How Many Mistakes Are Allowed in the G Test in Ontario?

If you're preparing for your G test in Ontario, you're probably wondering: how many mistakes are allowed? The answer isn't as simple as a number you can memorize. Ontario doesn't publish a fixed limit like "you can make 5 mistakes and still pass." Instead, the test is scored based on the severity and type of errors you make. Your goal isn’t to avoid every single slip-up-it’s to avoid the kinds of mistakes that put yourself or others at risk.

What Gets You Failed on the G Test

The Ontario G test is a road test administered by DriveTest centers. Examiners use a standardized checklist to evaluate your driving across multiple categories: vehicle control, traffic law compliance, observation, space management, and decision-making. Not every mistake counts the same.

There are two main types of errors: minor and major. Minor mistakes-like a slightly late signal or a small hesitation at a stop sign-won’t automatically fail you. But if you make three or more of the same minor error, it becomes a pattern. And patterns raise red flags.

Major errors are the real deal-breakers. These include:

• Running a red light or stop sign
• Failing to yield the right-of-way when required
• Speeding or driving too slowly for conditions
• Improper lane changes without checking blind spots
• Colliding with a curb, cone, or object during a maneuver
• Not stopping completely at a stop sign or red light
• Driving with poor control that puts others in danger

If you make even one major error, you fail. No exceptions. One unsafe action is enough because the test isn’t about perfection-it’s about safety.

How the Scoring System Actually Works

The examiner doesn’t count mistakes like a math quiz. They watch for dangerous behaviors and judge whether you can handle real-world driving conditions. Think of it like this: you’re not being graded on how smoothly you parallel park. You’re being judged on whether you checked your mirrors, used your signals, and confirmed it was safe before moving.

For example, if you parallel park and you clip the curb lightly but didn’t hit it hard enough to cause damage, and you corrected it safely, that’s usually a minor error. But if you hit the curb hard enough to knock the wheel off, or you blocked traffic while correcting, that’s a major error.

Another common confusion: signaling. You don’t need to signal 100 feet before every turn like in some older driving manuals. Ontario law requires you to signal early enough so other drivers can react. If you signal 10 feet before turning, that’s a minor error. If you forget to signal at all and turn across traffic, that’s a major error.

What You Can Get Away With

You can make small mistakes and still pass. Here are examples of what most examiners will let slide-once:

• Forgetting to check your blind spot once during a lane change (but you corrected it quickly)
• Stopping a little too far back from the stop line
• Not using the hand-over-hand steering technique on a sharp turn
• Glancing at your speedometer too often
• Minor hesitation at a green light

These aren’t ideal, but they’re not dangerous. If you make one of these and then show you understand what went wrong-by correcting it immediately-you’re likely okay.

What you can’t get away with: repeating the same minor error. If you forget to check your blind spot on three different lane changes, the examiner will note it as a pattern. That’s a failure. It shows you’re not learning from your mistakes, and that’s a safety risk.

Common Myths About the G Test

There’s a lot of misinformation out there. Let’s clear up a few:

• Myth: You can make 5 mistakes and still pass. Reality: There’s no set number. One major mistake = fail. Three of the same minor mistake = fail.
• Myth: The examiner is out to fail you. Reality: Examiners want you to pass. They’re trained to give you a fair chance. If you’re driving safely and following the rules, they’ll mark you accordingly.
• Myth: If you’re nervous, they’ll be more lenient. Reality: Nervousness doesn’t excuse unsafe driving. If you’re shaking and making poor decisions, that’s still a failure.

Some people think the test is about memorizing a checklist. It’s not. It’s about developing habits that keep you and others safe. The examiner is looking for consistency-not perfection.

How to Prepare So You Don’t Overthink Mistakes

The best way to pass is not to count mistakes-it’s to build confidence through practice. Here’s how:

1. Practice in real traffic conditions. Don’t just drive in empty parking lots. Drive on highways, in rush hour, and at night.
2. Record your practice drives. Watch them back. Notice where you hesitate, where you forget mirrors, where you rush.
3. Get feedback from a licensed driver who’s been through the test. Ask them: "Did I miss anything unsafe?"
4. Use the official DriveTest G test checklist. Study it. Know what they’re looking for.
5. Don’t cram the night before. Sleep well. Eat something. Arrive early. Being calm matters more than you think.

Many people fail because they’re so focused on not making a mistake that they freeze up. Driving isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being aware, predictable, and in control.

What Happens If You Fail?

If you don’t pass, you’ll get a detailed report. It won’t say "you made 7 mistakes." It will list the specific safety issues: "Failed to check blind spot before lane change," or "Did not yield to pedestrian at crosswalk." You’ll have to wait at least 10 days before retaking the test. Use that time wisely. Don’t just book another appointment. Go back to practice with a focus on your weak spots. If you made the same mistake twice, fix it before you try again.

There’s no limit to how many times you can take the G test. But each failure costs money and delays your license. Make each attempt count.

Final Tip: Think Like a Safe Driver, Not a Test Taker

The G test isn’t designed to trick you. It’s designed to make sure you’re ready to drive on Ontario roads without putting others at risk. The best way to pass is to drive the way you’d want everyone else to drive: calm, alert, and respectful of the rules.

Don’t chase a magic number of allowed mistakes. Chase safe habits. Because once you have your G license, no one’s watching you. But the road still is.