Novice drivers in Ontario, Canada should receive a notice in the mail before their new class license expires. The notice is called Notice of Novice Driver's Licence Expiry. It advises new drivers of their license expiry date and explains the test options available to them. The notice is mailed 6 months before the license is due to expire, it is mailed to the last address registered with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO).
The MTO states that normally new drivers may either take a test to graduate to the next level of license (e.g. G1 to G2, or G2 to G); or take a test to requalify for (that is, retain) their current new class (e.g. M2 stays M2).
Once a driver has decided which option they are eligible for and wish to choose the new driver should then book the appropriate road test at a DriveTest centre or contact the Road Test Booking Call Centre at (416) 235-8580 or 1888-570-6110.
A G1 driver whose license is going to expire may:
- take the G1 road test (road test fee is $40 if not previously paid) to graduate to G2; or,
- take the knowledge test (knowledge test fee is $10 and the G1 road test fee is $40 if not previously paid) and vision test to keep G1.
[Let CarInsurance.com help you find affordable auto insurance now.] Upon passing the test, the driver pays the $75.00 licensing fee and receives a new license good for another five years. Once the license expires, the driver must reapply for the Level 1 license.
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So yes, if you do not graduate to the G2 when your G1 license expires you will need to redo your G1 tests to retain a G1 license.
If you plan on taking the road test to obtain your G2 then the road test appointment must be booked before your G1 license expires . If a road test is not available before the license expires, a temporary driver's licence will be issued by the MTO to the date of the road test. Once the licence expires, the driver must reapply for the Level 1 licence.
If you as a G1 driver fail the G1 road test then you would remain a G1 driver until their license expires. You would then need to take the G knowledge and vision tests to requalify for (that is, retain) your G1 license. A G1 driver may attempt the G1 road test again before the expiry date. After the expiration date, the driver must reapply for the level 1 license. | 
