Ontario Driver's Handbook PDF

1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook The online version of the Ontario’s driver’s handbook. Use this book to study for your G1 driver’s licence, test your knowledge (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers- handbook/test-yourself-sample-knowledge-test-questions) , and prepare for your Level 2 road test (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/level-two-road-test). This handbook is only a guide. For official purposes, please refer to the Highway Traffic Act (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h08) , the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90m44) and the Off-Road Vehicles Act (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90o04) of Ontario. If you're taking beginner driver education, make sure it’s from a ministry-approved school (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/driver/driving-schools.shtml). For more information about driver licensing, visit Ministry of Transportation (https://www.ontario.ca/page/drivers-licence). To request a copy of this book in an alternate format, contact Publications Ontario at 1-800-668-9938 or 416-326-5300 or visit ServiceOntario Publications (http://www.publications.serviceontario.ca). Disponible en français. Demandez le « Guide officiel de l'automobiliste de publié par le MTO » Driving is a privilege - not a right Introduction Ontario is a road safety leader in Canada and North America. The Ministry of Transportation has introduced a range of measures to maintain this record and to improve the behaviour of all drivers. Most collisions are caused by driver error or behaviours such as following too closely, speeding, failure to yield the right of way, improper turns, running red lights and frequently changing lanes. There are also drivers who intentionally put others at risk https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 1/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca through such reckless behaviour. Statistics show that new drivers of all ages are far more likely than experienced drivers to be involved in serious or fatal collisions. Provincial campaigns promoting the correct use of seatbelts and child car seats, and informing people about drinking and driving and aggressive driving, are making a difference. Ontario’s Graduated Licensing System (GLS), which lets new drivers gain skills and experience in low-risk environments, is also helping to develop better, safer drivers. This handbook gives new drivers the basic information they need about learning to drive in Ontario: the rules of the road, safe driving practices and how to get a licence to drive a car, van or small truck. The ministry recommends that all drivers would benefit from taking an advanced course in driver training. As you read, remember that this handbook is only a guide. For official descriptions of the laws, look in the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario and its Regulations (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h08). Information on how to get licences to drive other types of vehicles is available in Part Two of this handbook, the Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/handbooks.shtml#Motorcycle) , the Official MTO Truck Handbook (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/handbooks.shtml#Truck) , the Official MTO Bus Handbook (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/handbooks.shtml#Bus) and the Official MTO Air Brake Handbook. (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/handbooks.shtml#Airbrake) Drive safely. Getting Your Driver’s Licence This chapter tells you what licence you need to drive in Ontario and how to get it, whether you are a new driver, a visitor or a new resident in Ontario. If you are applying for your first licence, this chapter explains the graduated licensing system, how to apply for a licence, the tests you will have to pass and the driving privileges you will have at each licence level. Requirements for driving in Ontario https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 2/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Ontario residents: must be at least 16 years old must have a valid Ontario driver’s licence If you have just become an Ontario resident, you have 60 days to continue to use your existing driver’s licence and apply for an Ontario driver’s licence. Visitors to Ontario: must be at least 16 years old must have a valid driver’s licence from your home province, state or country must have an international driver’s permit from your own country if visiting Ontario for more than 3 months are not eligible for an Ontario driver’s licence Driver’s Licence Classification Chart Class A Allowed to drive any tractor–trailer combination May also drive in class D and G Diagram 1-1a-1 Class B Allowed to drive any school purposes bus May also drive in class C, D, E, F and G https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 3/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Diagram 1-1a-2 Class C Allowed to drive any regular bus May also drive vehicles in class D, F and G. Diagram 1-1a-3 Class D A motor vehicle exceeding 11,000 kilograms gross weight or registered gross weight or any truck or combination provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kilograms May also drive in class G Diagram 1-1a-4 Class E Allowed to drive any school purposes bus - maximum of 24-passenger capacity May also drive in class F and G https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 4/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Diagram 1-1a-5 Class F Allowed to drive any regular bus - maximum of 24-passenger capacity - and ambulances May also drive in class G Diagram 1-1a-6 Class G Allowed to drive any car, van or small truck or combination of vehicle and towed vehicle up to 11,000 kilograms provided the vehicle towed is not over 4,600 kilograms. A pickup truck towing a house trailer exceeds 4,600 kilograms, but the total combined weight of the truck and trailer does not exceed 11,000 kilograms is deemed a Class G vehicle. Diagram 1-1b-1 Class G1 Level One of graduated licensing. Holders may drive Class G vehicles with an accompanying fully licensed driver with at least four years driving experience. Subject to certain conditions. Class G2 Level Two of graduated licensing. Holders may drive Class G vehicles without accompanying driver but are subject to certain conditions. Class M https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 5/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Allowed to drive any motorcycles, including motor tricycles, limited-speed motorcycles (motor scooters) and motor-assisted bicycles (mopeds). Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 licence holder. Diagram 1-1b-2 Class M1 Level One of graduated licensing for motorcycles, including motor tricycles, limited-speed motorcycles (motor scooters) and motor-assisted bicycles (mopeds). Holders may drive a motorcycle under certain conditions. Class M2 Level Two of graduated licensing for motorcycles, including motor tricycles, limited-speed motorcycles (motor scooters) and motor-assisted bicycles (mopeds). Holders may drive a motorcycle but only with a zero blood alcohol level. Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 licence holder. Class M with L condition Holders may operate a limited-speed motorcycle or moped only. Class M2 with L condition Holders may operate a limited-speed motorcycle or moped only. Diagram 1-1b-3 Class M with M condition Holders may operate a motor tricycle only. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 6/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Class M2 with M condition Holders may operate a motor tricycle only. Diagram 1-1b-4 Note: A "Z" air brake endorsement is required on a driver’s licence to operate any air brake equipped motor vehicle. What kind of licence? In Ontario, there are 12 different classes of licences. Each one qualifies you to drive a different type of vehicle. The class of licence you have must match the type of vehicle you are driving. You need a Class G licence to drive a car, van or small truck. You must have a Class G licence before you can be licensed to drive any other type of vehicle. The only exception is motorcycles. You may get a motorcycle licence (Class M) without first getting a Class G licence. The Driver’s Licence Classification Chart shows you what class of licence you need to drive different vehicles. For information on the skills and knowledge you'll need to get a Class M motorcycle licence, study the Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/handbooks.shtml#Motorcycle). You can get information on other kinds of licences - classes A, B, C, D, E and F - in the Official MTO Truck Handbook (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/handbooks.shtml#Truck) and the Official MTO Bus Handbook (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/handbooks.shtml#Bus). If you want to drive a vehicle equipped with air brakes, the Official MTO Air Brake Handbook (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/handbooks.shtml#Airbrake) tells you how to qualify. Some recreational vehicles have special licence requirements. If you plan to drive an off- road vehicle or snowmobile, read the Off-Road Vehicles section in this handbook. You do not need a licence to ride a bicycle in Ontario; however bicycles are defined as vehicles in the Highway Traffic Act and bicyclists have rights and responsibilities similar to https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 7/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca other vehicle operators under the Act. Information on safe cycling can be found in the Ministry of Transportation publications Cycling Skills and the Young Cyclist Guide. Graduated licensing New drivers applying for their first car or motorcycle licence enter Ontario’s graduated licensing system. Graduated licensing lets new drivers get driving experience and skills gradually. The two-step licensing process takes at least 20 months to complete. To apply for a licence, you must be at least 16 years old, pass a vision test and pass a test of your knowledge of the rules of the road and traffic signs. After you pass these tests, you will enter Level One and get a Class G1 licence. You must pass two road tests to become fully licensed. Passing the first road test lets you move to Level Two (Class G2), and the second one gives you full Class G driving privileges. Applying for a licence To apply for a licence, you must show proof of your legal name and date of birth (showing day, month and year of birth). Documents must be original and valid. Photocopies and expired documents are not acceptable. Bring the documents to a DriveTest Centre or Travel Point (a temporary DriveTest Centre where there is no regional centre). Phone ahead to find out where the nearest Travel Point is and when it is open. You can also find it on the Internet at www.drivetest.ca. (https://drivetest.ca/) You must pay a fee when you apply. This fee includes the cost of the knowledge test, your first road test and a five-year licensing fee. There are more charges for your second road test and for any retests you may need to take. To schedule a road-test appointment, you must prepay the fee. When you apply for your licence, you will be asked questions about your health. People with certain physical or medical conditions are not allowed to drive for safety reasons. If your physical or medical condition means you cannot be licensed, you will be told when you apply. Once you have a licence, you should report any change in your medical condition that may affect your ability to drive safely. By law, doctors and optometrists must report the https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 8/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca name and address of anyone over 16 who has a condition that may make it unsafe for him or her to drive. For further details on applying for a licence, visit the Ministry of Transportation website (https://www.ontario.ca/page/driving-and-roads). Proof of identification Any one of the following documents may be used to satisfy the requirement to provide proof of legal name and complete date of birth: Passport (Canadian or foreign) Canadian Citizenship Card with photo Permanent immigration documents Permanent Resident Card (PRC) Record of Landing (Form 1000) Confirmation of Permanent Residence (Form IMM 5292) Temporary immigration documents Student Authorization (IMM 1442) Employment Authorization(IMM 1442) Visitor Record (IMM 1442) Temporary Resident’s Permit (IMM 1442) Report Pursuant to the Immigration Act (IMM 1442 with photo) Additional documents Additional documents are required if the document presented from the previous list does not indicate the legal name or complete date of birth (day, month, year). The additional documents must provide proof of the missing or incomplete information. The following documents are acceptable as proof of date of birth and legal name: Canadian or U.S. Birth Certificate https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 9/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Proof of legal name If additional documents presented to prove date of birth do not indicate the applicant’s legal name (for example, the name has been changed or is different on the two documents presented), the applicant will be required to provide additional documents as proof of legal name. The following additional documents are acceptable as proof of legal name: Marriage certificate (Canadian or foreign, government-issued) Change-of-name certificate Court order for adoption, change of name or divorce (must bear legal name, date of birth and court seal) To confirm complete date of birth where no or only partial date of birth is available: Sworn affidavit stating reason why partial or no date is available, with supporting documents. Please contact ServiceOntario at 416-235-2999 or toll free at 1-800-387-3445 (Canada-wide) for further information. Note: Direct identification by a parent or guardian is not acceptable. Graduated licensing requirements Here are the rules you must follow at each level: Level One (Class G1) G1 knowledge test – checklist G1 exit test – checklist Level Two (Class G2) Road tests G2 exit test – checklist Level One (Class G1) Level One lasts 12 months. The Ministry of Transportation encourages all new drivers to take an approved driver-education course to help learn the proper driving skills and knowledge. You should begin your training as soon as you become a Level One driver so https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 10/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca you can get as much driving experience as possible. If you pass an approved course, you can complete Level One in eight months. While at Level One, the following rules apply: You must not drive if you have been drinking alcohol. Your blood-alcohol level must be zero. You must not drive alone; an accompanying driver must sit in the front passenger seat. This is the only person who can be in the front seat with you while you drive. The accompanying driver must have a valid Class G (or higher) licence, at least four years of driving experience and a blood-alcohol level of less than.05% when accompanying you. Time spent at the Class G2 level, as long as the G2 licence was valid (not suspended), does count toward the accompanying driver’s four years of experience. The accompanying driver’s licence may have demerit points, but it cannot be suspended. Each person in the vehicle must have a working seatbelt. You must not drive on 400-series highways with a posted speed limit over 80 km/h. Also, you must not drive on certain high-speed roads including the Queen Elizabeth Way, Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway in the Greater Toronto Area, the E.C. Row Expressway in Windsor and the Conestoga Parkway in Kitchener- Waterloo. However, if your accompanying driver is a driving instructor, you may drive on any road. You must not drive between midnight and 5 a.m. You must pass a road test of your driving skills to move to Level Two. At this time, you will be given a Class G2 licence. G1 knowledge test – checklist Before taking the G1 knowledge test, make sure you have studied the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook. Bring the following items to the test: Two pieces of identification Money for test fees – cash, debit or credit card Glasses or contact lenses (if you need to wear them to drive) G1 exit test – checklist https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 11/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Before taking the G1 exit test, make sure you have studied the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook. Bring the following items to the test: Vehicle in good working order Money for test fees (if applicable) Glasses or contact lenses (if you need to wear them to drive) Arrive at least 30 minutes before Road Test appointment Level Two (Class G2): Level Two lasts at least 12 months. At this level, you have more privileges because of your driving experience. At Level Two: You must not drive if you have been drinking alcohol. Your blood-alcohol level must be zero. Each person in the vehicle must have a working seatbelt. In addition, the following restrictions apply between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. to G2 drivers aged 19 years and under. In the first six months after receiving your G2 licence, you are allowed to carry only one passenger aged 19 or under. After six months with your G2 licence and until you obtain your full G licence or turn 20, you are allowed to carry up to three passengers aged 19 or under. Exemptions: The passenger restrictions for G2 drivers aged 19 and under do not apply if you are accompanied by a fully–licensed driver (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official- mto-drivers-handbook/getting-your-drivers-licence#level-one) in the front passenger seat, or if the passengers are members of your immediate family (a guardian or those related to you by blood, marriage, common–law relationship or adoption). After 12 months at Level Two, you may take a road test to qualify for full licence privileges. You must pass this test to get a Class G licence. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 12/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Note: It is now law that all young drivers 21 and under, regardless of licence class, must have a blood-alcohol level of zero. Note: A restricted Class M licence for limited-speed motorcycle and moped drivers allows licence holders to drive only a limited-speed motorcycle and moped. You are not permitted to drive a limited-speed motorcycle or moped on any driver’s licence other than a class M licence (including M1, M2(L),M2, M(L) or M). For more information on how to obtain a restricted Class M licence to drive a moped, and graduated licensing requirements, please read the Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/handbooks.shtml#Motorcycle). Road tests Road tests check your driving skills in the vehicle and in traffic. You will be tested on your ability to follow the rules of the road and safe driving practices. When you feel qualified to drive safely and confident enough to take your road test, schedule an appointment by internet, phone or in-person at any DriveTest Centre. You can contact the DriveTest Centre at 647-776-0331 or 1-888-570-6110 , or go online to DriveTest.ca (https://drivetest.ca/). You must bring the appropriate vehicle to your road test. The vehicle must be fit, in proper working condition, plated and insured. If you are a Level One driver, an accompanying driver must come with you to the test centre. If you are a Level Two driver, be prepared to take alternate transportation home in case you fail your road test and are unqualified to drive. No pets or passengers other than the driver examiner are allowed in the vehicle during a road test. Driving instructors, friends, relatives and translators may not accompany you during the test. All road tests have a set time frame. Before you begin your test, the examiner will inform you of the time you have to complete the test. You will not be asked to do anything illegal during the road test. The examiner will explain the test, and you should follow his or her instructions. The examiner is not allowed to coach you during the test, so if you have any questions, ask them before you begin. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 13/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Electronic driving aids such as automatic parallel-parking systems, lane monitoring, cruise control, and back cameras may not be used during the road test. On a road test, you are required to demonstrate the proper skills in operating a motor vehicle without the reliance of driving aids (for example, shoulder checks, mirror checks and so on). At the end of each test, the examiner will give you a complete report of your skills, and explain any mistakes you have made. If you fail the test, the report will show you where you need to improve. When you have had more practice, you can make an appointment to take the test again. You must wait at least 10 days between tests. G2 exit test – checklist You must have highway driving experience (experience driving on highways with speed limits of at least 80 km/h) before taking the G2 exit test. You must complete a Declaration of Highway Driving Experience form, describing the highway driving experience you have, before taking the road test. Bring the following items to the test: Vehicle in good working order Money for test fees (if applicable) Glasses or contact lenses (if you need to wear them to drive) Arrive at least 30 minutes before Road Test appointment Failure to attend road test, or short notice cancellation If you cancel or reschedule your road test appointment with less than 48 hours notice, or if you fail to attend your appointment, your prepaid road-test fee will not be refunded. Under certain extenuating circumstances only (such as a death in your immediate family), the road-test fee will remain as a credit on your driving record. Out-of-order road test If your vehicle does not meet ministry standards for the purpose of a road test, or if there is a non-vehicle-related reason for which the examiner determines that the road test cannot be completed, the examiner declares the road test out-of-order. If your road test is declared out-of-order, you lose 50% of your road test fee. The other 50% of the fee remains as a credit on your driving record, and may be applied when booking a new road test. In order to book the new road test, you will have to pay the 50% of the fee deducted due to the out-of-order. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 14/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca If you have any concerns that your road test may be declared out-of-order, contact the DriveTest Centre (http://www.drivetest.ca) before your scheduled test to discuss it. New Ontario residents If you are a new resident of Ontario and have a valid driver’s licence from another province or country, you can use that licence for 60 days in Ontario. If you want to continue to drive after 60 days, you must get an Ontario driver’s licence. Licence Exchange for Countries with Reciprocating Jurisdictions Ontario has licence-exchange agreements with every Canadian province and territory (including Canadian Forces Europe). There are also agreements with Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Japan, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United States. Drivers will receive a full Class G licence, provided they have an equivalent class licence. If you have fewer than two years of driving experience, you may get credit for your experience and enter Level Two of the graduated licensing system. Once you have a total of two years of driving experience, you may take the Level Two road test to earn full driving privileges. Licence Exchange for Non-reciprocating Jurisdictions All applicants for an Ontario driver’s licence are required to present a valid foreign driver’s licence pass a vision test, a knowledge test, pay all applicable fees and provide acceptable proof of identity. Applicants who fulfill these requirements can obtain a G1 licence. The applicant may take their G1 exit test with 12 months of combined Ontario and foreign experience. The 12-month waiting period will be reduced to eight months with the successful completion of a ministry-approved, beginner driver education course. Applicants are required to provide adequate proof of foreign-licensed driving experience. However, the ministry may accept an applicant’s declaration of their foreign-licensed driving experience for up to 12 months. For more than 12 months’ experience, applicants must provide an authenticated letter from their embassy/ consulate or licencing agency in English or French. A full 24 https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 15/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca months of Ontario and foreign experience is required prior to attempting their G2 exit test. Only experience within the past three years may be credited. Driving customs vary from place to place. That is why experienced drivers from other countries should familiarize themselves with Ontario’s laws. The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook and the Ministry of Transportation website are great resources. Could You Pass? The rest of this handbook gives you information you need to pass your tests and to keep your driving privileges once you get your licence. The written test may ask you about: Seatbelts Traffic signs and lights Emergency vehicles How to use headlights Speed limits Getting on or off a freeway What drivers must do when they meet streetcars and school buses Driver licence suspensions The demerit point system Passing other vehicles Collision reporting Sharing the road with other road users Rules of the road The road tests will test how well you use your knowledge while driving. You will be tested on: Starting, stopping and turning Traffic signs and lights https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 16/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Passing vehicles, including bicycles, and driving in passing lanes Travelling through controlled and uncontrolled intersections Parallel parking and reversing Foreseeing hazardous conditions and being ready for them Other safe driving practices Make sure you know the information in this handbook before you take these tests. Sample test questions (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/test- yourself-sample-knowledge-test-questions) that could appear on the knowledge test. Choosing a driving school As a new driver, your choice of professional driving instruction may be the best way to put yourself safely in the driver’s seat. A beginner driver education (BDE) course in a driving school that has been approved by the provincial government can teach you the skills and attitudes you need to be a safe and responsible driver. The BDE course may also make you eligible to take your road test sooner and allow you to save money on insurance premiums. As well as teaching the basics, driver training emphasizes strategic driving techniques, positive driving attitudes and behaviour, avoiding driver distractions, risk perception and management, freeway driving, night driving and driving in adverse conditions. Most programs are designed for new drivers, but many driving schools also provide courses and services to upgrade your skills. If you graduate from an approved BDE course, this will be noted in your driver’s licence history, and will reduce the time you must spend at Level 1 by four months. It may also bring you savings on your car insurance. All ministry-licenced driving schools offer in-class and in-car training for a fee. All lessons are taught by a ministry-licensed driving instructor. Ministry-approved BDE courses, offered by driving schools, must last a minimum of 40 hours. This may consist of at least 20 hours in-class, 10 hours in-vehicle and 10 hours of flexible instruction that may include the following: https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 17/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Classroom driving instruction. Computer-based instruction. In-vehicle instruction. Driving simulator instruction. Home links (homework). The ministry licenses all driving schools offering a BDE course in Ontario. Licences are renewed every three years, if driving schools continue to meet legislative and program requirements. Only licensed instructors working for licensed schools can teach the BDE course. All ministry-approved driving schools (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/driver/driving- schools.shtml) are listed on the ministry’s website. Note: The ministry also lists revoked driving schools (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/driver/revoked-driving-schools.shtml) that are not on the list of approved schools. Look at the website for an active ministry-approved driving school that offers high-quality instruction and a comfortable learning environment. Please make sure the school offers a ministry-approved BDE course of a minimum of 40 hours. The school should also be equipped with up-to-date videotapes, DVDs, projectors, overheads, computers, and other audio-visual aids. To help you choose the best driving school and course for you, please use the following checklist: Course information package Personalized program Adequacy of classroom facilities and related amenities Low student/teacher ratio Audiovisual equipment In-class topics covered In-vehicle topics covered https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 18/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Flexible instruction covered Instructor qualifications and experience Regular instructor upgrading Student progress and evaluation reports Minimum 20 hours of classroom instruction, 10 hours behind-the-wheel instruction and 10 hours of flexible instruction Modern training materials Use of vehicle for road test Tuition receipts Clear school-contract statements regarding the cost of every aspect of the course, including use of vehicle for road test and any subsequent road test Testimonials/references – history of excellent teaching, proper treatment and respect of all students with no discrimination of any type (see the Ontario Human Rights Code) Number of years in business Consumer protection insurance Summary By the end of this chapter, you should know: The legal requirements you must meet to obtain a driver’s licence The different licence classifications and what type of vehicle they permit you to drive The identification you need to provide when applying for a driver’s licence The restrictions and testing requirements under the graduated licensing system Safe and Responsible Driving Being a safe and responsible driver takes a combination of knowledge, skill and attitude. To begin, you must know the traffic laws and driving practices that help traffic move safely. Breaking these “rules of the road” is the major cause of collisions. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 19/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Traffic laws are made by federal, provincial and municipal governments, and police from each level can enforce them. If you break a traffic law, you may be fined, sent to jail or lose your driver’s licence. If you get caught driving while your licence is suspended, your vehicle may be impounded. But you need to do more than just obey the rules. You must care about the safety of others on the road. Everyone is responsible for avoiding collisions. Even if someone else does something wrong, you may be found responsible for a collision if you could have done something to avoid it. Because drivers have to co-operate to keep traffic moving safely, you must also be predictable, doing what other people using the road expect you to do. And you must be courteous. Courteous driving means giving other drivers space to change lanes, not cutting them off and signalling your turns and lane changes properly. You must be able to see dangerous situations before they happen and to respond quickly and effectively to prevent them. This is called defensive or strategic driving. There are collision avoidance courses available where you can practice these techniques. Defensive driving is based on three ideas: visibility, space and communication. Visibility is about seeing and being seen. You should always be aware of traffic in front, behind and beside you. Keep your eyes constantly moving, scanning the road ahead and to the side and checking your mirrors every five seconds or so. The farther ahead you look, the less likely you will be surprised, and you will have time to avoid any hazards. Make sure other drivers can see you by using your signal lights as required. Managing the space around your vehicle lets you see and be seen and gives you time and space to avoid a collision. Leave a cushion of space ahead, behind and to both sides. Because the greatest risk of a collision is in front of you, stay well back. Communicate with other road users to make sure they see you and know what you are doing. Make eye contact with pedestrians, cyclists and drivers at intersections and signal whenever you want to slow down, stop, turn or change lanes. If you need to get another person’s attention, use your horn. Getting ready to drive (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers- handbook/getting-ready-drive) https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 20/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Driving along (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/driving- along) Sharing the road with other road users (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto- drivers-handbook/sharing-road-other-road-users) Driving through intersections (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers- handbook/driving-through-intersections) Stopping (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/stopping) Changing directions (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers- handbook/changing-directions) Changing positions (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers- handbook/changing-positions) Parking along roadways (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers- handbook/parking-along-roadways) Freeway driving (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/freeway- driving) Dealing with particular situations (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers- handbook/dealing-particular-situations) Driving at night and in bad weather (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto- drivers-handbook/driving-night-and-bad-weather) Dealing with emergencies (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers- handbook/dealing-emergencies) Driving efficiently (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/driving- efficiently) Getting ready to drive Before you drive, make sure you are comfortable with your physical, mental and emotional state, your vehicle and the conditions in which you will be driving. If you have doubts about any of them, don't drive. Your ability to drive can change from one day to the next. Illness, fatigue, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, stress and your mental or emotional state can greatly diminish https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 21/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca your ability to operate a motor vehicle. You should consider these factors before you begin driving, and you should not operate a motor vehicle when you are not fit to do so. Be physically and mentally alert You must be in good physical and mental condition to drive. Don't drive when you are sick or injured or when you have been drinking alcohol or taking any drug or medication that may reduce your ability to drive. Don't drive when you are tired. You might fall asleep at the wheel, risking the lives of others on the road. Even if you don't fall asleep, fatigue affects your driving ability. Your thinking slows down and you miss seeing things. In an emergency, you may make the wrong decision or you may not make the right decision fast enough. Don't drive when you are upset or angry. Strong emotions can reduce your ability to think and react quickly. Know your vehicle Diagram 2-1 Get to know your vehicle before you drive it. There are many types of vehicles available today with many different characteristics, including fuel ignition systems, anti-lock brakes, four-wheel drive, and systems for traction control and stability control. Many newer vehicles offer technologies that assist drivers with steering, braking and/or accelerating to help you stay within your lane, avoid, or reduce collisions, and maintain safe following distances. Check the vehicle owner’s manual and other information available from the automaker to learn how these systems work, how to properly operate them, and to understand their limitations. No matter what technologies are available in your vehicle, you must always pay attention to how they operate, be ready to take over control of the vehicle in the event of an unusual or unforeseen situation, and recognize that you remain responsible for all driving tasks. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 22/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca For driving in difficult situations and conditions, see the section on dealing with particular situations (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/dealing-particular- situations). Make sure you know where all the controls and instruments are and what they do. Check that all warning lights and gauges work. Watch for a warning light that stays on after you drive away; it could mean a serious problem with your vehicle. Get to know the controls well enough to turn on wipers and washers, headlights, high beams, heater and defroster without having to look. Learning to use these essential controls without taking your eyes off the road is an important part of driving. Get into position Diagram 2-2 Make sure you sit properly behind the wheel. You should sit high enough in the driver’s seat to see over the steering wheel and hood. You should be able to see the ground four metres in front of the vehicle. Use a firm cushion if needed. Be sure that you are sitting straight upright in the seat with your elbows slightly bent. Adjust the seat so your feet reach the pedals easily. To check your position, try placing your feet flat on the floor under the brake pedal. If you can do this without stretching, you are seated properly. This keeps you in the proper, upright sitting position and gives you more stability when manoeuvring your vehicle. If your vehicle has an adjustable headrest, you should make sure it is at the right height. The back of your head should be directly in front of the middle of the headrest to protect you in a collision. Check that you have enough room in the front seat to drive properly and safely. Do not overcrowd your driving space with passengers or property. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 23/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Keep a clear view Keep a clear view when driving. Do not put anything in your windows that will block your view. The windows of your vehicle must not be coated with any material that keeps you from seeing out in any direction. Neither should the windshield or front door windows be coated to keep someone from seeing inside the vehicle. Find your blind spots Diagram 2-3 Check and adjust your mirrors and find your blind spots, the area on each side of your vehicle where you cannot see. You may not see people or cyclists when they are in these spots. On some vehicles the blind spot is so large that a vehicle could be there and you would not see it. Adjust your mirrors so that there are as few blind spots as possible. Blind spots in most vehicles are to the back left and back right of the vehicle. To reduce the blind spots even more, position the interior mirror so that the centre of the mirror shows the centre of the rear window. You should be able to see directly behind the car when the interior mirror is properly adjusted. Position the left outside mirror by leaning towards the window and moving the mirror so that you can just see the rear of your car. Position the right outside mirror by leaning to the centre of the vehicle and moving the mirror so that you can again just see the rear of your car. Avoid overlap in what you can see in your mirrors. Because your side mirrors show only narrow angles of view, turning your head to do shoulder checks is the only way to make sure there is nothing in your blind spots. You should know the blind spots on your own vehicle. You can learn where and how large they are by having someone walk around your car and watching the person in the mirrors. Fasten your seatbelt https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 24/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Diagram 2-4 The proper use of a seatbelt can save your life. Even a small increase in the number of people who wear their seatbelts can save many lives. You must use your seatbelt every time you travel in any vehicle equipped with seatbelts. All passengers must be buckled up in their own seatbelt, child car seat or booster seat. Drivers who do not buckle up can be fined and will be given two demerit points. Drivers may also be fined and receive demerit points if they fail to ensure that all passengers under 16 years of age are properly buckled in a seatbelt, child car seat or booster seat. Level One (G1) drivers are only allowed to have his or her accompanying driver as a front- seat passenger, and must have a seatbelt for him or her. Novice drivers must have a seatbelt for every passenger. Drivers who do not ensure there is a working seatbelt for every passenger can lose their licence for at least 30 days. Seatbelts should be worn snugly enough to keep you in your seat during a collision. Never put more than one person into a seatbelt; this can cause serious injury or even death in a collision. Wear the shoulder strap over your shoulder, never under your arm or behind your back. The lap belt should be worn low over the hips, not against the stomach. Use your seatbelt always, even when you are sitting in a position with an active airbag. Airbags do not replace seatbelts. In a collision, your seatbelt will keep you in position so that the airbag can protect you. Note: The safest place a passenger can travel is inside a vehicle, properly buckled in. It is not safe to travel outside a vehicle, such as in the back of a pickup truck, or in a trailer that is being towed. It is important for passengers to be secured within a vehicle to avoid being thrown from the vehicle during a collision. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 25/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca For more information on seatbelts, visit the Ministry of Transportation (https://www.ontario.ca/transportation) website. Child safety Diagram 2-5 To be safely protected in a vehicle, children must be properly secured in a child car seat, booster seat or seatbelt, depending on their height, weight and/or age. Research shows that a correctly used child car seat can reduce the likelihood of injury or death by 75 per cent. As a driver, you are responsible for ensuring that all passengers under 16 years of age are properly buckled into a seatbelt, child car seat or booster seat. In Ontario, all drivers must use proper child car seats and booster seats when transporting young children. Child car seats must meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Buckles and straps must be fastened according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Newer vehicles that come equipped with a lower universal anchorage system (UAS) for securing a child car seat do not require the use of a seatbelt. A booster seat requires a lap and shoulder belt combination. Infants who weigh less than 9 kilograms (20 lbs.) must be buckled into a rear-facing child car seat attached to the vehicle by a seatbelt or the UAS strap. A rear-facing child car seat is always best installed in the back seat. Never put a rear-facing child car seat in a seating position that has an active airbag. If the airbag inflates, it could seriously injure the child. Toddlers 9 to 18 kilograms (20 to 40 lbs.) must be buckled into a child car seat attached to the vehicle by a seatbelt or a UAS strap; the seat’s tether strap must also be attached to the vehicle’s tether anchor. Children weighing more than 9 kilograms (20 lbs.) may remain in a rear-facing child car seat if it is designed to accommodate the child’s height and https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 26/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca weight. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing a child car seat in your vehicle. Booster seats provide 60 per cent more protection than seatbelts alone. These must be used by pre-school and primary-grade-aged children who have outgrown their forward- facing child car seat, are under the age of eight and weigh 18 kilograms (40 lbs.) or more but less than 36 kilograms (80 lbs.), and who are less than 145 centimetres (4 feet, 9 inches) tall. Booster seats raise a child so that the adult seatbelt works more effectively. The child’s head must be supported by the top of the booster, vehicle seat or headrest. You must use a booster seat with a lap/shoulder belt. The lap/shoulder belt should be worn so that the shoulder belt fits closely against the body, over the shoulder and across the centre of the chest and the lap belt sits firmly against the body and across the hips. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing a booster seat in your vehicle, and secure the booster seat with a seatbelt when a child is not travelling in it, or remove it from the vehicle. If your vehicle has lap belts only, secure the child by the lap belt only. Never use a lap belt alone with a booster seat. Children may begin wearing a seatbelt once they are able to wear it properly (a lap belt flat across the hips, shoulder belt across the centre of the chest and over the shoulder), and if any one of the following criteria is met: The child turns eight years old. The child weighs 36 kilograms (80 lbs.) or more. The child is 145 centimetres (4 feet 9 inches) tall or taller. Do not place a child in a seating position in front of an air bag that is not turned off. The safest place for a child under age 13 is in the back seat. Always secure loose objects in the vehicle with cargo nets or straps, or move them to the trunk to prevent them from injuring passengers in a collision or sudden stop. Correct installation of a child car seat is important for ensuring a child’s safety. Your local public health unit is a good resource for finding out how to properly install a child car seat, or visit a local car seat clinic where certified technicians will help you install the seat. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 27/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca For more information on child car seats visit the Ministry of Transportation (https://www.ontario.ca/transportation) website. Note: Be careful if buying a used child car seat. Considerations should include ensuring the child car seat comes with complete manufacturer’s instructions and all necessary equipment; does not show signs of deterioration or damage; has never been in a collision; is not under recall; and has not exceeded its useful life expectancy as determined by the manufacturer. Seatbelts and child car seats save lives Seatbelts and child car seats reduce the risk of injury or death in collisions. Seatbelts help keep you inside and in control of the vehicle during a collision. People who are thrown from a vehicle have a much lower chance of surviving a collision. Seatbelts keep your head and body from hitting the inside of the vehicle or another person in the vehicle. When a vehicle hits a solid object, the people inside keep moving until something stops them. If you are not wearing your seatbelt, the steering wheel, windshield, dashboard or another person might be what stops you. This “human collision” often causes serious injury. Fire or sinking in water is rare in collisions. If it does happen, seatbelts help keep you conscious, giving you a chance to get out of the vehicle. In a sudden stop or swerve, no one can hold onto a child who is not in a seatbelt or child car seat. Infants or children who are not properly restrained can be thrown against the vehicle’s interior, collide with other people or be ejected. When using a child car seat, make sure that the seat is tightly secured by the vehicle seatbelt or by the universal anchorage system (UAS) strap, and for a forward-facing car seat, ensure the tether strap is also used. When installing the child car seat, press one knee into the seat and use your body weight to push it into the vehicle seat, then tighten the seatbelt or the car-seat UAS strap as much as possible. The installed child car seat should move no more than 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) where the seatbelt or UAS strap is routed through the child car seat. Use a locking clip where needed to ensure the seatbelt stays locked into position and will not loosen during a collision. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual to see if you will need to use a locking clip. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 28/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca If a rear-facing child car seat does not rest at the proper 45-degree angle, you can prop up the base of the seat with a towel or a Styrofoam bar (“pool noodle”). Eighty per cent of the base of a forward-facing car seat should be firmly supported by the vehicle seat. Turn on headlights at night and in poor conditions Diagram 2-6 - High beams Headlights enable you to see the roadway in front of your vehicle when visibility is poor, as well as making your vehicle visible to others. Your vehicle’s headlights must shine a white light that can be seen at least 150 metres in front and is strong enough to light up objects 110 metres away. You must also have red rear lights that can be seen 150 metres away and a white light lighting the rear licence plate when headlights are on. Headlights are equipped with the option to use a high beam to enhance vision further down the roadway and the use of a low beam when you are near other vehicles to minimize the glare of your headlights onto others. When you use high-beam headlights, remember to switch to low beams within 150 metres of an oncoming vehicle. Use your low beams when you are less than 60 metres behind another vehicle unless you are passing it. These rules apply to all roads, including divided ones. Turning your headlights on activates other required light systems, such as your parking lights, tail lights and rear-licence plate light. Daytime running lights, which are often another mode of your headlights or can be a separate lighting system, are specifically designed to make your vehicle more visible during times of good light conditions, and are automatically activated when your vehicle is in operation and your headlight switch is turned to off. When driving your vehicle, headlights are required to be turned on between one-half hour before sunset and one-half hour after sunrise, and any other time of poor light conditions, such as fog, snow or rain, which keeps you from clearly seeing people or vehicles less than 150 metres away. Please see the section on driving at night and in bad weather (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/driving-night-and-bad-weather). https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 29/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Don't drive with only one headlight or with lights that are not aimed properly. Have your full lighting system checked regularly, keep them clean, and replace burned-out bulbs as soon as possible. Parking lights are only for parking. In low light, use your headlights, not parking lights. Diagram 2-7 - Low beams Your daytime running lights are not to be used as headlights during poor lighting conditions. They provide an inappropriate form of light that may cast glare onto others or deactivate other required light systems, such as tail lights. Daytime running lights are only to be used during good light conditions to enhance the visibility of your vehicle. If your vehicle is not equipped with daytime running lights, you should turn your headlights on to provide similar visual enhancement. Driving with your vehicle’s full lighting system set to automatic is recommended, if your vehicle is equipped with this option. This will better ensure that the appropriate lighting system is being used. You should also monitor the activation and operation of your vehicle’s full lighting system at all times to ensure that appropriate lighting is being provided. Summary By the end of this section, you should know: The concepts of safe and responsible and defensive driving Factors that may affect your physical and mental readiness to drive How to familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s controls and how to set your seating position The legal requirements surrounding seatbelts, booster seats, and child car seats How and when to use your vehicle’s lighting system https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 30/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Driving along Always be aware of traffic around you as you drive. Develop a routine for looking ahead, behind and from side to side. Check your mirrors every five seconds or so, and check your blind spots by turning your head to look over your shoulder. Keep other drivers out of your blind spot by changing your speed and don't drive in other vehicles' blind spots. This is especially true when driving around large commercial vehicles, as they typically have large blind spots to the sides and back. Be extra careful at dusk and dawn when everyone has difficulty adjusting to the changing light. Keep a cushion of space around your vehicle and be prepared for the unexpected. Anticipate other drivers movements and make allowances for every possible error. Look well ahead and watch for people in parked vehicles, they may be about to pull out in front of you or to open a door. Watch for smaller vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. Steer smoothly All steering should be smooth and precise. You should do most steering and lane changes without taking either hand off the wheel. You must be able to steer in a straight line while shifting gears, adjusting controls or checking your blind spot. Picture the steering wheel as a clock and place your hands at nine o'clock and three o'clock. Use of turn signals and brake lights https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 31/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Diagram 2-8 Signals tell other drivers what you want to do, alerting them to your intention to turn or stop. Use your turn signals and brake lights to signal before stopping, slowing down, turning, changing lanes, leaving the road or moving out from a parked position. Give the correct signal well before taking the action and make sure other drivers can see it. Check that the way is clear before you act, just signalling is not enough. Follow the rules for turns, whether left or right, on lane changes and on yields to other vehicles and pedestrians. If your turn signals and brake lights are not working, use hand and arm signals. The pictures on the previous page show how to make hand and arm signals. When watching for signals made by others, remember that cyclists may signal right turns by holding their right arms straight out. After signalling, move only when it is safe to do so. Keep right Keep to the right of the road or in the right-hand lane on multi-lane roads unless you want to turn left or pass another vehicle. This is especially important if you are driving more slowly than other vehicles. Obey speed limits Obey the maximum speed limit posted on signs along the road, but always drive at a speed that will let you stop safely. This means driving below the maximum speed in bad weather, in heavy traffic or in construction zones. School zones and construction zones often have lower speed limits to protect children and those who work on or near the road. Where there are no posted speed limits, the maximum speed is 50 km/h in cities, towns and villages, and 80 km/h elsewhere. Cruise control is a driver aid that can improve fuel economy and prevent you from inadvertently exceeding the speed limit. However, there are some circumstances in which cruise control should not be used, such as adverse driving conditions (wet, icy or slippery roads), in heavy traffic or when you are feeling fatigued. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 32/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Speed measuring warning devices are illegal. If you get caught driving with such a device, you will be fined and accumulate demerit points. Obey police When police officers are directing traffic, you must follow their directions, even if the directions are different from traffic lights or signs. When a police officer signals you to pull your vehicle over, you must pull over as far to the right as you safely can and come to a complete stop. Stay in your vehicle and wait for the police officer. You must immediately, upon the police officer’s request, surrender your driver’s licence, vehicle permit (or copy) and insurance. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have 24 hours to present these documents. If you do not obey a police officer’s direction to pull over, you risk being fined, having your licence suspended or even serving time in prison. Maintaining space As a general rule, drive at the same speed as traffic around you without going over the speed limit. Leave a cushion of space around your vehicle to let other drivers see you and to avoid a collision. Whenever you follow another vehicle, you need enough space to stop safely if the other vehicle brakes suddenly. A safe following distance is at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. This lets you see around the vehicle ahead and gives you enough distance to stop suddenly. Do not block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 33/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Diagram 2-9 To give yourself a two-second space, follow these steps: 1. Pick a marker on the road ahead, such as a road sign or telephone pole. 2. When the rear of the vehicle ahead passes the marker, count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two". 3. When the front of your vehicle reaches the marker, stop counting. If you reach the marker before you count "one thousand and two," you are following too closely. Remember that the two-second rule gives a minimum following distance. It applies only to ideal driving conditions. You will need extra space in certain situations, such as bad weather, when following motorcycles or large trucks, or when carrying a heavy load. Summary By the end of this section you should know: How to steer and use your vehicle’s signalling system and hand signals The importance of maintaining space and how to measure following distance Where to position your vehicle on the road and to obey speed limits and police Sharing the road with other road users Ontario’s roads accommodate many road users, including pedestrians, motorcycles, bicycles, large trucks, buses and farm machinery. Be aware of other road users, the speed at which they travel and the space they occupy on the road. Sharing the road with pedestrians Road safety is a responsibility that is shared between pedestrians and drivers. Pedestrians must ensure that drivers have seen them and that drivers are stopped, or are about to stop, before entering the roadway. Drivers need to exercise due diligence in the care and operation of their vehicles, to properly respond to the presence of pedestrians. In most cases, that means yielding to the pedestrian. Reminder: Eye contact between the pedestrian and driver is one of the keys to pedestrian safety. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 34/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Watch for children – Drive slowly and cautiously through school zones, residential areas and any other location where children may be walking or playing. A driver should not rely on a child's knowledge of traffic laws, so expect the unexpected. A child might dart out from between parked cars or try to cross a street without checking for traffic. Be extra cautious at twilight when children may still be playing outside, but are difficult to see. Watch for all crosswalks – A crosswalk can be the portion of a roadway that: connects sidewalks on opposite sides of the roadway into a continuous path has signs, lines or other markings on the roadway for pedestrian crossing Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. A stopped vehicle may be a clue that a pedestrian is crossing. Reminder: Not all crosswalks are marked, but nearly all intersections have crosswalks. Watch for school crossings and guards – Drivers, including cyclists, must stop and yield the whole roadway at pedestrian crossovers, school crossings and other locations where there is a crossing guard. Only when pedestrians and school crossing guards have crossed and are safely on the sidewalk can drivers and cyclists proceed. Watch for community safety zones – Signs indicate areas where the community has identified that there is a special risk to pedestrians. Watch for slow pedestrians – Many modern urban roads often do not allow sufficient time to cross for slow pedestrians during the normal traffic cycle. So be patient and allow all pedestrians time to cross. Seniors or pedestrians with disabilities need extra caution and courtesy from drivers, as they may be slow in crossing the road. Pedestrians who are blind or with a visual disability may use a white cane or guide dog to help them travel safely along sidewalks and across intersections. Watch when driving quiet vehicles – Drivers of hybrid or electric vehicles should be aware that vision-impaired people often rely on the sound of an engine before entering an intersection. When you are slowing or stopping, your vehicle makes little or no discernible noise, so extra caution is required. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 35/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Watch for wheelchairs and medical scooters – People operating motorized wheelchair and medical scooters are pedestrians too. Watch for streetcars – Some streetcar stops have a special safety island or zone for passengers getting on and off. Pass these safety islands and zones at a reasonable speed. Always be ready, in case pedestrians make sudden or unexpected moves. Watch for texters – A no-texting rule isn’t only for drivers. Pedestrians are often distracted while using devices, including cell phones, ear buds, hand-held device, GPS, and music players. People using ear buds/headphones often can`t hear car horn or other traffic noise. Watch for dark clothing – Pedestrians in dark clothing, especially at night, are difficult to see. Extra care is needed when driving in low-light conditions. Twilight and dark clothing often initiate a collision. Watch for new transport – New technology allows small motors on skateboards, scooters and even roller blades. These devices may reduce control and even propel users into the roadway. Many modern electric bikes are made to look like motor scooters. Watch during turns – Safer, signaled crosswalks aren’t immune to vehicle-pedestrian collisions. Many more people get hit by cars turning left than by cars turning right, because both parties are looking elsewhere: The drivers are busy negotiating the intersection while street-crossers are looking straight ahead. Sharing the road with cyclists Bicycles and mopeds travelling at a lower speed than other traffic are expected to ride about one metre from the curb or parked cars, or as close as practical to the right-hand edge of the road when there is no curb. However, they can use any part of the lane if necessary for safety, such as to: Avoid obstacles such as puddles, ice, sand, debris, rutted or grooved pavement, potholes and sewer grates Cross railway or streetcar tracks at a 90° angle Discourage passing where the lane is too narrow to be shared safely A bike lane may exist adjacent to parking bays (See Diagram 2-10) https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 36/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Diagram 2-10 Cyclists are not required to ride close to the right edge of the road when they are travelling at or faster than the normal speed of traffic at that time and place, or when they are turning left, or getting in position to turn left. (Cyclists are permitted to make a left turn from a left-turn lane, where one is available.) Diagram 2-11 When passing a cyclist, drivers of motor vehicles must maintain a minimum distance of one metre, where practical between their vehicle and the cyclist. (See Diagram 2-11.) Failure to do so may result in a fine and an additional two demerit points on the driver’s record. Whenever possible, you should change lanes to pass. Do not follow too closely behind cyclists. They do not have brake lights to warn you when they are slowing or stopping. Intersections – To avoid collisions with bicyclists at intersections, remember the following: https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 37/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca When turning right, signal and check your mirrors and the blind spot to your right to make sure you do not cut off a cyclist. When turning left, you must stop and wait for oncoming bicycles to pass before turning. When driving through an intersection, be careful to scan for cyclists waiting to turn left. Do not sound your horn unnecessarily when you are overtaking a cyclist. It may frighten them and cause them to lose control. If you feel that you must use your horn, tap it quickly and lightly while you are still some distance away from the cyclist. Diagram 2-12 Bike lanes are reserved for cyclists. They are typically marked by a solid white line. Sometimes you will need to enter or cross a bike lane to turn right at a corner or driveway. (See Diagram 2-12) Take extra care when you do this. Enter the bike lane only after ensuring that you can do so safely, and then make the turn. Watch for cyclists' hand signals. A cyclist may indicate a right-hand turn by extending their right arm. Try to make eye contact when possible with cyclists. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 38/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Diagram 2-13 Bike boxes help prevent collisions between motorists and bicycles at intersections. It is typically a painted box on the road with a white bicycle symbol inside. Bicycle lanes approaching and leaving the box may also be painted. As a driver, you must stop for a traffic signal behind the bike box. Do not stop in the box. See (Diagram 2-13) Diagram 2-14 Sharrows A bicycle sharrow, two chevrons painted above a bicycle symbol on the road, indicates the lane is shared. Vehicle or bicycle traffic may be in the lane. Although you should always keep on the lookout for bicyclists, this serves as an additional warning to watch for them in the lane. See (Diagram 2-14) Children riding bicycles on the street may lack the necessary training and skills for safe cycling. They may not be aware of all the dangers or the rules of the road. Watch for children on oversized bicycles, as they may not have the ability to control it. When parked on the side of the roadway, look behind you and check your mirrors and blind spots for a passing cyclist before opening a door. Sharing the road with motorcycles and limited-speed motorcycles https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 39/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Motorcycles, limited-speed motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles are harder to see because of their size. Drivers of these vehicles may make sudden moves because of uneven road surfaces or poor weather conditions. Because they are less protected, they are more likely to be injured in a collision. Motorcycles use a full lane; treat them like other vehicles when driving. Since many motorcycle turn signals do not automatically shut off, be careful when turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle with its turn signal on. Make sure the motorcyclist is actually turning; he or she may have just forgotten to switch off the turn signal. Sharing the road with large commercial vehicles It is extremely important to know how to drive safely when sharing the road with large commercial vehicles such as tractor-trailers and buses. Recent data show that the majority of fatalities resulting from collisions involving large commercial trucks are not the result of the truck driver’s actions, but of the other driver’s actions. Therefore, sharing the road with large commercial vehicles means you must always be aware of a large vehicle’s capabilities and limitations, such as of the following: 1. Blind Spots - Large commercial vehicles have big blind spots on both sides. Avoid tailgating a large vehicle. The driver cannot see you if you are directly behind. If the vehicle stops suddenly, you have no place to go. Remember that if you can't see the driver’s face in the large vehicle’s side-view mirror, the driver cannot see you. Diagram 2-15 2. Stopping Distance - Large commercial vehicles require a much longer distance to stop than smaller vehicles. When passing a large vehicle, do not cut in front closely. Not only is this discourteous, it is dangerous; it reduces the space cushion large vehicles require in order to stop safely. Allow more room when passing a large vehicle. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 40/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Diagram 2-16 3. Wide Turns - When making a right turn, a large vehicle may need to first swing wide to the left and around, in order to avoid hitting the right curb. If a large vehicle in front of you is making a right turn, do not move up into the space that opens up in the right lane; you are putting yourself into a very dangerous position. Once the front of the vehicle has cleared the corner, the rest will move partially back into the right lane. If you are in that lane, your vehicle will be squeezed between the trailer and the curb. Stay well back until the truck has completely cleared the lane. This situation can occur on expressway off-ramps that have two left turning lanes. Do not drive up into the left lane when a large vehicle is making a left turn in front of you. Stay well back until the truck has cleared the left turn, or else you may get squeezed between the truck and the curb. 4. Rolling Back - Leave plenty of room if you are stopped behind a large vehicle. When the driver of a large vehicle releases the brakes after being stopped, the vehicle may roll back. 5. Spray - In bad weather, large vehicles are capable of spraying up large amounts of mud, snow and debris, which could land on your windshield and temporarily block your vision. 6. Turbulence - Due to various factors such as air pressure and airflow, a large vehicle can create heavy air turbulence. This may affect your ability to control your vehicle when passing a large one. Sharing the road with municipal buses Many municipal roadways have special indented stopping areas for municipal buses, called bus bays, where passengers can get on and off. There are three types of bus bays: Mid-block indented bays https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 41/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Indentations immediately before and after intersections Bus-stop areas between two designated parking areas When a bus in a bus bay begins flashing its left-turn signals, indicating that it is ready to leave the bus bay, and you are approaching in the lane adjacent to the bus bay, you must allow the bus to re-enter traffic. Diagram 2-17 A: Mid-block indented bays B: An indentation before an intersection C: An indentation after an intersection D: Bus stops between legally parked cars Sharing the road with farm machinery Farm machinery moves quite slowly compared to other road users. Most tractors and combines have a maxi-mum speed of 40 km/h, but travel at less than 40 km/h when towing implements or wagons. Farm machinery is often oversized, wide or long or both, making it difficult for the driver to see vehicles coming up from behind. Farmers often turn directly into fields rather than roads or lanes, or move from lane to lane. Remember that it is common for farmers to be on the roads after dark during peak planting and harvesting seasons. Farm machinery on the road must display an orange and red slow-moving sign (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/signs#section-5) on the rear of the vehicle. The sign warns other drivers that the vehicle is travelling at 40 km/h or less. If https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 42/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca you see one of these signs, slow down and be cautious. Stay well back and do not pass until it is safe to do so. Sharing the road with horse-drawn vehicles Horse-drawn vehicles are one of the slowest moving of all road users. These vehicles range from two-person carts to open or closed buggies carrying up to eight people, and large, wide farm wagons used to carry crops, equipment and other goods. These vehicles will travel primarily on the shoulder of roadways, but may straddle or enter the paved lane where shoulders are narrow or no shoulder exists – such as bridge crossings. Remember that it is common to see horse-drawn vehicles throughout southwestern Ontario and increasingly in eastern and northern Ontario. Horse-drawn vehicles on the road must display an orange and red slow-moving sign on the rear of the buggy. In addition, many buggies have highly reflective tape affixed to the side and rear of the vehicle. The sign warns other drivers that this vehicle is travelling at 40 km/h or less, and the reflective tape illuminates as headlights hit the buggy. If you see a horse-drawn vehicle, slow down and be very cautious. Maintain a safe following distance and only pass when it is safe to do so. When approaching a horse-drawn vehicle travelling in the opposite direction, move to the far right of your lane. When passing, give as much distance between you and them as possible. Passing too closely could scare or startle the horse, causing it to change direction suddenly on the roadway. Sharing the road with school buses When you see a school bus with its overhead amber lights flashing: These signals indicate that the bus is coming to a stop to pick up or drop off passengers Slow down and prepare to stop whether you are behind or approaching the bus If you are on a road with a median strip, only vehicles approach from the rear of the bus should prepare to stop https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 43/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Diagram 2-18 When you see a school bus with its overhead red lights flashing or its stop arm activated: You must stop whether you are behind or approaching the bus If you are on a roadway with a median strip, only vehicles approaching from the rear of the bus must stop If you are approaching from the rear of the vehicle, stop at least 20 meters away Do not proceed on your route until the bus moves, the overhead red lights have stopped flashing and its stop arm is no longer activated It is dangerous and illegal to fail to stop for a stopped school bus that has its overhead red lights flashing or its stop arm activated Diagram 2-19 Summary By the end of this section, you should know: The importance of sharing the road with other road users, especially large vehicles, school buses, cyclists, and pedestrians How to share the road with other road users safely and appropriately https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 44/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca Driving through intersections Be alert as you come to intersections and look carefully for pedestrians, cyclists, other motor vehicles, yield signs, stop signs and traffic lights. Be sure to scan any sidewalks and paths/trails as well as the roadways. Bear in mind that children are often unaware of traffic laws and also that cycling on the sidewalk may be permitted by local bylaw. Diagram 2-18 There are two main types of intersections: controlled and uncontrolled. Controlled intersections Diagram 2-19 Controlled intersections have traffic lights, yield signs or stop signs to control traffic (Diagram 2-19). At a controlled intersection where you face a green light, drive carefully through the intersection at a steady speed. If the light has been green for a while, be prepared to stop when it turns yellow. However, if you are already so close that you cannot stop safely, drive through the intersection with caution. Where you face a red light, come to a complete stop and wait until the light turns green. When you approach an intersection on a main road, and the intersection is blocked with traffic, stop before entering the intersection and wait until the traffic ahead moves on. This does not apply if you are turning left or right. https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 45/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca At a controlled intersection where you face a yield sign, slow down or stop if necessary and wait until the way is clear before driving through the intersection. At a controlled intersection where you face a stop sign, come to a complete stop. Drive through the intersection only when the way is clear (Diagram 2-19). Uncontrolled intersections Uncontrolled intersections have no signs or traffic lights. They are usually found in areas where there is not much traffic. Be extra careful around these intersections. If two vehicles come to an uncontrolled intersection from different roads at the same time, the driver on the left must let the driver on the right go first. This is called yielding the right-of- way. Yielding the right-of-way There are times when you must yield the right-of-way. This means you must let another driver go first. Here are some rules about when you must yield the right-of-way. Diagram 2-18 At an intersection without signs or lights, you must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle approaching the intersection before you, and if you arrive at the same time, the vehicle approaching from the right has the right-of-way (Diagram 2-18). Diagram 2-19 https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 46/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca At an intersection with stop signs at all corners, you must yield the right-of-way to the first vehicle to come to a complete stop. If two vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right (Diagram 2-19). Diagram 2-20 At any intersection where you want to turn left or right, you must yield the right-of-way. If you are turning left, you must wait for approaching traffic to pass or turn and for pedestrians in or approaching your path to cross. If you are turning right, you must wait for pedestrians to cross if they are in or approaching your path (Diagram 2-20). You should also check your blind spot for cyclists approaching from behind, particularly in a bike lane to your right, on a sidewalk or a trail. A yield sign means you must slow down or stop if necessary and yield the right-of-way to traffic in the intersection or on the intersecting road. Diagram 2-21 When entering a road from a private road or driveway, you must yield to vehicles on the road and pedestrians on the sidewalk (Diagram 2-21). Diagram 2-22 https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook# 47/218 1/19/25, 11:36 AM The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook | ontario.ca You must yield the right-of-way and wait for pedestrians to completely

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