G2 Road Test Checklist: What Examiners Look For
The G2 road test checks that you can drive safely in everyday traffic. Here is exactly what to prepare, from the paperwork to the parking manoeuvres, written by Mississauga driving instructors.
Bring your G1 licence and a road-worthy car, arrive early, and practise the three things examiners watch most: full stops, blind-spot checks and smooth, signalled lane changes. Most failures come from small habits, not big mistakes.
Before test day
- Check your wait time. You must hold your G1 for 12 months, or 8 months if you completed an MTO-approved BDE course. See the full G1 to G2 to G timeline.
- Book at a DriveTest centre you know. Practising on the roads around your test centre removes a lot of nerves.
- Prepare the car. It must be road-worthy: working signals, brake lights, horn and mirrors, valid insurance and plates. Many students use their driving school's car so this is taken care of.
- Bring your G1 licence and arrive early. Late arrivals can lose their booking.
What you'll be asked to do
The G2 test runs on regular streets near the test centre. Expect a mix of:
- Left and right turns at controlled and uncontrolled intersections
- Stop signs, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings
- Lane changes and driving through residential and business areas
- Parking manoeuvres such as a roadside stop and start, a three-point turn and parallel parking
The checklist examiners use (in plain English)
Observation
- Check mirrors every few seconds and before every slow-down or turn.
- Shoulder-check your blind spot before every lane change, pulling away from the curb and turning across a bike lane.
- Scan left, right, then left again at intersections.
Stopping
- Come to a complete stop behind the stop line or crosswalk. A rolling stop is one of the most common fails.
- Stop where you can see the bumper of the car ahead touching the road.
Signals and lane position
- Signal early and cancel your signal after the turn.
- Turn into the correct lane: nearest lane on a left turn, right lane on a right turn.
- Keep a steady position in the centre of your lane.
Speed and space
- Drive at the limit when safe. Driving too slowly can count against you as much as speeding.
- Keep at least a two-second gap to the car ahead.
- Slow down in school zones and near construction.
Most common reasons people fail
- Rolling through stop signs
- Missing a blind-spot check on a lane change
- Not yielding to pedestrians or cyclists
- Wide or late turns into the wrong lane
- Hesitating too long at intersections
- Hitting or mounting the curb when parking
Any dangerous action, such as running a red light or forcing another driver to brake, ends the test immediately.
How to practise in Mississauga
Book a lesson on the roads around your actual test centre. Hammond's G2 Road Test Package ($230) includes our dual-brake car for the test, a warm-up lesson right before it and test-route practice. Not sure which option you need? Compare driving lesson prices in Mississauga.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the G2 road test?
Plan for about 20 minutes of driving, plus check-in time at the DriveTest centre.
Can I use a driving school car for my G2 test?
Yes. Many students do, because the car is guaranteed to pass the vehicle check. Hammond's G2 package includes the car.
What happens if I fail the G2 test?
You can book again. Ask the examiner what to work on, then practise those skills before your next attempt.