10 G1 Questions That Trick Most People — Are You Ready?

Every year, thousands of Ontario drivers fail the G1 knowledge test on their first attempt — not because they didn't study, but because a handful of questions are genuinely designed to trip you up. These aren't obscure trivia questions; they're rules you'll use every single day on the road. Here are the ten that most people get wrong, and exactly what you need to know.

1. The School Bus Rule — You Must Stop in Both Directions

When a school bus has its upper alternating red lights flashing and its stop arm extended, you must stop whether you are behind the bus or approaching it from the front — on any road that is not divided by a median. This catches drivers off guard because many assume only the cars behind the bus need to stop. On a divided highway with a raised median, only vehicles behind the bus must stop. On an undivided road with just a painted centre line, everyone stops.

2. Right Turn on Red — There Is One Critical Condition

You can turn right on a red light in Ontario after coming to a complete stop, but only if there is no sign prohibiting it. The tricky part: you must yield to pedestrians crossing legally and to vehicles with the right of way. Many test-takers forget the "complete stop" requirement. Rolling to a crawl and turning is an automatic fail on your road test and a ticketable offence on the street.

3. Following Distance — It Changes With Speed and Conditions

The standard following distance in Ontario is two to three seconds under normal conditions. However, in bad weather, at night, or when following a large truck, you should double that distance. The G1 test frequently asks about following distance in specific scenarios — memorise that the two-second rule is a minimum, not a target.

4. Parking Near a Fire Hydrant

You must not park within three metres (about 10 feet) of a fire hydrant. This is a specific number the test loves to ask about. You may stop temporarily to let a passenger out, but you cannot park and leave the vehicle unattended within that zone.

5. Uncontrolled Intersections — Who Goes First?

At an uncontrolled intersection (no signs or signals), the driver who arrives first has the right of way. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. Many people reverse this rule. Remember: yield to the right when arriving simultaneously.

6. G1 Midnight Curfew — More Restrictions Than You Think

As a G1 driver, you must not drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m. You must always have a fully licensed driver (with at least four years of driving experience) in the front passenger seat. Your blood alcohol concentration must be exactly zero — not just under 0.08. These rules also apply to passengers — you cannot carry more passengers than there are working seat belts in the vehicle.

7. Stunt Driving — Know Both Thresholds

In Ontario, stunt driving thresholds depend on the posted speed limit. On roads where the speed limit is over 80 km/h (such as highways), driving 40 km/h or more over the limit qualifies as stunt driving. On roads where the speed limit is 80 km/h or less (such as most city streets), the threshold is 50 km/h over. Either way, the consequence is an immediate roadside licence suspension and vehicle impoundment — including for G1 drivers. Read the question carefully to see which road type is described.

8. The Move Over Law — It Applies to More Than Police Cars

Ontario's Move Over law requires drivers to slow down and move over when approaching any stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, or road service vehicle with its lights flashing. You must move to the lane furthest from the stopped vehicle if it is safe to do so. If you cannot change lanes, you must slow down significantly and pass with caution. This law covers police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, tow trucks, and road maintenance vehicles.

9. Left Turn at a Green Light — You Do Not Have Automatic Right of Way

When you are making a left turn at a green light (not a green arrow), you must yield to all oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning. A green light does not give you the right of way for a left turn. Only a green arrow grants protected left-turn right of way. This distinction is tested directly and confuses many drivers.

10. Blood Alcohol Concentration — Three Different Limits Apply

Ontario has three BAC thresholds that matter on the test. Zero — for G1 and G2 drivers, and for all drivers under age 22. 0.05 to 0.079 — the "warn" range, which leads to roadside suspensions even for fully licensed drivers. 0.08 and above — criminal impairment. G1 test questions will specify which driver type is involved. Always read the scenario carefully before answering.

The best way to prepare is to read the official Ontario Driver's Handbook once from cover to cover, then use LicenceReady's practice tests to identify which categories give you trouble. Most people need two to three days of focused practice to feel confident. Good luck.