Class G1 Licences

A G1 licence is the first of three levels for novice drivers in Ontario. As novice drivers, G1 licence holders face strict conditions, and any violation can lead to serious consequences.

Ontario G1 drivers who violate their licensing conditions are subject to a range of penalties, including:

• Vehicle seizures by police
• Increased fines
• Drivers licence suspensions
• High insurance costs

Insurance companies consider a G1 Driver’s record, including traffic tickets, accidents, and suspensions when calculating the price of insurance.

Any licence suspension will dramatically affect the insurance rates.  If the ticket has been paid and you have received a suspension notice, contact our offices to discuss an appeal >

A novice driver’s traffic conviction, especially one resulting in a license suspension, may affect insurance rates for the entire household.

• Higher Risk Assessment: Where you’ve been convicted of a Novice Driver violation the insurance will consider you a high risk driver, and that you do not follow the rules of the road. Combined with a licence suspension expect the insurance to increase dramatically.

• Increased Premiums for Whole Family: Your conviction may impact other drivers in the household. Many insurance companies assume that drivers within a household may drive each other’s vehicles. They believe you may operate another household vehicle and potentially be involved in an accident. As a result, unless the novice driver is specifically excluded from the policy, other household members can be affected by your conviction..

• Household-Wide Risk Reassessment: When one household member has a suspension, insurers may reconsider the overall risk level of the policy, potentially raising rates for all drivers under that same policy.

• Long-Lasting Financial Impact: Any conviction and/or suspension stays on the driving record for 3 years. Whilst the conviction and licence suspension are on the driving record, the insurance will be affected.

Novice drivers must do everything possible to fight novice driver violation charges.   Where the charge cannot be dropped completely many times we can have the charge reduced to a non-novice violation, avoiding the licence suspension and insurance implications.

Call OTT Legal today and lets discuss your case, and explain how we can help you. Contact us here >>>

When a Class G1 driver receives a traffic ticket, it is important to carefully review what the implications of the ticket are.

When you speak with OTT Legal, we can answer any questions you have, provide advice and legal representation to fight the traffic ticket, we work to help you avoid any licence suspensions and to keeping the insurance low. Many times, if we cannot win the case completely, we can have the charge reduced to avoid the licence suspension.

As former police officers and licensed paralegals, we have years of experience helping drivers with traffic tickets and G1 violations. Call now, email or visit the traffic ticket office in your area >

When a Class G1 driver receives a traffic ticket, it’s crucial to understand the full implications beyond just the initial fine.

G1 violations can carry harsh penalties for novice drivers, including licence suspensions, demerit points, and increased insurance premiums, which can affect your record and finances for years. Addressing the ticket promptly and exploring all options is essential to avoid these long-term impacts.

At OTT Legal, we provide a comprehensive approach to defending G1 drivers:

• At OTT Legal, We’ll Take Charge of Your Defence: We handle every step of the process, from filing the ticket for trial to ordering police disclosure and representing you in traffic court. In most cases, we appear on your behalf, so you don’t need to attend court. Throughout, we guide you with clear advice on the best course of action to protect your interests.
• Specialized Legal Representation: With years of experience and extensive knowledge of Ontario traffic laws for novice and G1 drivers, our licensed paralegals represent you in court to challenge the ticket. We work strategically to gather evidence, present your case, and aim to win the charge.
• Charge Reduction and Suspension Avoidance: We prioritize keeping your licence in good standing. If a complete dismissal isn’t feasible, we work to reduce the ticket to a non-novice violation, avoiding licence suspensions and preventing insurance hikes. Our goal is to keep your driving record as clear as possible.

With a proven track record, OTT Legal is dedicated to protecting G1 drivers’ rights and helping them maintain a clean record.

Call us today, send us an email, or visit one of our local offices to discuss your case and secure the best possible outcome. Don’t leave your driving record to chance—reach out and put your defence in the hands of trusted experts who understand the stakes and have the experience to help you win.

Ontario has strict regulations and penalties for novice drivers holding G1 and G2 licences to ensure safety as they gain driving experience. Here are key violations, specific conditions, and associated penalties that novice drivers must be aware of to avoid fines, suspensions, and long-term insurance impacts.

G1 Licence Regulations & Restrictions

• Must be at least 16 years old and pass a knowledge test to obtain a G1.
• Must maintain zero blood alcohol and THC levels.
• All passengers must wear seatbelts.
• Must be accompanied by a fully licensed driver with at least 4 years of experience.
• Not permitted to drive on 400-series highways or other specified roads.
• Cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
• Must hold the G1 for 12 months before taking the G2 test (or 8 months with an approved driving course).

It’s not the fine that will affect you but the effect of any conviction on your insurance rates.

Escalating Penalties for Repeat Offences

Ontario enforces escalating sanctions for novice drivers with repeated offences to encourage safe driving practices:

• First offence: 30-day licence suspension.
• Second offence: 90-day licence suspension.
• Third offence: Complete loss of novice licence, requiring a restart of the licensing process, including all tests and fees.

These penalties reinforce the importance of adhering to Ontario’s novice driver regulations, as repeat violations can lead to severe consequences that affect a novice driver’s record, insurance costs, and ability to progress to a full licence.

Demerit points are accumulated, not lost.  Class G1 Drivers are NOT allowed to:

• obtain any one ticket with four (4) or more demerit points or
• accumulate nine (9) or more demerit points.

Upon reaching either of these levels the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) will issue a drivers licence suspension.

Any four (4) point ticket will result in a thirty (30) day licence suspension, any subsequent accumulation will result in an additional six (6) month suspension.  Any licence suspension will result in insurance rates increasing to high risk rates for three (3) years.

Any accumulation of nine (9) demerit points will result in a sixty (60) day licence suspension.

The G1 driver will be required to pay a reinstatement fee to have their drivers licence reinstated. Complete list of demerit points for class G1 Drivers >

As Novice Drivers, they face an additional penalty on top of any novice violations.

Class G1 licence holders will face drivers licence suspensions for any conviction for the following offences as they have four (4) or more demerit points.

• Speeding for thirty (30) kilometres or more – four (4) demerit points.
• Following Too Closely – four (4) demerit points.
• Careless Driving – six (6) demerit points.
• Fail to Remain at the Scene of an Accident – six (6) demerit points.
• Stunt Driving – six (6) demerit points

G1 Drivers who are convicted of the following offences face a thirty (30) day suspension

• Driving while using a cell phone
• Driving while blood alcohol level is over zero

After the suspension period has past, the driver will be required to pay a $281 drivers licence reinstatement fee to the Ministry of Transport.

Demerit points are added to the driver’s licence only after the driver is convicted at court or they pay the ticket. G1 Drivers who obtain traffic tickets should fight them to either win the ticket completely or to reduced the ticket to an offence that does not violate the G1 Driver regulations.

Traffic court paralegal Eddie Cho | Retired OPP Officer

Don’t let a novice violation ticket jeopardize your driving record, your insurance rates, or your future.

Take action now and put our proven legal expertise to work for you. At OTT Legal, we’ve successfully helped thousands of drivers win their tickets and we win yours too. Let us fight for your rights and protect you from the long-term consequences.

Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward defending your case!