How Long Does Driving School Take in Ontario?
If you are planning to learn to drive in Ontario, one of the first questions is simple: how long will this take?
The honest answer has two parts. The driving school course itself is measured in hours and can be finished in a matter of weeks or months, depending on your schedule. But getting your full G licence takes much longer, because Ontario has required waiting periods between each licence level.
This guide explains both, so you can plan your timeline with real numbers.
How long does driving school take in Ontario?
The Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course is a minimum of 40 hours, according to the Government of Ontario. That is 20 hours in class, 10 hours in the car, and 10 hours of flex time.
How quickly you finish those hours is up to your schedule. For example, if you do 5 hours a week, 40 hours would take about 8 weeks. If you can only fit in 2 hours a week, it will take longer. That is only an example, so ask your school how its course is scheduled.
The bigger timeline is the licence itself. With a BDE course, the minimum time from your first G1 to a full G licence is 20 months. Without one, it is 24 months. We break this down below.
What is the Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course?
The BDE course is Ontario’s approved driver training program. Only Ministry of Transportation (MTO) approved driving schools can offer it, and they must follow the province’s curriculum standards.
Go Drive Driving School offers an MTO approved BDE package here in Barrie. You can see what is included on our programs and fees page.
The course is not mandatory. You can learn to drive without it. But it gives you two real benefits: a shorter wait before your G2 road test, and a possible insurance discount (more on both below).
How many hours is a BDE course?
According to the Government of Ontario, a BDE course has a minimum of 40 hours:
- 20 hours of classroom or digital instruction. This covers road rules, safe driving habits, and how to handle common situations on the road.
- 10 hours of in-vehicle instruction. This is real driving with a licensed instructor beside you.
- 10 hours of flex time. Schools can use this for extra classroom work, extra in-car time, or other approved learning.
Because schools can use the flex hours in different ways, two courses can look a little different from the outside. Always ask your school how its 40 hours are split up before you sign up.
You need a G1 licence before you start the in-car lessons, and you must be at least 16 to get a G1. Depending on the school, you may be able to begin the theory part earlier.
How long does it take to finish a BDE course?
There is no single answer, because it depends on how many hours you book each week.
Here is a simple way to think about it:
- Fast pace: more hours per week means you finish sooner.
- Steady pace: a few hours each week fits around school or work.
- Slow pace: fewer hours means a longer course, but you can still finish.
Most students are limited by two things: how much free time they have, and when instructors are available for the in-car lessons. Booking your in-car lessons early helps.
Finishing the course quickly does not make your licence arrive faster, though. The waiting periods below still apply.
How long does it take to go from G1 to G2?
This is the part that surprises many new drivers.
Ontario’s Graduated Licensing System has three stages: G1, G2, and G. After you pass your G1 knowledge test, you must hold your G1 for a minimum period before you can take your G2 road test (also called the G1 exit test):
- 12 months if you do not take an approved driver education course.
- 8 months if you successfully complete an MTO approved BDE course.
So the BDE course takes 4 months off your G1 waiting time. The 8 months count from the day you get your G1, not from the day you finish the course.
Not sure what the test involves? Read our guide on the G1 exit test and our G2 road test guide.
How long does it take to go from G2 to G?
Once you have your G2, you must hold it for at least 12 months before you can take the G road test (the final test for your full licence).
This wait is the same for everyone. A BDE course does not shorten it.
While you hold a G2, certain restrictions apply, such as limits on passengers and rules for young drivers. You can read about them in our post on G2 licence restrictions in Ontario.
When you are ready for the final step, our guide to the G licence road test explains how to prepare.
What is the total time to get a full G licence in Ontario?
Add the two waiting periods together and you get the minimum timeline:
| Stage | Without BDE | With BDE |
| G1 to G2 road test | 12 months | 8 months |
| G2 to G road test | 12 months | 12 months |
| Minimum total | 24 months | 20 months |
These are minimums. If you wait longer to book a test, or if you need to retake one, your timeline will be longer.
Ontario also sets an overall time limit. Most sources say new drivers have up to five years from their G1 to complete the graduated licensing program. Check the Ontario government website for the current rule.
Do I need to take a BDE course at all?
No. Many people skip it and learn with a licensed instructor, a family member, or a mix of both.
The main reasons people choose BDE are:
- A shorter G1 wait. Eight months instead of twelve.
- Possible insurance savings. The Government of Ontario notes that approved schools can provide opportunities for insurance discounts. How much you save depends on your insurer, so ask them directly before you decide.
- Structure. A set curriculum helps beginners who do not know where to start.
If you do not need the shorter wait, regular lessons may fit you better. Compare costs on our driving lesson prices.
How many driving lessons do you need if you skip the BDE?
There is no official minimum number of private lessons in Ontario. It depends on your confidence, how much you practise outside lessons, and how comfortable you are with skills like parking, lane changes, and busy intersections.
A good rule is to book lessons until your instructor says you are consistently safe on the skills the road test checks, and until you feel calm driving in different conditions.
We cover this in more detail in How Many Driving Lessons Do You Need for G2?
Can you get your licence faster in Ontario?
You cannot skip the waiting periods. But you can avoid wasting time.
Here is how to keep your timeline as short as possible:
- Get your G1 as soon as you are eligible. The clock starts on the day you get it.
- Take a BDE course early in your G1 period. This is the only way to reduce the G1 wait to 8 months.
- Book your road test ahead of time. Test slots can fill up, so do not wait until you are eligible to look at dates.
- Practise between lessons. Regular practice with a supervising driver helps you pass the first time, so you do not have to rebook.
- Do a test-prep lesson before the road test. A short session with an instructor can help you fix last-minute weak spots. Ask about a G2 test-prep lesson in Barrie.
Passing on the first attempt is often the biggest time saver of all.
What should you do with the waiting time?
The waiting periods are not wasted time. They are there so new drivers build experience in different conditions, including rain, night driving, and Ontario winters.
Use your G1 and G2 periods to:
- Practise often with a supervising driver while on G1.
- Try different roads and times of day, within your licence rules.
- Learn how to handle winter conditions with a lesson or two.
- Fix weak spots such as parking or merging before they turn into test problems.
If you are in Barrie or nearby, a few in-car lessons during these months can make a real difference.
How can Go Drive Driving School help?
Go Drive Driving School helps learners in Barrie and nearby communities move through each stage, from a first BDE course to G2 and G road test preparation.
If you are not sure which path suits you, contact us and tell us where you are in the licensing process. We can explain your options and help you plan your next step.
Ready to start? Call us at 705-717-0406 or visit our programs and fees page to see your options.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BDE course mandatory in Ontario?
No. You can get your G2 and G licences without a BDE course. Taking one shortens the G1 wait from 12 months to 8 months and may qualify you for an insurance discount.
How long is driving school in Ontario?
A BDE course is a minimum of 40 hours: 20 classroom, 10 in-car, and 10 flex. How many weeks it takes depends on your schedule.
How long does drivers ed take in Ontario?
The course hours are fixed, but the calendar time depends on how many hours you book each week. The full licence process takes at least 20 months with BDE, or 24 months without.
Can I take my G2 road test right after finishing the BDE course?
Not necessarily. You must also have held your G1 for at least 8 months. The 8 months are counted from the day you got your G1.
Does the BDE course shorten the G2 to G wait?
No. You must hold your G2 for at least 12 months before the G road test, with or without a BDE course.
How long does it take to learn how to drive?
There is no fixed time. Some people feel ready after a few weeks of regular practice, while others need longer. Your instructor can tell you when you are ready for the road test.
How long do I have to complete the graduated licensing process?
Most sources say you have up to five years from the day you get your G1. Always confirm the current rule on the official Ontario government website.
Do I need a G1 before starting the in-car part of BDE?
Yes. You need a valid G1 licence to drive on public roads with an instructor.
Licensing rules can change. Always confirm the latest requirements with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation or DriveTest before you plan your tests.
