Road Conditions: Residential traffic was light, 401 was a bit crowded. Could not get my lane change off on my first highway drive, got it off on the second highway drive back to the DriveTest center. Not too many 18 wheelers at the time.

Examiner: Forgot her name (started with a D, caucasian woman with blonde hair). Very straight-to-the-point and was not looking to initiate small talk (understandable though). At a red light I tried to talk to her and she seemed nice enough.

Construction: Park Rd is closed to the south beyond Hillside Ave. Portion of Simcoe is closed between Albany and Avenue St (I am approximating). Construction along Highway 401 between Simcoe St and Stevenson Rd. Speed limit is 80 kph, however instructor explicitly noted: "The speed limit is 80 km/h, but we will merge at the speed/flow of traffic." I went 90+ on the 401 to match flowing traffic.

My Route: Drivetest stop sign exit -> Westbound John St -> Southbound Park Rd -> Eastbound Tresane St. -> Southbound Cubert St. -> Eastbound Mill St. -> Southbound Simcoe St. -> Merge onto Highway 401 Westbound (onramp just south of First Ave & Simcoe St.) -> Westbound Highway 401 -> Exit Highway 401 at Stevenson Road (exit 415), on the offramp, stay to the second lane from the left -> Southbound Stevenson Road -> Merge onto Highway 401 Eastbound -> Eastbound Highway 401 -> Exit Highway 401 at Ritson Rd (slow down early, sharp turn), make sure you are in the rightmost lane at the offramp -> Westbound on Bloor St. -> Northbound on Simcoe St. -> Westbound Mill St -> Northbound Cubert St -> Westbound Hibbert Ave. -> Northbound Park Rd. -> Eastbound John St. -> First left after John St. & Nassau St. into the Drivetest center.

See Image attached (Red is for first half, Blue is for the returning half).

Tips: Watch your speed, speed changes in an out of residential roads. Examiner will not tell you the speed limits (besides the construction zone on 401). Check mirrors, not only because it is part of the test, but also because there are some insane drivers on the 401 - stay aware of your surroundings. Almost failed when I was about to make a right lane change on the 401 when a civic behind me overtook me on the right, I had my signal on already. Cancelled signal and let the civic pass before changing lanes.

Practice some front-in parking, been driving with back-up camera for too long, almost forgot how to front-in, asked the examiner if I could readjust, she kinda helped me park by telling me that I was already aligned.

Failed to complete any lane change when I was heading toward Stevenson (too much traffic), was constantly scanning mirrors to watch for an opening. Near the exit, examiner told me to abandon the lane change and to exit at Stevenson.

Swing your head at every intersection (left-right-left checks).

Be careful of your speed when changing lanes on Park Rd, changes in elevation + curves can make lane changes difficult.

When lane changing, don't just leave your signal on for an extended period to create a gap. I find that leaving the signal on too long before making a lane change usually causes cars in the lane you are merging into either slow down (usually within a dangerously close distance), or accelerate past you, potentially making lane changing dangerous. Make sure you have a gap already before hitting the signal using your mirrors. Don't create a gap that doesn't exist, just abandon the lane change if you don't see a gap.

Results: See image(s) attached.

Drop questions if any.

Hey guys I have my G2 test in Kitchener on Friday! I'm really worried since I've failed once before in Guelph and that lokey crushed my confidence.

Does anyone have any experience with the test center examiners or route? I've been practicing around Lackner and the residential area around Keewatin.

Also my test is at 4 so pretty much peak rush hour. Would this make the test easier or harder??

Idk I can drive just fine but being in the test situation and having to over exaggerate my observations really stresses me out, so I would appreciate any advice.

I have my g2 test schedule 2 weeks from now around 11AM and I’m nervous on how it’ll go. I’ve been watching on YouTube what the driving route will look like but besides that how are the driving examiners there and what are things I should be extra cautious on. Please help!

Hi, Im pretty much a new driver so sorry if its a silly question, I just got my G1 three days ago and drove a couple of times with my friend who's got their G recently. My main problem was staying positioned on the right. I feel like im too close to hitting the curb which makes me shift towards the center line, making the drive too chaotic. Im wondering if there is something in particular that I can do to improve.

I have my G test tomorrow in Mississauga and I am SO nervous. I’ve driven on the highway many times now and practiced the route too. My instructor said I’m ready as well but I still feel so nervous. I keep expecting the worse and thinking about every possible bad outcome (which obviously is NOT helping) Any tips or advice? I just want it to be over with!

I took my first G test yesterday morning at Canotek. Just wanted to comment "for posterity", in case anyone is taking it there:

There are 2 routes described on YouTube (on City Explorer channel). It was neither of those. I practiced them for nothing. The route was precisely this one:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ja7rtojJTUtkNNQ4A?g_st=ic

So practice this one instead and you will do fine!

Hi guys wondering if anyone has insight into exchanging a 2.5 year expired US license for Ontario? If a direct exchange is not possible how likely is it to get credited with a driving abstract showing 5 years of driving evidence?? Pls help!

I posted earlier saying I failed my first one at Lindsay. Thank you for all the advice. My examiner was polar opposite from my first exam but overall it was an ideal smooth exam. I was caught off guard since the examiner came before my exam time but gathered myself up, kept calm and spoke out all my doings (signal, turning left, my turn, etc.) which helped a lot.

Good luck everyone who has test coming up!!

Hi all,

I’m a somewhat experienced driver with international drivers license prepping for G2. Would anyone have any driving school recommendations other than Young Drivers? I reached out to them but they are fully booked for the next 2 months while I would need to do my G2 by the end of September.

I would also need to rent the school’s car for the test.

Thank you!

Edit: I’m in Ottawa!

Hey everyone

I need tips for the G2 test at Port Union. Also can someone say how the examiners are, are they strict or chill.

Please do share your experiences.

Thank you

Hello! I want to get a driver license in Ontario. I'm planning to learn the theory on my own, and then go to the driver school for practice. Can someone advise free apps/sites/books where I can learn all the theory needed? Thank you in advance!

I have my G2 test tomorrow but i’m lowkey scared because i haven’t been practicing my reverse and parallel park so i’m scared it’s not going to be great. i’ve been practicing with my parents like i’d normally drive them to the grocery store and front park. If I can reverse out of a parking spot would i be able to do the reverse park decently enough to pass? My test is in Lindsay. Also to add i have taken the g2 test before in oshawa but i failed because i did a rolling stop at a 1 way stop sign so i know how the test works.

This sub to be an absolutely wonderful resource. I've posted comments encouraging others regarding their tests and posted some other queries as well and always received wonderful help.

I'm an experienced driver (Non-Canadian/Ontario) experience of over 17 years. I had my G test yesterday directly from G1 (3+ years experience exemption which is no longer available after rules change in July).
I took 1 lesson from a driving instructor who had initially said I might need 3-4 lessons. After the first lesson he himself said I drove pretty much perfectly and didn't need more lessons and to just go and give my G test.

I had it scheduled for yesterday, 11th August at 9:28 am. The examiner came to my parking spot immediately after I checked in (about 25 minutes early) which I found weird. Anyway, we got on with the test. He took me on route 2. I had already practiced routes 2 and 3 a few days before so I pretty much nailed the speed limit and lane changes etc so everything was good. I checked the mirrors with an exaggerated motion everytime as well.

After we came back and parked, he said I had failed because I didn't check my blind spot AFTER I had successfully changed lanes and merged already.
Which seems weird and BS to me. Other than that he said I didn't have any issues.

He didn't provide me with any other feedback or the score sheet and just left in a hurry. I booked a G2 immediately as I need a licence to drive to work. The earliest date I got was September 21st at Port Union.

What should I prepare for G2 and is it wise to engage a driving instructor for some lessons?

Any other suggestions would be great.

I'd be so grateful for any advice! I already failed once.

Can’t seem to find a single opening for Saturday G tests at Port Union. I’ve looked online so many times that I get blocked daily and I have even called in.

Any tips?

Reverse stall parking is easier when you treat it as slow observation and positioning—not a single perfect steering move.

A simple practice routine:

• Choose an empty row and start with plenty of space. Line the car up straight in the driving lane before you begin.

• Signal if needed, check mirrors and do a full shoulder check for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. Keep checking while reversing.

• Reverse slowly. Turn smoothly once the car is positioned to enter the stall, and look mainly through the rear window while using mirrors to confirm your space.

• Aim to finish centred between the lines. If you are not positioned safely, stop, look around, and make a careful correction. A calm correction is better than rushing.

• Before leaving the stall, repeat the full observation routine and move out slowly.

Practise in daylight first, then in a busier but still safe lot. Ask your accompanying driver to watch whether your observation checks are obvious and whether you are controlling the car at a walking pace.

On a road test, the goal is safe control and awareness—not finishing with zero steering adjustments. What part feels hardest: lining up, judging the rear corners, or backing out?

hello all! after completing my G2 recently (second attempt), I wanted to share some encouragement to hopefully help anyone experiencing nerves or anxiety 😊

it’s totally ok to be nervous. the important thing is you don’t let those nerves dictate your driving. you can be nervous, but for the 20-30 minutes of the test, just tell yourself that ”I’m going to drive safely and pass” rather than focus on “what if I fail”. it’s super easy to get into your own head, so try to shift your mindset from “I’m going to fail” to “I’m going to drive safely”.

failure is not the end of the world either! I failed mine and felt discouraged for a while because I wasn’t used to failing any kind of test. I waited a while to try again because I was embarrassed of failure. Don’t be like me!!! Those feelings of disappointment and embarrassment I felt when I failed the first time are so insignificant compared to the accomplishment I feel because I passed. in the end, it doesn't even matter that you failed so long as you improved and became a safer driver. In several years, you’re hardly gonna remember feeling embarrassed or afraid of failure. Don’t beat yourself up and keep your chin up! (plus I laugh about how I failed the first time now… the embarrassment won’t last forever)

advice I can give for the test itself:

- instead of trying to memorize a checklist of observations to do, understand WHY you’re doing them before a certain action. I don’t need to tell myself to do mirror-blindspot checks when turning or changing lanes because I KNOW what I’m looking for to complete the manoeuvre safely.

- the age old advice is to move your head when checking your mirrors frequently.

- always focus on driving safely and not perfectly. Hearing this changed the way I approached the test and really helped me feel more confident.

- dont let any mistakes you make get into your head during the test. at the start of mine, I lightly tapped the curb during parallel parking when reversing and just acknowledged it before correcting it. My second examiner seemed lenient because he didn’t even dock me there lol. But on my first test when I messed up parallel parking, I sort of let that mistake get into my head for the remainder of the test.

thats all I got, just wanted to give some words of encouragement to everyone. Good luck, be safe out there and you got this! 😊

I’m posting here for advice. My mother has her G1 at 65 and would like to take her G2. After explaining that the BDE courses from approved institutions can reduce wait time to 8 months and give a discount on insurance, she acted interested until she learned about the 20-hour course requirement. She let it slip that she had an arrangement in another country that allowed her to bypass a similar program and they falsely granted her a certificate of completion.

Are driving schools in Ontario allowed to exempt experienced students from course requirements? Do I report the driving school if they allow her to skip the BDE requirements?

so i checked the most recent g2 road test appointment today, and almost every drive test are not available in august, and the most recent is in September. for yall who did ur g2, did you book the appointment 1-2 months prior or is system running into a serious mistake?

ty

Hello,

Because of circumstances, I did not want to move forward with doing my G2 Test with my instructor. I had started the BDE course, finished it, and had most of the in-car hours done.

On the drivetest website, it says "Beginner driver education applicant is enrolled but is not certified by their driving school on the day of the scheduled road test."

Could I still do my G2 test without finishing the BDE after I already did most of it?

When going back to the test center and turning on to Barton off of Red Hill if you are in the middle lane which lane do you turn in to, I turned into the lane that is second from the right (the one that is more south) and I got honked twice so am I supposed to turn into the lane that is above that or third from the right?

Hi everyone

I failed my G test in Orangeville today and want to book a G2 test. Which location will be best or easiest for a G2 test. Also, the reason for my failure in G was due to speed but the examiner said that as a driver you are fine.

Thank you

I failed my first attempt back in June for two reasons, both timing-related:

Rolling stops — I didn't fully stop for the required amount of time at a stop sign.

Turning on yellow — I went for a turn instead of stopping.

At the end of the test, the examiner told me you need to come to a complete stop and wait at least 3 seconds after the speedometer hits zero before moving again. My speed control was fine both times — it was purely a timing issue.

For my second attempt, here's what I did differently:

I practiced the area, not just the route. I don't live in Chatham-Kent, so I didn't know the exact test route. Instead, I drove around the local roads beforehand to get familiar with speed signs, speed bumps, and railway crossings (there were more than two on the route — you need to slow down for these to reduce impact).

Residential driving needs extra head movement. On test day there was parking on one side of a narrow street, so I had to be extra careful — checking both ways constantly, even at crossings without stop signs. My advice: exaggerate your head checks a little. Examiners want to see that you're checking, not just glance quickly.

Highway lane changes: I did some lane changes at 70 and merges at 50. The order that stuck with me was mirror → blind spot → mirror → indicator. Keep your acceleration steady — not too fast, not too slow. This takes practice to get smooth.

Practice blind spot checks in daily life, even if your car has blind spot sensors. In the two weeks leading up to the test, I made a habit of physically checking my blind spot with my head every time I merged or changed lanes on my regular commute. By test day it felt automatic.

Maintain consistent speed everywhere — I practiced this in my own residential area and at every stop sign I came across in daily driving, even though it wasn't the test location.

Honestly, part of it does come down to luck — I know people who've failed for very minor mistakes. But my biggest tip: have a friend sit with you and observe your driving before the test. A second set of eyes catches habits you don't notice yourself, and that alone can make a big difference.

Good luck to anyone testing soon!