Ontario Driver’s License System Explained

Black luxury car at byroad in autumn time

What license do I require? What are the restrictions on this license?

These are questions we hear often from parents of new drivers and from drivers moving from outside of the province.  Below is a list of the various class of licenses in Ontario and some of their restrictions.

CLASS A

  • Allowed to drive any tractor-trailer combination
  • May also drive class D & G

CLASS B

  • Allowed to drive school bus
  • May also drive Class C, D, E, F & G

CLASS C

  • May drive any regular bus
  • May also drive Class D, F & G
  • CLASS D
  • May drive any vehicle exceeding 11,000kg gross weight or registered gross weight or any truck or combination as long as the towed vehicle is not over 4,600kg
  • May also drive Class G

CLASS E

  • May drive any school purpose bus with a max passenger capacity of 24
  • May also drive Class F & G

CLASS F

  • May drive any regular bus with a max passenger capacity of 24 & ambulances
  • May also drive Class G

CLASS G

  • May drive any car, van or small truck or combination of vehicle and towed vehicle up to 11,000kg provided the vehicle towed is not over 4,600kg

CLASS G1

  • May drive Class G vehicles with an accompanying driver who has had their G license for at least 4 years
  • Zero blood alcohol level
  • Can not drive on the 400 series highways or roadways with a speed limit higher than 80km per hour
  • Cannot drive between midnight and 5 am

CLASS G2

  • May drive Class G vehicles without accompanying driver with certain conditions such as:
    • Zero blood alcohol level
    • In the first 6 months can only carry one person age 19 or under
    • After first 6 months you have your G2 license until you get your G license or turn 20 you can only carry up to 3 passengers age 19 or under

CLASS M1

  • First level of graduated licensing for motorcycles. Includes motor tricycles, scooters and mopeds. Holders may drive a motorcycle under certain conditions such as:
    • Zero blood alcohol level
    • Ride only during daylight hours
    • Can not ride on roads with a speed limit higher than 80 km/hour
    • May not carry passengers

CLASS M2

  • Second level of graduated licensing for motorcycles, tricycles, scooters and mopeds
  • Drivers must have a zero blood alcohol level
  • Can ride at night
  • Can not ride on roads with a speed limit higher than 80km/hour

CLASS M

  • Last level of graduated licensing for motorcycles, tricycles, scooters and mopeds