Hey, my name is Sean Shapiro and I'm a former police officer who talks about traffic safety, traffic law, police stuff, and I do that pretty much every day. Got a couple of days off in between, but Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:00 a.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 p.m. I host something called Ask a Traffic Cup. The night ones we call After Dark, but that's not the point. What is the point is I'm here to answer your traffic and police questions because I want you to know stuff and things. I want to help you be a safer driver. I want you to understand the rules. And what I kept finding is that there were people who just didn't have the basis. They didn't have the general knowledge because they didn't read the book. And this is the book. The handbook has everything or at least the most detailed resource outside of the Highway Traffic Act on the basic rules and regulations about what goes well room on the road. This one's for the G-Class driver's license. That covers the majority of vehicles. And we're going to cover the book because I'm reading it to you. I'm going to read it to you page by page. We're going to talk about the contents. We're going to maybe tell us a couple of stories to make it click. But this is going to be a process, a journey, if you will, and it's going to take a little while. I'm reading as much as I can handle per day with discussions so that there are bite-size, well, chunks so that you can get through them without choking cuz this is not exactly the most exciting content. I like it, but it's not well, it's dry. That's what it is. So, let's get into it. We're going to read the introduction and uh start the process. Ontario is a road safety leader in Canada and North America. The Ministry of Transportation has introduced a range of measures to maintain this record and to improve the behavior of all drivers. Most collisions are caused by driver error or behavior such as following too closely, speeding, failure to yield the right of way, improper turns, running red lights, and frequently changing lanes. There are also drivers who intentionally put others at risk through such reckless behavior. Statistics show that new drivers of all ages are far more likely than experienced drivers to be involved in serious or fatal collisions. This is something we talk about a lot. New drivers think they're pretty good. Well, at least some of them do. And those that are really thinking they're awesome are generally overconfident. They're just not as skilled as they think they are. And that's where problems come in. Nothing beats the professional instruction of a professional driving instructor. and experience. Time and experience behind the wheel makes you a better driver, assuming you're following the rules. Provincial campaigns promoting the correct use of seat belts and child car seats and informing people about drinking and driving and aggressive driving are making a difference. Ontario's graduated licensing system, GLS, which lets new drivers gain skills and experience in low-risk environments, is also helping to develop better, safer drivers. This handbook gives new drivers the basic information they need about learning to drive in Ontario. The rules of the road, safe driving practices, and how to get a license to drive a car, van, or small truck. The ministry recommends that all drivers would benefit from taking an advanced course in driver training. Yeah, I talk about it all the time. Professional driving instruction is the best. This helps, but it's a foundation. What you need is one-on-one driver training. As you read, remember that this handbook is only a guide. For official descriptions of laws, look in the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario and its regulations. Information on how to get licenses to drive other types of vehicles is available in part two of this handbook, the Ontario MTO motorcycle handbook, the official MTO truck handbook, the official MTO bus handbook, and the official MTO air bra handbook. And then it says, "Drive safely." Okay, that must have been the most amazing and awe inspiring. Well, introduction to anything you've ever read. With the introduction out of the way, let's get into the meat and potatoes. What are the requirements of driving in the province of Ontario? Well, the first section covers it. Says that Ontario residents must be at least 16 years old and must have a valid Ontario driver's license. They add that if you have just become an Ontario resident, you have 60 days to continue to use your existing driver's license and then apply for the Ontario driver's license. Essentially, once you become a resident, you've taken up residence, you're working here, you're going to school here, within 60 days, you are required by law to apply for an Ontario license. Now, here's the thing. It says within Well, if you wait till 60 days and then apply, what's going to happen? Well, you can no longer use your foreign or out of province license. If you are not being recognized with more experience or you're not getting a straight trade for trade, meaning they give you a G1, you can't drive anymore. It would be my sincerest of suggestions that you start applying immediately upon becoming a resident of Ontario. Just saying there are tickets and complications if you don't. Visitors to Ontario must be at least 16. So, when we talk to our friend Logan Grant in Brooks, Alberta, where you can be 14 years old and get a learner's permit, those drivers cannot, even if they were fully licensed, cannot drive in Ontario. You must be 16, regardless of what is in your wallet in terms of licenses. Okay? You must have a valid driver's license from your home province, state, or country. You must have an international driver's permit from your own country if visiting Ontario for more than 3 months. And visitors are not eligible to apply for an Ontario driver's license. Let's go back to that last point. Must have an international driver's permit from your own country of visiting Ontario for more than three months. This is a translation card. It is not a driver's license. If you were to surrender an international driving permit on its own, it would be rejected because it has no legal value other than to translate the contents of your foreign driver's license. So, don't use that other than as a visitor and and following the rules. people come here and just try and stay here for a longer period of time or get a international driving permit without bringing their either original license or ever having an original license. Some countries do some weird stuff. Okay, so you've got different types of driver's licenses and many people don't know what those are. Obviously, we're talking about the G-Class license in this course, and we'll talk about that as we scroll through. But class A commonly used for big rigs. You're allowed to drive any tractor trailer combination. But if you have an A class license, you can also drive a vehicle in class D and G. And we'll explain that as we go. Class B for buzz allows you to drive any school purpose bus. You can also drive a CDE E F and G. Clear as mud, right? Hey, look at this. A C is a city or regular bus. And that's how we remember it. In police college, they say, "Oh, it's a city bus." C. Yes. If you have a C-class license, you can also drive vehicles in class D, FNG. Boy, it would be really helpful if all these classes were broken down into a single graphic. Maybe we'll get lucky. Class D vehicles. A motor vehicle exceeding 11,000 kilos gross weight or registered gross weight or any truck or combination provided the tow vehicle is not over 4,600 kilos. And you can also drive class G vehicles. Class E vehicles. This is allowed to drive any school purpose bus with a maximum of 24 passenger capacity. May also drive an F and G. What's an F? Class F. This is really good reason to have your own copy and not rely on what's on the screen. Class F. We're usually talking about ambulances here. Allowed to drive any regular bus. Maximum 24 passenger capacity and ambulances. And then you can also drive G, which is convenient because you need to be able to drive G. G is for your general purpose car, your automobile, which we're going to talk about right now. Flash G says allowed to drive any car, van, or small truck or combination of vehicle and towed vehicle up to 11,000 kilos, provided the vehicle towed is not over 4,600 kilos. A pickup truck towing a house trailer exceeds 4600 kg, but the total combined weight of the truck and trailer does not exceed 11,000 kg and is deemed a class G vehicle. This stuff is generally not going to be a concern because we're really focusing on new drivers and that's dealing with the G1 G2. Okay. Level one graduated licensing holders may drive a G-class vehicle with an accompanying fully licensed driver with at least four years driving experience subject to certain conditions. Those conditions are you can't drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m. You can't have more than one person in the front seat. And the only person in the front seat has to be the supervising driver that's qualified to supervise who must also be um capable of driving. So they have to be under the legal limit. They cannot have more than 0049 BAC blood alcohol content. In other words, they've got to be sober and with it and paying attention, otherwise you can't drive. And what happens if you are driving solo? Well, guess what? There's a ticket for $110. That's called G1 drive unaccompanied and you will be charged and suspended on conviction for 30 days. That's on the first offense. Second time it happens, you're getting a 90-day suspension. Third time it happens, you're getting kicked out of the G1 program, the graduated licensing program for well, you start again with zero. And it's really important to note that you must accumulate 8 or 12 months to be able to then qualify for the G2. If you start again, you have none. you're starting, you're really doing a disservice to yourself. Just don't break the rules. What other conditions? Can't think of that right now. Oh, no. Uh no, no highways, no no uh expressways with speed limits over 80 km an hour. There are some exemptions, but um yeah, 80 km an hour is your max speed. Class G2 level two graduated licensing holders may drive a class G vehicle without an accompanying driver, but are subject to certain conditions. Now those conditions are zero blood alcohol content. That's the same thing for G1. You can have absolutely no alcohol in your system or drugs for that matter. When it comes to uh other conditions in the first 6 months, you cannot have more than one person in your vehicle aside from immediate family that is under the age of 20. Let me rephrase that so it's clear. If you are driving with a G2, you can have as many people as you have seat belts during the day, but between midnight and 5:00 a.m., you cannot have anyone under the age of 20 in your vehicle, but there's an exemption for immediate family. So, if you have little brother, little sister, or children of your own, you would be able to transport them outside of that condition. Now, it's no more than one person under the age of 20 in the first 6 months and the second period of 6 months, it's no more than three. And of course, you can only have a maximum of the number of seats with seat belts available to them. There's none of this uh extra space that once upon a time was somehow accepted. Class M is for motorcycles. You're allowed to drive any motorcycle, including motor tricycles, limited speed motorcycles, motor scooters, and motor assisted bicycles, aka um and motorcycle assisted bicycles, as in mopeds. holders may also drive a class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a G1 license holder. So many people don't realize this, but if you get your M, you can also drive while supervised by a fully licensed G class driver. Yeah, think about that. I don't know why anyone would do that, but hey, it's kind of cool. Class M1 is where you start. Level one, graduated licensing for motorcycles includes motor tricycles, limited speed motorcycles, motor scooters, and motor assisted bicycles, aka mopeds. ers may drive a motorcycle under certain conditions. Those conditions are pretty simple. Uh you can't drive at night. You cannot carry passengers. You cannot be on highways with speeds over 80 km an hour. You're allowed to drive for a half an hour before sunrise and a half an hour after sunset. That's it. If you're caught driving outside of it, well, you're in deep doodoo. Then there's the M or M2 without London, and that is only for low speed or limited speed and mopeds. Then there's class M with M condition which is for tricycle and M2 with M. Oddly enough, I don't even know why they bother with this because if you have an M condition, it is solely for the trike. Zed brake endorsement is for air brakes and that is for anyone operating air brakes. The next section is called what kind of license and it's because it talks about the 12 different kinds. In Ontario, there are 12 different classes of license. Each one qualifies you to drive a different type of vehicle. The class of license you have must match the type of vehicle you are driving. You need a class G license to drive a car, van, or small truck. And you must have a G-Class license before you can be licensed to drive any other type of vehicle. The only exception is motorcycles. You may get a motorcycle license, class M, without first getting a class G license. The driver's license classification chart shows you what class of license you need to drive different vehicles. We just went through that. For information on the skills and knowledge you need to get a class M license, study the official MTO motorcycle handbook. You can get the information on other kinds of licenses, class A, B, C,DE, E, and F in the official MTO truck handbook, the official MTO bus handbook. If you want to qualify a vehicle equipped with air brakes, the official MTO air bra handbook tells you how to qualify. Some recreational vehicles have special license requirements. If you plan to drive an off-road vehicle or snowmobile, read the off-road vehicle section in this handbook. You do not need a license to ride a bicycle in Ontario. However, bicycles are defined as vehicles in the Highway Traffic Act, and bicyclists have rights and responsibilities similar to the other vehicle operators under the act. Information on safe cycling can be found in the Ministry of Transportation Publications, Cycling Skills, and the Young Cyclist Guide. You do not need a license to ride a bicycle in Ontario. However, bicycles are defined as vehicles in the Highway Traffic Act, and bicyclists have rights and responsibilities similar to other vehicle operators under the act. Information on safe cycling can be found in the Ministry of Transportation publication cycling skills and the Young Cyclist Guide. I, for one, believe that cyclists should be licensed to drive on the road. They're already responsible to following the rules, but there's no real way to ensure that they know what the rules are. So, that's a problem for me, but we'll move on and I will not complain. Graduated licensing. New drivers applying for their first car or motorcycle license enter Ontario's graduated licensing system. Graduated licensing lets new drivers get driving experience and skills gradually. The two-step licensing process takes at least 20 months to complete. After you pass these tests, you will enter level one and get a class G1 license. You must pass two road tests to become fully licensed. Passing the first road test lets you move to level two, class G2, and the second one gives you full class G driving privileges. Applying for a license. To apply for a license, you must show proof of your legal name and date of birth, showing day, month, and year of birth. Documents must be original and valid. Photo copies and expired documents are not acceptable. Bring the documents to a drive test center or a travel point, which is a temporary drive test center if there's no regional center. Plan ahead to find out where the nearest travel point is and when it is open. You can also find it on the internet at www.driveest.ca. You must pay a fee when you apply. This fee includes the cost of the knowledge test, your first road test, and a 5-year licensing fee. There are more charges for the second road test and for any retests you may need to take. To schedule a road test appointment, you must prepay the fee. When you apply for your license, you will be asked questions about your health. People with certain physical or mental conditions are not allowed to drive for safety reasons. If your physical or medical conditions mean you cannot be licensed, you will be told when you apply. Once you have your license, you should report any change in your medical conditions that may affect your ability to drive safely. By law, doctors and optometrists must report the name and address of anyone over 16 who has a condition that may make it unsafe for him or her to drive. For further details on applying for a license, visit the Ministry of Transportation website. And that's a hot link if you need to get there. But here's the deal. Uh you can find this by googling it. Any one of the following documents may be used to satisfy the requirements to provide proof of legal name and complete date of birth. Passport, Canadian or foreign. Canadian citizenship card with photo. Permanent immigration documents that includes a permanent resident card, the PRC. Record of landing form 1000. uh confirmation of permanent residence form IMM5292, temporary immigration documents like a student authorization, employment authorization, visitor record, temporary residence permit, or report pursuant to the immigration act, the IMM 1442 seems to be for with all of them except you need a photo for the last one. Additional documents. Additional documents are required if the document presented from the previous list does not indicate the legal name or complete date of birth, day, month, year. The additional documents must provide proof of the missing or incomplete information. The following documents are acceptable as proof of date of birth and legal name. Canadian or US birth certificate. I didn't actually know that. I didn't know that those were the only two that they would accept, which is interesting. Proof of legal name. If additional documents presented to prove date of birth do not indicate the applicant's legal name, for example, the name has been changed or is different on the two documents presented, the applicant will be required to provide additional documents as proof of legal name. The following additional documents are accepted as proof of legal name, marriage certificate, Canadian or foreign, government issued, change of name certificate, court order for adoption, change of name or divorce must bear legal name, date of birth, and court seal. to confirm complete date of birth where no or only partial date of birth is available. A sworn affidavit stating the reason why partial or no date is available with supporting documents. You contact Service Ontario at those numbers. Okay, that's pretty simple. I guess it's important for them to say that direct identification by a parent or guardian is not acceptable. You know, if they put it down on paper, it must mean that that's happened a lot. Yeah. Interesting. Well, the next section is dealing with each level. And those blue hyperlinks are just that. They're hyperlinks that would take you on the online version to the appropriate section in the book. And just because I I think it's interesting, uh the the the book when it comes to the wonderful imagery is better. Maybe maybe buy the book. There are some duplications and things that are a little out of order. When I say duplications, I mentioned some things because I know them even though we hadn't gotten to that point in the book. We'll repeat them the second time. It gives you another exposure opportunity to the same information. And we get to see if I missed anything. All right. So, those blue hyperlinks are just that. And we're going to continue ignoring that we're on a web-based version. Level one, the G1. Level one lasts 12 months. Unless you take the course, then it goes down to eight months. And I don't mean my course, I mean professional driver instruction. The Ministry of Transportation encourages all new drivers to take an approved driver education course to help them 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, that's what I was talking about. You can complete level one in 8 months. While at level one, you must apply the following rules or the following rules apply. Fine, I jumped ahead. While at level one, the following rules apply. You must not drive if you've been drinking alcohol. Your blood alcohol must be at zero. You must not drive alone. An accompanying driver must sit in the front passenger seat. This is the only person who can be in the front seat with you when you drive. The accompanying driver must have a valid class G higher license, at least four years of driving experience, and a blood alcohol level of less than .005. If they had a .05 BAC, they would receive an alert if they were driving. Thus, they're not legally permitted to operate a vehicle and cannot well can't supervise you. Time spent at the class G2 level, as long as the G2 license was valid and not suspended, does count towards the accompanying driver's four years of experience. The accompanying driver's license may have to merit points but cannot be suspended. Again, this is stuff that just makes sense. The person driving must be legally allowed to drive at that moment in time. So, being a designated driver for a bunch of drunks, even though they're licensed, doesn't work. It's just a bad idea anyway. Yeah. Each person in the vehicle must have a working seat belt, which is a general everyday kind of thing. Everyone needs a seat belt that works. You must not drive on 400 series highways with a posted speed limit over 80 km an hour. Also, you must not drive on certain high-speed roads, including the Queen Elizabeth Way, Dawn Valley Parkway, and the Gardener Expressway in the Greater Toronto area, the EC Row Expressway in Windsor, and the Konosoga Parkway in Kitchener Water. However, if your accompanying driver is a driving instructor, you may drive on any road. Once again, to clarify, a driving instructor is a professional driving instructor, not mom, dad, cousin, brother, uncle, friend who has a driver's license. They may be teaching you to drive, but they are not professional driving instructors going to a company that is a of an approved status in the province of Ontario that has approved licensed driving instructors are the driving instructors they're talking about. Clear as mud, I know. Hopefully, it's clear. You must not drive between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m. You must pass a road test of your driving skills to move to level two. At this time, you will be given a class G2 license. I think the wording is bad. Just saying. I think it should say at that time, like when you pass, you'll get a G2 license. I'd rewrite this. G1 knowledge test. The checklist. Before taking a G1 knowledge test, make sure you have studied the official MTO driver's handbook. Bring the following items to the test. two pieces of identification, money for test fees, cash, debit card, or credit card, glasses or contact lenses if you need to wear them to drive. Yeah, these are good things to have because if you don't have those, you're in trouble. But I would also suggest having had a good night's sleep, making sure you're there early so you can chill out a bit. While you won't be operating a motor vehicle before writing that test, no drugs or alcohol is probably a really good idea. G1 exit test checklist. Before taking the G1 exit test, make sure you have studied the official MTO drivers handbook. By the way, they're talking about the G2 test, which is weird that they call it the exit test, but at the end of that, you you get a G2. So, I call it the G2 test. They call it a G1 exit test. Bring the following items to the test. A vehicle in good working order because guess what? You're going to be driving. Money for test fees if applicable. glasses or contacts if you need to wear them to drive. Basically, you're going to be tested when you get your G1 and if your eye test determines you need glasses to drive, then you require them and you can be charged if you don't wear them while driving. So, if it's a requirement on your license, you best have glasses. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the road test appointment. Like I said, early is on time. On time is late. I think that is an everyday thing. And then you get to pass or fail. If you pass, you can then have all the rights and privileges of a G2 driver. Level two lasts at least 12 months. At this level, you have more privileges because of your driving experience. At level two, you must not drive if you've been drinking alcohol. Your blood alcohol level must be zero. And that's what I say every single day. It should be even if you have a full G. Ideally, it should be zero. But we'll talk about that later. Each person in the vehicle must have a working seat belt. Okay. Conditions are important because if you break them, there's violations. and you get charged for them. In addition, the following restrictions apply between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m. to G2 drivers aged 19 and under. In the first 6 months after receiving your G2 license, you are allowed to carry only one passenger age 19 or under. After 6 months with your G2 license and until you obtain your full G license or turn 20, you're allowed to carry up to three passengers 19 or under. And I think it's just easier to say under 20. Exemption. The passenger restrictions for G2 drivers aged 19 and under do not apply if you are accompanied by a fully licensed driver in the front passenger seat or if the passengers are members of your immediate family, a guardian or those related to you by blood, marriage, common law, relationship, or adoption. I talked about that earlier. What I didn't talk about is that you could have anyone in the car if you were accompanied by a licensed driver. And that's because I never noticed that. Feel bad now. After 12 months at level two, you may take a road test to qualify for full license privileges. You must pass this test to get a G license. They have a note here. It is now law that all young drivers 21 and under, regardless of license class, must have a blood alcohol level of zero. This means that if you have a full G license, but are 21 or under, it doesn't matter that you have a G, you must maintain zero BAC. People get confused. They think when they hit 21 that it's 21 and over, but it's 21 and under cannot have anything in their system. 22 and above can have the well, they can have up to the legal limit. A further note says, "A restricted class M license for limited speed motorcycle and moped drivers allows license holders to drive only a limited speed motorcycle in a moped. You are not permitted to drive limited speed motorcycle or moped on any driver's license other than a class M license, including M1, M2L, M2, ML, or M. For information on to how to obtain a restricted class M license to drive a moped and graduated licensing requirements, please read the official MTO motorcycle handbook. If you're not bored yet, it might just be me. This is not exciting stuff. This is the dry part. This is the less fun. It's about 25 pages for the first chapter, and we're going to stop after 25 pages. As we get into actual factual stuff and things about driving, this is going to get more exciting. At least I hope it will, but this part is acknowledged to be less fun. So, hang in there. You got this. Road tests. Road tests check your driving skills in the vehicle and in traffic. You will be tested on your ability to follow the rules of the road and safe driving practices. When you feel qualified to drive safely and confident enough to take your road test, schedule an appointment by internet, phone, or in person at any drive test center. You can contact the drive test center at 6477760331 or 1LE85706110 or go online to driveest.ca. You must bring the appropriate vehicle to your road test. The vehicle must be fit in proper working condition, plated, and insured. Fit really just means safe. It has to be fit for the road that would be approved to be lawfully driven on the road in proper working order and plated insured. Yeah. If you're a level one driver, aka G1, an accompanying driver must come with you to the test center. If you are a level two, G2 driver, be prepared to take alternate transportation home in case you fail your road test and are unqualified to drive. No pets or passengers other than the driver examiner are allowed in the vehicle during the road test. Driving instructors, friends, relatives, and translators may not accompany you during the test. All road tests have a set time frame. Before you begin your test, the examiner will inform you of the time you have to complete the test. You will not be asked to do anything illegal during the road test. The examiner will explain the test and you should follow his or her instructions. The examiner is not allowed to coach you during the test. So, if you have any questions, ask them before you begin. I have to bring your attention to the you will not be asked to do anything illegal. That is not what I've been hearing from people who are actually taking the test. I've heard people failed because they didn't speed. And guess what? Speeding is illegal. So if they're asking you to speed and then they fail you for not speeding, maybe tell them to look at this page of the book. Same. Electronic driving aids such as automatic parallel parking systems, lane monitoring, cruise control, and backup cameras may not be used during the road test. On a road test, you are required to demonstrate the proper skills in operating a motor vehicle without the reliance of driving aids. For example, shoulder checks, mirror checks, and so on. At the end of each 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 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. You must have highway driving experience. That's experience driving on highways with speed limits of at least 80 km an hour before taking the G2 exit test. You must complete a declaration of highway driving experience form describing the highway driving experience you have before taking the road test. Bring the following items to the test. A vehicle in good working order because again you're going to be driving. Money for test fees if applicable. glasses or contact lenses if you need to wear them to drive. And you must arrive at least 30 minutes before the road test appointment. And as I've always said, early is on time, on time is late, late is unforgivable. So if you show up when you're supposed to be on the road, you are likely going to be well not taking your road test that day. Oh, look. Failure to attend road test or short notice cancellation. If you cancel or reschedule your road test appointment with less than 48 hours notice, or if you fail to attend your appointment, your prepaid road test fee will not be refunded. Under certain extenduating circumstances, such as death in your family, the road test fee will remain as a credit on your driving record. Out of order road test. If your vehicle does not meet ministry standards for the purpose of a road test or if there is a non-vehicle-related reason for which the examiner determines that the road test cannot be completed, the examiner declares the road test out of order. If your road test is declared out of order, you lose 50% of your road test fee. The other 50% of the fee remains as a credit on your driving record and may be applied when booking a new road test. In order to book the new road test, you will have to pay the 50% of the fee deducted due to the out of order. So, you have a 50% credit. You have to pay the other half in order to book your next test. Make sense? Okay. If you have any concerns that your road test may be declared out of order, contact the drive test center before your scheduled road test to discover it. If you have any concerns that your road test may be declared out of order, contact the drive test center before your scheduled test to discuss it. Seems fair to me. New Ontario residents. If you are a new resident of Ontario and have a valid driver's license from another province or country, you can use that license for 60 days in Ontario. If you want to continue to drive after 60 days, you must get an Ontario driver's license. Oh, there are so many issues with this. Oh, yes. People either choose to get it wrong or legitimately get it wrong. We'll talk more about that later. Well, actually, we're going to talk about it right now. License exchange for countries with reciprocating jurisdictions. Ontario has license exchange agreements with every Canadian province and territory including Canadian Forces Europe. There are also agreements with Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, the Isisle of Man, Japan, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United States. Drivers will receive a full class G license provided they have an equivalent class license. If you have fewer than two years of driving experience, you may get credit for your experience and enter level two of the graduated licensing system. Once you have a total of two years of driving experience, you may take the level two road test to earn full driving privileges. What does that mean? It means that if you aren't part of one of these countries that has an agreement where you do a straight trade, you'll get credit. That credit may allow you to skip the G1 process and go directly to your G2, meaning you move ahead of the line a little bit quicker, but it all depends and it relies on an evaluation of your license and your driving history in terms of experience. Let's get into it more. License exchange for non-rescrocating jurisdictions. This is the more. All applicants for an Ontario driver's license are required to present a valid foreign driver's license, pass a vision test, a knowledge test, pay all applicable fees, and provide acceptable proof of identity. License exchange for non-rescrocating license exchange for non-rescrocating jurisdictions. All applicants for an Ontario driver's license are required to present a valid foreign driver's license, pass a vision test, a knowledge test, pay all applicable fees, and provide acceptable proof of identity. Applicants who fulfill these requirements can obtain a G1 license. The applicant may take their G1 exit test within 12 months of combined Ontario and foreign experience. The 12-month period will be reduced to 8 months with successful completion of a ministry approved beginner driver education course. Applicants are required to provide adequate proof of foreign licensed driving experience. However, the ministry may accept an applicant's declaration of their foreign licensed driving experience for up to 12 months. What does that mean? It means even without proof, you could say you've been driving for 12 months somewhere else and they may choose to accept it. I say may because every situation is going to stand on its own. For more than 12 months experience, applicants must provide an authenticated letter from their embassy, consulate, or licensing agency in English or French. A full 24 months of Ontario and foreign experience is required prior to attempting their G2 exit test. 24 months, 2 years. You need to have that experience regardless of where you got it. Only experience within the past 3 years may be credited. So, if you had your license for 10 years and then you didn't have any experience for 10 years, well, even if you did, so if you have experience, but it's dated, they won't accept it, which is what I think a lot of people run into because so many times I speak to people who have just come to Canada and for whatever reason, they're not accepting the information provided. They're not accepting the experience. And if it's older than 3 years, that's why driving customs vary from place to place. That is why experienced drivers from other countries should familiarize themselves with Ontario's laws. The official MTO drivers handbook and the Ministry of Transportation website are great resources. They are. It's true. Could you pass? The rest of this handbook gives you information you need to pass your tests and keep your driving privileges once you get your license. The written test may ask you about seat belts, traffic signs and lights, emergency vehicles, how to use headlights, speed limits, going on or off a freeway, what drivers must do when they meet street cars and school buses, drivers license suspensions, the demerit point system, passing other vehicles, collision reporting, sharing the road with other road users, and rules of the road. The road tests will show. The road tests will tell how well you use your knowledge while driving. You will be tested on starting, stopping, and turning, traffic signs and lights, passing vehicles, including bicycles and driving and passing lanes, traveling through controlled and uncontrolled intersections, parallel parking and reversing, foreseeing hazardous conditions, and being ready for them, other safe driving practices. Make sure you know the information in this handbook before you take these tests. Sample test questions that could appear on this knowledge test are available in that link that you would be getting to if you were watching this directly on a website. Choosing a driving school. As a new driver, your choice of professional driving instruction may be the best way to put yourself safely in the driver's seat. A beginner driver education course in a driving school that has been approved by the provincial government can teach you the skills and attitudes you need to be a safe and responsible driver. The BDE course may also make you eligible to take your road test sooner and allow you to save money on insurance premiums. As well as teaching the basics, driver training emphasizes strategic driving techniques, positive driving attitudes and behavior, avoiding driver distractions, risk perception and management, freeway driving, night driving, and driving in adverse conditions. Most programs are designed for new drivers, but many driving schools also provide courses and services to upgrade your skills. If you graduate from an approved BDE course, this will be noted on your driver's license history and will reduce the time you must spend at level one by 4 months. It may also bring you savings on your car insurance. All ministrylic licensed driving schools offer in-class and all ministry licensed driving schools offer in-class and in-g training for a fee. All lessons are taught by a ministry licensed driving instructor. Ministry approved BDE courses offered by driving schools must last a minimum of 40 hours. This may consist of at least 20 hours in class, 10 hours in vehicle, and 10 hours of flexible instruction that may include the following: classroom driving instruction, computer-based instruction, invehicle instruction, driving simulator instruction, and home links being homework. I guess it's stuff you just do at home. The ministry licenses all driving schools offering a BDE course in Ontario. Licenses are renewed every 3 years if driving schools continue to meet the legislative and program requirements. Only licensed instructors working for licensed schools can teach the BDE course. All ministry approved driving schools are listed on the ministry's website. Note, the ministry also lists revoked driving schools that are not on the list of approved schools. Look at the website for an active ministry approved driving school that offers highquality instruction and a comfortable learning environment. Please make sure the school offers a ministry approved BTE course of a minimum of 40 hours. The school should also be equipped with up-to-date video tapes, DVDs, projectors, overheads, computers, and other audiovisisual aids. To help you choose the best driving school in course for you, please use the following checklist. Course information package. Personalized program. Adequacy of classroom facilities and related amenities. Low studenttoteer ratio. Audiovisisual equipment. In-class topics covered. Invehicle topics covered. Flexible instruction covered. Instructor qualifications and experience. Regular instructor upgrading, student process and evaluation reports, minimum 20 hours of classroom, 10 hours behind the wheel, and 10 hours of flexible instruction. Modern training materials, use of vehicle for road test, tuition receipts, clear school contract statements regarding the cost of every aspect of the course, including use of vehicle for road test and any subsequent road test. Testimonials and references. A history of excellent teaching. Proper treatment and respect of all students with no discrimination of any type. See the Ontario Human Rights Code. Number of years in business. Consumer protection insurance. Summary. By the end of this chapter, you should know the legal requirements you must meet to obtain a driver's license. The different license classifications and what type of vehicle they permit you to drive. the identification you need to provide when applying for a driver's license, the restrictions and testing requirements under the graduated licensing system. If you thought that was boring, you're not alone. That information was not fun at all, and I don't think it was ever meant to be. So, it's stuff you need to know, but we're not going to spend more time on it right now. We're sort of glossing through the introduction first chapter. What I want to move on to next is the next video, which is chapter 2, safe and responsible driving. We'll talk about seating positions and a whole bunch of stuff, wearing seat belts and okay, it's marginally more fun than what we're talking about in this chapter, but it keeps getting better from there, trust me. So, if you've got questions, put them in the comments. If you have uh requests for more information on a particular topic that we've covered, let me know. And uh if you want to jump into a live stream, feel free to do that. I'm going to start recording the next chapter now, which will release next week. I wanted to make sure we had something this week, though. So, here we go. We're going to put it up online.