How do I get my License?

Ontario has a graduated license system. You must be 16 years old to apply for a driver’s licence in Ontario. You must pass a written driving test and a vision test to earn your G1 Licence. Earning your full “G” licence will require two additional in-car road tests.

Where do I go for testing?

In Ontario you can apply for your driver’s licence at a DriveTest Centre.

In Chatham the DriveTest Centre is located at 171 Keil Drive S. Unit 4-5, Chatham, On

Where is the closest DriveWise centre?

DriveWise Chatham-Kent offers courses at 17 Dover Street, Chatham,On . Please see the SafeStart schedule for our course location

When can I begin driver training?

You can begin driver training classroom theory about a month or so before you are 16 years of age. You must be 16 years of age to apply for a G1 licence.

This statement is from the Official Drivers Handbook which is published by the Road User Safety Division of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. “The Ministry of Transportation encourages all new drivers to take an approved driver-education course to help learn the proper driving skills and knowledge. You should begin your training as soon as you become a Level One driver so you can get as much driving experience as possible. If you pass an approved course, you can complete Level One in eight months. If you graduate from an approved BDE course, this will be noted in your driver’s licence history, and will reduce the time you must spend at Level 1 by four months. It may also bring you savings on your car insurance.”

What it does not explain is that you cannot schedule the early 8 month road test until all 40 hours have been successfully completed and passed at a “MTO-Approved BDE Course Provider” , which DriveWise is . Once graduated successfully, all student information has to be entered into the MTO database in order for the MTO system to allow booking of the early G2 road test.
The purpose of the Ontario Graduated Licencing System is to learn properly right from the very beginning . Novice drivers will learn the DriveWise Approach to Defensive and Cooperative driving , will have months of driving practice to improve skills and gain confidence, have more experience behind the wheel before they pass to the 2nd level which is the G2 and drive by themselves with no parent or teacher guiding them.
What is included in the SafeStart program?

The DriveWise SafeStart program includes 40 hours of driver education: 20 hours are spent in class, which includes simulation training, 10 hours of online learning and 10 hours of private driving lessons in a vehicle.

How do I get my G1/G2/G?

G1

When you turn 16, you are elgible to take the G1 test. You will take a vision test prior to your written test. The written test is made up of two parts: Signs and Rules of the Road. To best prepare for this test, please read “The Driver’s Handbook” that can be found at any MTO or DriveTest centre and many bookstores.  You must bring two pieces of identification that show your legal name, birthdate and signature to the DriveTest centre. Acceptable forms of identification include: passport, birth certificate, health card and student card. A full list of appropriate ID’s can be found at http://www.drivetest.ca/EN/licencing/Pages/How-to-Apply.aspx. Written tests can be done at any DriveTest centre.

G2

You may go for your G2 road test after 12 months of having a G1, or 8 months if you have taken an MTO-approved Beginner Driver Education Program (like the SafeStart program offered by DriveWise).

During your G2 road test, you are evaluated on your knowledge and skills behind the wheel. You must book a G2 test in advance and can do so by visiting https://www.irtb.rus.mto.gov.on.ca/, visiting a DriveTest centre or by phone at 1-888-570-6110

G

After one year of driving with your G2 licence, you are able to go for your G road test. You will be tested on similar areas as your G2 road test, but will be required to enter and exit the highway.

You must book a G test in advance and can do so by visiting https://www.irtb.rus.mto.gov.on.ca/, visiting a DriveTest centre or by phone at 1-888-570-6110

What are the restrictions for my licence?

From ontario.ca:

G1 licence

After passing your G1 road test, you get a G2 licence. You practice with your G2 licence for 12 months. You can now drive:

  • without another experienced driver in the car
  • on all Ontario roads
  • at any time of the day, in most cases

You must still:

  • have a zero blood alcohol level
  • carry only as many passengers as there are working seatbelts
  • If you are 19 and under, some other restrictions still apply.

G2 drivers: 19 and under

Between midnight and 5 a.m.: you can only drive with one passenger who is 19 or under in your car.

This condition applies for the first six months of G2. After six months, you can drive with up to three passengers 19 or under between midnight and 5 a.m.

This condition does not apply, if:

  • you have a fully licensed driver in the car (with four years plus experience driving)
  • your passengers are immediate family members (e.g., a parent, brother or sister)

G2 road test

This is the second of two road tests you take as a new driver.

  • you can take the test after 12 months with a G2 licence
  • the test covers more advanced driving skills (e.g., driving on a highway, parallel parking)
  • once you pass, you get a full G licence

How long does driver training take?

Each training program varies in length to best reach the learning objectives. Our SafeStart program is 40 hours divided into in-vehicle, in-class, online and driving simulation training.

In Chatham we offer courses evenings and weekends. See the SafeStart schedule for a course that fits best with your lifestyle.

What courses do you offer?

DriveWise offers a wide variety of driver education programs that are suited to different learning objectives. Our SafeStart program is perfect for beginner drivers and drivers new to Canada who are looking to get their licence. The Road Ready and Test Ready packages are ideal for practice and preparation for road tests. We also offer professional driver training.

See more about our courses: Driving Training Courses

Does DriveWise do professional/corporate/municipal training?

DriveWise offers extensive training for various professional and corporate industries. DriveWise is able to offer online modules (pre-hire screening, new-hire and recurrent training), in-class lessons (both in-house and mobile/on-site), simulation training and optional in-vehicle learning. Some of our clients include Brinks, FedEx, Staples and Pacific Western Transportation. DriveWise offers national and international safety standardization based on risk mitigation data provided by our clients. Programming is built to be occupation-specific in order to best satisfy our clients’ needs. Learn more about our professional driver training programs.

What vehicles can training be provided for?

DriveWise can provide training for the following vehicles:

  • Private Motor Vehicle
  • Pick-up Truck (With or without trailer)…Select centres only 
  • Step/Delivery Van…Select centres only 
  • Heavy Truck (Manual or Automatic Transmission, various speeds including 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, super 10, 13 and 18)…Select centres only 
  • Fire Truck..Select centres only 
  • Ambulance…Select centres only .
  • Police Cruiser (various models including the Crown Victoria, Impala and Charger)…Select centres only 
  • Hummer and other military vehicles…Select centres only 
  • Snowplow…Select centres only 
  • Dump Truck…Select centres only 
  • Garbage Truck…Select centres only 
  • Cement Truck…Select centres only 

What is Graduated Licensing?

As of April 1, 1994, all new drivers applying for their first car or motorcycle licence enter Ontario’s Graduated Licensing System (GLS). Graduated licensing lets new drivers get driving experience and skills gradually. The two-step licensing process takes at least 20 months to complete.

To apply for a licence, you must be at least 16 years old and pass a vision test and a knowledge test on the rules of the road and traffic signs. After you pass these tests, you will get a Class G1 or M1 licence and a driver information package for new drivers. You must pass two road tests to become fully licensed.

New drivers earn full driving privileges in two stages and have five years to complete the program (Classes G1, G2, M2 or M2 with condition “L”) and graduate to a full licence (Classes G, M or M with condition L).