A G2 is an intermediate driver's license that lets you drive alone, but with restrictions

A G2 driver's license is a step between a learner's permit and a full driver's license in Ontario, Canada. It means you have passed a road test and can drive a car by yourself, but you still follow certain rules that a full G license holder does not have to follow. The main restrictions are a zero alcohol limit, a ban on driving between midnight and 5 a.m., and limits on how many passengers under 20 you can carry.

You get a G2 after you hold a G1 (learner's permit) for at least 12 months and pass the G2 road test. Most people hold a G2 for at least 12 months before they can take the G road test and get an unrestricted license. Some people stay on G2 longer if they do not pass the G test on their first try, or if they choose to wait.

Key Takeaways

  • A G2 license lets you drive alone in Ontario, but you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. or carry more than one passenger under 20 years old.
  • You must have held a G1 permit for at least 12 months and passed a road test to get a G2.
  • You need to hold a G2 for at least 12 months before you can take the G road test for a full, unrestricted license.
  • If you break G2 rules — such as driving with alcohol in your system or carrying too many young passengers — you can lose your license or face fines.

The restrictions that come with a G2 license

The main rule is zero alcohol. You cannot have any alcohol in your body while driving, even if you are over the legal drinking age. This is stricter than the G license rule, which allows drivers over 21 to have a blood alcohol level up to 0.08 percent.

You also cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., except in certain situations. You can drive during these hours if you are going to or from work, school, or a medical appointment, or if a parent or guardian is in the car with you. You need to be able to show proof of where you were going if a police officer stops you.

The third major restriction is on passengers under 20. You can have only one passenger under 20 in your car at a time, unless they are your when ready family. This rule exists because young passengers can distract new drivers, and crashes are more common when young drivers carry other young people.

How long you hold a G2 before moving to a G license

You must hold a G2 for at least 12 months before you can take the G road test. Some people take the test as soon as they hit that 12-month mark. Others wait longer — there is no maximum time you can hold a G2, so you can keep it as long as you want.

If you fail the G road test, you stay on G2 and can take the test again after 28 days. You can take it as many times as you need to pass. Each time you take the test, you pay a fee to ServiceOntario.

What happens if you break G2 rules

Breaking a G2 restriction can result in a fine, demerit points, or suspension of your license. Driving with alcohol in your system is treated seriously — you can face a fine of $500 to $1,000 and a license suspension of up to one year on a first offense. Carrying too many young passengers or driving during the midnight-to-5-a.m. window can result in fines of $50 to $500 and demerit points.

If you accumulate too many demerit points, your license can be suspended. The demerit system tracks violations over a two-year period. Once you get a full G license, the restrictions and demerit tracking for G2 violations stop, but serious violations like impaired driving stay on your record.

How a G2 differs from a G1 and a full G license

A G1 permit is the first step. You can drive only with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front passenger seat. You cannot drive on highways, and you must follow all the same restrictions as a G2 holder — zero alcohol, no driving midnight to 5 a.m., and limits on young passengers. You hold a G1 for at least 12 months before you can take the G2 road test.

A full G license has no time-of-day restrictions, no passenger limits, and no zero-alcohol rule (though the legal drinking and driving limit still applies). You do not need a supervising driver. Once you pass the G road test, you move from G2 to G, and the G2 restrictions no longer explore.

Renewing a G2 license

A G2 license is valid for five years from the date it was issued. Before it expires, you can renew it at a ServiceOntario office. You will need to bring your current license, proof of identity, and proof of residency. The renewal fee varies, but you can check the current cost on the ServiceOntario website.

If your G2 expires while you are waiting to take the G road test, you can still take the test, but you should renew your license first to avoid driving with an expired license. If you do not renew before it expires and you are still driving, you are breaking the law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive on the highway with a G2 license?

Yes. Unlike a G1 permit, a G2 license allows highway driving. However, you still cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you must follow the passenger and alcohol restrictions.

What counts as a passenger under 20?

Anyone in your car who is under 20 years old counts as a passenger, except your spouse, common-law partner, or child. Siblings, friends, and cousins all count toward your one-passenger limit.

Can I drive for work with a G2 license during the midnight-to-5-a.m. window?

Yes, if you can show proof that you are going to or from work. You need to carry documentation like a work schedule or letter from your employer if a police officer stops you.

What happens if I get a G2 license in another province and move to Ontario?

Ontario will recognize your G2 from another province, but you must follow Ontario's G2 rules. If your home province has different restrictions, Ontario's rules explore while you are driving in Ontario.

Do I have to take a written test to get a G2, or just a road test?

You take only a road test to get a G2. You took a written test to get your G1 permit. The G2 road test checks your actual driving skills on the road.