A representative for the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) told us that the G1 license is a learner's permit and as such, only meant for practice driving in Ontario with a licensed accompanying driver present at all times. A novice license is not considered to be fully licensed for driving.

However MTO rep. went on to say that once you are outside Ontario, you are subject to the laws of the jurisdiction you are traveling in, not Ontario's laws. The rep. also noted that you should check first with the licensing authorities of the province or state about the validity of Ontario novice licenses there BEFORE you travel out of the area.

The Prince Edward Island (PEI) driver's manual states that if you are 16 years or older and you hold a valid Driver’s License from another province, state, territory or country, you may drive in PEI for up to 120 days if you have not been prohibited from driving under the laws of any province, state, territory or country. You are subject to any limitations or restrictions on the license. You may only drive a vehicle of the class for which you are authorized to drive under the license held.

We have contacted the PEI Department of Transportation to thus verify you could drive there with your Ontario G1 learner's license as long as you follow the restrictions and conditions of your license type. As you know when you have a G1 license, there are 6 conditions you must follow. These restrictions include:

• maintaining a zero blood alcohol level while driving;
• be accompanied by a fully licensed driver, who has at least 4 years driving experience, and they must have a blood alcohol level of less than .05 percent, in case they need to over as driver;
• have only the accompanying driver in the front seat;
• limit the number of other passengers to the number of working seat belts;
• refrain from driving on Ontario's 400 series or high speed expressways;
• refrain from driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m.

In PEI their learner's permit is called a Class 7, (Stage 1 instructional permit) and is the beginning of their Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program. The following restrictions apply to those who hold a Class 7 permit:

• You may drive a motor vehicle only when a licensed driver, who has held a Driver’s License for at least four years, and who does not have a blood alcohol count of 0.05 or more, occupies the seat beside you.
• The only passengers permitted in the vehicle are the person providing the instruction and that person’s immediate family.
• Drivers in the GDL Program must have zero blood alcohol content (BAC).
• Law enforcement has the explicit authority to ask to see the driver’s license of the individual providing the instruction.
• The vehicle operated by the beginner must display a decal on the vehicle that identifies the operator of the vehicle as a beginner. (The decal is bright yellow in color with a black letter L which is placed just above the Motor Vehicle Inspection sticker.) It is made of a material that allows it to be removed so it can be placed on other vehicles.
• Drivers in the GDL Program may not drive between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. This does not apply to individuals who have an Instruction Permit (Class 7) and are 21 years old or older.
• Any violation that results in demerit points will result in the suspension of the Instruction Permit (Class 7).
• Any conviction you receive for failure to wear a seat belt while you are in the GDL Program will result in the suspension of your driver’s license. The first offense will result in a suspension of 30 days and second offense will result in a suspension of 90 days.
• In addition, while you are in the GDL Program, and any passengers fail to wear a seat belt, you may be issued a fine.
• The use of handheld communication devices such as cell phones and MP3 players is prohibited for an individual who is in the Graduated Driver Licensing Program.

As you can see there are many conditions regarding a Class 7 instruction permit in PEI.

We have just heard back from the PEI Department of Transportation on whether you can drive there or not with your Ontario G1 license. The PEI representative stated yes, you can drive here on PEI with your G1 License. The restrictions they mentioned that you must follow is first having a driver that has been licensed for at least 4 years accompany you as your supervising driver who is to sit in the front seat next to you. Other restrictions are of course a Zero BAC and you will not be allowed to drive between the hours of 1 AM and 5 AM.

If you need more information about these restrictions or have more questions about driving while on PEI this summer with your G1 license (permit) than contact the PEI Department of Transportation directly.

It is also wise to check with your insurance company to make sure you are covered when operating a vehicle out of province, in PEI, or if you are going to be driving a PEI registered vehicle the car owner should make sure their insurance will cover you if it is to be primary.

You can get Canadian car insurance quotes here with us.