New drivers must take a knowledge test. People who are renewing or reinstating their licence may also need to take a knowledge test.
Knowledge Tests
Knowledge tests — sometimes known as written tests — determine whether you know the rules of the road and traffic signs.
Written Exams for Driver’s Licence Applicants
Knowledge tests for all licence classes are:
- Created by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO).
- Available on paper (at all locations) and on the computer (at some locations).
- Multiple choice. (Sample questions for a Class G1 test are available on the MTO website.)
- Not timed – you can take all the time you need to finish the test (until the office closes).
- Available in English or French, at a minimum. (Class G1 knowledge tests are offered in 31 languages.)
- Offered in all DriveTest Centres.
- Available without an appointment. (Come at least one hour before the office closes to avoid disappointment.)
- Marked on the spot, so you will get your results immediately.
This type of test is proctored at a DriveTest Centre to prevent misconduct among test takers. Anyone discovered cheating or disrupting other test-takers will be asked to leave the test room, receive an unsuccessful mark, lose their test fee, and will have to wait until the following day to rewrite the test.
Each knowledge test takes typically 20 to 30 minutes and has two or three sections (e.g., one section on signs and one section on rules of the road). You must earn a total score of at least 80% to pass the test. If you are unsuccessful, you can pay the fee and try again. Test results are valid for one year. If you re-try the test within one year, you have to rewrite only the sections that did not meet MTO standards.
Studying for the Test
Questions on the knowledge test are based on the official driver’s handbook for the class of licence you want. While there is a partial version of the handbook on the MTO website, we recommend purchasing or borrowing a printed copy of the driver’s handbook to study.
A Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course that has been approved by MTO can also teach you the skills and attitudes you need to be a safe and responsible driver. These courses are optional. However, if you choose to enroll, we recommend reviewing the MTO-approved driving schools on the MTO website.
Test Translations and Verbal Test Administration
Computerized class G1 knowledge tests for cars, vans, and small trucks are offered in the following 31 languages.
- Amharic
- Arabic
- Armenian
- Badini
- Chinese (Cantonese)
- Cree
- Croatian
- English
- Farsi
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Greek
- Hindi
- Italian
- Korean
- Kurmanji
- Ojibway
- Oji-Cree
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Punjabi
- Russian
- Somali
- Spanish
- Tamil
- Thai
- Tigrinya
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Urdu
Paper versions of class G1 knowledge tests are offered in the languages shown above.
Computerized class M1 knowledge tests for motorcycles are offered in the following 20 languages.
- Arabic
- Badini
- Chinese (Cantonese)
- Croatian
- English
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Greek
- Hindi
- Italian
- Korean
- Kurmanji
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Punjabi
- Russian
- Somali
- Spanish
- Tamil
Paper versions of class M1 knowledge tests are offered in the languages shown above.
Computerized commercial knowledge tests are offered in the following 20 languages.
- Arabic
- Badini
- Chinese (Cantonese)
- Croatian
- English
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Greek
- Hindi
- Italian
- Korean
- Kurmanji
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Punjabi
- Russian
- Somali
- Spanish
- Tamil
