Lauren Alexander

10 October, 2022

Looking to get your G2 license in Ontario and start driving by yourself? Kruzee has you covered. 

To help you ace your G2 road test on the first try, Kruzee talked to two of our most experienced driving instructors, Cory Froklage and Zainab Qiam, to find out what advice they give students before taking their G2 road test. 

What is the G2 test? 

The G2 road test — otherwise known as the G1 exit test — usually takes around 15 minutes. It tests city driving and some residential, as well as other driving skills like 3 way turns and parking maneuvers. 

With a G1 license, you can practice driving with a fully licensed driver in the car. A G2 license, however, allows drivers to drive by themselves, at any time of day, and on any road in Ontario, with some restrictions. For more information on booking your G2 test in Ontario, look here. 

What should I do to pass my G2 test?

1. Take driving lessons. 

Both Cory and Zainab’s first tip is taking lessons with a licensed driving instructor. Driving instructors teach driving skills and rules for the G2 and make recommendations on what to work on. 

Cory emphasizes building good driving habits not just for the test, but your long term road safety. While working with a family member or another informal instructor is great, Cory says non-professionals can pass on unsafe driving habits. 

For example, some parents use an open palm while turning the steering wheel, which impedes your control over the wheel. “This habit might cause the student even more trouble down the road,” says Cory. Driving instructors can point out problematic driving during lessons and catch improper techniques before they become habits. 

Learn more about taking driving lessons with Kruzee. 

2. Practice, practice, and more practice. 

For both driving instructors, practice is key. “The more practice you can have in the vehicle, the better,” says Cory. You’ll have better control over your vehicle and will be more prepared to drive by yourself. 

Practice also builds confidence, which Zainab says is key for taking the G2 test. “If you’re nervous, you can make a mistake and one mistake leads to another,” says Zainab. 

3. Practice driving in your testing area. 

Cory recommends doing some practice in the road test area to get comfortable driving there. For example, if your G2 test is at the Mississauga DriveTest Centre, practice driving in Mississauga. However, he doesn’t recommend just driving the test route. 

“Just because you drive the route doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re prepared or that you’re a good driver,” says Cory. “Things might happen on the road, in that area or outside of that area that you might not expect.” Instead, spend a few practice hours with a parent or licensed instructor driving in your test area to get comfortable with the driving conditions. 

4. Do a test simulation with a driving instructor. 

Before your G2, do a test simulation with your driving instructor. Your driving instructor will ensure you’re meeting the test requirements and make recommendations for practice. A test simulation is also good for calming test nerves. 

In a typical G2 test simulation, driving instructors will pull up the same evaluation sheet used by examiners at DriveTest and mark you accordingly. As a result, you’ll be able to know exactly where you’re strong, and where your driving needs work, before the day of the test.

5. Get comfortable in your vehicle. 

While you may be very comfortable in the vehicle you’ve used for driving practice, if your test vehicle is different, you may make mistakes. If you’re in a different vehicle, notice the car layout. Find the parking brake, take a look at the shifter, and adjust your mirrors and seat. Get comfortable with the general layout of the dashboard. If possible, practice in the vehicle that you’ll be using to take your road test, to increase your odds of success.

6. Be a proactive driver. 

Cory says that one way you might fail your G2 road test is if the test practitioner takes control of the vehicle to prevent a collision. So, for instance, when approaching a stop sign, if the examiner presses their brake to prevent a collision you’ll automatically fail, even if you intended to stop. 

It’s important to be clear about your next move. Cory suggests exaggerating your movements, for example, pressing the brake earlier than you usually would. You might even verbally tell your examiner what you’re planning on doing next. 

7. Listen to verbal commands. 

In the same vein as our last tip, follow your examiner’s verbal commands, including when to brake. If your examiner thinks you aren’t going to stop, they may be forced to stop the vehicle, causing an automatic fail. 

Your examiner isn’t trying to trick you. Their verbal commands are important signals that you should be paying attention to, since they’ll want to test how well you follow instructions and adjust to feedback. A surefire way to fail your driving test is to disregard what your examiner is telling you, so be sure to listen carefully.

8. Be a bobblehead. 

Awareness of your surroundings is an important skill, but particularly important for your road test. Moving your head constantly makes it clear to your examiner that you’re aware of your surroundings. 

Be sure to check intersections before entering, check driveways, and watch for pedestrians. Driving instructors will also watch your head movements to ensure that you’re doing them properly. While in a real-life driving setting you may just move your eyes, an examiner can’t actually tell if you’re moving your eyes, which is where the head-turning comes in.

9. Relax and be confident. 

Zainab says that examiners know you’re not as experienced for your G2 test, so they may be more lenient. If you’re a good driver, you’ve practiced, and have done a test simulation with a driving instructor, there’s no reason not to be confident for the road test. 

After passing your G2 test

Congrats! When you’ve passed your G2 test, you’re ready to start studying for your G. Find driving lessons in your city.