Driver's Handbook Notes

The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook

  • Online version for Ontario's driver's handbook.
  • Use this book to study for your G1 driver’s license, test your knowledge, and prepare for your Level 2 road test.
  • This handbook is only a guide.
  • For o cial purposes, please refer to:
    • Highway Tra c Act
    • Motorized Snow Vehicles Act
    • O -Road Vehicles Act of Ontario.
  • If you're taking beginner driver education, make sure it’s from a ministry-approved school.
  • Available in French.
  • Driving is a privilege - not a right

Introduction

  • Ontario is a road safety leader in Canada and North America.
  • The Ministry of Transportation has introduced a range of measures to maintain this record and to improve the behavior of all drivers.
  • Most collisions are caused by driver error or behaviors such as:
    • Following too closely
    • Speeding
    • Failure to yield the right of way
    • Improper turns
    • Running red lights
    • Frequently changing lanes
  • There are also drivers who intentionally put others at risk through such reckless behavior.
  • Statistics show that new drivers of all ages are far more likely than experienced drivers to be involved in serious or fatal collisions.
  • Provincial campaigns promoting the correct use of seatbelts and child car seats, and informing people about drinking and driving and aggressive driving, are making a di erence.
  • Ontario’s Graduated Licensing System (GLS), which lets new drivers gain skills and experience in low-risk environments, is also helping to develop better, safer drivers.
  • This handbook gives new drivers the basic information they need about learning to drive in Ontario:
    • The rules of the road
    • Safe driving practices
    • How to get a licence to drive a car, van or small truck.
  • The ministry recommends that all drivers would bene t from taking an advanced course in driver training.
  • As you read, remember that this handbook is only a guide. For o cial descriptions of the laws, look in the Highway Tra c Act of Ontario and its Regulations.
  • Information on how to get licences to drive other types of vehicles is available in Part Two of this handbook, the O cial MTO Motorcycle Handbook, the O cial MTO Truck Handbook, the O cial MTO Bus Handbook and the O cial MTO Air Brake Handbook.
  • Drive safely.

Getting Your Driver’s Licence

  • This chapter tells you what licence you need to drive in Ontario and how to get it, whether you are a new driver, a visitor or a new resident in Ontario.
  • If you are applying for your rst licence, this chapter explains the graduated licensing system, how to apply for a licence, the tests you will have to pass and the driving privileges you will have at each licence level.

Requirements for driving in Ontario

Ontario residents:

  • Must be at least 16 years old
  • Must have a valid Ontario driver’s licence
  • If you have just become an Ontario resident, you have 60 days to continue to use your existing driver’s licence and apply for an Ontario driver’s licence.

Visitors to Ontario:

  • Must be at least 16 years old
  • Must have a valid driver’s licence from your home province, state or country
  • Must have an international driver’s permit from your own country if visiting Ontario for more than 3 months
  • Are not eligible for an Ontario driver’s licence

Driver’s Licence Classification Chart

Class A

  • Allowed to drive any tractor–trailer combination
  • May also drive in class D and G

Class B

  • Allowed to drive any school purposes bus
  • May also drive in class C, D, E, F and G

Class C

  • Allowed to drive any regular bus
  • May also drive vehicles in class D, F and G.

Class D

  • A motor vehicle exceeding 11,000 kilograms gross weight or registered gross weight or any truck or combination provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kilograms
  • May also drive in class G

ExceedingWeight = 11,000 kg
TowedVehicle <= 4,600 kg

Class E

  • Allowed to drive any school purposes bus - maximum of 24-passenger capacity
  • May also drive in class F and G

PassengerCapacity <= 24

Class F

  • Allowed to drive any regular bus - maximum of 24-passenger capacity - and ambulances
  • May also drive in class G

PassengerCapacity <= 24

Class G

  • Allowed to drive any car, van or small truck or combination of vehicle and towed vehicle up to 11,000 kilograms provided the vehicle towed is not over 4,600 kilograms.
  • A pickup truck towing a house trailer exceeds 4,600 kilograms, but the total combined weight of the truck and trailer does not exceed 11,000 kilograms is deemed a Class G vehicle.

TowedVehicle <= 4,600kg
Truck + Trailer <= 11,000kg

Class G1

  • Level One of graduated licensing.
  • Holders may drive Class G vehicles with an accompanying fully licensed driver with at least four years driving experience.
  • Subject to certain conditions.

Class G2

  • Level Two of graduated licensing.
  • Holders may drive Class G vehicles without accompanying driver but are subject to certain conditions.

Class M

  • Allowed to drive any motorcycles, including motor tricycles, limited-speed motorcycles (motor scooters) and motor-assisted bicycles (mopeds).
  • Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 licence holder.

Class M1

  • Level One of graduated licensing for motorcycles, including motor tricycles, limited-speed motorcycles (motor scooters) and motor-assisted bicycles (mopeds).
  • Holders may drive a motorcycle under certain conditions.

Class M2

  • Level Two of graduated licensing for motorcycles, including motor tricycles, limited-speed motorcycles (motor scooters) and motor-assisted bicycles (mopeds).
  • Holders may drive a motorcycle but only with a zero blood alcohol level.
  • Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 licence holder.

Class M with L condition

  • Holders may operate a limited-speed motorcycle or moped only.

Class M2 with L condition

  • Holders may operate a limited-speed motorcycle or moped only.

Class M with M condition

  • Holders may operate a motor tricycle only.

Class M2 with M condition

  • Holders may operate a motor tricycle only.

Note:

  • A