If as a G1 driver in Ontario, Canada you fail the G1 road test then you would remain a G1 driver until your license expires. You would then need to take the G knowledge and vision tests to re-qualify 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.

According to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), 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.

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.

According to the Ontario driver's manual, Level One road test checks your basic driving skills. At the end of a road test, the examiner will give you a complete report of your skills and explain any mistakes you have made. If you fail the test, the report will show you where you need to improve. When you have had more practice, you can make an appointment to take the test again. You must wait at least 10 days between tests.

If you are not able to graduate to the G2 by the time 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 license will be issued by the MTO to the date of the road test. Once the license expires, the driver must reapply for the Level 1 license.

If your G1 is to expire soon you should receive notification from the MTO. Novice drivers in Ontario, Canada receive a notice in the mail before their class license expires. The notice is called Notice of Novice Driver's License 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 re-qualify for (that is, retain) their current new class (e.g. M2 stays M2) as we mentioned earlier.

If you have failed your G1 road test to move onto the G2 then it appears you can re-take the test before your expiration date. If you do not graduate to the G2 by the time your G1 license expires though you will need to redo your G1 tests. Contact the MTO for more information about your situation and what tests you need to take to keep your G1 or try again to move up to a G2.