You hear it constantly in Ontario driving forums: the G test is way harder than the G2. But is that actually true across the province, or does it depend on where you test? We pulled the pass rates for both tests at all 56 DriveTest centres and compared them side by side.

The Province-Wide Numbers

Across all 56 centres, the average G2 pass rate sits around 72% and the average G pass rate around 71%. The gap is less than one percentage point. Province-wide, the two tests produce almost identical outcomes.

That average hides a lot of variation. At individual centres, the gap between G and G2 pass rates ranges from zero to seven percentage points in either direction. Some centres are noticeably harder for the G test. Others are harder for the G2. Five centres have identical pass rates for both tests: Brampton (58%), Chatham (78%), Kingston (74%), Sarnia (77%), and Toronto Metro East (63%).

Of the 56 centres, 33 have a higher G2 pass rate than G pass rate, meaning the G test produces more failures at those locations. Eighteen centres flip the pattern, with G test-takers passing at a higher rate than G2 test-takers. So while the G test is harder at most locations, it is far from a universal rule.

Where the G Test Is Significantly Harder

At these centres, the G pass rate drops well below the G2 rate.

Renfrew has the largest gap in the province. The G2 pass rate is 75%, but the G drops to 68%, a seven-point difference. The highway component of the G test through the area's rural highways likely plays a role.

Espanola and Huntsville each show a five-point drop from G2 to G. Espanola goes from 86% to 81%. Huntsville goes from 82% to 77%. Both are smaller centres with strong G2 pass rates, suggesting that while their local roads are manageable, the G test's highway section adds real difficulty.

Kapuskasing, Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Toronto Port Union, and Windsor all show four-point gaps. Kapuskasing drops from 88% to 84%. Timmins goes from 83% to 79%. Toronto Port Union falls from 66% to 62%. Windsor drops from 72% to 68%.

A pattern emerges: centres in Northern and Central Ontario often see their strong G2 numbers weaken on the G test. The highway driving section appears to level the playing field somewhat, even at locations where in-town driving comes easy. You can see the full breakdown of every centre on our pass rates page.

Where the G2 Is Actually Harder

Not every centre follows the expected pattern. At some locations, drivers pass the G test at a higher rate than the G2.

Lindsay and Sault Ste Marie stand out with five-point gaps in the opposite direction. Lindsay's G2 pass rate is 71%, but the G jumps to 76%. Sault Ste Marie goes from 74% on the G2 to 79% on the G.

Brantford shows a four-point advantage for G test-takers (63% G2 vs 67% G). Bancroft, the top G pass rate centre in the province at 86%, has a three-point advantage over its own G2 rate of 83%.

Other centres where G outperforms G2 include Barrie (70% G2 vs 72% G), Kitchener (64% vs 66%), Thunder Bay (64% vs 67%), and St Catharines (66% vs 69%).

Why would the supposedly harder test produce better results at these locations? The most likely factor is driver experience. By the time you take the G test, you have been driving on a G2 licence for months or years. G2 test-takers have only practised with a G1. That accumulated seat time can more than offset the added highway section, especially at centres where the highway portion runs along calmer stretches of road.

What Drives the Difference

Three factors explain why the gap varies so much from centre to centre.

The first is the highway section itself. The G test requires highway driving, including merging, lane changes at speed, and maintaining flow with traffic. At centres near busy 400-series highways, this adds genuine difficulty. At centres near quieter two-lane highways with lower speed limits, the highway portion feels less like a step up from city driving.

The second is local road complexity for the G2 routes. If a centre's G2 test already involves busy multi-lane roads, aggressive traffic, and complicated intersections, the jump to G-level difficulty is smaller. The G2 test in Brampton (58% pass rate) is arguably tougher than the G test at many rural centres just because of the road environment. For a full look at which centres offer the best overall pass rates, see our ranking of the highest pass rate DriveTest centres in Ontario.

The third is test-taker preparedness. G test candidates carry real-world driving experience. G2 candidates are often behind the wheel for what amounts to a few dozen supervised practice hours. At centres where both tests use similar road conditions, the experience advantage of G candidates shows up clearly in the numbers.

How to Use This When Booking

If you are deciding where to take your road test, do not just look at overall pass rates. Check the rate for your specific test type. A centre that ranks well for G2 might not rank as well for G, and vice versa.

For example, Lindsay sits in the middle of the pack for G2 at 71%, but jumps to 76% for G, making it one of the stronger options for G test-takers in Central Ontario. Sault Ste Marie tells a similar story: 74% for G2, but 79% for G.

On the other hand, if you are preparing for the G2, centres like Espanola (86% G2) and Huntsville (82% G2) offer excellent odds for that test type specifically, even though their G numbers dip a bit. The key is matching your test type to the centre where that test performs strongest.

Check which locations we monitor on our scope page, and if you have questions about the process, our FAQ covers the common ones. Once you have a target centre in mind, sign up for cancellation alerts so you can grab a slot as soon as one opens up.

The data shows that the G test is harder at most centres, but the province-wide gap is under one percentage point. Where you test matters more than which test you are taking.