Canada traffic law report

Last updated12 February 2026

Key findings

  • Theory test pass rate is ~45% (2023, Provincial data (Ontario G1 pass rate ~30-50%))
  • Road fatalities: 1,964 deaths in 2023 — Up 1.7% from 2022 (1,931 to 1,964); highest count in 10 years
  • ~3 million tests administered per year by Transport Canada / Provincial Ministries of Transportation
  • Most challenging topic: Fines & Penalties

Quick facts

G1 test format (Ontario)40 questions in 2 sections (20 signs + 20 rules), need 16/20 in EACH section
Test languagesG1 test available in 27 languages
Provincial systems13 separate licensing systems (10 provinces + 3 territories) with no national standard
Graduated licensingFull process takes minimum 20 months in Ontario (8 months G1 + 12 months G2)
Zero toleranceAll G1/G2 drivers and all drivers under 21 must maintain 0.00% BAC
Pass rate variationG2 road test pass rates range from 47% (Brampton) to 93% (Kenora)

Test statistics

Pass rate65% or higher50–64%Below 50%

Speed limits

Urban50 km/h
Rural / national roads80 km/h
Motorway / highway100-110 km/h (120 km/h on select BC sections)

Most challenging topics

  1. 1. Fines & Penalties

    Specific dollar amounts for various offences including school zone speeding and distracted driving

  2. 2. Intersections & Traffic Lights

    Flashing lights, yellow lights, complex left/right turn scenarios

  3. 3. BAC Limits & Zero-Tolerance

    Different limits for G1/G2 novice drivers and under-21 drivers

  4. 4. Right-of-Way Scenarios

    Complex multi-vehicle intersection situations and emergency vehicle rules

  5. 5. Less Common Road Signs

    Distinguishing regulatory vs warning vs information signs

Road safety

Road fatalities1,964 deathsTransport Canada Motor Vehicle Collision Statistics (2023)
TrendUp 1.7% from 2022 (1,931 to 1,964); highest count in 10 years

Penalties & fines

Speeding
CAD 2.50-6.00 per km/h over limit (Ontario); 50+ km/h over: up to CAD 10,000 + jail; fines doubled in school/construction zones
Driving under influence
BAC 0.08% criminal / 0.05% administrative; 0.00% for novice drivers and under-21; 1st offence: min CAD 1,000 + 1-year suspension; impaired causing death: up to life imprisonment
Points system
15 points = 30-day suspension (Ontario); novice drivers: 9 points = 60-day suspension; points stay on record 2 years
Mobile phone use
CAD 615-1,000 (Ontario 1st offence) + 3-day suspension + 3 demerit points; varies by province

Recent law changes

  1. 2025

    Ontario collision reporting threshold raised from CAD 2,000 to CAD 5,000; ignition interlock required for 1st-time impaired driving

  2. 2024

    Enhanced distracted driving penalties (Ontario): min CAD 615 fine + 3 demerit points + 3-day suspension

  3. 2025

    ADAS (lane departure warning + automatic emergency braking) required in all newly manufactured vehicles

Sources & methodology

All statistics in this report are sourced from official government agencies and publicly available data. AutoviaTest is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with any government testing agency.

Data last verified: 2026-02-12

Cite this report

AutoviaTest. (2026, February 12). Canada traffic law report: Driving test statistics. https://autoviatest.com/en/traffic-law-reports/canada

Embed this data

Canada Driving Stats
Theory pass rate~45%Practical pass rate~65%Motorway speed limit100-110 km/hRoad fatalities (2023)1,964 deaths
Source: AutoviaTest | CC BY 4.0
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