The Ultimate Ontario G2/G Driving Test Cheat Sheet: Pass DriveTest!

Your Ontario G2 or G road test is the final step to unlocking new driving freedoms. For that crucial last-minute review, this "cheat sheet" boils down the most important rules, maneuvers, and numbers your DriveTest examiner will be looking for.

Ontario by the Numbers: Critical Data to Remember

Your examiner expects you to know these numbers from the Official MTO Driver's Handbook.

• 40 km/h: The default speed limit in Community Safety Zones and School Zones (during posted hours). Speeding here is a serious error.
• 50 km/h: The standard speed limit in cities and towns unless otherwise posted.
• 80 km/h: The standard speed limit on rural roads outside of cities unless otherwise posted.
• 100 km/h: The typical maximum speed limit on major 400-series highways.
• 2 seconds: The absolute minimum following distance in ideal, dry conditions.
• 3-4 seconds: The recommended safe following distance for most situations, especially on highways or in poor weather.
• 3 metres: You may not park within 3 metres of a fire hydrant.
• 9 metres: You may not park within 9 metres of an intersection.
• 20 metres: The distance you must stop behind a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended.
• 30 metres: The minimum distance you must park from a pedestrian crossover.

Key Maneuvers: What Your Examiner Expects

Your road test is a demonstration of safe and smooth vehicle control. Practice these until they are second nature.

Parallel Parking (G2 & G)

This is a required element. You will have to park behind a single vehicle.

1. Signal & Position: Signal right. Pull up next to the car you'll park behind, aligning your rear bumpers.
2. Reverse & Turn: Look over your shoulder. Back up in a straight line until your steering wheel aligns with the other car's rear bumper. Then, turn your wheel fully to the right.
3. The 45-Degree Angle: Back up until your car is at a 45-degree angle to the curb. Your driver-side mirror should now be in line with the rear bumper of the car in front.
4. Straighten & Final Turn: Straighten your wheel and back up until your front bumper clears the car in front. Then, turn the wheel fully to the left.
5. Center: Straighten out. You should be within a reasonable distance (about 15-30 cm) of the curb. Do not hit the curb hard.

Three-Point Turn (G2 & G)

Tests your ability to turn around on a narrow road.

1. Signal right, check mirrors/blind spot, and pull over.
2. Signal left, check mirrors/blind spot, and when safe, turn the wheel fully left and cross the road.
3. Shift to reverse. Check all around (360-degree check). Turn the wheel fully right and back up slowly.
4. Shift to drive. Check traffic, and accelerate smoothly into your lane.

Hill Parking (G2 & G)

• Uphill with a curb: Turn your wheels AWAY from the curb (left).
• Downhill with a curb: Turn your wheels TOWARD the curb (right).
• No curb (uphill or downhill): Turn your wheels TOWARD the edge of the road (right).
• Always set your parking brake firmly.

Highway Driving (G Test Only)

• Merging: On the ramp, accelerate confidently to match the speed of the highway traffic. Signal, check mirrors and blind spot, and find a safe gap. Do not stop on the ramp. Merging too slowly is a major failure.
• Lane Changes: Use the SMOG principle: Signal, Mirrors, Over-the-shoulder (blind spot) Go. Perform this for every lane change.
• Exiting: Signal your exit well in advance. Move into the deceleration lane and then begin to slow down.

Automatic Fails & Critical Errors

These are actions that will likely result in an immediate failure of your road test.

• Any Traffic Law Violation: Running a red light, rolling through a stop sign.
• Dangerous Action: Causing another driver or pedestrian to take evasive action (brake or swerve).
• Examiner Intervention: If the examiner has to grab the wheel or give a strong verbal warning to prevent a collision.
• Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit by 10 km/h or more, or any speeding in a school/community safety zone.
• Lack of Observation: Repeatedly failing to perform shoulder checks (blind spot checks). This is one of the most common reasons for failure.
• Uncontrolled Intersections: Not following the right-of-way rules at intersections without signs or lights (yield to the right).
• Losing Control: Striking the curb during a maneuver, or poor steering control.

This cheat sheet is your guide to the key testing points. The best preparation is to combine this knowledge with hours of real-world practice. Stay calm, drive safely, and you'll be well on your way to earning your Ontario driver's licence. Good luck!