

Lower-tier offenses carry fewer points. $2$ points are issued for failing to lower headlight beams, improper opening of a vehicle door, prohibited turns, unnecessary slow driving, failing to signal, and failing to ensure young passengers (under $16$ years) or infants/children (under $23\,kg$) are properly secured. For G1 and G2 drivers, a total of $9$ points in a two-year period results in a $60$-day suspension, after which the record is reduced to $4$ points. For full G-licence holders, the Ministry may suspend a licence at the $15$-point level for $30$ days, after which the record is reduced to $7$ points.

Knowledge Test Overview: Signs and Rules

The knowledge test consists of $40$ multiple-choice questions: $20$ on traffic signs and $20$ on rules of the road. A maximum of $4$ incorrect answers per section is allowed. If failed, a re-write is possible after $3$ working days for a fee of $10$. Standard signs include: Slippery when wet (car with wavy lines), No U-turn (inverted "U" with a red slash), Hidden Intersection (sign with a side road joining), and School Zone (pentagon with children). A green circle denotes a permissive sign (e.g., a truck route), while a red circle indicates a prohibited action.

Specific rules for road operation include the requirement to report any accident involving personal injury or property damage exceeding $1000$ to the police immediately. The maximum speed limit in cities, towns, and built-up areas is $50\,km/h$ unless otherwise posted. Outside these areas, the limit is $80\,km/h$. Drivers must use low-beam headlights when following a vehicle within $60\,m$ ($200\,ft$) or when an oncoming vehicle is within $150\,m$ ($500\,ft$). Lights must be active from half an hour before sunset until half an hour after sunrise, or whenever visibility is less than $150\,m$.

Advanced Driving Maneuvers and Road Test Skills

The road test evaluates observation, driving skills, and parking. Key techniques include the "Two-Second Rule" for following distances, where a driver selects a fixed object and ensures $2$ seconds pass before they reach it after the car in front has passed. In poor weather, this should increase to $4$ or $5$ seconds. Hand-over-hand steering is the preferred North American method for maintaining control during turns. For lane changes, the "Blind Spot" check is critical—turning the head to look over the shoulder to view areas not visible in mirrors.

Parking maneuvers require precision. Hill parking rules dictate: Uphill with a curb, turn wheels to the left; Uphill without a curb, turn wheels to the right; Downhill with or without a curb, turn wheels to the right. Parallel parking requires the vehicle to be within $30\,cm$ ($1\,foot$) of the curb. A three-point turn is used on narrow streets and involve three distinct movements: signal left and turn, signal right and reverse, signal left and drive forward. When approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, drivers must stop at least $20\,m$ away.

Emergency Situations and Winter Driving

In the event of brake failure, drivers should pump the brake pedal and apply the parking brake firmly while holding the release button. If a tire blows out, the driver must concentrate on steering, remove their foot from the gas, and pull off the road. For skid control, one should release the gas and steer in the direction of the skid. Winter driving preparation includes using $5W/30$ motor oil, installing snow tires, and carrying an emergency kit with items like a first aid kit, jumper cables, sand for traction, and a shovel. In extreme cold, a block heater is used to keep motor oil warm.

If involved in an accident, drivers must stop, turn off the engine, activate four-way flashers, and exchange information including names, addresses, driver licence numbers, and insurance details. It is recommended to draw a map of the intersection and note weather conditions. For vehicle maintenance, oil and filters should be changed every $6000\,km$, tires rotated every $10000$ to $12000\,km$, and batteries replaced every $4$ to $5$ years. Transmission fluid should be changed every $49000\,km$.